Heimlich won’t go to CWS
Oregon State pitcher Luke Heimlich, who as a teenager pleaded guilty to molesting a 6-year-old girl, will not accompany the Beavers to the College World Series, which starts Saturday in Omaha, Neb. The left-handed junior, 21, made the announcement in a statement released Thursday through a representative for his family. He called going to the eightteam tournament something he and his teammates have worked toward all year. “I’m sad to say I am not joining them because doing so would only create further distraction for my teammates, more turmoil for my family and given the high profile of the national championship, direct even more unwanted attention to an innocent young girl,” the statement read. Details about the molestation were revealed last week in a story published by The Oregonian. Heimlich (11-1, 0.76 ERA) was the top pitcher during the regular season for the Beavers, who have lost just four games and are the top seed in the NCAA postseason. Heimlich, who pitched in Oregon State’s regional but not its super regional, had been projected to be an early-round pick in the MLB draft, but that ended Wednesday without him being selected.
FOOTBALL
› The first two claims in the NFL’s billion-dollar concussion settlement were announced Thursday, providing a total of $9 million in benefits. The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania overseeing the process was notified Thursday through a joint status report filed by the class and the NFL that the claims were approved. The names of the former players were not disclosed as part of the filings. The payouts were for $5 million for a qualifying diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrphic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and $4 million for a qualifying diagnosis of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). Because CTE can only be diagnosed once someone has died, the player’s estate would be collecting that payout, approved June 5. The ALS claim was approved May 26. The claims process for monetary awards opened March 23. There is also a baseline assessment program that launched June 6. Players who already have been diagnosed with ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or dementia are eligible for payments. The league has estimated that 6,000 former players — or nearly three in 10 — could develop Alzheimer’s or moderate dementia. More than 14,500 class members — former players or their families — out of a potential well above 20,000 have registered for benefits ahead of the Aug. 7 deadline.
GOLF
› WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Tiger Woods’ arraignment on a DUI charge has been delayed until August. Court documents filed Thursday show the presiding judge canceled the original July 5 hearing and reset it for Aug. 9. No details were provided, and the 14-time major champion’s attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
› GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Brooke Henderson shot an 8-under-par 63 Thursday to top the star-packed leaderboard in the Meijer LPGA Classic. The 19-year-old Canadian eagled the par-5 eighth hole and had six birdies in a bogey-free round at Blythefield Country Club. Major champions Shanshan Feng, Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson were among six players a stroke back. Ariya Jutanugarn, who moved to No. 1 in the world this week, opened with a 69.