Dome rangers going up, early arrivals going down

By Ron Kantowski

Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 | 2 a.m.

GOING UP

Dome rangers

While the Nevada-Reno football team is opening the college football season at Notre Dame a month from today, UNLV will be kicking off against Sacramento State. You know, the Hornets. Of the Big Sky Conference. Division I-AA. Logo looks nearly identical to the Safeway supermarket logo. It’ll cost UNR fans living in Las Vegas around $1,225, based on double occupancy, to see the Wolf Pack play under, or at least near, the Golden Dome. On the other hand, it’ll only cost $17 to watch the Rebels play the Hornets in relative proximity to the Golden Nugget.

Korean keglers

In case you missed it, Team Korea defeated Team USA in the gold-medal match of the World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women’s Championships at the temporary Cashman Center bowling lanes. This probably is not going to sit well in places such as Milwaukee and the Raccoon Lodge.

Bryce-a-roni

This is how ESPN is promoting Tuesday’s “E:60” interview with 16-year-old fastball-swatting prodigy Bryce Harper of Las Vegas High School: His “answers shed light on what life is like for a teenager who is so good he might one day revolutionize a sport.” A teenager revolutionizing a sport that has been around since the 1860s? Nah, no pressure at all. None whatsoever.

The Cannery Girl

She’s now hanging from the left-field foul pole at Cashman Field, providing dead pull hitters from the right-hand side of the plate with an inviting target at which to swing as well as adding a touch of nostalgia to a ballpark that basically has none. All we need now is a Burma-Shave ad down the right-field line, to give the lefties something to swing at.

GOING DOWN

Buick Open(s)

The automotive giant announced this week it was pulling title sponsorship from the 39 or so PGA events it sponsors, which had to come as sad news to local touring pro Craig Barlow. Last year Barlow made his 149th career cut at a Buick Open in Michigan and then went a whole year before making his 150th cut, also at a Buick Open. With 150 cuts made, he’s now vested in the PGA retirement fund and is guaranteed entry into five or six events a year, regardless of his status. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an old LeSabre parked in his driveway.

Early arrivals

Part of the reason the 51s played a doubleheader against the dreaded Salt Lake Bees on Monday was so they could have Tuesday off, which would allow more time to get to Omaha, Neb., before Wednesday’s game against the Royals. The fully rested Las Vegas Triple-A ballclub then went out and got mutually Omahaed 14-1.