Sports briefs for February 4, 2005

Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 | 10:48 a.m.

Kingpin Million Dollar Challenge set in Reno

Palms sweating, knees knocking, seven finalists from a field of more than 2,500 bowlers will compete for $1 million in a single game this fall in the Kingpin Million Dollar Challenge, organizers announced Thursday in Reno.

Bowlers in six categories of age and sex -- mostly amateurs -- will pay a $695 entry fee for a chance to advance all the way to the October finals to be televised by NBC Sports from the National Bowling Stadium.

"It's a reality TV event. It's the 'American Idol' of bowling," said David Woodruff, Kingpin managing partner.

The National Bowling Stadium was used for the filming of the 1996 motion picture "Kingpin," starring Bill Murray, Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid in a comical adventure that takes them to a $1 million winner-take-all tournament in Reno.

But Woodruff insisted the idea for the challenge stems more from an interest in a bowling version of the popular "World Series of Poker" and efforts to tap into the demographics of tourists who visit Reno and Las Vegas.

Heatley avoids jail

Atlanta Thrashers all-star Dany Heatley avoided jail time when two felony charges were dropped today in an Atlanta court as part of a plea bargain. Heatley, who was charged with vehicular homicide in the 2003 death of teammate Dan Snyder, was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $3,000.

Tryon gets first win

Ty Tryon won his first professional title Thursday, closing a 5-under 67 for a three-stroke victory in a NGA/Hooters Tour Winter Series event in Clermont, Fla. Tryon, the youngest player ever to earn his PGA tour card at age 17 in 2001, finished at 18 under par and earned $11,000.

Santos suit dismissed

A federal judge in Louisville, Ky., today dismissed a libel suit filed by jockey Jose Santos against the Miami Herald, but Santos' attorney said the case probably will be refiled in South Florida. A photograph in the newspaper of Santos' victory aboard Funny Cide in the 2003 Kentucky Derby raised suspicions about whether he might have carried an illegal device.

Dreifort faces surgery

Los Angeles pitcher Darren Dreifort is scheduled to have shoulder surgery Feb. 15, his fourth operation of the offseason. Heading into the final season of a $55 million, five-year contract, Dreifort had surgery on his left knee Jan. 6. He had hip surgery in September, and an operation on his right knee in October.

ABA coach will stay

Ashley McElhiney is remaining as coach of the Nashville Rhythm, after the ABA team said that a co-owner didn't have the authority to fire her.

Maier hurt in Italy

Austrian star Hermann Maier crashed during a training run but is expected to race in Saturday's downhill at the world championships in Italy.