Sports briefs for December 23, 2003

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

University of Washington softball coach Teresa Wilson was relieved of her coaching duties Monday, the most significant fallout so far from a scandal involving a former team doctor who handed out narcotics to players.

Athletic director Barbara Hedges said Wilson had been reasigned to other duties and will not be retained when her contract ends in June. Hedges said assistant coaches Scott Centala and Steve Daily will lead the team on an interim basis.

"This is a difficult decision, but one I feel is necessary to move this program beyond the issues with which it has been dealing since October," Hedges said.

In October, state health investigators suspended Dr. William Scheyer's license after investigators determined he improperly prescribed and dispensed large quantities of narcotics, tranquilizers and other prescription drugs to Washington softball players in recent years.

UNLV's Moore picked

The Mountain West Conference named UNLV's Sheena Moore its women's player of the week, marking the third Lady Rebels player to win the award this season. RanDee Henry and Sherry McCracklin had earned previous honors.

Orioles land Lopez

All-Star catcher Javy Lopez agreed to a $22.5 million, three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, who last week signed free-agent shortstop Miguel Tejada to begin their offensive rebuilding.

Heatley set to skate

All-Star right winger Dany Heatley, who hasn't played for the Atlanta Thrashers since the car crash in September that killed teammate Dan Snyder, was set to resume skating with the team today.

New Fed Cup captain

Zina Garrison will replace Billie Jean King as captain of the U.S. Federation Cup team next season. Garrison, 40, will be the first black team captain in the Fed Cup's 40-year history.

Columbia AD out

Columbia athletic director John Reeves will retire from his post next year.