The announced crowd of 3,187 at Packard Stadium on Friday night came to see an early-summer blockbuster — an expected duel of perhaps the two best starting pitchers in the Pac-10.

WASHINGTON - The Diamondbacks continued to persevere through the “global warming” here Saturday.

The suspense Saturday was not about Luis Gonzalez’s 500th double.

Before Monday’s game, Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly spoke of the opponent, the Philadelphia Phillies — how they have not produced as well as expected on offense but would probably break out soon.

Cage your children this weekend. They’ll stay happy until the tokens run out. Batting cages, where baseball and softball players ages 5 to 85 practice their swings, have provided a fun way for getting some family exercise since the 1980s in the East Valley.

May 19, 2004

An opponent’s offensive power can put a game out of reach real quick.

Brophy’s unrelenting bats were too much Saturday afternoon for Hamilton as the unbeaten teams in Pool A of the 5A Division I state tournament met for the right to an easier road to the 5A title game.

MONTREAL - Despite a bit of an offensive outburst Wednesday, the Diamondbacks might be able to use the top hitter in professional baseball.

Chandler baseball coach Jon Watson was pleased with his team’s offensive barrage. He was not pleased with its ineptness on the field.

The proceedings at Packard Stadium on Tuesday night can be summed up in one injury report: Arizona center fielder T.J. Steele left the game with a sore knee suffered when running into the outfield fence.

The proceedings at Packard Stadium on Tuesday night can be summed up in one injury report: Arizona center fielder T.J. Steele left the game with a sore knee suffered when running into the outfield fence.

An ear-to-ear grin on Mindy Cowles’ face should be proof enough for Arizona State softball fans that all is well in the universe again. With three errors and a couple of strikeouts on Friday, the senior second baseman unintentionally became the poster woman for the struggles the Sun Devils endured during a tighter-than-expected win over Stony Brook in the opener of the NCAA regional.

May 22, 2004

TUCSON - Round 1 to the pitching.

The Arizona State baseball team on Saturday was lackluster in a loss to Oregon State, but the Coca-Cola Classic does not necessarily serve as a barometer for the Pac-10 season.

What is most heartbreaking about the accusations of using a doctored baseball bat against Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa is that they involve the very game itself, which has been fans’ only refuge.

The Suns’ style is on trial. So what else is new?

The Suns’ style is on trial. So what else is new?

NEW YORK - Derek Jeter is astonished as he watches splintered pieces of shattered bats spinning around the infield like pinballs.

Colton Zebe and Devyn Rivera had three hits apiece among seven Gilbert Highland players with two hits or more Monday as the Hawks beat host Mesa High, 22-10, for their first win of the season in a Scottsdale Quarterback Club Tournament game.