CONROE, Texas (AP) β A Texas judge has tentatively set a Dec. 1 trial date for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson on a charge of felony child abuse for using a wooden switch to discipline his 4-year-old son earlier this year. The trial could be delayed after Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon (LIHG’-ihn) indicated he intends to file a motion to remove Judge Kelly Case after Ligon pointed out that Case had called attorneys in the case “media whores.” Peterson is on paid leave and the Vikings’ final game of the regular season is Dec. 28.
NEW YORK (AP) β NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says it’s up to a neutral arbiter to decide whether he should testify during an appeal of Ray Rice’s indefinite suspension. Goodell says he doesn’t think testifying is his decision and it’s not something he’s addressed. The union is appealing Rice’s suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
CHICAGO (AP) β Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg (vur-STEEG’) will be sidelined for about three weeks after suffering a lower-body injury during Tuesday’s practice. Hawks coach Joel Quenneville (KWEHN’-vihl) says Versteeg’s injury “is not a surgical case,” and he doesn’t think the winger will be placed on long-term injured reserve. Versteeg had 10 goals and 19 assists in 63 games for Chicago after he was acquired in a trade with Florida last November.
LOS ANGELES (AP) β Dodgers pitcher Josh Beckett has retired at the age of 34, ending a 14-year career that included two World Series championships. Beckett was facing surgery for a torn labrum in his left hip that caused him to miss most of the last three months of the season after he tossed a no-hitter in May. Beckett had a career record of 138-106 and a 3.88 ERA.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) β The Indiana Pacers have worked out a long-term deal with coach Frank Vogel (VOH’-gihl). The 41-year-old was entering the final year of his current deal, which began when he took over as interim coach in January 2011. He led the Pacers to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons and the win total has increased each season. Last season the Pacers had the best record in the Eastern Conference.
