Thursday briefing

All boys interested in playing Brainerd eighth-grade football may check out their gear on from 8:30 a.m. until noon Monday.

Candidates should meet at the locker room located near the lower gym at Franklin Junior High School. Players must provide all necessary paperwork in order to receive equipment.

A second checkout session will be after school on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The first practice will be from 3:30 until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Franklin.

Any questions may be directed to Coach Rod Reuer at 828-4857.7.

Sosa hits three homers in game

CHICAGO (AP) -- Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs had his second three-homer game this month, against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday.

Sosa went 3-for-4 with a walk and drove in six runs for the Cubs, who led the Brewers 15-3 when he was taken out after the sixth inning.

Sosa hit a two-run shot off Mac Suzuki in the first, a three-run blast off Rocky Coppinger in the fifth, and a solo homer off Coppinger in the sixth. He has 49 homers for the season, second most in the National League.

Sosa also hit three homers Aug. 9 against Colorado in a 14-5 loss.

His six RBIs match his career high.

Twins announce postseason ticket procedures

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins announced ticket plans Wednesday for potential playoff games at the Metrodome.

Season-ticket holders will be given priority for postseason tickets. Fans can be guaranteed postseason ticket priority by placing a nonrefundable $150 per-seat deposit toward any 2002 season-ticket plan.

A random drawing will be held for the remaining tickets. Fans can apply by sending a post card to: Minnesota Twins Ticket Office; P.O. Box 581909; Minneapolis, MN 55458-1909. The post card should include: name, address, day and evening telephone numbers and number of ticket strips requested (limit of four). Special needs, such as accommodations for the handicapped, should be listed.

Fans also can apply by filling out an electronic post card at www.twinsbaseball.com.

The postseason tickets will include three American League division series games, four AL championship series games and three World Series tickets. Ticket prices range from $310 to $895 per strip.

Umpire hurt in NL game

MIAMI (AP) -- Umpire Mike Everitt left Wednesday night's game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Florida Marlins in the fifth inning with slight dizziness after a deflected pitch struck him in the mask.

The injury occurred after Marlins outfielder Preston Wilson was hit by a pitch thrown by Terry Adams. The ball ricocheted off Wilson into Everitt's face mask.

Everitt was treated by the Marlins' medical staff. He was not hospitalized.

The game was delayed nine minutes. Play resumed with three umpires. Jim Reynolds worked behind the plate, moving from his second base spot.

Toms no longer

can hide

AKRON, Ohio (AP) -- David Toms used to be able to enjoy a quiet dinner, practice in peace and go about his business without a bother. All that changed with one of the most courageous decisions in golf, and a par putt that made him the PGA Champion.

Toms arrived at the NEC Invitational -- a World Golf Championship event he wasn't qualified for until Sunday -- and wore out three pens signing autographs.