Quick hits

By:

Posted: 7/2/08

Softball coaching staff named Regional Staff of the Year

Texas A&M Head Softball Coach Jo Evans and Associate Head Coaches Joy Jackson and Mary Jo Firnbach were voted the 2008 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year on Tuesday.

"I am very excited to have our staff honored by the NFCA," Evans said. "We encountered some unexpected setbacks this season, and our staff and team fought through and came together to reach our goal of making it back to Oklahoma City. I've said it many times before, I feel like I have the best staff in the nation. I attribute much of our program's success to the hard work and dedication of JJ (Jackson) and MJ (Firnbach)."

Evans and her staff guided the Aggies to their second consecutive Women's College World Series appearance, where A&M advanced to the NCAA Championship Series against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

In her 12th season as the Aggies' head coach, Evans earned her third Big 12 Coach of the Year honor after posting a 17-1 conference record, picking up A&M's second Big 12 regular season title in since 2005 and the program's first Big 12 Championship tournament title.

Reid sweeps Jamaican trials, Facey sets personal best

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Texas A&M's Julian Reid claimed his second title during the Jamaican Olympic Trials when he won the long jump competition Sunday evening.
On Friday Reid won the triple jump title at the meet. He joined 100-meter world record holder Usain Bolt as the only double winner during the Olympic Trials. Bolt won the 100 (9.85) and 200 (19.97) this weekend.

As a freshman with the Aggies, Reid was Big 12 champion in the long jump twice, winning indoor and outdoor titles. He earned All-American honors when he finished third at the NCAA Championships. Reid established his top mark in the second round.

Simone Facey reached the final of the 200 meters and set a personal best of 22.25, which placed her fifth. Facey lowered the Aggie school record of 22.29 in May.

MLB players union files grievance over Chacon

NEW YORK - The players' association filed a grievance Tuesday over the release of pitcher Shawn Chacon, saying the team's decision to terminate his contract was without just cause.

Chacon cleared waivers and was released Monday, five days after a physical altercation with Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade in the clubhouse.

Chacon had a $2 million salary this year, and the decision to terminate the contract meant $983,607 won't be paid. He also lost the chance to make up to $1 million in performance bonuses based on innings.

"The grievance alleges that he was unlawfully terminated and asked that he be made whole," said Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel.