LITTLE ROCK — Cleveland gets power acquisition
The Cleveland Indians’ newest acquisition has power to all fields.
The club installed an innovative wind turbine on Wednesday, affixing the corkscrew-shaped structure to the top of Progressive Field.
The turbine, which amplifies airflow around a central cylinder to power four small fans, was designed at Cleveland State University by Dr. Majid Rashidi, a professor of mechanical engineering.
Rashidi’s design is more conducive for urban areas and confined spaces than a traditional long-blade wind turbine.
“Dr. Rashidi’s new technology is playing a significant role in the advancement of wind energy,” said Cleveland State President Ronald Berkman. “We are proud to showcase this exciting new design in our hometownalong with the Cleveland Indians, and use this venue to move the technology closer to commercialization.”
The 3,000-pound turbine will be operating by opening day on April 5, when the Indians host the Toronto Blue Jays.
Development of the turbine wasfunded by grants from the U.S.
Department of Energy and the state of Ohio.
The Indians are the first major league team to install a wind turbine, which isn’t the team’s first environmental projects. The club installed solar panels to its downtown ballpark in 2007, the first American League team to do so.
Boys will be boys
A University of Louisville and University of Kentucky fan got into a heated exchange Monday over this weekend’s Final Four game.
Police in Georgetown, Ky., were called to a dialysis center after the fans, each 70 years old, gave each other a full-court press during treatment.
“He just happened to think UofL would beat UK and he started to run his mouth. That’s what started it,” said UK fan Ed Wilson.
“I didn’t talk to him about the ball game,” said Louisiville fan Charles Taylor. “I was talking to another guy about the game. He was meddling and told me to shut up and gave me the finger. I wasn’t going to take no more from him.
“I went up to him and I hithim,” Taylor said. “[I] didn’t hit him that hard, but I hit him.”
By the time police arrived, the fight was over. Wilson said he has no plans to file charges against Taylor.
Extra innings
Boston Red Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks faces an April 9 court date for driving under the influence, leaving thescene of a crash and three other misdemeanors after an incident at Babes, an adultentertainment club near the team’s Florida training camp.
Wrote Reggie Hayes of TheNews-Sentinel of Fort Wayne, Ind.: “This is what happens when you have too many relief pitchers of beer.” Political gain
Brad Dickson of the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald, after Sen. Dick Durbin called for an investigation of NFL bounties: “This may be a new low for the NFL: A politician from Illinois says you’re dirty.”Quote of the day “We went fast last year, but this is a whole new level of fast.” Arkansas State right guard Cliff Mitchell on adapting to the offense
brought in by Coach Gus Malzahn
Sports, Pages 16 on 03/29/2012