Here’s the release from UConn about UConn football mini-plans being on sale as well as some updates to the 2011 schedule.

STORRS, Conn. – Ticket mini-packages are now on sale for the 2011 University of Connecticut football season at Rentschler Field. There are two packages available – the “Rivaly Plan” and the “Homecoming Plan”. Each mini-plan is priced at $99 apiece and are located in selected “Reserved” seating areas. Fans who purchase mini-plans will also receive up to two free tickets for the UConn season opener against Fordham on Thursday, Sept. 1.

To purchase mini-plans, CLICK HERE.

In other UConn football scheduling news, the Fordham game on Thursday, Sept. 1 will be available live on ESPN3. That game will kickoff at the previous announced time of 7:30 p.m.

The game at Vanderbilt on Saturday, Sept. 10 will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Local television plans for that game are to be determined.

(Earth, July 20, 2011) – The Spaceman is heading to the silver screen.  And as ever, he wants his fans to come along for the ride.

Acclaimed filmmakers Brett Rapkin and P.J. Moynihan are teaming to produce a movie capturing one of the most colorful stories in modern sports history: the controversial and abrupt end of  pitcher Bill “The Spaceman” Lee’s Major League Baseball career, and his subsequent road to self-discovery.

Such a unique subject would naturally command a distinctive approach to his narrative, and Have Glove, Will Travel promises just that.  Rather than a mere recap of his major league career, in which Lee won 119 games in parts of 14 seasons for the Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos, the film focuses primarily on the undertold tale of what happened to Bill when he was cast aside by Major League Baseball, leaving him unable to make a living doing what he did best and loved. The screenplay, adapted by Rapkin largely from two Lee autobiographies with co-author Dick Lally, is at turns funny, heartbreaking, unsparing, and ultimately, uplifting.

Lee is a truly singular figure in American sports, a junkball artist and counterculture icon, equally equipped (and willing) to discuss Graig Nettles or Chairman Mao.  His fearless and quixotic approach to life in the major leagues made him both beloved and despised – never was he neither.  No less a master of character studies than Warren Zevon penned the homage “Bill Lee” about The Spaceman for his 1980 album Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School.

Said Lee:  “I’ve still got my glove, I’m still willing to travel.  I got game.  And if there’s going to be a movie about it, now is the time to get on board.”

“I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to revisit Bill’s inspiring and highly entertaining life,” said Rapkin.  “Writing this script was a chance to really dig deeper and focus on what I always felt was one of the most dramatic moments in his saga: his perceived blacklisting from the major leagues and subsequent journey towards the acceptance that he could literally play everywhere else. I think everyone can relate to the experience of not being able to be a part of something that they want to be.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

One of Lee’s mantras is “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”  So it is only fitting that the effort to make this film will involve the acclaimed, innovative funding platform, Kickstarter. Kickstarter, which describes itself as “the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world,” allows interested patrons to fund projects at varying levels in exchange for unique products and experiences.  Those interested in participating in the Kickstarter campaign for Have Glove, Will Travel can donate at any of 12 suggested levels, from $1 to $2,500.  Rewards include limited edition buttons, autographed books and handmade bats (made from Lee’s own bat company), attending a Red Sox home game with Bill, and an exclusive invitation to a weekend at “Space Camp” that promises “baseball, beer, BBQ, swimming, and Yankee hunting” with the one and only Spaceman.  Additionally, a select few patrons will have the opportunity to have a walk-on role in the film.

The goal of the Kickstarter campaign is to raise $37,000 in 37 days.  The film is tentatively scheduled to begin production during 2012 in Montreal.

Lee’s story is one that has long been considered ripe for Hollywood treatment.  In 2004, Woody Harrelson told Sports Illustrated that portraying Lee is a role he covets.  And Rapkin’s script has already drawn the interest of this generation’s most accomplished writer-director of sports films in Ron Shelton, whose credits include Bull Durham and White Men Can’t Jump. Shelton is serving as an advisor for the film.

Rapkin, who both wrote the screenplay and is serving as the film’s director, and Moynihan, who is serving as the film’s producer, are both accomplished filmmakers in their own right.  Rapkin’s first feature-length film was in fact a documentary about Lee, 2005’s Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey. Rapkin also wrote, produced and co-directed 2007’s Holy Land Hardball about a Boston bakery owner’s inspired and often comedic attempt to create a six-team pro baseball league from scratch in the Middle East.  He also wrote and directed Impossible to Forget: The Story of the ’67 Red Sox on behalf of NESN and helmed the weekly documentary series Bode on the Bus about Olympic skier Bode Miller.

Moynihan’s first documentary, Fight Town: Sport and the Growth of an Urban Community (2004), was nominated for a Massachusetts Historical Preservation Award.  Eye on the Dream, (2007), a ten-part documentary about the New England Collegiate Baseball League that Moynihan produced and directed, broadcast nationally on Comcast Regional Sports Networks, and was presented by Verizon.  During 2009, he served as a Producer of Cobb Field: A Day at the Ballpark, which premiered to a national audience on MLB Network.  Moynihan recently completed a narrative documentary entitled Salmonboy, which is being marketed for an independent theatrical release.

In 2010, Moynihan and Rapkin began working together when they co-founded Reel Hardball, a sales and distribution company which packaged a sponsored slate of independent baseball docs, including Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey, on MLB Network and Comcast Regional Sports Networks.  Currently Reel Hardball is working with partners including Comcast, Fox Sports, and MLB Advanced Media, amongst others, to brand and distribute a growing catalogue of content.

To watch the Kickstarter trailer, click here.

After falling last night, the Boston Red Sox look to win the series in the rubber game of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this afternoon.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can watch the game on MASN. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Andrew Miller looks to put his control issues behind him in his 6th start of the season. In his previous five starts, Miller is 3-1 with a 5.68 ERA. His lone start against the Orioles this season came two starts ago when he allowed three runs in five innings to pick up the win on July 7th. He’s made two career starts against the Orioles and is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12 IP). He’s never pitched at Camden Yards.

Jake Arrieta goes in search of his 10th win in his 20th start of 2011 for the Orioles. In his previous 19 starts, Arrieta is 9-6 with a 5.10 ERA. In his lone start against the Red Sox in 2011 back on July 7th, he allowed five runs (four earned) in 4.1 innings to take the loss. He’s made two career starts against the Red Sox and is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA (7 ER/9.1 IP).

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

58-37		39-55
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. J.J. Hardy	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Nick Markakis	RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	DH	3. Adam Jones	CF
4. Kevin Youkilis	1B	4. Matt Wieters	DH
5. Josh Reddick	RF	5. Derrek Lee	1B
6. Carl Crawford	LF	6. Mark Reynolds	3B
7. Marco Scutaro	SS	7. Nolan Reimold	LF
8. Jason Varitek	C	8. Robert Andino	2B
9. Yamaico Navarro	3B	9. Craig Tatum	C
Andrew Miller	SP	Jake Arrieta	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Video: State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]

J.D. Drew could be playing way to Boston Red Sox bench [ESPN Boston]

Lester getting his work in [Extra Bases]

Varitek charity putt-putt event tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Source: Sox ‘not pursuing anyone aggressively right now’ [Full Count]

Source: Beltran has not waived no-trade clause [Full Count]

Humble Gonzalez just wants his team to win [MASN.com]

Red Sox Mailbag: Dustin Pedroia the Likeliest Candidate to Be Red Sox Captain One Day [NESN.com]

Josh Reddick’s Start Over J.D. Drew Could Be First of Many Tough Decisions for Terry Francona Heading Down the Stretch [NESN.com]

Red Sox Wise to Let Jon Lester Avoid the Heat on Friday [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox First Baseman Adrian Gonzalez Not Concerned By Recent Slump [NESN.com]

Red Sox on List New York Mets Give Carlos Beltran of Interested Teams, No Movement on Ubaldo Jimenez [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Left-Hander Andrew Miller Growing Comfortable With Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia [NESN.com]

PawSox notes: Doubront OK, Sutton back, Hottovy waiting [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester on track for Monday [Projo Sox Blog]

Miller, Arrieta share same goal in series finale [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Big East player rankings: Running backs [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Coaching ’em up: UConn [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered a few questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Spotlight On A UConn Football Opponent: Pittsburgh [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Hobbs back in Storrs as UConn’s director of basketball administration [CT Post]

Karl Hobbs rejoins the staff [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Former UConn Player Jacquie Fernandes Promoted At Fairfield [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

RuthAnn Lobo: A Fighter Inspiration [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Fairfield announces changes to women’s coaching staff [CT Post]

RuthAnn Lobo, 67, Loses Battle With Cancer [Hartford Courant]

Dishin & Swishin with Asjha Jones: Add her to that list! [Swish Appeal]

Other UConn related links

M. Golf. Myers and Wiatr Join Golf Program [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Bolles and Davidson Named to United States Field Hockey U21 Team [UConnHuskies.com]

Well it looked like the hangover from Sunday’s 16 inning affair finally caught up to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. After putting up 15 runs on 16 hits Monday night, the Red Sox managed eight hits and just two runs in a 6-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Fortunately though for the Red Sox, their lead in the AL East still resides at 1.5 games over the New York Yankees. And that’s because the Tampa Bay Rays came back for a 3-2 win. The Rays trail the Red Sox by seven games.

Kyle Weiland looked a little better than he did in his last outing against the Orioles where he gave up six runs before being ejected. The odds are that this was his last start in the big leagues for now so if that’s the case, he did try his best to leave the Red Sox with a better impression of him.

He had trouble locating his fastball, ie leaving it in the upper half of the strikezone and that cost him in the 2nd inning when the Orioles got two runs. A two-out walk in the 3rd inning would also cost him as well.

Honestly after that though, I thought he pitched pretty well. He would allow just one hit over his final three innings and left with the Red Sox still in the game at 3-2.

Alfredo Aceves, who’s been the steal of the offseason for the Red Sox in the bullpen, finally showed he was human. After pitching a perfect 7th inning, the Orioles touched him for back-to-back home runs that pushed the lead to 6-2.

Now Jeremy Guthrie hasn’t gotten that much run support for the Orioles this season. He’s also had his struggles against the Red Sox in his career as well. But that wasn’t the case on Tuesday night.

The only big blemish on Guthrie’s line for the night was the two-run blast by Jarrod Saltalamacchia, his second in as many days.

Josh Reddick did most of the damage against Guthrie as he had three hits. Since being recalled for a second time, Reddick is hitting .343 (24-of-70) with four home runs and 14 RBIs. And that’s on the heels of going 5-for-9 with four RBIs in late May/early June.

With all of the talk surrounding the interest the Red Sox have in Carlos Beltran, I wonder if the Red Sox would even need him. Sure they need a better righthanded bat off the bench than Darnell McDonald. But given the fact, Reddick is performing better this year with the Red Sox is it worth the prospects we all know it’s going to cost to get Beltran.

Once David Ortiz returns from his suspension, Terry Francona will have a decision to make. Does he start J.D. Drew or Reddick in right field? For me it’s a no brainer as you have to go with Reddick. Sure you might lose a little defense but Reddick is doing more on offense than Drew is.

The knock on Reddick had been his plate discipline. He’s definitely shown a much better look at the plate seeing more pitches and not swinging at everything. He flashes back to his old self once in a while but I’m sure he’s given a nice talking to by Dave Magadan to remind to just continue what’s he doing.

And that’s rake at the plate.

We’ll be back in just a short while with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the morning. But for now, enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Seven years later, Sox rejoin Beltran sweepstakes [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Swings and a miss [Boston Globe]

Showing some staying power [Boston Globe]

Heavy hitters are able to deal with deadline [Boston Globe]

An item for your datebook [Boston Globe]

No time for panic [Boston Herald]

Weiland a winner in first loss [Boston Herald]

Mound of concern for Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Reddick’s well-seasoned [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez: Home Run Derby ‘no excuse’ for 2-for-24 slump [Clubhouse Insider]

Orioles finally beat Red Sox, 6-2 [CSNNE.com]

Gonzalez not worried about slump [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Weiland improves in second MLB start [CSNNE.com]

Rapid Reaction: Orioles 6, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Are Drew’s days in right numbered? [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Sox bats are silenced in loss to Orioles [Full Count]

Video: Buck Showalter Says Frustration Stems From Red Sox Playing Better Than Orioles [NESN.com]

Video: Dennis Eckersley Says Home Run Derby ‘Absolutely’ May Have Had Effect on Suddenly Slumping Adrian Gonzalez [NESN.com]

Video: Rookie Kyle Weiland Still Trusts His Stuff Despite Loss to Orioles, But Says ‘Walks Kill’ [NESN.com]

Kyle Weiland, Early Bedtime Among Positives in Losing Night for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Blames Timing for Early Second-Half Struggles, Not Participation in Home Run Derby [NESN.com]

Josh Reddick, Jesus Montero Among Prospects Who Could Be Moved Before Baseball’s Trade Deadline [NESN.com]

Guthrie puts end to Sox dominance of O’s [Providence Journal]

Control problems vexing Miller [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Wheeler steps up for spent pen [Providence Journal]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

Photo credit: AP Photo

The Boston Red Sox will look to pick up their fourth straight win tonight in the middle game of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can watch the game on MASN. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Kyle Weiland will make his second start for the Red Sox and it will be against the same team he faced his first time out. In that outing against the Orioles, Weiland allowed six runs in 4+ innings of work. He was ejected from the game in top of the 5th when he hit Vladimir Guerrero in the hand after warnings had been issued earlier in the game. This should be his final start as Jon Lester is scheduled to return from the DL on July 25th which would be Weiland’s next turn through the rotation.

Jeremy Guthrie looks to help end the losing skid for the Orioles in his 22nd appearance (20th start) of 2011. In his previous 21 appearances (19 starts), Guthrie is 3-13 with a 4.45 ERA. He’s made two appearances (one start) against the Red Sox in 2011 and is 0-1 with a 0.96 ERA (1 ER/9.1 IP). He’s made 17 career appearances (15 starts) against the Red Sox and is 1-8 with a 4.55 ERA.

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

58-36		38-55
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Matt Angle	LF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Adam Jones	CF
5. Josh Reddick	LF	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Carl Crawford	DH	6. Derrek Lee	1B
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	7. Mark Reynolds	3B
8. J.D. Drew	RF	8. Nolan Reimold	DH
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Blake Davis	2B
Kyle Weiland	SP	Jeremy Guthrie	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Pregame notes: Clay Buchholz progressing, Bobby Jenks gets injection [Clubhouse Insider]

Wheeler working toward relevance [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Buchholz (back) eyes Friday mound session [CSNNE.com]

Josh Reddick’s Surge Could Force Terry Francona to Make Tough Decision and Mean Less Playing Time for J.D. Drew [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Rumor Central: Sox interested in Jimenez? [ESPN Boston]

Tito mixes, matches at DH [ESPN Boston]

Hell yeah, Red Sox pitchers like beer [Extra Bases]

Pedroia or Cano? It’s clear at the moment [Extra Bases]

New podcast: The right stuff [Extra Bases]

Chat with former Red Sox pitcher Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee [Extra Bases]

Pregame notes from Baltimore [Extra Bases]

The Red Sox rotation in context: A fatal weakness? [Full Count]

Transcript of Terry Francona on The Big Show: Sticking with veterans has worked in the past [Full Count]

Red Sox Pregame Notes: Buchholz getting closer [Full Count]

Jason Varitek Relies on Exercise, Stretching, Ice to Keep Knees in Tip-Top Shape Over the Years [NESN.com]

Red Sox Should Strongly Pursue Carlos Beltran to Stabilize Right-Field Situation, Provide Clutch Play Down Stretch [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia the Hottest Hitter in Baseball, on MVP-Type Run for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Alfredo Aceves Has Been Invaluable to Red Sox as ‘Just a Pitcher’ [NESN.com]

Report: Red Sox, Phillies Both Aggressively Pursuing Carlos Beltran [NESN.com]

Video: Dennis Eckersley Credits Dustin Pedroia’s Energy, Calls Him ‘Most Confident Player’ He’s Ever Seen [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Proceeding Cautiously With Clay Buchholz, While Jarrod Saltalamacchia Still Has Potential to Become Front-Line Catcher [NESN.com]

Seamless Transition for Lavarnway [PawSox.com]

Would it be stunning if Jonathan Papelbon stayed? [Projo Sox Blog]

Sleepless — but not winless — in Baltimore [Projo Sox Blog]

Jose Iglesias expected back Thursday [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona using DH to provide rest [Projo Sox Blog]

Friday test awaits Buchholz [Projo Sox Blog]

Jenks receives PRP injection [Projo Sox Blog]

Weiland, Guthrie will try to keep bats in check [RedSox.com]

Players of the Week, 7/11-7/17: David Chester & Keith Couch [SoxProspects.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

For the fifth consecutive year WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station, will broadcast the annual Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game live from Fenway Park. This year’s game is on Friday, July 29 at 7pm and will feature play-by-play with Jerry Trupiano, former radio voice of the Boston Red Sox and current weekend talk show host on 98.5 the Sports Hub.

Joining Trupiano to provide color will be Cape League Director of Broadcasting John Garner, who has announced the last eight All-Star Games. Between innings the broadcast will feature WCAI radio host Steve Junker conducting on-field interviews with some of the players.

“The Cape League is one of the most respected amateur leagues in the country, and WCAI is proud to be part of this summer tradition, bringing the game to listeners on the radio and on the web,” said John Voci, WCAI station manager. The WCAI coverage of the game can be heard on 90.1 FM and streamed live on capeandislands.org.

For more information about the Cape Cod Baseball League, please visit http://v2.capecodbaseball.org/about/welcome/.

About WCAI
The Cape and Islands NPR stations, WCAI 90.1, WNAN 91.1, and WZAI 94.3 are listener-supported public radio stations serving Cape Cod, Nantucket,  Martha’s Vineyard,  and the South Coast. Founded by local residents, the stations are a service of WGBH Radio.