Here’s a press release from the Boston Red Sox concerning the 4th annual “Futures at Fenway” games:

2009 “Futures at Fenway” to take place on Saturday, August 8

Fourth Annual Minor League Doubleheader will feature Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and Double-A Portland Sea Dogs who will play regular season games at Fenway Park with family-friendly ticket prices

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox announced details today for the fourth annual “Futures at Fenway” minor league doubleheader that is scheduled for Saturday, August 8 at Fenway Park. Similar to the three previous events, family-friendly ticket and concession prices and kid-friendly activities will highlight this day of minor league fun at “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark”. The games in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were played in front of capacity crowds eager to see the Red Sox stars of tomorrow.

After a one year absence, Boston’s Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, return to take part in the 2009 “Futures at Fenway.” They will be joined by the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate, who played in the 2008 event. Portland will face off against the Bowie Baysox (Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Organization) in the first game at 12:05 p.m. while Pawtucket will battle the Norfolk Tides (Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Organization) in the second game of the doubleheader.

Kids attending the event will be selected randomly throughout the day to participate in a number of exciting activities, such as participating in mascot races and taking part in other on-field activities. Additionally, youngsters will be able to get autographs from the players during autograph sessions scheduled on the Big Concourse.

Ticket prices will again remain unchanged, ranging from $5 (for Upper Bleachers) to $30 (for Green Monster Seats, Dugout Seats, the EMC Club and the State Street Pavilion Club). In addition, discounted concession items will be available for fans attending “Futures at Fenway”.

Tickets will be available for fans to sit in ballpark locations many have never before had the chance to enjoy, such as the Green Monster Seats, on the Right Field Roof Deck, in the Dugout Seats, and EMC Club and State Street Pavilion.

Red Sox season ticket holders, members of Red Sox Nation and members of Red Sox Kid Nation presented by Hood have a first opportunity to purchase tickets. Those fans have already been contacted with details.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21 via the internet at www.redsox.com or by touch-tone telephone at 1-877-REDSOX-9. Fans with disabilities may also call (877) REDSOX-9 to purchase accessible seating (while supplies last). The Red Sox’ TTY number for hearing-impaired fans is (617) 226-6644.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino approached the Red Sox four years ago with the idea to host minor league games at Fenway Park.

“Events like ‘Futures at Fenway’ reflect the team’s commitment to creating opportunities for more fans to experience America’s Most Beloved Ballpark,” said Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino. “Thanks to the suggestion of Mayor Menino, and the family-friendly ticket prices, many of our fans will enjoy a relaxing day of minor league fun at Fenway where they’ll see the franchise’s future stars in action.”

Although records are incomplete, the games in 2006 are believed to be the first minor league games played at Fenway Park since the 1977 Eastern League All-Star Game. The last known regular season minor league game played at Fenway had been a 1966 Eastern League contest between Pittsfield (Red Sox) and Pawtucket (Indians).

This just came across on the CBS Halftime show and UConnHuskies.com.

UConn Huskies men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun will not be at the arena for today’s game against Chattanooga. He is under the weather and was taken to the hospital for observation.

“Coach Calhoun has not been feeling well for the past several days and it is best that he not coach the team today for precautionary reasons,” said UConn Director of Sports Medicine Dr. Jeff Anderson.

George Blaney will coach the team in Calhoun’s absence.

UPDATE 5:15 PM: Joe Zone of WFSB Channel 3 in Hartford, CT is reporting that Calhoun is back in the hospital and will undergo a battery of tests tonight.

“I have been feeling lousy for the past several days and this morning talked to Dr. Anderson about it,” said Calhoun. “He recommended that I not coach in the game today and stay back at the hotel. As the day went on, he suggested that we go over to the hospital to have some testing done. Fortunately, those tests have all gone well and I am feeling much better. I will stay the night as a precaution and anticipate being checked again in the morning and being able to leave the hospital at that time.”

It’s game day for the UConn Huskies as they prepare to take on the Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this afternoon. The Huskies are the No. 1 seed in the West Region. The game will start around 3 PM and will be shown on Channel 3 in the Connecticut area. You can also check the game out online at CBS MMOD.

And remember if you’re participating in an office bracket or friendly bracket and need some help, Bracket Brains can give you all the help you need. Remember most brackets close at NOON.

UConn men’s basketball links

Day One: Practice and more practice [The Day.com – Gavin Keefe]

Chattanooga Choo-Choo Steak Train [UConn | Men’s Basketball]

Jim Calhoun Press Conference [UConn | Men’s Basketball]

Focusing on these letters (NCAA), not these (NBA) [UConn | Men’s Basketball]

Ater Majok video [Aussie Hoops America]

Thabeet and Price talk about Chattanooga [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Price and Adrien Press Conference [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Chattin’ about Chattanooga [In Storrs Now]

Philadelphia Freedom [Emeka, Nadav and Corny]

Huskies Looking To Set Tone Against Mocs [Hartford Courant]

Degree Of Difficulty [Hartford Courant]

No. 1 Seed UConn vs. No. 16 Chattanooga [Hartford Courant]

Mocs out to be the 16th seed that could [Waterbury Republican-American]

Austrie gets start; Calhoun attempts to boost confidence [Waterbury Republican-American]

Omens, good and bad, for the Huskies [Waterbury Republican-American]

Austrie back as a starter against Chattanooga [Norwich Bulletin]

Huskies looking to snap postseason skid in tourney opener [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn opens tourney against Chattanooga [New Haven Register]

Huskies need to get swagger back…now [New Haven Register]

Thabeet’s decision was the right one, for everyone [New Haven Register]

Price admires courage of Mocs’ forward who also tore his ACL [New Haven Register]

Chattanooga aims to make history [Connecticut Post]

Shulman, Mocs dreaming, believing [Connecticut Post]

McDowell has UConn’s full attention [New London Day]

UConn men hoping for an extended stay in NCAAs [New London Day]

Going with grit [Journal Inquirer]

UConn (27-4) vs. Chattanooga (18-16) [Journal Inquirer]

Say it ain’t so, O. [New London Day]

Underdog Mocs hope for the best against UConn [NY Daily News]

Different paths, different stars, but it’s the same goal at UConn [USA Today]

Huskies Ready to Dance [WTNH]

UConn looks to shake off March badness [Boston Globe]

UConn’s Price back from bad bounces [Philadelphia Inquirer]

For Louisville, Pitt, UConn, Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia and Marquette, time to dance [New York Daily News]

NCAA tourney spurs Voskuhl to trash-talk [Canada.com]

UConn women’s basketball links

Montgomery, Moore always locked in for Huskies [Bristol Press]

A memorable journey [Elm City to Eagleville]

Come one, come all to UConn women’s practice on Saturday [UConn | Women’s Basketball]

UConn, Vermont To Meet Next Season [Rich Elliot – UConn Women’s Basketball]

Auriemma Finalist For Naismith Coach Of The Year [Hartford Courant]

Frank Deford Commentary On NPR: The Dynamic Duo Of Women’s College Basketball [Hartford Courant]

Auriemma a finalist for Naismith coach of the year [New Haven Register]

UConn women starters carry load [Connecticut Post]

America East Champs to Face Undefeated UConn [University of Vermont]

Vermont happy for chance to meet Huskies [Waterbury Republican-American]

Free Open Practices To Be Held At Gampel Pavilion On Saturday [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn football links

Update thoughts [JSilver’s UConn Blog]

Love Your Moxy… [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

Quotes And Quotes [UConn | Football]

Other UConn related links

The Age Of The Austrian: Answered! [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

This Week’s Sign Of The Apocalypse AND Your Fat White Guy Moment Of The Week [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

Michele Leads Huskies with Season-High Point Effort in 14-12 Lacrosse Loss [UConnHuskies.com]

While the Boston Red Sox took a break from Grapefruit League action yesterday, things weren’t so quiet in camp. We had the release of Josh Bard, leaving George Kottaras as the likely backup to Jason Varitek. We also had the news that Kevin Youkilis is out of the WBC and will miss a few days with a sprained ankle. Brad Penny also threw 3 innings in a minor league game and came out feeling good.

The release of Bard came as a surprise to some but obviously the Red Sox weren’t comfortable with him behind the plate when Tim Wakefield pitches.

“(Kottaras) looked comfortable catching Wake the other day, which shouldn’t come as a surprise because he’s got good hands and he’s been very comfortable catching Zink in the minor leagues,” said Epstein. “He and Dusty have been throwing well. Jason has been throwing really well, too. That was really the biggest issue now—(Kottaras’) throwing.”

“He’s got a strong throwing arm. He’s got really good hands,” Epstein continued. “He’s got some life in his bat. He’s got some knowledge of the strike zone. He’s not going to hit for a really high average, but between his walks and his power he still manages to bring something to the table offensively.”

Bard had signed a $1.6 million non-guaranteed contract and the now the Red Sox only have to pay him around $263,000. Had they waited until today, they would have have been on the hook for just over $300,000.

There does always remain the possibility that the Red Sox go out and make a trade for a younger backup catcher who could take over for Varitek once his time is done in Boston.

Obviously the news about Youk is troubling because of the fact that he injured his ankle 3-4 days ago. While he is playing for his country, he didn’t look at the big picture. By trying to play through the ankle injury, he’s costing himself time with the Red Sox.

Having the new long-term contract, he really should have thought this through a little better. His first priority should be the Boston Red Sox who were kind enough to allow to him to play in the WBC in the first place. Now he’ll spend the next few days in a boot and miss some time on the field as he recovers.

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The Atlanta Tipoff Club was busy today as they were gathering up the names for the Naismith National Coach of the Year and the Naismith Women’s College Basketball Player of the Year.

Fortunately for the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team, Geno Auriemma has been chosen as a candidate for the coach of the year award. Joining him as a finalist are Oklahoma’s Sherri Coale, Auburn’s Nell Fortner and South Dakota State’s Aaron Johnston.

Auriemma won the award last year and has won it 5 previous times in his career.

The player of the year candidates has a UConn flavor as well as senior Renee Montgomery and sophomore Maya Moore are 2 of the 4 finalists. Joining the dynamic duo are Louisville’s Angel McCoughtry and Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris.

The winners of both awards will be announced in early April.