Valparaiso High School pitcher Megan Krantz.

Valparaiso pitcher Megan Krantz has been on varsity for three seasons.

Valparaiso High School pitcher Megan Krantz.

Valparaiso junior pitcher Megan Krantz missed six weeks of last season with a bone bruise in her right foot.

Valparaiso's Megan Krantz.

Valparaiso pitcher Megan Krantz is 5-4 this season with a 3.68 ERA.

Valparaiso High School pitcher Megan Krantz.

Valparaiso junior Megan Krantz also plays shortstop for the Vikings.

Teleflora Pour on Pink Fresh Floral Arrangement

Pitcher perfect for Mom on Mother's Day or any day, Teleflora offers an adorable pink pitcher filled with fresh flowers. Featuring a sweet bouquet of soft pink blooms, it's called "Pour on Pink" and it highlights hot pink spray roses, white alstroemeria and pink carnations, miniature carnati…

MLB NOTES: Region products try to rev up careers in minors

Jeff Samardzija of Valparaiso, Curtis Granderson of Lynwood and Lloyd McClendon of Chesterton are household names in the majors. John Mallee of Schererville soon will be as Astros hitting coach.

Lemony pitcher-style margarita for the Super Bowl

I long ago fell in love with the clean, crisp, sweet taste of Meyer lemons. And recently, Mexican foods guru Rick Bayless reminded me why.

Nick Crnkovich at Gary Old-Timers banquet

Former Whiting and Andrean football coach Nick Crnkovich, center, talks to Jim Burns, left, and Bob Kolodzinski, right at the Gary Old-Timers banquet at the Avalon Manor Banquet Hall in Hobart on Wednesday.

Gaylord Perry speaks at Gary Old-Timers banquet

A photograph of former MLB pitcher Gaylord Perry autographed at the Gary Old-Timers banquet at the Avalon Manor in Hobart on Wednesday.

Nick Crnkovich at Gary Old-Timers banquet

Former Whiting and Andrean football coach Nick Crnkovich, center, talks to his former Oiler football player Morgan Singel, left, at the Gary Old-Timers banquet at the Avalon Manor in Hobart on Wednesday.

Gaylord Perry at Gary Old-Timers banquet

Former MLB pitcher Gaylord Perry poses for a photograph with fan Jake Gurgevich, 14, of Crown Point, at the Gary Old-Timers banquet at the Avalon Manor in Hobart on Wednesday.

Gaylord Perry at Gary Old-Timers banquet

Former MLB pitcher Gaylord Perry signs an autograph at the Gary Old-Timers banquet at the Avalon Manor in Hobart on Wednesday.

Nick Crnkovich at Gary Old-Timers banquet

Former Whiting and Andrean football coach Nick Crnkovich poses for a photograph with his former Oilers football players from his mid-70's teams at the Gary Old-Timers banquet at Avalon Manor in Hobart on Wednesday.

Tips for de-stressing holiday entertaining

NEW YORK (AP) — With a little planning, a little help and a lot of resolve, holiday entertaining doesn't have to mean you're too stressed out to enjoy your own party.

JOHN DOHERTY: Fun and danger in all the games we play

Having watched the video several times, I still can't believe Oakland A's – and former White Sox – pitcher Brandon McCarthy was able to stand up and walk off the field with little assistance last Wednesday after being struck on the right side of the head by a line drive.

Nikki Steinbach, Andrean

Andrean pitcher Nikki Steinbach.

Kid Picks with Philip Potempa for Thursday, June 7, 2012

Our weekly round-up of new children's media.

OFFBEAT: Chicago Cubs honor Valpo's Jeff Samardzija with bobblehead

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Highland pitcher Jordan Minch

At 6-foot-3, left-handed pitcher Jordan Minch is an imposing presence on the mound for Highland. He held a 1.47 ERA in 52 1/3 innings last season.

Highland pitcher Jordan Minch

Highland pitcher Jordan Minch has a fast ball that has been clocked in the low 90s, though through a game, he can typically sustain his pitches in the high 80s.