Sports fanfare 8/27

Baseball

n There is no joy in Huntsville. The Item has struck back. The newspaper in the Texas town of 35,000, located 70 miles north of Houston, announced it will cease devoting any of its space to coverage of major-league baseball -- including the in-state Astros and Rangers -- as a pre-emptive move until Friday's strike deadline.

Basketball

The Houston Rockets signed star point guard Steve Francis to a multiyear contract extension Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Colleges

Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace on offense, Nebraska cornerback Pat Ricketts on defense and Huskers' kicker Josh Brown on special teams were named the Big 12 Players of the Week.

Football

Former NFC rushing leader Jamal Anderson and the Super Bowl champion Patriots are about to join forces. The team wouldn't confirm an agreement with the unrestricted free agent who spent eight seasons with Atlanta. Anderson could practice with the Patriots today.

People

Top professional bowler Kim Adler knows how to pick up strikes and spares. Now she's trying to pick up a new sponsor on the Internet. In what might be an unprecedented move by an individual athlete, Adler is using on-line auctioneer EBay Inc. to sell 8 square inches of advertising space on her skirts and shorts to supplement her earnings from the Professional Women's Bowling Association. The 35-year-old Adler has a sponsorship agreement with Brunswick Corp.,which provides her with bowling shirts and equipment. However, she's willing to switch logos when the contract expires at the end of the year if the Internet bid is higher than Brunswick's renewal offer.

Verbatium

n Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times on Herman Moore:

"Herman Moore's NFL playing days could be over, but Detroit's career receptions leader plans to remain an active player at Ford Field -- as owner of a coffee and pastry shop. Considering the Lions were tied for last in the league last season in net fumble/interception differential, we assume his Sunday Special will be turnovers."

n Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, on Winn-Dixie grocery stories buying unused Jaguars tickets and giving them away. "Now cashiers can ask Jags fans if they want paper or plastic bags to wear over their heads."