Tuesday's Sportshorts: Rock Falls' Blair returns to bump
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Blair makes first rehab outing
Rock Falls native Seth Blair will make his 2012 pitching debut today, where he will throw an inning of relief work during his rehab stint with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Gulf Coast Rookie League affiliate.
The 2007 graduate of Rock Falls High School has been sidelined all season after April 17 surgery to remove an enchondroma tumor from the middle finger of his pitching hand. He was cleared to throw last week, and expects to return to the Cardinals’ advanced Class A affiliate in Palm Beach soon.
PREP FOOTBALL
Aurora University camp in Amboy
The Aurora University football team will be hosting a free 1-day camp at Amboy Junior High School on Saturday.
Former Clipper Spencer Morrissey, now a senior safety for the Spartans, and some of his teammates will run drills and teach fundamentals. Seventh- and eighth-graders will meet from 10 a.m.-noon, while high schoolers will go from 1-3 p.m.
Participants are asked to bring their own helmets, cleats and drinks.
RECREATION SPORTS
Rock Falls to host disc golf tourney
Nims Park, East Third Street and Avenue E in Rock Falls, will be the site of a Discraft Ace Race on Aug. 12.
A flexible starting time for this disc golfing race allows players to show up anytime between 9:30 a.m. and noon. The cost to play is $25. Participants must register by July 27 at Air Play Sports, 115 E. Third St., Sterling. Only a limited number of registrations will be accepted on the day of the race.
Prizes will be awarded; $250 is guaranteed for the overall winner.
For more information, call the Coloma Township Park District at 815-625-0272.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
NIU’s Butler injured off the field again
SYCAMORE – A DeKalb man charged with stabbing Northern Illinois University linebacker Devon Butler after he was ejected from an off-campus party had bond set at $200,000 Monday.
Freddy E. Sparks-Ward, 25, was charged with armed violence, aggravated battery, battery and criminal trespass to real property. If convicted of the armed violence charge, he could serve up to 30 years in prison.
Sparks-Ward was thrown out of the party at about
3 a.m. Sunday after fighting with Butler; he returned about 20 minutes later with a 4-inch knife. Witnesses told police Butler was stabbed by Sparks-Ward, who fled on foot; Sparks-Ward admitted to stabbing Butler when police arrested him about 9:30 a.m.
Butler was treated at Kishwaukee Community Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and released. NIU athletic department spokesperson Donna Turner said Butler’s injuries were “very, very minor,” and he worked out with the team Monday morning.
Butler was also an unintended victim in a drive-by shooting last year. While visiting friends at an apartment in April 2011, he was wounded by bullets fired into the apartment, a product of a drug deal gone wrong earlier in the day.
