FanFare 9/22/02

Baseball

Cardinals pitcher Woody Williams won't pitch again this season, but could play in the postseason. An examination on Saturday, a day after he left a start, showed no serious damage to Williams' side. The right-hander had said he'd leave Friday night's game if he felt any pain.

A Cook County judge ordered a man who ran onto the field at Comiskey Park and attacked a Royals coach held on $200,000 bond. William Ligue Jr. was charged with a felony count of aggravated battery in a public place of amusement. Ligue told police after his arrest that he charged the field because he was angry the White Sox were losing. Ligue's son has been charged with two juvenile counts of aggravated battery, one for attacking Gamboa and the other for hitting a White Sox security guard, an off-duty police officer. The teenager was initially released to his mother, but was later taken to a juvenile detention center.

Brad Ausmus of the Astros tied a National League record when he grounded into a double play for the 30th time this season. Ausmus matched the dubious mark set by Ernie Lombardi, also a catcher, in 1938 with the Reds.

Basketball

The brother of missing former NBA player Bison Dele remained in a coma and was still listed in critical condition. Meanwhile, FBI agents investigating the disappearance of Dele and two others were expected to leave Tahiti over the weekend. Dele's brother, Miles Dabord, 35, also known as Kevin Williams, was identified by the FBI on Thursday, five days after he was found comatose in Tijuana, Mexico, and taken to a California hospital. The FBI arrested him on suspicion of impersonating his brother while trying to buy $152,000 in gold.

Soccer

In a game filled with women's soccer stars of the past and present, one of the WUSA's future stars stole the show. Rookie of the year Abby Wambach scored two goals and added an assist to earn MVP honors as the South beat the North 6-1 in the inaugural WUSA All-Star game.

Tennis

James Blake and Todd Martin came back to beat Mickael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro in five sets, allowing the United States to stave off elimination in the semifinals against defending champion France. Blake's smash ended the 2-6, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 doubles victory as the U.S. team narrowed its deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-five series on clay at Roland Garros, home of the French Open. Blake and Andy Roddick, both beaten in Friday's singles matches, both must win today to avoid elimination. The last time a U.S. Davis Cup squad won after trailing 2-0 was in 1934 against Australia. Roddick plays Sebastien Grosjean, and Blake plays Arnaud Clement.

Serena Williams advanced to the finals of the Toyota Princess Cup after a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Amy Frazier. Williams, the world's No. 1 player and the tournament's top seed, was given her first real challenge at Ariake Colosseum. Frazier, ranked 53rd, constantly frustrated the U.S. Open champion with solid groundstrokes. Williams will face Belgium's Kim Clijsters in today's final. Clijsters defeated defending champion Jelena Dokic 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 in the other semifinal.

-- From wire reports