Astros' Backe Arrested At Wedding Event Brawl

Houston Astros pitcher Brandon Backe was among 10 people arrested during a brawl with police at a weekend wedding reception in a Galveston, Tex., hotel bar.

The bride's father, 19-year-old brother and a FEMA coordinator were also arrested Sunday at the hotel, a command center for emergency workers after Hurricane Ike went through Galveston Island on Sept. 13.

Police spokesman Capt. Walter Braun said an internal affairs investigation has been launched.

Backe, 30, a member of the wedding party, ignored police orders to back away from the fight, and struggled with officers who attempted to handcuff him, according to police reports.

One officer said he hit Backe twice in the face before handcuffing him. Both the officer and Backe suffered minor injuries during the fight, according to the police report. "We are aware of an incident involving Brandon," Astros spokesman Jimmy Stanton said in a statement. "Since this is a legal matter, any further comment on our part would be inappropriate."

Backe was charged with interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest, said Joel H. Bennett, Galveston County assistant criminal district attorney. Both charges are misdemeanors. He was released on $1,500 bond. . . .

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks had surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.

· COLLEGE FOOTBALL: James Madison (5-1), which routed Hofstra, 56-0, on Saturday, solidified its status as the top team in division I-AA, being unanimously selected as No. 1 among coaches and an easy choice for the top spot in the Sports Network poll. The Dukes play this week at Richmond, which is ranked fifth in both polls.

· COURTS: Two University of Virginia football players have been cleared of charges that they stole beer from a Charlottesville nightclub. Will Barker, a 21-year-old junior, and freshman walk-on Dave Roberts were found not guilty of misdemeanor petit larceny charges stemming from their July arrest.

· AUTO RACING: Denny Hamlin was released from a hospital in Birmingham, Ala., a day after a tire failure led to a hard crash into a wall at Talladega Superspeedway.

· CYCLING: Italian cyclist Leonardo Piepoli twice tested positive for an advanced blood booster during this year's Tour de France, officials said, and German cyclist Stefan Schumacher's team suspended him for suspected use of the same substance.

They are the second and third riders to test positive for CERA, an advanced version of the blood booster EPO, at this summer's Tour. Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco has already admitted to CERA use.

· PRO BASKETBALL: Former NBA head coach Paul Westphal was hired as the Dallas Mavericks' executive vice president of basketball operations. He will assist GM Donnie Nelson and work in scouting.

· SOCCER: David Beckham will miss the Los Angeles Galaxy's final road game of the season Oct. 18 at Houston because of a mandatory one-game suspension for earning his fifth yellow card.

Beckham won't be available for Sunday's home game against Colorado after being called to England's national team for two World Cup qualifiers, so Beckham will have to serve his suspension against the Dynamo.

-- From News Services