RED SOX OR ATHLETICS

ROCKETS CHANGE TEAM NAME TO---GUESS WHAT? ROCKETS. OTHER NAME CHANGES---CARIBBEAN STARS NOW LOS TIGRES. EXPOS NOW RENZO YANKEES. THREE 18AA TEAMS CHANGE NAMES---DOZEN ROOKIES ADDED THROUGH TRYOUTS The defending league champion Rockets now have TWO NEW sponsors for the 2002 season. Sports Attic at Lantana Road, just west of Jog Road is the second major sponsor of the Rockets. El Mariachi restaurants, a chain of four dining spots featuring Spanish/Mexican cuisine in Broward County, is also on board. The two will replace Sports Page as the team sponsor. So as not to slight either sponsor, the team will be known simply as the ROCKETS. The Rockets won both the 2001 Spring and Fall Leagues, as well as the NABA's Hall of Fame Wood Bat National Tournament at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY last July. The Caribbean Stars have changed their team name to Caribbean Tigres (TEE-grays). The team name was inspired by a legendary team from the Dominican Republic. Disappointed by the Stars' somewhat lacklustre performance in both the spring and fall 2001 leagues, club spokesman and coach Nick Adames said "It's time for a change", adding that the club will be seeking "fun and enjoyment first, the wins will come later". As the Stars, the Caribbean team managed by Nick's father Santos Adames, won three league 18AAA titles in the past and have finished runnerup two years running in the NABA's Las Vegas Tournament. The Expos have also been busy and the 18AA Fall League champs will take on the team name of Renzo Yankees in honor of the pizzeria restaurant that has entered into a major sponsorship with the team. Welcome the Patriots to the 18AAA league. The team played under the banner Body Perfect Pulse, but decided to name the team Patriots. Good decision since the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl and because millions of true patriots have emerged since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Three 18AA teams have changed names as well. The latest are the Rangers, who now become the Marlins. Earlier, the Braves changed their team name to Team USA and the WPB Yankees switched to the Atlantic Sails. A dozen rookies have joined Palm Beach League teams through the Open Tryouts and league draft held on Sunday, March 3. Third baseman Tim Scharf of Pembroke Pines revealed a strong bat from the left side and was the first overall pick. He was selected by the 18AA champion Expos who will be entering the 18AAA league this spring. Centerfielder Mark Wynder, 19, of Lake Worth was chosen by the Body Perfect Pulse with the second pick. The Pulse has yet to announce their new team name for the spring season. The Mariners took middle infielder Kevan Allen, 18, of West Palm, with the third pick. The remaining nine draftees were selected by 18AA teams. They are: veteran Palm Beach league player James Sansenbach (C-IF, Atlantic Sails, formerly WPB Yankees); Mitch Block (OF, Palm Beach Rockhounds); Chaz Freshaur (IF-OF, Green Space Royals); Matt McKeown (C-IF, Team USA (formerly Braves)); Herb Robb (IF, Yankees); Jordan Chuster (IF-OF, Atlantic Sails); Jesse Josephson (IF-P-OF, Palm Beach Rockhounds); Lou Medved (CF-P, Green Space Royals); and Jim Kamm (P-3B, Yankees).