THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2016 SPORTS Yankees closer Chapman agrees to accept 30-game suspension NEW YORK: New York Yankees closer gratified that Mr. Chapman has taken The Davie Police Department and one, was made after careful considera- season April 4 at home against Houston. Aroldis Chapman agreed to accept a 30- responsibility for his conduct.” Broward Assistant State Attorney tion. I made this decision in an effort to Barring rainouts, he would be eligible to game suspension under Major League Chapman became the first player Stefanie Newman declined to file minimize the distractions that an appeal start his season May 9 when the Yankees Baseball’s domestic violence policy, a penalized a finite number of games charges, saying conflicting accounts and would cause the Yankees, my new team- host World Series champion Kansas City. penalty stemming from an altercation under the policy, which MLB and the insufficient evidence made a conviction mates and most importantly, my family.” “We need him,” teammate Alex with his girlfriend last October. players’ association agreed to in August unlikely. Under MLB’s domestic violence Chapman’s representatives and MLB Rodriguez said Tuesday before the sus- Under the discipline announced following several high-profile incidents policy, discipline does not have to be had been discussing the discipline for pension was announced. “He’s a big part Tuesday, the four-time All-Star will serve among NFL players. Colorado shortstop predicated on a conviction. about 10 days. A suspension of 46 days of our team, and I think the key in New the penalty from the start of the Jose Reyes was given an indefinite paid or longer would have delayed his chance York is you have to focus on the game, Yankees’ season on April 4. He will lose suspension last week, pending a trial SUSPENSION to become a free agent until after the focus on your teammates, and I think he 30 days of pay - $1,856,557 of his scheduled for April 4, following an Chapman, 28, the hardest-throwing 2017 season. has a lot of support in that clubhouse.” $11,325,000 salary. The agreement spec- alleged altercation with his wife in pitcher in the major leagues, was traded The players’ association said it sup- Chapman will be allowed to use ifies he will be eligible for free agency October. from the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds to ported Chapman’s decision to accept the team facilities while serving his suspen- after this season barring any additional Baseball’s investigation of Chapman the Yankees in December. He had said he penalty and said “its members do not sion and likely will work out at the suspension for off-the-field conduct stemmed from an Oct. 30 incident at his would contest any suspension, but a deal condone the mistreatment of others by Yankees’ minor league complex in that would cost him the necessary serv- house in Florida. Chapman’s girlfriend, was reached following negotiations with playing or non-playing personnel.” Florida, but he will not be permitted to ice time. 22-year-old Cristina Barnea, told police MLB. “I want to be clear, I did not in any With the Yankees, Chapman forms a play in any minor league games during “I found Mr. Chapman’s acknowl- he pushed and choked her. Chapman way harm my girlfriend that evening,” powerful back end of the bullpen along that time. edged conduct on that day to be inap- said there was an argument but that he Chapman said in a statement. “However, I with former closer Andrew Miller and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel propriate ... particularly his use of a was pushed down by Barnea’s brother, should have exercised better judgment Dellin Betances. Puig is under investigation by MLB for a firearm and the impact of that behavior eventually getting a handgun and firing with respect to certain actions, and for Chapman can continue to participate fight with a bouncer at a Miami bar in on his partner,” baseball Commissioner eight shots into a wall and window while that I am sorry. The decision to accept a in all spring training activities. The penal- November following an argument with Rob Manfred said in a statement. “I am locked in his garage. suspension, as opposed to appealing ty starts when the Yankees open the his sister. —AP Smith to work his magic with Wildcats: Arona LONDON: Tinirau Arona believes Brian for a quick Wildcats turnaround, he wants Smith can weave the same type of magic at to be there for the long haul. Wakefield Wildcats as he did at Sydney “The plan was to come here for one year, Roosters six years ago - and as a member of see what it’s all about and what the future both teams he’s a man who should know. holds. My family and I like it here, and I’m The 61-year-old took charge last May and loving it too,” added the 26-year-old. subsequently performed a rescue act by “At the moment I see myself playing guiding the Wildcats through the Million here for many years. But my main focus for Pound Game to ensure their Super League now is getting back to being as consistent survival. and competitive as I possibly can.” The Roosters were similarly in the dol- Australian front-rower Mitchell Dodds is drums in 2009 - having suffered the set to make his long-awaited debut for the ignominy of the NRL’s wooden spoon - but Warrington Wolves at Salford Red Devils on less than a year later Smith took them all Thursday - and it’s been a funny old few the way to the Grand Final. months for the former Brisbane Bronco. With one win from four in the Super “His last game was an NRL Grand Final in League so far, Wakefield still have an awful front of 85,000 people and at the weekend long way to go before returning to such he got to run out in front of about 300 at prominence. But Arona, who was given his Hull Ionians so there was a fair old contrast NRL debut by Smith in 2011, insists things to his last two games,” said Warrington will only get better under the head coach - assistant coach Richard Agar. starting against Catalans Dragons this “We see a lot of value in what he can do weekend. for us defensively around the rucks and “We were in the same situation at that was evident at the weekend. “He’s a Sydney Roosters when Brian went there in very strong tackler who makes his presence 2010. When he took over, the Roosters fin- felt in the middle of the field.” ished bottom and he recruited me to the Elsewhere, Hull KR captain Terry club,” said Arona, who was also joined at Campese reflected on a week that saw Wakefield by former Rooster Anthony Chris Chester removed from the hotseat, Tupou. just a few months on after guiding the side “He turned it around massively - we to a Challenge Cup final. were one win away from winning the title KR have not won this year and go to at the Roosters - and I believe he’s got table toppers Widnes Vikings next, but those skills to do so at Wakefield. Campese admits his departure is a sign of “I back him 100 per cent and it’s good to the times. “It’s the sport we play, it’s the come back to him, he gave me my first reality,” Campese said. “It’s a cut-throat busi- opportunity and I respect him for that. ness - players go out on loan, players get “What we want now is a really competi- injured, you can get a change of staff. tive team fighting for their places week in “It’s always tough when a head coach week out, which didn’t go so well last year.” leaves, there’s a big disruption but the boys BUFFALO: Anton Lander #51 of the Edmonton Oilers carries the puck against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center on March 1 in Buffalo, And while Australian-born Arona is hoping have handled it well.” — AFP New York. Edmonton defeated Buffalo 2-1. — AFP Lindsey Vonn ends early McDavid gets second goal because of knee injury in OT, Oilers beat Sabres LONDON: Lindsey Vonn’s ski season is year and the Winter Olympics in South over. Korea the following year, I cannot take that The overall World Cup leader said yes- risk,” Vonn said. BUFFALO: Connor McDavid scored his second who dropped their sixth straight. Joni Ortio streaking Nashville over Dallas. Weber has 12 terday she was leaving the racing circuit With eight races to go, Vonn leads the goal in overtime to give the Edmonton Oilers a made 23 saves. power-play goals this season. Craig Smith and early because her left knee injury was more overall World Cup standings with 1,235 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday James Neal each had a goal and an assist, and serious than originally thought. points, followed closely by Lara Gut of night in an anticipated matchup against another HURRICANES 3, DEVILS 1 Calle Jarnkrok and Mattias Ekholm also scored Vonn crashed on Saturday in a super-G Switzerland with 1,207. Viktoria top rookie, Jack Eichel. Joakim Nordstrom scored on a rebound with for the Predators, who have won a season-high race in Andorra after catching a spot of soft Rebensburg of Germany is third with 914. Cam Talbot made 31 saves for the Oilers as 1:29 remaining as Carolina defeated New Jersey five straight.