Fanfare 7/25/02

Briefly

Baseball

A 21-year-old third baseman for the LSU baseball team was found dead in his home Wednesday, the university said.

Wally Pontiff was found by family members at his home in Metairie, a New Orleans suburb.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

LSU spokesman Kent Lowe confirmed Pontiff's death but had no details.

Pontiff was taken in the 21st round of this year's draft by the Oakland Athletics, but had decided to return to LSU for his senior year.

He was a member of the All-SEC second team this season and made the first All-SEC team the previous year.

Revenue sharing was the chief topic as baseball players and owners resumed labor talks Wednesday, and the sides agreed they were about $70 million apart annually.

Revenue sharing is one of the two key issues in the talks, along with management's desire for a luxury tax on high payroll clubs that would slow salary growth.

"It was positive. There were some ideas that were thrown out," union lawyer Michael Weiner said. "We'll continue discussions."

Additional bargaining sessions are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

Football

The National Football League fired head linesman Sanford Rivers after 12 seasons as a league official.

The NFL and Rivers confirmed th e firing, but neither would comment on the reason for the move.

"Game officials who do not meet certain agreed-upon requirements are not retained," the NFL said in a statement. Rivers worked the 1999 Super Bowl between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, meaning the league judged him to be among the best officials that season.

Fifteen of the league's 119 officials retired during the offseason.

People

LaVar Arrington has cut his hair, dreadlocks and all, as a show of support for a cousin with cancer.

It's an act of love from the Washington Redskins linebacker who usually masks his compassionate side with one-liners and hard hits. But this week, as training camp began, Arrington's goal of being the NFL's defensive player of the year was sidetracked once the helmet came off.

"Well, by far I'm still the prettiest linebacker," he said with a smile.

But this is more serious.

Fifteen-year-old Joe Arrington has been fighting prostate cancer in a Pittsburgh hospital and will lose his hair while receiving chemotherapy and radiation. LaVar Arrington had spent two years growing his beloved dreadlocks to make them look just right, but Joe's plight gave him perspective.

"I love my hair," Arrington said. "It's a part of my personality. But there are more important things to think about than myself right now.

"Joe's my inspiration. To be 15 years old and battling cancer at that age and to be as brave as he is, smiling and laughing and having a good time, he's a hero to me."

-- From wire reports