Caught on the fly

Sporting News, The, March 4, 2005

Thanks to exhaustive research throughout the publishing industry, a person has been identified who isn't writing a book on steroids.

Irish fans are used to a silent count on game days

In a meet-and-greet session with students, new Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis told them to cheer when the Irish don't have the ball and to be quiet when they do. So, does that mean Weis is keeping Ty Willingham's offense?

COLORADO IS AT ROCK BOTTOM

The Rockies are auditioning nine pitchers for their closer job. The plan is that whoever fares the best this spring will win the role. Or, if no one distinguishes himself, the Rocks will just equally spread out their nine save chances of the season.

Getting a new rug

The RCA Dome's horrible playing surface will be replaced for the 2005 season. Instead of AstroTurf, the dome will use a synthetic surface that will have more give and provide a faster track, though it still will turn to quicksand when the Colts play the Patriots.

More from the Colts' stable ...

Many around the NFL, particularly in Indy, had a healthy dose of skepticism when Edgerrin James missed the Pro Bowl with a "back injury." The prevailing sentiment was he didn't want to suit up for a meaningless game. But to contradict that sentiment, James has said he wouldn't mind playing for the Dolphins.

ALREADY AWAITING THE SEQUEL

A new movie opened last week called Son of the Mask. Great, LeBron's kid is only a few months old, and the hype already has begun.

The Donald's, Bud's coiffures square off

MasterCard and Major League Baseball have teamed up for an internship program in which intelligent, promising young people get real-life opportunities to help coordinate, execute and market business plans for a man with really weird hair.

Consider it sports' version of The Apprentice.