2012-13 Dispatch/Argus Metro Softball All-Star team

Player of the Year Jordan de los Reyes
Moline, C, Sr.
FYI: 3-time All-Big 6; Super 60 All-Star participant; batted .535 this season and tied for 15th in single-season homers (15) and 25th in RBIs (63) in the IHSA's recordbook; also among 16 players all-time statewide with 10 consecutive hits (local record); tied for 11th in IHSA annals in career homers (30) and 15th in career RBIs (172); added 38 runs, 11 doubles and a 1.121 slugging percentage this season.

First team Isabelle Anderson
Alleman, 3B, So.:All-Big 6 HM; .487 BA, 12 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 39 R, 41 RBIs.

Megan Ballegeer
United Township, SS/RF, Jr.: All-Big 6 HM; .361 BA, 9 2B, 16 RBIs.

Hailey Feldhahn, Rock Island
Rock Island, SS, Jr.: All-Big 6 HM; .400 BA, 33 R, 11 2B, 6 HR, 10 SB and 16 RBIs.

Lexi Ferrari
Alleman, 2B, So.: All-Big 6 HM; .441 BA, 12 2B, 23 RBIs, 24 R.

View the original article here

All-Star Game: AL beats NL

Last Updated: July 17, 2013 7:19am

Mariano Rivera: New York Yankees' American League pitcher claimed the MVP award in Tuesday's 3-0 victory

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was named Most Valuable Player in his final All-Star Game as the American League beat the National League 3-0 at Citi Field.

The 42-year-old, the all-time MLB leader in saves, pitched the eighth inning - AL manager Jim Leyland thereby ensuring he would definitely make an appearance - and did it flawlessly.

That was enough to earn MVP honours as the well-respected pitcher played in his 13th All-Star Game in his final season before retiring and earned a standing ovation at the home of the New York Mets.

The result ensured the AL team will have home-field advantage for this season's World Series and also ended a three-game winning streak for the NL.

The AL took the lead in the fourth when Jose Bautista's sacrifice fly plated Miguel Cabrera, then Adam Jones scored when JJ Hardy grounded into a double play in the fifth.

Jason Kipnis tacked on a third run in the eighth as he doubled in Salvador Perez. The NL did not have a base-runner until the fourth inning and managed just three hits all night.

Pitching in front of his own fans, Mets starter Matt Harvey threw two scoreless innings for the NL, while Chris Sale's two shut-out frames for the AL earned him the win. Texas closer Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

The only difficult moment for the AL came in the first inning as Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch from Harvey and had to exit the game, though it proved to be nothing worse than a bruised thigh.

We review the last seven days in the world of sport and pick out the winners and losers.

Irish stars Droopys Jet and Ballymac Vic are favourites for the William Hill Greyhound Derby final.

Anna Watkins has backed the Women's Sports Trust to capitalise on the Olympics and boost female sport.

View the original article here

Aussie earns baseball All-Star spot

Relief pitcher Grant Balfour is only the second Australian to earn selection for Major League Baseball's All-Star game.

The 35-year-old right armer earned the honour after stellar form as a relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.

Balfour will be in the American League team for the annual All-Star game, to be played on Wednesday (AEST) in New York.

Dave Nilsson was the first Australian to make an All-Star team when the Milwaukee Brewers catcher also represented the American League in 1999.

'I feel like I've had some good years, but things have to go right and go your way sometimes,' Balfour told the Major League website.

'It's just an honour now to be named to it and I'm very happy to cross it off the list.'

Earlier this month, Balfour set an Athletics record for consecutive saves and has taken that streak to 43.

Balfour started the run in April last season and the closer already has 25 saves this year.

He has a formidable 1.67 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched this year and is the only American League reliever not to have blown a save so far this season.

The NSW native signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1997 and made his Major League debut with them four years later.

He played for the Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays before joining the Athletics at the start of 2011.

Balfour is renowned for his intense and fiery personality when he is on the mound.

He represented Australia at the 2000 Olympics.

View the original article here