Sports Shorts
By John E. DeFreitas

The talk on the professional tennis courts is that there is a plan to introduce a form of instant replay at this summer's U.S. Open. The move to institute an electronic review was prompted by a blown call that went against Serena Williams during her quarter finals loss to Jennifer Capriati at last year's U.S. Open. The umpire incorrectly overruled the line judge, who had properly called Williams ball in.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell joined the Washington Baseball Club, one of nine groups bidding to buy the Washington Nationals from Major League Baseball. Powell was one of three new investors making the bid to buy the team. "We have the opportunity to reinvigorate this city and bring back baseball back to a generation of youth who have lost their connection with our nation's pastime," said Powell.

A man fishing in the Mississippi River hauled in a 124 lb.blue catfish. Tim Pruitt said he fought with the fish for forty minutes, and it dragged him more than three miles down stream in his boat before he was able to haul it in. Pruitt is awaiting conformation to have it certified as a world record for the catch.

Last Saturday in Chicago, England defeated the USA 2-1 in a friendly World Cup soccer game played before 46,763 fans in the team's first meeting in a decade. The loss was the first on U.S. soil in two years. The game is meaningless in the World Cup standings because it is only an exhibition game. The U.S. continues CONCACAF preparations for the 2006 World Cup when they face Costa Rica on June 4th in Salt Lake City . Then Panama City on June 8 th.

The Iowa State Fair "Butter Sculptor" is trying to get permission from Tiger Woods to do a butter sculpture of the golfer. Lori Chappell, the fair's marketing director, reported that the request was made. In recent years, Norma Lyon known as the "Butter Cow Lady" has carved Elvis, Garth Brooks and John Wayne out of butter for the fair.

Jarrett Payton, son of NFL Hall of Framer Walter Payton, is a running back with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe, and he is trying to make it big on his own merits. The 24 year-old Payton has rushed for 492 yards on 88 carries, and scored a league-leading seven touchdowns.

Freddy Adu will be 16 years old on Thursday. While that means he can get his driver's license, Freddy will instead be going to represent the U.S. Under 20 soccer team at the World Youth Championship in the Netherlands .

Gary Russell Jr. of Capital Heights won the 2005 National Golden Gloves when he defeated Sergio Perales of Brownsville , Texas in a 5-0 decision. Russell, a junior at Suitland Senior High School , is ranked No. 1 in the country at 119 pounds. He will represent the U.S. at the 2005 World Cup in Moscow in July.