Rich in pitching, Phillies test new arm

The Philadelphia Phillies could be opening a can of "worm gears" today when a one-armed, three-wheeled robot throws out the ceremonial first pitch in a game with Milwaukee.

Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania designed the pitching machine on wheels, which is the star of Science Day festivities at Citizens Bank Park. Penn engineers Jordan Brindza and Jamie Gewirtz assembled the iron man -- a coverted Segway -- and wrote software for its computer brain that reportedly can be adjusted to change pitch velocity and trajectory.

Added to the two-wheeled people mover was a robotic arm and third wheel. It has a pneumatic cylinder, which delivers a burst of compressed carbon dioxide to power the pitch.

Brindza and Gewirtz took the robot out to the Citizens Bank Park mound Monday for its final test, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, noting that its pitches appeared to be traveling no more than 30 or 40 mph.

Commissioner Bud Selig has not commented on whether the three-wheeler will be tested for performance-enhancing lubricants.

■ DALE JR. AND BREASTS -- It's unpredictable what pops out in a media center during a NASCAR event.

At a news conference Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, a reporter asked Dale Earnhardt Jr. if a penalty he received in 2004 for cussing during a TV interview would have been as severe "had Janet Jackson (not) showed her boobies at the Super Bowl" nine months earlier during her halftime performance at the Super Bowl.

"Come again? Did you say boobies?" replied a bewildered Earnhardt, who was docked 25 points and fined $100,000 for uttering one profane word in 2004.

"I did," the scribe said, adding, "You don't think Janet Jackson's boobies cost you the championship?"

"Hell, no, man," Earnhardt said. "That is a hell of a ..."

"Stretch?" the reporter interjected.

"Yeah," Earnhardt said. "(But) I like it."

■ CAUGHT REDS HANDED -- Lawyers for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mike Leake say he wants to enter a diversion program that probably would involve community service for his shoplifting charge.

Leake's lawyer asked Tuesday that Leake be considered for the Hamilton County court program for first-time offenders. The 23-year-old was arrested Monday on a first-degree misdemeanor charge for allegedly removing security tags from six T-shirts in a Macy's store and trying to leave without paying the cost of about $60.

If accepted into the program, Leake would pay a $200 fee, probably perform volunteer work, attend a class and face other requirements, including admitting guilt. Completion could result in his record being wiped clean.

The diversion program could send him to work out with members of the Cincinnati Bengals who have been arrested over the years for a variety of infractions.

COMPILED BY JEFF WOLF
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL