BaseballCUBANS SAY DODGERS DECEIVED THEM: The agent for two Cuban players signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers says they were deceived by the team and denied a chance to sign with other major league clubs.
The baseball commissioner's office granted the two minor leaguers, Juan Carlos Diaz and Josue Perez, free agency late last week. The Dodgers also were fined an undisclosed amount for violating major league rules against scouting in Cuba or arranging defections.
Diaz, a 24-year-old first baseman hitting .303 with the Dodgers' Double-A team in San Antonio, signed for $65,000 in 1996. Perez, a 21-year-old outfielder hitting .279 for the Dodgers' Class-A team in Vero Beach, signed for $40,000 in 1997.
Football
FONTES SEEKS DISABILITY BENEFITS: Wayne Fontes said sideline collisions with some of his players, not an auto accident, triggered back problems that prompted him to file a claim for disability benefits.
Fontes, questioned on the second day of a trial on his claim, denied that the real source of his injury was a February 1990 car accident in which a speeding car hit his vehicle.
Fontes said his back and neck problems really began when players coming off the field in 1989 hit him.
Fontes, fired after the 1996 season, said he felt as though his coaching ability deteriorated as back pain persisted. Fontes filed a claim for disability benefits last year, saying he was unable to resume coaching.
EX-RAIDER WINS LAWSUIT AGAINST DILLARD'S: A jury in Lubbock, Texas, awarded former Texas Tech quarterback Zebbie Lethridge $22.5 million in his lawsuit against Dillard's department store and a security guard.
Jurors made the decision in a 1995 incident in which Lethridge and two friends were accused of shoplifting.
After Lethridge, 24, was found not guilty of the charge in Lubbock Municipal Court, he filed a civil suit saying Dillard's and security guard Tom Robison accused him only because he is black.
Hockey
COYOTES KEEPING TOCCHET, ADAMS: The Phoenix Coyotes said they will exercise the option years on contracts for forwards Rick Tocchet and Greg Adams for next season. Wednesday was the deadline for such moves.
Basketball
TIMPVIEW COACH RESIGNS: Barbara Dickson has announced her retirement as head girls basketball coach for the Timpview Thunderbirds.
Dickson, who has been a head coach for 11 years, built a successful program at Timpview. She notched 200 victories and coached her teams to a pair of state championships in 1995 and '98.
Dickson's main reason for resigning is to spend more time with her family, including her three young children.
MOTTA ESTABLISHES FUND: Former NBA and Weber State basketball coach Dick Motta has established a scholarship fund at the school to be used annually to help a physical education student pursuing a coaching career. A second scholarship will be awarded to a men's basketball player.
"This endowment is my way of giving back to those who made my career possible," Motta said.
Soccer
FREEZZ SIGN GOALIE: The Utah Freezz signed 1998 EISL Goalkeeper of the Year Stuart Dobson.
The England native notched his best year last season as he went 18-9 for the Mississippi Beach Kings en route to the award. Dobson also ranked among the league leaders in all goalkeeper categories.
By signing Dobson, the Freezz have both of the major award winners from the 1998 EISL season. Forward Lee Edgerton won the 1998 league MVP last year.