The annual Lanier Pointe Softball Tournament kicked off the opening of the 2009 prep season leaving most of the 16 teams in the field with just as many questions as answers.
While the start of the 2009 prep football season is more than two weeks away for most teams, programs from around the area will get a chance to gauge their progress this weekend and next -- and finally get to hit someone else -- in scrimmage practice games.
Pitching is the key in girls softball and in 2009 area teams may feature several of the state's top hurlers in Class AAA as the regular season gets underway beginning Friday.
NL batting leader Hanley Ramirez left the Florida Marlins' game Saturday with a bruised left leg after being hit by a pitch, but he may be back in the lineup quickly.
Former University of Georgia standout Champ Bailey returned to the football field and also coach Josh McDaniels' good graces Saturday after failing his conditioning test 48 hours earlier.
Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith hardly seemed irritated that Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White skipped the first two sessions of training camp Saturday in a contract holdout.
John Abraham wants Peria Jerry to take a simple approach in his first NFL training camp. A three-time Pro Bowl defensive end and an 11-year NFL veteran, Abraham doesn't hesitate to speak his mind with the Atlanta Falcons' younger players.
The smell of freshly-cut, dew-covered grass, the smell of leather and the sounds of whistles all signaled the official beginning of the 2009 prep football season Saturday morning.
Jason Schmidt gave up one hit in his longest start in more than two years, Andre Ethier hit a homer and drove in four runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Friday night.
