CHICAGO — Former All-Star third baseman Robin Ventura agreed to a multiyear deal to replace the fiery Ozzie Guillen as manager of the Chicago White Sox.

A longtime star with the White Sox, Ventura was hired by the club last June as a special adviser to director of player development Buddy Bell. Ventura is the 39th White Sox manager overall, including 17 who played for the team.

AUSTIN, Texas — After more than a year of watching their league get picked apart, leaders of the Big 12 Conference finally made a proactive move by voting to add TCU as early as next season.It was the first aggressive act by a league desperate to secure its membership amid dramatic shifts in conference affiliation. And if the Horned Frogs join the Big 12, it would be another sharp blow to the Big East, which was expecting to welcome TCU next season.

ATLANTA — The number of athletic children going to hospitals with concussions is up 60 percent in the past decade, a finding that is likely due to parents and coaches being more careful about treating head injuries, according to a new federal study.Bicycling and football were the leading reasons for the injuries, but health officials said that could be at least partly related to the popularity of those activities. For example, it's possible many more kids bike, so a larger number of bike-related injuries would be expected.

SEWICKLEY — Sean Knapp, a member of St. Jude Golf Club, teamed with David Brown to capture the WPGA Semple Century Foursomes Championship Thursday at Allegheny Country Club.The duo fired a 134 (67-67) in the championship flight.Wexford's Rick Stimmel and John Rodney finished second with a 145 (72-73).<B></B>