Northwest Arkansas Natural Corey Smith has had some good times at Dr Pepper Ballpark. Take Wednesday's Texas League All-Star Game, for example.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals third baseman went 2-for-3, scored the game's first run and was named MVP as the North Division held on for a 2-1 victory over the South before a crowd of 10,314.

Smith was a member of the Los Angeles Angels organization last year when the Arkansas Travelers beat the Frisco Rough Riders to win the Texas League championship and got to party in the visitors' clubhouse at Dr Pepper Ballpark.

On Wednesday, Smith led off the second inning with a single off Jason Fernandez of the Midland RockHounds. The North loaded the bases and Smith trotted home when Fernandez plunked Home Run Derby winner Mark Trumbo of the Travelers with a 2-1 pitch.

The North padded its lead in the eighth on an RBI single by Kurt Mertins of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. But the South answered in the bottom of the inning, when Josh Horton doubled home RockHounds teammate Josh Donaldson.

But Arkansas reliever Bobby Cassevah stranded two runners in scoring position by striking out Midland's Corey Brown and retiring Eric Sogard of the San Antonio Missions on a grounder to second base.

In the ninth, Andrew Johnston of the Tulsa Drillers fanned RockHounds slugger Chris Cooper and got Donaldson to ground to Smith to end the game and pick up the save.

Tyler Hearne of the Springfield Cardinals started for the North and was credited with the win after pitching two scoreless innings.

As the only player with more than one hit, Smith was named MVP and was presented with his award by league president Tom Kayser.

Things didn't work out after last season for Smith, a former first-round Draft pick of the Cleveland Indians. After the Angels released him, he signed with the Kansas City Royals and was close to breaking Spring Training with Triple-A Omaha. But the Royals signed Travis Metcalf, relegating Smith to the Texas League.

"I've got to keep playing," said Smith. "As long as I have a uniform on, I've got a chance. My goal ultimately is not to play at Triple-A anyway; I want to play in the big leagues."

Smith entered the All-Star break hitting .252 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs.

 

The Kansas City Royals announced Wednesday that third baseman Alex Gordon will play for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on a minor league rehabilitation assignment beginning this weekend.

 

Gordon, the Royals’ first-round selection (second overall) in 2005 out of the University of Nebraska, has been out since April 17^th after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right hip.  Currently rehabbing with the Surprise Royals in the rookie-level Arizona League, Gordon will report initially to Triple-A Omaha for Friday evening’s contest against the New Orleans Zephyrs before joining the Naturals. 

 

The Royals have indicated that Gordon is slated to join the Naturals for their series at Corpus Christi, then return to Springdale with the club and, barring any setbacks, continue his rehab assignment during the Naturals’ series with the Missions at Arvest Ballpark beginning July 9^th.

University of Arkansas Razorbacks Sophomore linebacker Khiry Battle has been dismissed from the football team after a weekend arrest on a charge of driving under the influence.

Coach Bobby Petrino announced Battle's dismissal Monday, saying "Khiry has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules," Petrino added that; "Being a member of the Razorback football program requires responsible actions on and off the field."

The 20-year-old Battle was arrested early Sunday on a charge of misdemeanor DUI. Police say Battle failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a breath alcohol test, leading to a charge of violating the state's implied consent law.

This isn’t a one strike and you’re out case for Battle. On May 6, Battle was arrested after an incident in which a background check revealed he had an arrest warrant for failure to appear for a careless driving ticket.

Battle played in 10 games last season as a freshman and made five tackles.

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Go West young men and woman, because the west seemed to have the magic this year in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games with a 26-9 football victory Friday night at Tiger Stadium in Bentonville. The West went 10 – 0 overall for the series which included a variety of high school sports.

future University of Arkansas Razorback Austin Tate  of Harrison had five catches for 25 yards to the West’s overall 252 yards of offense — 229 passing and 23 rushing.

Spencer Keith of Pulaski Academy completed 14 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, and Pierre Vaughn of Nashville threw for 80 yards and a touchdown.
 

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One of the Berryville Bobcat coaches, Jack Dickey is leaving his job after just one year, and will now be coaching baseball in Blue Eye.

Dickey was head junior high football coach and a high school assistant, and helped with soccer.

The coaching staff was rearranged when Dickey resigned; Don Earnest is now head junior high football and also head soccer coach.

Josh Nation moved from head junior high basketball to assistant football coach and head football coach Bobby Bishop will now add strength and conditioning coach to his duties.

The eventual replacement for Dickey will be head junior high basketball coach, and assistant in football and soccer.

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Razorbacks Dorian Ulrey and Wallace Spearmon, Jr. earned spots on Team USA for the 2009 IAAF World Championships with top three finishes in their respective events on the final day of competition at the USA Championships, held at Oregon’s Hayward Field.

Ulrey earned a bronze finish in the 1,500-meter finals

Former Arkansas NCAA Champion and current school record holder Wallace Spearmon, Jr., punched his ticket for the 2009 IAAF World Championships. Running two 200-meter races on Sunday, he finished third in the finals with a time of 20.03. He clocked a semifinal time of 20.28 to advance to the finals.

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