1. Former San Jose Sharks forward Mark Bell has pleaded no contest to drunken driving and hit-and-run charges and will serve six months in a Santa Clara County jail, a prosecutor said Wednesday [Bell pleads no contest to DUI, hit-and-run charges]. Bell, who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in June, had faced nearly four years in state prison if convicted of the original charges. He entered the plea Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, said prosecutor Cindy Seeley Hendrickson.The drunken-driving charge is a felony and the hit-and-run charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor as part of the plea agreement, said Bell’s defense lawyer, Ken Robinson. A sentencing date has not been set, Robinson said, adding that Bell will serve his sentence during the summer months so it doesn’t conflict with the hockey season.
2. Former All-Star Jose Offerman suspension for a bat attack in the minors will remain in effect until his legal case is resolved [Offerman to remain suspended for bat attack]. The independent Atlantic League issued the ruling Friday. Offerman was playing for the Long Island Ducks when he hit the opposing catcher and pitcher Tuesday night at Bridgeport. He was indefinitely suspended the next day. Offerman was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree assault. He is due back in a Connecticut court on Aug. 23.
3. Former Miami Heat player James Posey has agreed to plead guilty to reckless driving in connection with an incident in April on Miami Beach, prosecutors said Friday [Posey agrees to plead guilty]. Posey, who is unsigned, agreed to a deal involving lesser charges. He was originally arrested on drunken-driving charges after Miami Beach police pulled him over for stopping in the middle of a road April 9. Police said he was unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech and his breath smelled of alcohol. Posey refused to take a breath test. According to the plea agreement, Posey must perform 50 hours of community service and complete six months of probation. He also must pay court costs, a $250 fine, donate $25 to the Ryder Trauma Center and attend DUI school.