N.C.A.A. Ban on Lawyers for Athletes Ruled Illegal  —  An Ohio court ruling on Thursday could markedly alter negotiations between Major League Baseball draft picks and their teams if it withstands appeal.  —  Erie County Judge Tygh M. Tone ruled that an N.C.A.A. rule, which renders …

Tim Wakefield trusts in Josh Bard  —  Doesn't foresee issues  —  FORT MYERS - Three years ago, Josh Bard couldn't handle Tim Wakefield [stats]'s knuckleball, forcing the Sox to deal Bard and reacquire Doug Mirabelli [stats].  —  This spring, Bard is back and penciled in as Wakefield's catcher …

News: Ramon Martinez back with Mets  —  Ramon Martinez will return to the Mets as a non-roster invitee, though he has not yet reported to camp.  —  The 36-year-old Martinez, who bats right-handed, hit .250 in seven games for the Mets last season.  —  He was the team's starting second baseman in their final game of the year.

A Boost and a Blast  —  Finally, the Nationals can smile.  And show their faces when they do it.  —  After three years as owners, the Lerner family can point at Adam Dunn — all 275 pounds of him, with five straight 40-homer seasons — and say, as Mark Lerner did yesterday: “We are thrilled. …

Top 100 Prospects  —  The Best of the Best

McLouth hopes to avoid arbitration  —  Tuesday hearing approaches as outfielder, Bucs continue talks  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — On Friday, all focus could be on baseball for Nate McLouth, who arrived here to begin working out on Wednesday.  But looming over the All-Star outfielder …

Mets' Santana won't pitch for Venezuela in WBC … CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — New York Mets ace Johan Santana will not be pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.  —  The Venezuelan Baseball Federation announced Friday the two-time Cy Young winner will miss the tournament that begins next month.

Stark: Goodbye offseason, hello spring training  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — Is it over yet?  —  We're talking, of course, about a period we once used to refer to as “the offseason.”  (Sheez, you were expecting maybe the A-Rod-Madonna lovefest?)  —  That isn't a question we normally ask …

Mets rotation arrives early, has great chemistry  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets' rotation doesn't have  —  CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe or even Pedro Martinez anymore.  But what it appears to have is chemistry and a sense of purpose, two things on display even before the official beginning of spring training.

Raissman: YES is best cover for Alex … While watching the Yankees fail to qualify for a playoff berth in his rookie season as Yankees manager, Joe Girardi managed to alienate the media covering the team.  —  Girardi staked his final claim to lame in late September when he lied to reporters …

Low preseason expectations for White Sox  —  Prospectus has Sox in cellar, Cubs winning Central (but not Series)  —  As White Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training Sunday, Ken Williams might want to make Baseball Prospectus 2009 mandatory reading.

An Interview with Peter Abraham of the Journal News  —  Pitchers and Catchers began reporting this week to Spring Training.  Alex Rodriguez admitted to using anabolic steroids.  So we interviewed a baseball writer, Peter Abraham of the Journal News (NY).  He's got what is widely considered …

Dodgers are striking out in Arizona  —  The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach to Phoenix, but so far it hasn't worked out that way.  —  Reporting from Phoenix — The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach …

Percival “absolutely” planning for opening day  —  Closer Troy Percival said is recovering well from Dec. 3 back surgery and “absolutely” expects to be ready for the start of the season.  —  Percvial said he plans to pitch in 5-6 exhibition games and expects to start the season as the Rays closer.