Afternoon Sports Brief - USGA Womens Open at Kohler will allow fans to carry cell phones

• Image

Talk about it

For the first time, the United States Golf Association is letting fans carry cell phones into one of its signature events. Mobile phones will be allowed at this week’s US Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run in Kohler. Joe Goode of the USGA says mobile devices are a part of life today, and it has to be acknowledged. But phone volumes must be silent, calls can be made only in designated areas, photos can only be taken during practice rounds, and no recordings are allowed at any time. Goode says the USGA is confident that the enforcement of the policy will create a good experience for the players, who need silence just before their shots. Also, he says it will let the USGA try out various enhancements fans can enjoy on their devices, like streaming coverage and scoring.

___________________________________________________________________________

The Brewers have the 11th highest home attendance among the 30 Major League Baseball teams. After 40 games, just over 1.4 million fans have gone through the turnstiles at Miller Park. That’s an average of 35,220 per game, a strong number considering the relatively small size of the Milwaukee market. Last year, the Brewers had the seventh highest attendance in the big leagues, with just under 38,000 per contest. But at their current pace, they won’t attract three million fans. They’ve only done it three other times, last year, 2009, and 2008.

__________________________________________________________________________

The Milwaukee Brewers are finally getting the job done at home. After a slow start at Miller Park, the Crew has won 9 of its last 12 games there, including last night’s one run victory over Miami in which Rickie Weeks scored the winning run on a squeeze bunt by Norichika Aoki. The Brewers are now 21-19 at Miller Park, where they won three straight. They’ve also beaten the Marlins five straight times in Milwaukee and they’re going for number six this afternoon. The Brewers and Marlins are playing game 2 of their four-game series with a 3:10 first pitch. Right-hander Marco Estrada was scheduled to face Marlins’ righty Anibal Sanchez. Brewers’ manager Ron Roenicke and GM Doug Melvin both believe the team still has a chance at the post-season. Right now, they’re six games out of a Wild Card spot and seven games behind front-running Cincinnati in the National League Central. Roenicke says the Brewers will have a slew of games against Central and East division opponents right after the All Star break and they’re hoping to make up for lost time during that stretch.

___________________________________________________________________________

Teams in the Northwoods League will play the final two games of the season’s first half tonight and tomorrow. La Crosse and Mankato have both clinched their respective division crowns. The Loggers won the South title last night with an 11-6 victory over second-place Green Bay. La Crosse plays at Battle Creek tonight, while Green Bay travels to Wausau to face the Wisconsin Woodchucks. The ‘Chucks lost to Lakeshore 8-1 last night, while Battle Creek edged Wisconsin Rapids 7-6 in 10 innings. Rapids opens a home series against the Madison Mallards, and the Eau Claire Express will entertain Lakeshore. Madison and Eau Claire both had last night off. Also, Duluth plays at Saint Cloud. Rochester is at Thunder Bay. Alexandria hosts Willmar. And Mankato is at home against Waterloo.

Tags: sports, golf, brewers, baseball