With news of his absence from training camp blaring from a sports talk station in the background, Devin Hester said he's prepared to dig in for the long haul. As in the entire 2008 season. The most dynamic return man in NFL history wants more money.



Experience at the quarterback position certainly won't be an issue for Elgin High's football team this fall. That's because senior Tom Roth will be back under center for the Maroons in the rare spot as a three-year varsity starting quarterback.



Yemaya 3 is paid for, sailing proudly off the shores of Ozzie Guillen's home whenever he returns to Venezuela for some down time. As for The Four O's, Guillen's Miami toy, well, after Wednesday, he still owes on the boat. And at this rate, it might be some time before he finally can call it all his own.

The Northern Illinois Lightning will hold tryouts for the 2008-2009 season from Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 9-10.

A roundup of local results and upcoming contests.



Top-ranked Roger Federer was knocked out of the Rogers Cup with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 loss to France's Gilles Simon in a second-round match Wednesday night.



So you want to boo Paul Konerko? That's fine with White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker. But Walker did send a message Wednesday to certain home fans he deems "negative people." "I'm not concerned because I know Paul is a professional," Walker said. "But it does kind of hurt because I care so much about the guy, and he's scuffling. At the same time, I don't feel sorry for him, either, because he gets paid a lot of money to produce, and he knew it when he signed on with the White Sox.

PHOENIX -- Amid the expected comings and goings on the Cubs' roster Wednesday was the lingering and worrisome issue of closer Kerry Wood's health status.

A roundup of Wednesday's games.



NASCAR tried to even out the competition in the Nationwide Series on Wednesday by ordering all teams using Toyota motors to squeeze down their horsepower before this weekend's race in Indianapolis.



Cyberspace sold it as a brawl, WNBA spokesman Ron Howard called it an "incident" and Candace Parker's father, Larry, sided somewhere in between on the hardwood raucous. No matter what the altercation is called, the WNBA will continue to receive an unusual amount of attention until the dust settles.



NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is monitoring the ongoing rift between the Green Bay Packers and Brett Favre.



When the Indianapolis Colts report to training camp today, defensive end Dwight Freeney is expected to be placed on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a torn foot ligament.



The Bears have no concerns about an Achilles tendon injury that has sidelined center Olin Kreutz to begin training camp.


Questions remain Short rest no problem for Buehrle WRMN adds new sports-talk program Road woes now a bigger worry Bandits collect third straight victory Local Scoreboard Logan's luck running out In Brief: Eagles quarterback McNabb back in action Soriano is back tonight Major League Baseball Roundup No deal yet for top pick Winter Classic preview New deal for Urlacher Fishing gets nibble of interest by IHSA Falling on Harden times Williams won't talk trades yet Clark's three-run blast lifts Bandits to victory ENLL All-Stars fall in tough contests Rumor of deadline creates ripple in Deng contract discussions Local Scoreboard Baseball's official historian dead at 82 In Brief: Saints acquire Shockey for draft picks Rookie lefty Richard to start Wednesday Cubs still unsure if Wood will go on DL Major League Baseball Roundup Harrington now aiming for greater glory St. Charles sweeps away Elgin Pitching questioned after latest loss to KC Dempster, Cubs stop road slump Opportunity seized Nobody comes off honeymoon and wins Local Scoreboard In Brief: Schleck takes Tour lead Wood likely headed to disabled list again Sox put Contreras on disabled list Major League Baseball Roundup Redskins move quickly to get Taylor Hamilton wins German GP, solidifies F1 lead Without Wie, Oh wins State Farm in dramatic playoff Pesky Royals bite White Sox Harrington takes back-to-back British Opens Offense is culprit again in Cubs road loss Bears' QB derby starts Wednesday Findlay delivers game-winning HR for Bandits Fire's scoring woes continue Surprise Shark attack continues Kane Co. Tourney postponed Local Scoreboard In Brief: Favre sticks to script during Green Bay visit Wood won't be ready for a while yet Baines to be honored with statue unveiling Major League Baseball Roundup Training camp schedule Wie DQ'd over scorecard mishap Opening with a rout Late Bandits rally comes up short Sox bats get to Greinke early Lilly has strong outing, but offense doesn't Choi fires a 67, leads surprising, wide-open field Real Salt Lake trying to establish itself Local Scoreboard In Brief: Murphy backs GM, coach in Favre standoff Second half hinges on health issues Pitching depth creates roster crunch Major League Baseball Roundup Duval only looking forward Flanagan pulls even with Johnson Hachem showed wisdom in 'foolish' monster fold Soto finds groove at Creighton Force slams Bandits in seventh inning Mediate finds himself leading again Central focus White Sox preparing for stretch run with Minnesota, Detroit pursuing ESHOF outing at The Highlands Pair of Elgin teams capture District 13 titles Local Scoreboard In Brief: Star QB commits to Illinois Five keys for Cubs, Sox in second half Maintaining a healthy roster imperative for Sox Major League Baseball Rare Monday night home opener for Blackhawks Norman rekindles old magic Johnson leads Milwaukee tourney Softball tourney on tap in Elgin Fire holds special event May, Freed power Bandits win Chicago stars twinkling Hawks to play Wings outside Shore shines in Post 57 win Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries In Brief: Ozuna placed on waivers Wind conditions could be a factor AL wins All-Star game 4-3 in 15 Conflict forces change of venue for cycling event Elgin Heat captures crown Post 57 earns 20th win Fox Valley offers fall league signup Weeks making his own name Backfield bolstered with Jones Final table finally set for Main Event In Brief: Favre tempted to come to training camp Soriano targets return Mickelson won't bite on Tiger Crede's come a long way Don Hooton spreads steroid awareness Wood's journey a long one Local Scoreboard World Series of Poker In Brief: Packer out as CBS hoops analyst Zambrano: Sheets starting just fine Marmol's confidence not shaken Morneau outslugs Hamilton in HR Derby Favre goes public with intentions Young guns hope to fire with Tiger not prowling Cubs happy with their first half Sox horror show finally ends Harvick enjoys strong performance Local Scoreboard World Series of Poker's Main Event In Brief Wood expects his finger to fully heal Major League Baseball Roundup Sox might have to choose one of two relievers Golf Roundup: Perry wins John Deere Classic in playoff Tournament back at Royal Birkdale South Elgin Storms over Larkin in Streamwood Shootout Sweep weekend for Busch Cubs bounce back after late collapse Danks shows up his old team, bullpen hangs on Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries World Series of Poker's Main Event In Brief: Packers say no to Favre's release Wood to miss All-Star Game Jenks passes important test with strong bullpen session Major League Baseball Bandits grab wins in final innings Stewart makes his own decision Rain helps Dixon claim first place Perry stays hot, gets share of lead Pros are gladly giving back Cubs weather challenge Troubles in Texas continue for Sox Bandits finish off what they started Judson graduate joins RailCats Elgin Softball Standings Hendrick 'Dream Team' hopes for big turnaround Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries World Series of Poker's main event In Brief: Beltran tests positive as doping hits Tour again Bonds definitely not in Sox's plans Harden ready for familiar foe in Cubs debut Major League Baseball Roundup Busch grabs another victory Drivers get feel for Joliet track Favre saga takes dramatic turn Fire looking to put end to recent slump Meltdown in 8th inning costs Sox Cincinnati belts seven HRs in whipping Cubs Summer heats up for DeMoss and Krutwig Readers welcome to our sports blog Local Scoreboard Arington Entries World Series of Poker's main event In Brief: Briggs to appear at volleyball match First-round pick Cashner cashes in Dye, Cabrera put tiff in rearview mirror Major League Baseball Longoria edges Dye for final AL berth NASCAR roars into Joliet this weekend Wet weather washes out Sprint Cup qualifying at Joliet Creamer shoots 60, assumes five-shot lead Coach K: Only one Dream Team Playing more small pots in tournaments a key Post 57 riding high this season Zambrano sharp, earns 10th win Sox overcome five-run deficit in victory Local Roundup: Weeks joins Kane County roster Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries World Series of Poker main event In Brief: Man mistaken for Yanks fan beaten Happy Harden joins Cubs With Jenks out, closer by committee begins Major League Baseball Roundup Ailing right knee keeping Rose out Brand signs with 76ers Stewart leaving Gibbs Racing Former Larkin player Esterino named coach Junior sensations Hampshire twins weighing options Cubs land counterpunch Campbell ready for Chicago's big stage Local Roundup: Sandberg to visit Elfstrom Stadium Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries World Series of Poker In Brief: Rodriguez forfeits $200,000 bonus Cubs power past Reds Jenks lands on 15-day disabled list after all Major League Baseball Roundup Move a good fit for Busch Young able to adapt, make impact Rebuilding Indians reshaping division race Cubs back on track? Bandits bats quiet in loss to Washington Post 57 takes 3rd at Plainfield Local Scoreboard In Brief: Chiefs TE Gonzalez saves man's life Cubs' Hendry in no hurry to deal Milwaukee makes splash by landing Sabathia Major League Baseball Roundup Beasley outperforms Rose in summer debut Crawford lacks security after new net addition Rivalry as good as it gets Harvick has history on his side this week Pitching in to win Danks continues to dazzle for Sox Rose, Beasley ready to face off in summer league ball Soriano won't play in NY Dempster, Wood change roles, earn All-Star berths In Brief: Brewers on verge of landing Sabathia Guillen figured on contending Major League Baseball Roundup Nadal ends Federer's grass reign Rising star Kim snares title at Tiger's event A real stinger for Cubs Duppler's golf game back on track ESHOF to fete All-American girls Shower of power bolsters Floyd win Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries In Brief: Bandits win on combined one-hitter World Series of Poker's main event Wood's performance as closer worthy of All-Star berth Everything checks out OK for Jenks Major League Baseball Roundup Venus downs sister Serena to claim title Familiar foe for Federer Busch claims dramatic win Spain's Valverde sprints to first stage triumph Pernice Jr. eyes first PGA victory in seven seasons Cubs draw first blood Bandits hit road, fall short in slugfest White Sox encounter bump in road Busch proving former coach wrong Local Scoreboard Arlington Entries In Brief: Report has Duhon heading to Knicks Jenks continues to make progress Edmonds says he denied trade to Sox Major League Baseball Roundup Venus Williams beats Serena for Wimbledon crown Federer and Nadal cruise into final Another All-Williams championship on tap at All England Club Doping-scarred Tour starts without top stars Big side pots add spice to World Series of Poker Talented Hawks could make noise Streak snapper for Sox Wasco Diamonds headed to World Series