Pro golf
WATSON SAYS WOODS NEED TO SHOW HUMILITY: Tom Watson says Tiger Woods needs to "show some humility to the public" when he returns to golf after sorting out his personal life.
Watson also said Wednesday that Woods should clean up his on-course behavior in order to be considered among the true greats of the game.
Woods is on an indefinite break since his car crash Nov. 27 that fueled sordid tales of extramarital affairs.
"I'll let the cat out of the bag," Watson said ahead of the Dubai Desert Classic. "Tiger has to take ownership of what he has done. He must get his personal life in order. I think that's what he's trying to do. And when he comes back, he has to show some humility to the public."
Pro baseball
BEACHUM RETURNING TO RAILCATS: Infielder Jeff Beachum on Wednesday agreed to terms with the RailCats on a contract for the 2010 season.
Beachum, 26, will once again be classified as a Northern League rookie after enjoying a breakout 2009 season that saw the Tennessee native set personal bests in every offensive category. After an injury-plagued 2008 season, Beachum stayed healthy as a RailCat and batted .309 in 73 games -- an average that would have placed in the top 10 in the league in hitting with only four more plate appearances. The former New York Yankees farmhand slugged .399 and carried a .372 on-base percentage, notching 14 doubles, two home runs and 31 RBIs. Beachum fanned only 21 times in 255 plate appearances.
A shortstop by trade, Beachum played primarily at first base and third base for the RailCats in 2009, his first career action at either position, and made the transition quickly. In 34 games as a first baseman, Beachum committed only two errors.
College sports
CITY'S ISAAC SIGNS WITH PURDUE: Purdue added 20 players, Indiana signed 25 and Ball State 21 on national letter-of-intent signing day.
Purdue coach Danny Hope went to his Florida roots again. After taking 14 players from the Sunshine State last year, he signed six on Wednesday. Two more Floridians are among the four players who signed in January and already have enrolled.
Hope added three Indiana players a year after taking none from Purdue's home state. Linebacker Joe Gilliam of Southport, defensive lineman Ryan Isaac of Michigan City and wide receiver Charles Torwidzo of Brownsburg will join the program.
"It's like Christmas," he said. "I've been waiting a long time to get these guys signed up. We think we did a great job of recruiting this class."
Indiana coach Bill Lynch added four players from Indiana -- quarterback Kofi Hughes of Indianapolis Cathedral, linebacker Jack Denton of Zionsville, tight end Leneil Himes of Plymouth and wide receiver Logan Young of Delta High School in Muncie.
"I can't remember the end of a recruiting year with such a big class, where I feel so good about the kids that are coming," Lynch said.
Ball State coach Stan Parrish said he felt good about his haul. Ten of his additions are from Ohio, and three are from Indiana.
College volleyball
VU'S ROOT NAMED A RISING STAR: Valparaiso freshman libero Taylor Root has been named one of the Collegiate Volleyball Update's "Rising Stars", which honors 19 freshmen nationwide who stood out with their performance in their rookie season.
Root receives the honor from the CVU after being named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year. Root led all league players with 5.05 digs/set, good for 29th nationally, and ranked second in league-only play with 5.31 digs/set.
College baseball
VU PICKED FOURTH IN HORIZON LEAGUE: Valparaiso University's baseball has been picked to finish in fourth this season in the Horizon League, according to the preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches.
Wright State was chosen the favorite, as it earned six first-place votes.
VU opens its regular season Feb. 19 with a three-game road series with McNeese State.
The Crusaders also will host the 2010 Horizon League Baseball Championships at The Steel Yard in Gary from May 26-30.
College football
PIERCE ADDED TO VU STAFF: Valparaiso University head football coach Dale Carlson recently announced the hiring of Tony Pierce as the Crusaders' new defensive coordinator.
Pierce brings 25 years of coaching experience to Valpo, including 18 years on the college level. He arrives at Valpo from Tennessee State University, where he was the running backs coach and special teams coordinator last season. He served as the defensive coordinator at Alabama State University for six seasons, and he was named the American Football Coaches Association I-AA Assistant Football Coach of the Year in 2004. He also served as the running backs coach at both West Virginia University and the University of Georgia.
Prep sports
ANDREAN HOSTING HOF CEREMONY: Andrean will have its 11th Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Feb. 14 beginning at 4 p.m. The cost of attending the event is $35, which includes dinner. For more information, call (219) 887-5281, ext. 241. Reservations should be made by Feb. 10.
This year's hall of fame class consists of: Ben Milbrath, Robbie Doyle, Kathy May Hadt, Shane Power, Pete Reist, Chris Nicolini and the 2004 state football championship team.
