Overtime

Little League World Series

California advances to U.S. title contest

In South Williamsport, Pa., a disputed call went Rancho Buena Vista's way, and now the team from California is on the way to the United States title game at the Little League World Series.

An apparent three-run home run by Maitland, Fla., was instead ruled a double and that was just the break Vista, Calif., needed in a 6-2 semifinal victory Wednesday night.

In an international semifinal game Wednesday, Japan was an 11-0 winner over Surrey, British Columbia.

Guam will play defending series champion Willemstad, Curacao, and West Oahu of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, will face Lafayette, La., in the other semis today.

The world championship is Sunday.

The controversial play came in the bottom of the third with Maitland down 2-0. With two runners on and two out, Mike Tomlinson laced a line drive off winning pitcher Kalen Pimentel that hit about a foot up the netting attached to the left-field foul pole, hit the top of the wall and bounced back into play.

Tomlinson thought he homered, but the umps immediately ruled the hit a two-run double. Maitland coach Sid Cash dashed out to argue, but - without the benefit of replay - the call was not reversed.

The disputed call came back to hurt Southeast champ Maitland (2-2) even more in the fourth.

Rancho Buena Vista's Reed Reznicek walked and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Johnny Dee's single was bobbled by the center fielder, allowing Reznicek to score for a 3-2 lead. Dee was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

Maitland threatened again in the fourth, putting runners on first and second with one out, but left them stranded.

Rancho Buena Vista (4-0) scored three runs in the sixth to seal the win.

Minor League Baseball

Comcast will air 'Jackets game live

The Augusta GreenJackets game tonight against the Rome Braves will air live at 7 p.m. on Comcast Sports Southeast (Ch. 6).

The GreenJackets (29-27) were five back of first-place Kannapolis (32-20) in the Southern Division going into the Intimidators' game Wednesday against Hickory. The Braves (29-28) are a half-game back of the GreenJackets.

Hockey

St. Louis will stay on with Tampa Bay

In Tampa, Fla., NHL MVP Martin St. Louis signed a six-year contract to remain with the Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 30-year-old right wing had 38 goals and 56 assists for 94 points during the 2003-04 season to win the Hart Trophy as MVP and Art Ross Trophy (scoring leader) while leading the Lightning to their first league title.

"I've said it many times in the past and I continue to maintain that Martin St. Louis is the heart and soul of our hockey team,' general manager Jay Feaster said.

College Basketball

Pacers sign two additional recruits

USC Aiken announced the addition of Tiago DePaula and Scotti Frater to the 2005-06 men's basketball team. First-year coach Vince Alexander now has 11 players on his roster.

DePaula, a 6-foot-9 junior forward, comes from Highland Community College.

Frater, a 6-8 junior center, played last season at SUNY Cobleskill.

Olympics

Gregson chosen to run USOC's finances

Retired Lt. Gen. Wallace "Chip" Gregson has been named chief operating officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, the organization announced.

The 59-year-old Gregson commanded thousands of troops in Asia and the Middle East during a 37-year career with the Marine Corps. He was selected for the post because of his extensive experience in international negotiations and financial management, the USOC said.