Sports briefs 7/9/04

Baseball

Japan's owners rejected a plan to hold the first baseball World Cup in the United States next year. The owners do not want Major League Baseball in charge of the event and would prefer the International Baseball Federation, an official in the Japanese commissioner's office, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press.

New York Yankees pitcher Javier Vazquez and Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Paul Lo Duca were added to the All-Star teams Thursday as replacements for injured players. Vazquez takes the spot of Oakland Athletics right-hander Tim Hudson, giving New York eight players on the 32-man AL squad. Lo Duca replaces Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sean Casey, on the DL with a strained right calf.

Basketball

The Jazz made a deal that could bring restricted free agent forward Carlos Boozer to Utah. "We've reached an agreement for an offer sheet to be delivered on July 14," said Kevin O'Connor, the team's vice president for basketball operations. Boozer said last week that he planned to stay with Cleveland. The Cavaliers will have 15 days to match the offer sheet. Boozer, a second-round pick after leaving Duke as a junior two years ago, is coming off a breakout season -- averaging 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds.

College

Sean Miller was promoted to head coach at Xavier, replacing Thad Matta. Miller, Matta's top assistant at Xavier since 2001, has been an assistant coach for 12 years at five schools. The 35-year-old Miller replaces Matta, who left Wednesday to coach Ohio State. Miller, 35, was an integral part of the staff that led the Musketeers to within a game of the Final Four in March. In all three of his seasons at Xavier, Miller's title has been associate head coach -- a first for the school.

Nolan Richardson's race discrimination lawsuit against Arkansas was dismissed Thursday by a federal judge who said the case was mostly about "wounded pride." The basketball coach was fired March 1, 2002. He filed suit claiming he was fired because he is black and that his free-speech rights were violated.

U.S. District Judge William R. Wilson said there was not enough evidence of racial bias or violation of free speech, but "the record is a long way from devoid of incidents which could cause him to hold these beliefs." The judge sided with the university on the timing of the firing. He said the decision to fire Richardson was made on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2002, the day after he commented: "If they go ahead and pay me my money, they can take the job tomorrow."

Hockey

Boston Bruins captain Joe Thornton has signed an agreement to play for a team in Switzerland next season if the NHL season is postponed by a lockout, his agent confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Thornton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NHL draft and the team's top scorer last season with 23 goals and 50 assists, has signed to play with Hockey Club Davos of the Swiss Elite League, his agent J.P. Barry said. Bruins spokeswoman Heidi Holland said the team could not confirm the signing, saying Thornton had not notified the team and is under no obligation to do so. She said the signing does not affect Thornton's NHL status.

Olympics

The chance to win an Olympic gold medal just months after an NCAA title was too good for Emeka Okafor to turn down. Okafor was selected for the U.S. Olympic basketball team Thursday, filling the final spot on the squad headed to the Athens Games. "I came off a national championship, and now I have a chance to get a gold medal," he said. "That's one of the reasons I jumped at this opportunity. I'm really looking forward to it." Okafor, the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the expansion Carolina Bobcats, was officially added to the team along with Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Lamar Odom and Dwyane Wade. Okafor, who starred at Connecticut, is the only player on the team who has yet to play in the NBA.

Tennis

Past champion Felix Mantilla beat sixth-seeded David Ferrer 6-3, 7-6 (2) to reach the quarterfinals at the Swiss Open. In the only other match completed before rain wiped out play, third-seeded Rainer Schuettler defeated Florian Mayer 6-3, 6-2. Wimbledon champion Roger Federer's match against Ivo Karlovic was postponed.

-- From wire reports