In Brief

Panamanians pester

PANAMA CITY -- If the Canadian men's soccer team was hoping for a good night's sleep Monday, here's hoping the players packed some ear plugs.

Noisy Panamanian supporters planned to camp outside the Canadians' hotel for the second consecutive night Monday to throw off the opposition ahead of today's important World Cup qualifier.

Canada is first in its group halfway through the stage following Friday's 1-0 victory over Panama at Toronto's BMO Field. Gaining four points from its remaining three games would allow Canada to advance to the final round for the first time since 1998.

Panama is pulling out all the stops to avenge Canada's win. On Sunday night, more than 100 Panamanian supporters stood outside the Canadian hotel banging drums, setting off fireworks and inviting passing motorists to honk their horns.

"I've got three kids at home. I'm conditioned," coach Stephen Hart joked when asked how he slept. "It's normal."

Sunday's antics may have been just the warm-up act as local radio shows and newspapers encouraged fans to show up at the hotel with car stereos blaring.

Stamps sign Baggs

CALGARY -- Stevie Baggs is back in the CFL.

The veteran import defensive end was among three players signed Monday by the Calgary Stampeders. Also joining the squad are import defensive linemen Donavan Robinson and Michael Stover.

The 30-year-old Baggs joins the Stampeders after recently receiving an injury settlement with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. Calgary will become the fifth CFL team Baggs has played with, having previously suited up for Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Hamilton.

LPGA playoff finally ends

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Jiyai Shin needed only 20 minutes Monday to do what she couldn't in eight hours a day earlier.

The South Korean made a two-putt par on the ninth playoff hole, beating Paula Creamer to win the Kingsmill Championship and end the longest playoff between two players in LPGA Tour history.

Shin and Creamer played the 18th hole eight times Sunday in an attempt to break the tie before darkness forced a suspension. About 1,000 fans turned out in the next morning to see them go at it again. But after just one more hole, the par-4 6th, the matter was settled.

"We were so hungry for the win," said Shin, who, like Creamer, was seeking her first LPGA Tour victory since 2010.

Progress for A's pitcher

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Oakland Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy has walked a few steps and is making encouraging progress in his recovery from surgery after getting hit in the head by a line drive last week.

A's trainer Nick Paparesta said Monday McCarthy seems likely to leave the hospital soon. McCarthy took a few steps with the aid of a handrail Monday, five days after undergoing two hours of surgery.

-- from the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 11, 2012 C7