Balk call helps sink Mets

It started out as a pickoff play and wound up as a balk, anejection and the play that may have determined the game.

With the Pittsburgh Pirates leading the host Mets by two runs inthe fourth inning Monday, New York called for a pickoff play thatstarts with John Olerud behind the first-base bag.

Crew chief Frank Pulli called the balk, the runner wound upscoring and Pittsburgh emerged with a 4-2 victory.Mets manager Bobby Valentine was ejected arguing the play.Baseball rules say pitchers can't throw to unoccupied bases, andPulli, the second-base umpire, ruled Olerud wasn't near the bag whenpitcher Bobby Jones threw over."This is not a play I called out of a Little …

7 experts to be tried over 2009 Italy quake

ROME (AP) — Seven scientists and other experts were indicted on manslaughter charges Wednesday for allegedly failing to sufficiently warn residents before a devastating earthquake that killed more than 300 people in central Italy in 2009.

Defense lawyers condemned the charges, saying it's impossible to predict earthquakes. Seismologists have long concurred, saying the technology doesn't exist to predict a quake and that no major temblor has ever been foretold.

Judge Giuseppe Romano Gargarella ordered the members of the national government's Great Risks commission, which evaluates potential for natural disasters, to go on trial in L'Aquila on Sept. 20.

Italian media …

Witness: New straps supplied before NYC crane fell

The criminal trial surrounding a deadly New York City crane collapse has honed in on claims that a worn polyester strap was used _ and failed _ at a key point in securing the towering rig. But a witness says the crane rigger had been provided with brand-new straps.

An official with the concrete company in charge of the crane work testified Wednesday that he obtained six of …

Transforming Our Army-A Soldier's Perspective

As I meet with soldiers and their families at posts, camps and stations around the world, I see the unbelievable accomplishments of our soldiers firsthand. I am amazed by what our Army has accomplished during the past year.

My goal, when I go out to visit with soldiers, is to get a pulse check on how things are going and to leave them better informed. I bring recommendations from soldiers in the field back to the Pentagon. The number one topic of discussion at soldier forums around the world during the past year has been Army transformation.

Transformation is, without a doubt, a complex concept. If you do an Internet search on Army transformation you will find hundreds of …

Pens Drop Fifth Straight to Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. - Rod Brind'Amour had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes routed the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2 on Saturday night. Justin Williams, Ray Whitney, Eric Belanger and Chad LaRose also scored, and Kevyn Adams had an empty-net goal to help Carolina improve to 9-3-2 in its last 14 games.

John LeClair and Mark Recchi had second-period goals for Pittsburgh. The Penguins have lost five straight and have been outshot 179-101 during that slide.

Erik Cole had two assists in his first game against the player who nearly ended his career. Cole broke his neck last March when Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik rammed him into the boards, causing an injury that cost the …

Drugmaker Pfizer cutting up to 800 scientist jobs

Pfizer Inc., the world's biggest drug company, is laying off up to 800 scientists this year in its latest effort to refocus disappointing research efforts and cut its massive overhead ahead of an anticipated crash in revenue.

New York-based Pfizer plans to reduce its global research staff _ currently about 10,000 people _ by 5 percent to 8 percent this year, company spokeswoman Kristen Neese said Tuesday.

"This is in line with our refocused research areas," Neese said.

The move comes after the company announced in September that it was narrowing its research focus to six disease areas _ Alzheimer's, cancer, schizophrenia, pain, …

300 urge more local control of city schools

More than 300 parents, teachers and community members called formore local control of Chicago's schools Tuesday as the late MayorWashington's forum on education reform headed into the neighborhoods.

Testimony from Tuesday evening's meeting at the Hyde Park CareerAcademy, the first of 10 neighborhood forums intended as an outgrowthof Washington's citywide forum held Oct. 11, will be used to fashiona parent-community school reform proposal.

That proposal then will be debated with similarly craftedsuggestions from teachers, the business community and the Board ofEducation.

"The mayor (Washington) was committed to the pubic schools ofChicago," the Rev. …