Walsh takes over as Knicks president
NEW YORK, April 2 (UPI) -- Donnie Walsh, who has been with the Indiana Pacers 23 years, was named president of the struggling New York Knicks Wednesday.
Knicks owner James Dolan said Walsh would have "complete control over all basketball operations."
Walsh, 67, signed a four-year, $20 million contract, Newsday reported. He takes the position formerly held by embattled Coach Isiah Thomas.
Dolan said Walsh had a mandate to "do whatever is necessary to turn this team around."
Walsh held various positions with the Pacers during the years, including general manager and president.
Walsh has the authority with the Knicks to hire a new general manager and coach.
The Knicks had a 20-54 record prior to a game Wednesday at Memphis.
Walsh said he plans to meet with Thomas to discuss his role with the club.
"I've known Isiah for a long time, and I have great respect for his knowledge of the game," Walsh said.
Thomas coached the Pacers from 2000-03.
NFL kills receiver 'force-out' rule
PALM BEACH, Fla., April 2 (UPI) -- NFL receivers will no longer be credited with a catch if they are forced out of bounds, league officials decided at their meetings in Palm Beach, Fla.
Under a new rule, game officials will not have to determine if a receiver was forced out on a reception. The receiver will have to have both feet inbounds for a legal catch.
The rule was one of several adopted before the league meetings concluded Wednesday.
Other changes:
-- Replay cameras may be used to determine if field goals and extra points are good.
-- The league eliminated the 5-yard penalty for incidental contact with a facemask.
-- Teams winning the opening coin toss may defer their decision until the second half.
-- The ball will be 'live' any time it is snapped by the center without touching the quarterback instead of the team being assessed a false-start penalty.
League officials decided to make no change in the playoff structure. There had been talk of a possible new playoff seeding format, but no formal vote was taken.
Dodgers' coach Bowa suspended 3 games
NEW YORK, April 2 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa was suspended for three games Wednesday for refusing to leave the field after being ejected Tuesday night.
The suspension resulted from an incident in a game against San Francisco in Los Angeles. Umpire Ed Montague ejected Bowa for arguing but Bowa refused to leave the field. He was cited for inappropriate and aggressive conduct that included making physical contact with the umpire.
Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's vice president of on-field operations, made the announcement. Watson said Bowa was also fined but did not say how much.
Larranaga gets extension at George Mason
FAIRFAX, Va., April 2 (UPI) -- George Mason University has given Jim Larranaga a three-year extension as coach of the men's basketball team.
The new deal keeps Larranaga at the school through the 2014-15 season, Athletic Director Tom O'Connor said Wednesday.
Larranaga led the Patriots to the NCAA Final Four in 2006. They won the Colonial Athletic Association championship this season.
"Jim is a terrific ambassador for George Mason University," O'Connor said.
Larranaga has a record of 207-131 as George Mason coach, a job he began in 1997.
