FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The NFL is looking for potential replacement officials while it negotiates with the officials' association on a new contract.

The previous contract expired after last season and a negotiating session is expected later this month, NFL Referees Association executive director Tim Millis said.

Four Butler County high school softball teams will be in action in the WPIAL playoffs, which begin next week. They include:<B>Class AAAA</B>Seneca Valley (13-4) will face Franklin Regional (17-2) at 4 p.m. Tuesday at North Allegheny High School<B>Class AAA• </B> Mars (11-6) will play West Allegheny (12-5) at 2 p.m. Wednesday at North Allegheny High School.• Knoch (12-6) will battle Greensburg Salem (13-2) at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Gateway High School.<B>Class AA</B>Freeport (14-3) will face Keystone Oaks (13-4) at 2 p.m. Monday at Hampton Community Park.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed seventh-round draft pick Kelvin Beachum. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.The Steelers took the former SMU offensive lineman with the 248th overall pick in the draft.The 6-foot-2, 306-pound Beachum was a two-time first team All-Conference USA with the Mustangs. Beachum was the third lineman taken by the Steelers in the draft.

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates have placed closer Joel Hanrahan on the bereavement list and recalled reliever Daniel McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis.Hanrahan left the team to be with his family following the death of his grandmother. He is expected to return to the Pirates on Sunday.Manager Clint Hurdle says he’s not sure who would serve as the team’s closer in place of Hanrahan. Juan Cruz collected two saves earlier this season while Hanrahan dealt with a balky hamstring.McCutchen went 5-3 with a 3.72 ERA with the Pirates last season but failed to make the team out of spring training after going 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA in nine appearances. McCutchen is 2-2 with a 2.49 ERA in 11 games with Indianapolis this season.