NY State declares competitive cheerleading an official sport: Report

New York State education officials voted Tuesday to recognize competitive cheerleading as an interscholastic sport, in an effort to improve safety and coaching standards.

The state Board of Regents voted unanimously in favor of the measure a day after it was approved by one of its committees.

All 17 of the Regents voted to authorize the change.

Now, starting with the winter athletic season, competitive cheerleading teams will be subject to safety requirements similar to other high school sports, like baseball or football. Those include certification requirements for coaches, mandatory rest days between competitions and limits on season length.

Right now, there are no limits on the length of seasons or required practice days.

“This is a great step for the progress of cheerleading, and tomorrow’s vote by the Board of Regents could be historical,” said Robert Zayas, president of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, which would implement coaching and safety standards.

Now that cheerleading will be recognized as a sport, the New York Public High School Athletic Association says it hopes to organize a full state cheerleading championship within the next two years.

The new regulations do not apply to traditional sideline cheering, according to the state Education Department. The change only applies to schools with teams that participate in cheerleading competitions.

The only question that remains is if the sport will still be called cheerleading.

Crimson Tide swimmer dies protecting girlfriend during tornado: Report

The word "hero" gets tossed around in sports (and life) way too often these days. But if anyone deserves the the title, it's John Servati.

And with a big H.

The University of Alabama dive and swim team member died after protecting his girlfriend from a collapsing wall during a tornado on Monday evening.

While deadly storms swept through the South, killing dozens of people and ripping apart whole towns, Servati ended up losing his own life protecting his girlfriend from a collapsing retaining wall in an off-campus home's basement, reported WSFA.

Anna Rae Gwarjanski, captain of the University's women's swimming and diving team, said the 21-year-old Servati managed to hold up the wall and save his girlfriend's life that night while sacrificing his own.

Servati was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center and later pronounced dead after being crushed under the wall.

His girlfriend survived.

"John Servati died a hero. Held up a concrete wall long enough for his girlfriend to get out from under it before it collapsed again on him," tweeted Gwarjanski.

John Servati died a hero. Held up a concrete wall long enough for his girlfriend to get out from under it before it collapsed again on him.
— Anna Rae Gwarjanski (@annaraeoflight) April 29, 2014

"John's mom told our team this morning he always wanted to be an Alabama swimmer, and he always wanted to be a hero. He accomplished both."

Servati was a business student from Tupelo, Mississippi, according to his bio page, and scored at the SEC Championships. A successful student, he was also listed as having a 3.55 GPA in 2013. 

"John Servati was an extraordinary young man of great character and warmth who had a tremendously giving spirit," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said in a statement. "During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all who had the good fortune to know him. He will forever be in our hearts and a part of the Crimson Tide legacy."

It seems only fitting that servati in Italian means preserved.

Little Astros fan gets foul ball from Nolan Ryan (VIDEO)

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was a Houston Astros starter from 1980-1988, but on Tuesday, Ryan gained two new Astros fans who wouldn't know The Ryan Express from a Panda Express.

In the eighth inning of the Nationals-Astros matchup, Washington shortstop Ian Desmond fouled one of Chad Qualls' pitches into the netting behind home plate — directly in front of the Astros' executive advisor. Ryan muscled the wedged ball (he might need an Advil after that knuckle-buster) out of the netting cable to give to a tiny fan.

The little girl was pretty psyched to get a gift (and a souvenir from MLB's all-time strikeout leader):

But even more generous was the little lady — who gave the ball to her teary-eyed brother:

Jeter inspects Cano's new beard during Bronx return (VIDEO)

Derek Jeter welcomed Robinson Cano back to Yankee Stadium Tuesday night and and the first thing he did was examine his former teammate's new facial hair. 

Something the Yankees captain never grew in the Bronx.

Call it beard envy. Next year Derek. Next year.

Astros mascot Orbit in underwear is a frightening sight (PHOTO)

Orbit was the Houston Astros' official mascot from 1990-99, but was replaced by Junction Jack from 2000-12. But now old Orbit is back and maybe now we know why he was sent away for a while. Kind of like that weird uncle who walks around in his skivvies.

Hopefully the green alien was off the Viagra and just carrying a bat yesterday.

HOW DO I UNSEE THIS RT @j_nelsn: @JWerthsBeard I am concerned. pic.twitter.com/hK7lGmRX0J
— Jayson Werth's Beard (@JWerthsBeard) April 30, 2014

Funny. When did Orbit start wearing underwear or pants in the first place?

Rangers-Flyers fans brawl in stands during game (VIDEO)

Things turned ugly in Philadelphia on Tuesday night when a melee broke out in Section 209 during Game 6 of the Rangers-Flyers playoff matchup.

The fight occurred in the waning minutes of the contest in which the Rangers were soundly defeated 5-2 inside the Wells Fargo Center. A video from a fan in the section was quickly uploaded to YouTube which show Rangers and Flyers fans both slugging it out.

Chants of “Rangers Suck!” erupted soon after one reportedly boisterous Rangers fan was pulled backward from one row to another and punched repeatedly in the face by two men.

Here's a couple of video angles from the nose bleeds:

According to Chris Friess, the fight escalated after Rangers fans “refused to leave after the ushers told them to go for their safety.”

You can hear a woman's voice in the video pleading with the combatants to "Chill."

The venue's  VP of security said the facility could not comment on particulars about the skirmish, though a pair of security guards were overhead talking about amount of blood on an “idiot Flyers fan’s face.”

Police said no arrests were made related to the fight.

Game 7 is Wednesday night, back in the friendly confines of Madison Square Garden.

Korean league baserunner slides into home plate as teammate swings bat (VIDEO)

When you're on third and your team's down one run with two outs in the ninth inning, it's difficult to find a way to score. But this Korean league baserunner almost turned a squeeze play video into a splatter film.

The LG Twins batter ended up flying out to end the game, so the play didn't matter much. But luckily it was not the runner's head that ended up in the fielder's glove.

[Cut4]

Donald Sterling's ex-mistress shows up at court in wild get-up (PHOTOS)

The ex-girlfriend of Clippers owner Donald Sterling showed up at court Monday looking like she was going to do a little spot weld on her Harley after seeing the judge.

V. Stiviano wore a huge, multicolored visor to hide her face from photographers as she headed to a Los Angeles courthouse. She accessorized the look with Donald Duck T-shirt underneath a red leather motorcycle jacket.

Sterling's former mistress went to the LA County Courthouse in connection with a 2012 drunken-driving arrest during which actor Brandon Mychal Smith was in the passenger seat, TMZ reported.

Stiviano — who legally changed her name from Maria Vanessa Perez in 2010 — was reportedly behind the wheel of a red Ferrari that was a gift from Sterling.

The 31-year-old Stiviano is still on probation for DUI and had to appear in court to prove she had completed a sentence of community service, said TMZ.

A spokeswoman for the LA District Attorney’s Office said she couldn’t confirm that report and had “no idea” why Stiviano was at the courthouse.

A little Michael Jackson, a touch of Lady Gaga. All Hollywood.

Donald Sterling's ex arrived in court wearing a "super visor" http://t.co/DXCqGwDt2b pic.twitter.com/EhWNxTJ79l
— New York Post (@nypost) April 29, 2014

Wild fans distract Semyon Varlamov with mugshot, prison jumpsuit photos

Semyon Varlamov was nominated for the Vezina Trophy on Monday morning in what had to be the shining moment so far this 2013-14 season.

But at a bleak point back in October, the Colorado Avalanche goaltender was arrested on domestic violence charges. 

Those charges were later dropped, but certainly not forgotten — at least by Minnesota Wild fans. And with the Avalanche in Minnesota for Game 6, the fans near the glass behind Varlamov decide to shake up the netminder with photos of his mugshot and the photo from his court appearance after spending the night in jail.

If Varlamov was rattled by the ploy, he didn't really show it — but it might have done enough.

The Wild tacked on two empty-net goals for a 5-2 victory that sent the first-round playoff series to a decisive Game 7.

Shaq under fire for mocking disabled fan's selfie (PHOTO)

Shaquille O’Neal is usually good for a lot of innocent fun — but the former NBA star might have gone just one joke too far and is under fire for mocking a disabled fan’s selfie.

Shaq posted a picture on Instagram of his own contorted face next to Jahmel Binion’s innocent selfie.

The post, captioned “Smile today,” earned more than 14,000 likes with former University of Michigan athlete Trey Burke and rapper Waka Flocka Flame joining in on the teasing, FOX 2 reports.

The insensitive post has been deleted. But for Binion, the damage may be irreparable.

Shaquille O'Neal is under fire for mocking a disabled fan's selfie http://t.co/cfub5YwPXE pic.twitter.com/XSZWfoxJPf
— New York Post (@nypost) April 29, 2014

Binion considered Shaq his basketball idol and respected his charitable works and advocacy for disadvantaged children in America.

“I’ve been getting teased since I was yay (sic) tall. People laugh at me, stare at me,” Binion said. “I was kind of hurt because I’ve always looked up to him. I’ve watched Shaq play basketball since I was (inaudible), so I was like, why are you making fun of me? He is supposed to be this role model.”

Despite the constant abuse, Binion still has a positive outlook on life. He said the cruel taunts have inspired him to start an anti-bullying campaign called Hug Don’t Judge.

Ball's in your court now Shaq.

Desmond Jennings tags up and scores from second base (VIDEO)

White Sox centerfielder Adam Eaton made a pretty incredible catch at the wall Monday night but it was the Rays' Desmond Jennings' baserunning on the play that was really impressive.

After Eaton fell to the ground with Matt Joyce's long fly ball, he flipped it to rightfielder Dayan Viciedo. Jennings already tagged up at second and — after seeing the commotion out by the fence — motored around third for the sac fly score.

And it wasn't even close.

MMA fighter Cathal Pendred saves a beached baby dolphin (PHOTOS)

On Sunday morning, The Ultimate Fighter 19 competitor Cathal Pendred was out for a walk on an Irish beach with his girlfriend when he spotted a group of concerned people looking into the ocean.

As it turns out the crowd was gathered because a baby dolphin had washed up on shore, injured and frightened, it unable to get back into the ocean without the currents pushing him onto the beach.

"I was at a wedding down the countryside on the west coast of Ireland on Saturday," said Pendred.  "The next day, myself and my girlfriend went for a walk on the beach which was right beside the hotel we were staying in."

That's when the MMA fighter then sprung into action. Up against ocean currents and rocky terrain, he did his best to get the beached dolphin back into the water.

I just spent an hour in the sea at Doonbeg trying to save a baby dolphin. He was very hurt but alive and well now! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LlteQKznHj
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) April 27, 2014

Pendred said he tried to push the dolphin out past the waves but he continued to get washed back in. The little guy was bleeding and had a lot of cuts so I think it was due to these injuries that he wasn't strong enough to swim past the break.

It wasn't three rounds in the cage, but it was a struggle said Pendred. He was able to get the job done in about an hour. 

"It wasn't my typical walk on the beach, but I felt great about it afterwards," Pendred said.

Who knew they had dolphins in Ireland?

Flare-waving soccer fan set on fire after being sprayed by police (VIDEO)

A Polish soccer fan waving a lit flare was set on fire in the stands after being sprayed with pepper spray by riot police.

During the game between Slask Wroclaw and Zaglebie Lubin on Saturday, the spectator climbed a fence while holding the flare and — when a security guard appeared to fire pepper spray at him— he burst into flames.

After turning into a human fireball, the spectator then fell down, only to get back up again seemingly unhurt and rejoin the rest of the pyromaniacs in the stands.

It was all  captured on the video below:

CNN shows Charles Barkley mugshot while he speaks about Donald Sterling (VIDEO)

CNN may want to update their photo image files — especially for some of their own.

The news network had TNT analyst Charles Barkley on the phone to discuss Clippers owner Donald Sterling's alleged racist remarks Saturday night. But as Barkley spoke, CNN used his mugshot from a 2008 DUI arrest on the TV screen, making the former NBA star appear slightly less credible as he gave his thoughts on the controversial owner.

CNN and TNT are both owned by Turner Broadcasting System, which means the only photo CNN could find of a fellow employee was a mugshot — making the error even more embarrassing.

Next time try using Google.

As for the outspoken Barkley's thoughts on Sterling, he said during halftime of the Pacers-Hawks game that this is the first big test for NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"You can't have this guy making statements like that. He has to suspend him and fine him immediately...We can not have an NBA owner discriminating against a league that's...we're a black league," Barkley said.

Dad kicks his 6-year-old son down a skateboard ramp for stalling (VIDEO)

An over-stoked Florida father was booted from a local skate park after he was caught kicking his 6-year-old son down a skateboard ramp.

Marcus Crossland was apparently impatient with his son when the boy took too much time to roll down the half-pipe, dubbed Big Brown — the biggest ramp at Kona Skate Park — when he kicked him down the 15-foot drop on Friday afternoon.

The little boy was not hurt but you can hear him cry out at the bottom of the ramp.

Crossland reportedly said that kicking his son down the ramp was the only way to teach the boy how to “drop in.”

“I asked him why is he doing this,” the teen who filmed the idiotic stunt told First Coast News. “Because he needs to learn,” Crossland allegedly answered back.

“Do you think you can raise him better than me?” Crossland then asked.

Crossland was apparently filled with regret once he was booted from the park.

“(Crossland) said he was just caught up in the moment,” park operator Martin Ramos said. “He seemed very remorseful. He certainly understands the gravity of the situation and it seems like he is going to be answering to this thing for quite some time to come.”

It was not immediately clear if Crossland would face any criminal charges.

Steven Gerrard's unfortunate slip against Chelsea gets the Twitter treatment (PHOTOS)

Steven Gerrard, the king of Liverpool soccer and one of the greatest players ever to grace the Premier League is getting an un-royal treatment on Twitter after an unfortunate slip on the pitch led to an easy Chelsea goal Sunday.

Pranksters have been quick to mock the farcical play which was like a gift opening goal for Chelsea's Demba Ba at Anfield.

In a unending series of memes, tweets and photoshopping, the mishap — during first-half injury time during Liverpool's 2-0 loss — made the 33-year-old star the butt of the jokes afterwards.

It didn't help that the England captain's impassioned speech two weeks ago — after his side beat rival Man City — included the now immortal line "We don't let this slip."

Donald Sterling asks the girlfriend: 'How Can We Make This Go Away?': Report

While everyone from NBA players to the President have spoken out about the racist comments attributed to Donald Sterling, the Los Angeles Clippers owner reportedly contacted his ex-girlfriend Sunday and, in a far-fetched attempt to quell the controversy, asked her flatly, "How can we make this go away?"

Sources close to Sterling told TMZ that the team owner is keenly aware V. Stiviano is in possession of more than 100 hours of recordings — some of which are extremely damaging to Sterling's reputation. 

It was Stiviano's  Instagram photo (below) of her with NBA legend Magic Johnson that was apparently enough for Sterling to go off on his publicized offensive rant, according to the gossip site.

Stiviano insists that she had nothing to do with the recordings being released to the public.

The sources say Stiviano told Sterling to call her lawyer ... and thereby opened the door to settlement discussions.  It's obvious the incentive for Sterling is to make sure the rest of the tapes never see the light of day. 

TMZ Sports contacted Stiviano's lawyer Mac E. Nehoray ... who had no comment. 

We know Stiviano is extremely upset that the Clippers and Donald Sterling publicly embraced a lawsuit filed by Sterling's wife Shelly against Stivianio, claiming she stole $1.8 million from Donald. 

As for why Stiviano (whom Sterling reportedly showered with the cash and cars) taped so many conversations ... as TMZ Sports reported, she told friends the Clippers owner wanted her to record him and he knew he was being recorded ... partly because he frequently forgot what he said and the tapes refreshed his memory ... at least that's her version of the story, said TMZ.

And on a side note, Stiviano's Instagram page, she constantly tagged photos with "#RandomHouse" and "#Simon&Schuster" ... both large book publishing companies. 

Sources connected with Stiviano tell us ... she is in the process of writing a book "about life" — but she insists it is not about Sterling.

The National Basketball Players Association has demanded Sterling be barred from all playoff games this season. The players also want an accounting of past accusations of racism against Sterling and a guarantee that the league commissioner will work with the association; and assurance the investigation will be conducted swiftly.

Young fan gets emotional over meeting Carlos Gomez (VIDEO)

Carlos Gomez makes a young fan's day at Miller Park as she shares a hug and is overcome with emotion while meeting the Brewers star.

And you can totally forget that old "There's no crying in baseball" adage.

Tears notwithstanding, it looks like you just made the starstruck fan's day a little better Go-Go.

Foursquare CEO's wife used conterfeit bib to run Boston Marathon: Report

The wife of Foursquare CEO Dennis Crowley forged the Boston Marathon registration number on her bib so she could run the  race alongside her social-media mogul husband.

Chelsa Crowley, the self-entitled wife of the tech millionaire, found a way to fake her way into the crowded annual run by forging the number of a legitimate runner who posted a photo of her bib on the Internet after trying unsuccessfully to transfer a number from an injured runner friend, reported the N.Y. Post.

After last year's tragedy at the Boston Marathon, unregistered runners  — called bandits — were banned from the race, but many still found a way to fake their way in — including printing bibs off of their computer screens. Number 14285 (from the Twitter account below) seemed to be pretty popular even after cops vowed to crack down on the phonies.

Crowley got caught after angry marathoner Kathy Brown told ABC that she got her bib by registering as a charity representative — but was stunned to see Crowley wearing her digits in photos of the race on an official website.

“I opened it up looking for pictures of me, and there were some in there and they came out really good — but then I saw this other woman,” she said. “It was pretty easy to figure out that someone just made a fake bib. I put that work in and it wasn’t fair that someone else didn’t have to do that. That was my first thought.”

@TODAYshow I'm sure @NMoralesNBC can appreciate how awful it is that anyone would do this pic.twitter.com/33Jd6jmzHZ
— Kara Bonneau (@karaleigh104) April 24, 2014

Crowley did little to shield herself from detection — and even boldly scrawled her Twitter handle on the bib in pictures from the race. She later tweeted, "shh!!" after being asked if the bib was fake before getting overrun with criticism.

Outrage from other runners grew so intense on social media that Crowley was forced to step in on behalf of his fashion blogger wife. 

“Yes, using a duplicate number to get Chelsa into the starting Corral was wrong,” he said in a statement. “I don’t expect everyone to understand our strong need to run and finish together — but after trying unsuccessfully to get a charity number and trying unsuccessfully to officially transfer a number from an injured-runner friend, we did what we could to make sure we could run together in hopes of ­finishing together.”

Hey Crowleys. Save the finishing together talk for the bedroom.

Ryan Garbutt gets game misconduct for spearing Corey Perry in groin (VIDEO)

Cheap shots in hockey these days are a dime a dozen, but Ryan Garbutt's stick to the groin of Ducks star Corey Perry was truly a low blow.

Garbutt was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for giving Perry the old cup check in the first period Friday night in Anaheim — and deservedly so.

The painful poke came in the neutral zone amid line changes but it wasn't missed by the refs.

Garbutt did get the game misconduct and the major — a pretty stiff penalty — but let's see what the NHL Department of Player Safety has to say.

Minor Leaguer's leaping catch brings down outfield wall (VIDEO)

Red Sox Minor League outfielder Corey Brown didn't take a bow for his great outing Friday night  — but he still brought down the house.

Brown started in center field for Triple-A Pawtucket as they took on the Twins-affiliated Rochester Red Wings, and wound up tearing up the place with his awesome play — literally.

Not only did Brown jump start his team's offense with a towering third-inning solo home run, but he also managed to make an incredible leaping grab in the ninth inning on a deep fly ball which brought a chunk of the outfield wall down.

Probably a good thing he didn't try going through it.

Justin Smoak's incredible 9th-inning snag saves game for Mariners (VIDEO)

Infield catches don't come any better — or timelier — than Justin Smoak's incredible diving 9th-inning play Friday night.

The Mariners first baseman — playing well off the bag with the bases loaded — goes airborne to snag Adian Beltre's screaming liner and then step on first base to turn a unassisted, game-ending double play and save a 6-5 lead against the Rangers.

I guess you could say Beltre got Smoaked on the play.

Buffalo Bills cheerleaders suspend activities after lawsuit: Report

Fans might not see the Jills cheerleaders on the sidelines when the Buffalo Bills take the field for their first home game of the season Sept. 14.

The cheerleaders' organization has suspended all activities until further notice, after five former Jills filed a civil lawsuit complaining they worked hundreds of hours for free, experienced sexual harassment and were subjected to demeaning "jiggle tests" to examine their body conditioning.

Stephanie Mateczun, president of Stejon Productions Corp., which manages the cheerleaders, said she has no idea how long the suspension will last.

“When the time is right, I will be making a statement,” she said in an email to The Buffalo News.

The suspension affects 35 young women who recently were selected for the 2014 cheerleading squad.

The civil action was filed in state Supreme Court and seeks unspecified back pay and legal fees. It names Stejon Productions Corp., the Bills, and the Jills' former manager, Citadel Communications Co., as defendants. Stejon took over managing the cheerleaders in 2011.

The cheerleaders' legal team cited a shocking handbook that reads like a finishing school guide for Victorian girls advising the Bills cheerleaders on how to wash their private parts and what kind of tampons to use.

The jaw-dropping rule book was sent to Deadspin by the firm representing the five former Jills and outlines exactly what it means to be a Jill.

The unintentionally funny Jill Cheerleaders Code Of Conduct instructs the women on how to keep certain "intimate areas" fresh, offering advice such as "When menstruating, use a product that (sic) right for your menstrual flow."

Covering all conceivable bases about the cheerleaders and their bodies, the "General hygiene & lady body maintenance" section of the book states that "A tampon too big can irritate and develop fungus."

Fans can now bid on Jonny Gomes' patriotic American flag blazer

For the fan who has everything,  MLB Auctions is selling the Jonny Gomes red, white and blue blazer he wore to the White House to celebrate the team's World Series victory earlier this month. 

Here is a snapshot of the auction page: 

As of Thursday,  the current MLB auction bid stood at $1,650. Although, Red Sox fans — or flag lovers —  still have a little over a week to get their hands on a jacket that not only gets attention but also helps a good cause. 

Here is the auction lot's description: 

Bid now on this Jonny Gomes American Flag Jacket. Gomes wore this jacket during the Red Sox visit to the White House on 4/1/2014. 

All net proceeds will benefit the Travis Roy Foundation. The Travis Roy Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the life of individuals with spinal cord injuries and their families by providing adaptive equipment and to finding a cure through increased funding of research, resulting in self-reliance and the ability to be as independent as possible.

There are signatures from "30 Boston Red Sox players and coaches" on the infamous jacket, according to NESN's Zack Cox.

And when you consider the sport coat was also featured at the White House, commemorates a great moment in Red Sox history and is being auctioned for a great cause, you can expect the price to rise.

Michael Phelps loses to Ryan Lochte in first comeback meet

Michael Phelps' first competitive dip into the pool after retiring might have been a second-place effort — but it still had all the splash that only the 22-time Olympic medalist can make.

Since Phelps entertained thoughts of defending his Olympic titles in Brazil, there was the matter of qualifying for the national championships in Southern California in August.

On Thursday night,  Phelps lost his first race to Ryan Lochte in the 100-meter butterfly final at the Arena Grand Prix.

It was Phelps’s first race in 628 days — since his butterfly leg in the gold-medal-winning 4x100 medley relay at the London Olympics in 2012 — and it attracted a sellout crowd of 1,200 Thursday at the Skyline Aquatic Center.

Lochte touched first in 51.93 seconds, second-fastest in the world this year. Phelps took second in 52.13 in his first meet since retiring after the London Games.

"I swam a final again," a smiling Phelps said later. "I said I wanted to be around 52.0 and I would be completely happy with that."

He is the three-time Olympic champion and current world record-holder in the event. His time tied for fourth-quickest in the world.

"It's one meet; it's one race," Phelps said. "It's a long way whether I decide to continue or not."

Phelps was faster in the final than he was while winning his preliminary heat with a time of 52.84.

Swimming before packed stands and lots of media, Lochte led at the turn and Phelps was second.

"Down there at the turn I kind of peeked over and I saw him and almost started smiling," Lochte said about his longtime friend and rival.

Phelps interjected, "Why? Because you were ahead?"

Next up for Phelps is the 50 freestyle on Friday, when he will swim the prelims doing the butterfly stroke for training.

Jordin Tootoo makes young boy's day by giving away stick (VIDEO)

Jordin Tootoo was a bit of a tough guy when he was with the Nashville Predators but seemed to show a softer side the other night with the Grand Rapids Griffins (a Red Wings affiliate) in the AHL.

Following the pregame skate in the team's season finale last week, Tootoo came off the ice to head to the dressing room. On his way there, a young boy standing on the bench excitedly yelled out "Tootoo!" and reached out. The player stopped, said hi to his new friend and gave the boy his stick.

And if the kid's infectious laugh doesn't stick with you, his "Tootoo!" will.

Everyone together. Tootoo!

Tiger, Elin and Lindsey all hang out together: Report

Recovering from surgery might prevent Tiger Woods from working on his golf game, but from the looks of this photo, the down time is doing wonders for his family life.

It wasn't too long ago Woods' ex-wife Elin Nordegren was railing against Woods' new girlfriend Lindsey Vonn cozying up to their two children — and we knew how she felt about the cheating golfer.  

Now this threesome seems pretty cozy together. 

According to TMZ,  that's exactly how it went at a tee ball game in Florida this past weekend — where Tiger and Elin came together to support their son Charlie, who was playing with the 5 and 6-year-old group. 

The threesome sat together in the stands — and while Tiger placed himself between Lindsey and Elin, we're told they all appeared civil ... even friendly at times, said the gossip site.

And it doesn't stop there. They have reportedly started going on double dates along with their respective new partners — including Nordegren's billionaire boyfriend Chris Cline, said Us Weekly.

A little awkward maybe — but it's a scenario that's no doubt making life easier for the kids.

Knicks players ripped Woodson after firing: Phil Jackson

In what sounds like the back door hitting fired Knicks coach Mike Woodson on the way out, new Knicks president Phil Jackson revealed that several players — during their exit interviews  — told him the club didn’t play as a team this season and relied solely on its talent, reported the N.Y. Post.

The Knicks finished 37-45 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10. During his 24-minute press conference Wednesday, Jackson didn’t mention Woodson’s name once but the Zen Master's comments put the team's failures pretty much on the former coach's shoulders.

“One of the messages from the players was that it was a very talented team,’’ Jackson said. “They had to have a lot of games where they forced their talent on opposing teams rather than playing with freedom to make things easy. All the wins were hard to get. They were winning with talent and not with team play, which I thought was an accurate statement.

“I think the talent’s there,’’ Jackson added. “How to blend it together is a coaching decision and a personnel decision.’’

That last sound you heard was the door slamming shut.

Girardi and Yankees file a protest about ESPN dugout camera: Report

Joe Girardi believes ESPN was out of line and took it out on the mobile camera the "Worldwide Leader in Sports" network had perched on the dugout railing during Wednesday night's game against the Red Sox.

After Michael Pineda was ejected for having pine tar on his neck, the camera swung around and focused in the tunnel. There, Pineda was engaged in a discussion with trainer Steve Donohue and pitching coach Larry Rothschild. A peeved Girardi swatted at the prying camera to turn it back around.

After being accused of trying to damage the camera, the Yankees formally protested the invasion of privacy to MLB and ESPN.

"That camera's purpose is for the field and the dugout, not shooting up into the tunnel for private situations," GM Brian Cashman said.

"I think MLB is going to have a problem with ESPN going into the tunnel," Girardi said. "I didn't break the camera. I just kept it from going into the tunnel. You guys are acting like I ripped it apart."

Girardi said he'd be upset if he was disciplined for touching the camera.

"If I'm going to get fined for that, I'll have a real problem with that," he said. "If I really was going to tear up the camera, I would have tore it up. I was just trying to get it from being in the tunnel."

'Everybody Wei-Chung tonight!' Brewers honor pitcher with Wang Chung dance song (VIDEO)

Wei-Chung Wang pitches for the Milwaukee Brewers. Wang Chung is a New Wave band from the '80s. And it's about time someone made the connection between the two.

Bullpen catcher Marcus Hamel posted this video of a group of Brewers players, including Wei-Chung himself, dancing to the band's hit party song 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight!'

Wang even has a little Flock of Seagulls haircut going on.

Here's the original.

Mike Trout robs Bryce Harper of hit with diving catch (VIDEO)

Mike Trout and Bryce Harper have been exhaustedly linked since 2012, when both of the youthful, talented outfielders were summoned to the major leagues for good.

On Wednesday, we finally had a moment where the phenoms went head-to-head, but by the time the play was over it was Trout who came out on top.

Trout made an impressive diving catch in center field to rob Bryce Harper of an extra base hit.

Now that's hustle.

Cops' guns, badges stolen from locker room while LAPD, San Diego officers play charity football game: Report

An team of thieves made the biggest score of the day after the brazen bunch reportedly robbed the locker room during a Los Angeles Police Department charity football game Saturday afternoon.

The theft of three guns, four badges, jewelry and cash occurred during the first half of the game between LAPD's Los Angeles Centurions and the San Diego Enforcers police team at Bishop Mora Salesian High School's pitch in Boyle Heights, Calif.,  reported KTLA.

It was discovered at half time, at around 5:30 p.m., and caused a 20 minute delay in the players returning to the field.

LAPD Sgt. Gabriel Lara said the items were only taken from the San Diego team's locker room, which showed no signs of forced entry. 

No items were stolen from the LAPD room.

"But it's pretty brazen to break in to a facility during daytime hours with numerous people in the campus," Lara added.

Not to mention a stadium filled with law enforcement personnel.

Former Bills cheerleaders file lawsuit for wages and exploitive 'jiggle tests': Report

Five former Buffalo Bills cheerleaders are suing the NFL team in New York Supreme Court for unspecified damages, claiming they weren't paid for their time at games or mandatory public appearances that left them open to groping and sexual comments.

Two members of the Buffalo Jills squad held a news conference Tuesday with their attorney, Frank Dolce, explaining how they were each exploited out of "840 hours of work" and subjected to harassment, such as being told to sit of men's laps and being subjected to a "jiggle test,"  reported WIVB.

The women say they were wrongly classified as independent contractors by Stejon Productions, which manages the Jills and failed to pay them for hundreds of hours of work during 2012 and 2013 season.

"We had always dreamed since we were little girls of becoming Buffalo Jills cheerleaders and unfortunately it was anything but a good experience," said former Jills cheerleader Alyssa U.

"[They made us do] everything from standing in front of us with a clipboard and having us do a jiggle test to see what parts of our body were jiggling and if that was something she saw, then you weren’t performing at all."

The five women claim other degrading behavior included being forced to wear a bikini and then go into a dunk tank, being auctioned off like prizes, and "the Jills were forced to sit on participants" laps because there was not enough seats in the golf carts.

The lawsuit is the third filed this year against a National Football League team by its cheerleaders.

The Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals also have pending wage battles.

The Buffalo plaintiffs claim that they did not receive compensation for working at Bills games. Instead, they received a $90 game ticket and a parking pass. 

They also claim that no compensation was paid for practice time.

"We were the laughing stock of NFL cheerleaders," Alyssa U said. 

The Bills said they were aware of the lawsuit and would not comment on "pending litigation."

Bolivian soccer crowd spooked by 'ghost' which appears to run through fans during match (VIDEO)

Soccer observers are scratching their heads after a ghostly figure appeared to run through fans during a match in Bolivia last Thursday night.

The unexplained shadow gliding quickly through the stands was captured during a Fox Sports live broadcast of Bolivia's The Strongest versus Defensor Sporting match in Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz.

Who ya gonna call?

Believers noted the creepy figure appears to go unnoticed by fans seemingly seated in its path and it runs straight through a barrier. They added that it moves curiously fast given the cramped seating in the stadium. 

A number of people took to social media where they claimed to identify a second shadow near the northern end of the stadium.

The video has gone viral and already has Internet skeptics sharing their theories on the spooky apparition. 

They were quick to dismiss the apparent "ghost" as a reflection or double exposure of one of the players on the field.

Scary stuff. Venkman, Stantz and Spengler will probably be added to the roster.

Rangers' Carcillo stares down finger-flipping Flyers fan after goal (VIDEO)

Daniel Carcillo skated out of the penalty box and scored a goal giving the Rangers a 4-1 lead over the Flyers they would never relinquish Tuesday. While he celebrated near the glass, surrounded by his New York teammates, one Philadelphia fan congratulated the former-Flyer with double middle finger salute, right in his face.

Carcillo noticed and stared back at the glass-shielded fan until his stubby fingers wore out. And also seemed to have a few less than pleasant words for the Flyers bench while passing them.

Afterwards, Carcillo was asked his thoughts on his once-adoring fans in Philadelphia.

Carcillo also smiled, laughed, asked about Philly fan reaction to him. "Nothing surprises me about the city and way people act."
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) April 23, 2014

Matt Holliday robs Chris Young of home run with leaping catch (VIDEO)

Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday robs the Mets' Chris Young of a home run with a perfectly timed leaping grab Tuesday night at Citi Field.

The 5th-inning catch helped the Cards go on to a 3-0 victory.

This is probably one Holiday that Young would rather not celebrate.

Cop caught tripping high school students storming soccer field (VIDEO)

A Texas policeman — who was once named "Police Officer of the Year" — has been placed on leave after being caught on video tripping and pushing high school students at a soccer match last weekend. 

Fans of the Vandegrift High School girls soccer team stormed the field after the team won the state championship Saturday at Georgetown's Birkelback Stadium. 

But a few of the happy fans hit the ground when tripped by Georgetown Police Officer George Bermudez, reported KVUE-TV. 

Video captured of the victory shows Bermudez trip one man, try to trip a high school girl and push yet another celebrant as about two dozen fans rushed onto the field.

Since the video was uploaded Sunday, the officer has been placed on leave.

While a league official said it has no policy against rushing the field, it issues warnings over the intercom to protect the stadium attendants. 

Georgetown Police Chief Wayne Nero released a statement Monday afternoon calling Officer Bermudez's reaction inappropriate.