2011 season to begin in March

The Major League Baseball schedule for 2011 features a midweek start in March, a late September ending and the Chicago Cubs' first visit to Fenway Park in nearly 100 years.

Five openers are set for Thursday, March 31, although one of them is expected to be moved up to the night of March 30.

The regular season is set to end Sept. 28. By opening and closing a week earlier this year, the 2011 World Series will finish in October, barring any postponements. Game 7 this year is set for Nov. 4.

Kinsler suspended 1 game

Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler will appeal his one-game suspension, imposed yesterday for taking part in an on-field celebration after being ejected. Kinsler also was fined an undisclosed amount by MLB. Kinsler was ejected Friday night against the Yankees in the 10th inning after arguing with plate umpire Dale Scott on a called third strike. Players who get tossed are not allowed back on the field, and Kinsler came back from the clubhouse when Nelson Cruz hit a winning homer in the 13th inning.

"It is what it is, it's rules," Kinsler said. "I think it's a little bit harsh, but we'll decide that later."

Kinsler assumed that because the game was finished, he would not be prohibited from returning to the field.

Kinsler is a two-time All-Star who's missed much of the season because of injuries. He's hitting .294 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs for the AL West-leading Rangers.- AP

Bumped into booth

TBS announced that Ernie Johnson, the popular studio host for sister station TNT's NBA coverage, will succeed Chip Caray as its lead play-by-play man for the baseball playoffs.

That means Johnson will be teamed with analysts Ron Darling and John Smoltz for the ALCS. (Fox has the NLCS this year, in addition to the World Series.)

Johnson, Darling and Smoltz also will work together in the Division Series round.

The other three LDS teams for TBS are Brian Anderson and Joe Simpson, Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly and Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez.