Leading Off

Black Rain

It came down so hard on the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, N.Y., last Saturday that play was suspended during the third round of the U.S. Open, and two workers gave up squeegeeing the third green (page 14). Downpours over the weekend made the tournament spill into Monday, when it was won by Lucas Glover (page 36).

Jump Shot

Giorgio Chiellini of Italy went airborne for a volley toward Brazil's goal as Gilberto Silva (8) and Luisão (14) defended during their first-round Confederations Cup match on Sunday in Pretoria, South Africa. Brazil won 3--0, eliminating Italy from the tournament and helping the U.S. advance to the semifinals (page 46).

Ground Hogs

Arkansas first baseman Andy Wilkins fell over catcher Ryan Cisterna as they chased a foul ball, which fell to the grass during the 12th inning of the Razorbacks' College World Series game against Virginia on June 17 in Omaha. Arkansas won 4--3 but was eliminated by LSU two days later.

Rubber Bend

Germany's Ariane Friedrich showed her elasticity as she went over the bar during the women's high jump at the ISTAF Golden League Athletics Meeting in Berlin on Sunday. Friedrich's winning height of 2.06 meters (6'9"), cleared by only six other women in history, was a personal best and a German record.