Little League World Series: California takes title with walk-off win

California returned the Little League World Series title to the United States with the type of victory even major leaguers dream about.

Nick Pratto singled in the winning run with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of sixth inning to give

the boys from Huntington Beach a 2-1 victory Sunday over Hamamatsu City, Japan, and a championship.

With runners on first and second, an error by the shortstop on what could have been an inning-ending double play loaded the bases for California. After a force at the plate, the 12-year-old Pratto smacked a solid liner to center off reliever Kazuto Takakura that scored pinch-runner Eric Anderson with the winning run.

Pratto tossed his helmet into the air after rounding first before his teammates mobbed him in the infield.

"USA! USA," yelled fans before Pratto's single. A U.S. team has won six of the past seven World Series, with Japan's win last year the exception.

The teams exchanged handshakes at the plate before California's players posed at the mound with their new championship banner.

It was a fitting end to a tense game marked by excellent pitching and timely defense.

Braydon Salzman pitched a three-hitter for the win, striking out nine. Japan starter Shoto Totsuka struck out five over 4 1/3 innings. Totsuka gave up a homer to rightfield to Hagen Danner.

The first pitch was delayed more than 3 hours after the outer bands of Hurricane Irene brought more rain than expected to the Williamsport area. The clouds finally started parting midway through the game, and sunshine draped the complex by the time the California players left the stadium to cheers by friends and family.

Neither team could convert on several chances to break open the pitcher's duel earlier in the game.

With runners on first and second in the top of the sixth, third baseman Dylan Palmer blocked the bag from a sliding runner Ken Igeta on a bunt play to help California escape the inning.

California put runners on first and second with two outs in the fifth, but Takakura got a flyout to end the inning.

Playing rightfield in the second, Takakura also made a running catch on a fly down the line to save an extra-base hit with a runner on second.

In a gracious postgame gesture, Japan's players and coaches lined up and exchanged high-fives with the California kids after Huntington Beach did the traditional victory lap around the warning track.

Medicis CEO's Six-Year-Old Son Dies From Accident Injuries

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--The six-year-old son of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (MRX) founder and Chief Executive Jonah Shacknai has died from injuries suffered in an accident in his California home last week, two days before Shacknai's girlfriend was found dead at the same property.

The news came in a joint statement late Sunday from the 54-year-old Shacknai and his ex-wife, Dina, the mother of Max Shacknai. In the statement, they asked that the public respect the privacy of the families and expressed gratitude for "the tremendous outpouring of support provided during this very difficult time."
Medicis makes dermatological and aesthetic drugs, including acne treatment Solodyn as well as Dysport, which competes with Allergan Inc.'s (AGN) Botox. The Scottsdale, Ariz., company had $700 million in revenue last year.
Max became severely injured after falling down the stairs at the Shacknai's California home last Monday. Two days later, his father's 32-year-old girlfriend Rebecca Nalepa was found dead in a case that authorities described as bizarre and unusual. Nalepa was discovered nude with a rope around her neck, hanging from a balcony off the main house, with her hands and feet bound.
Authorities have said there is no investigation into Max's fall in the house and there has been no connection made between the two incidents.
Investigators haven't determined whether Nalepa's death was a homicide or not. No suspects or persons of interest have been named, and Jonah Shacknai was not home when Nalepa was found in Wednesday morning or when local Police arrived at the scene, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's office.

Coast Guard ends search for missing California fishermen

The Coast Guard ended a search on Tuesday for seven California sports fishermen, now presumed dead, who have been missing since the boat they were on capsized off western Mexico earlier this month.
The Coast Guard said it had used C-130 cargo planes and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters to look for the men in

a search that had covered more than 7,000 square miles.
The seven California men were among 43 people aboard a 115-foot chartered fishing boat dubbed the Erik that left San Felipe on Mexico's Sea of Cortez on July 2.
The ship encountered a storm on its first night and sank in the early morning hours of July 3.
Thirty-five of the people aboard the boat swam to shore or were rescued, and Mexican police recovered the body of one passenger who died.
Search and rescue teams had continued to scour the Sea of Cortez for the remaining seven men, and at first officials expressed hope the sea's warm waters could allow for survival.
But the Coast Guard said on Tuesday that the Mexican Navy ended its rescue operation and was no longer requesting assistance from the Coast Guard.
"Despite the thorough search of the region by Mexican and U.S. search teams, no signs of the missing men were found," Rear Admiral Joseph "Pepe" Castillo, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard's 11th District, said in a statement.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragic incident," he said.

Schwarzenegger to meet former mistress, son

Actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning to meet the woman he had an affair with and is hoping to build a relationship with his lovechild Joseph.
The "Terminator" actor has reportedly been talking on the phone with Mildred Patricia Baena, a former member

of the Schwarzenegger family's staff who went into hiding following revelations of their affair. She hasn't even visited her home in Bakersfield, California. "Both families are open to a meeting, it just hasn't happened yet," a source told TMZ. Now when Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver has filed for divorce, the 63-year-old is keen to play an active role in Joseph's life. "Arnold wants to spend time with Joseph and play more of an active role in his life. In a way, Arnold is relieved that he no longer has to hide the fact that he is Joseph's father," said the actor

Royal couple visit skid row arts center on final day in L.A.

Growing up poor in South Los Angeles, Lorenzo Perez never imagined he would one day dance for British royalty.
"I didn't think there was still kings and queens," said Perez, 19, who got his chance on Sunday. "It's like a

Disney movie."
On the last day of their whirlwind visit to the United States, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, saw a less glitzy side of Southern California, visiting a children's arts center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles' skid row and a job fair for military veterans and their families in Culver City.
The appearances highlighted some of William's charitable interests: helping homeless youth, promoting the arts and supporting troops. Sunday's itinerary contrasted with the couple's previous engagements, which included a charity polo match near Santa Barbara and red-carpet dinners with Hollywood celebrities.
The day began with a morning reception in Beverly Hills to raise money for the Tusk Trust, an African wildlife conservation group.
The couple then rode across town, escorted by Cynthia Harnisch, president of Inner-City Arts, a nonprofit that provides free arts instruction to poor children. The drive ended in the gritty neighborhood that has become known as the country's homeless capital.
As the motorcade of SUVs and motorcycles passed San Julian Street, Harnisch said, the royal couple seemed "astonished" by the number of people on the streets.
When they pulled into the leafy campus, they were greeted by half a dozen elementary school students holding a welcome banner painted with ladybugs, butterflies and flowers. Catherine wore a navy and white crochet top over an ivory pleated skirt by the British retailer Whistles. William wore a navy suit with a light-blue shirt and maroon tie.
Sneh Chachra, who studies at the center with her fifth-grade class from Frank Del Olmo Elementary School, escorted the couple to the center's black box theater. She was so nervous, she and her mother had practiced what she would say.
"I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, what if they don't like me?' " the 10-year-old said. But the couple quickly put her at ease. "They are just like regular people; regular people in these really important positions."
The royals put on aprons and worked with the children on ceramics projects and painting Hindu and Buddhist mandalas.
In the visual arts studio, with a blank canvas in front of her, Catherine turned to William and said, "William, do you know what you're doing? Start from the center."
After a few moments, he turned to his wife and said, "Catherine, what are you supposed to do?" She laughed and showed him again.
In the ceramics studio, the couple left their handprints and signatures in slabs of clay that will be displayed on campus.
They clapped along as a troupe of 16 teenage dancers performed two pieces: a high-energy display of urban youth culture and a plea to end world poverty.
"I never imagined myself dancing for one of the most famous couples," said 15-year-old Iliana Samaniego. "It means … anything is possible in life."
William gave the performance two thumbs up. And Catherine told Harnisch she was "moved to tears."
Dozens fans gathered outside the arts center in hopes of catching a glimpse of the royal visitors. Even in Los Angeles, where encountering celebrities isn't out of the ordinary, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were worth waiting for.
"We see celebrities all the time," said Shannon Tompros, 37, "but we never get to see royalty."
Also in the crowd were a mother and daughter who woke up early to drive from Mission Viejo. Julie Collins, 39, carried a picture of herself shaking hands with Princess Diana while on a trip to London when she was 18. In the photo, Collins is wearing the same tiara that her 9-year-old daughter Emily was wearing Sunday.
As the motorcade swept by en route to Culver City, they spotted William waving out the window.

"We were a little sad that they didn't stop, but we had a blast," Collins said.

Some longtime skid row residents were less impressed.

"It's a dog and pony show," said Victor Greenwood, 53, who sat on a piece of cardboard in a patch of shade on 7th Street. "It's not going to change anything."
At their last stop, William and Catherine attended a job fair for veterans, active military and military families at Sony Studios hosted by the group Mission Serve.
Addressing a crowd of hundreds from a stage draped with floor-to-ceiling U.S. and British flags, William, a rescue helicopter pilot in the Royal Air Force, gave a brief speech that focused on his commitment to the armed forces and "our other halves — the half that makes their loved one's duty and sacrifices possible and worthwhile."
"As this is my last opportunity before we leave this afternoon, I would just say on behalf of us both how grateful we are to be welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and City of Angels," William said. "Thank you so much."
The visit was over late Sunday, less than 48 hours after it began, when the couple and their entourage boarded a British Airways commercial airliner at LAX bound for London. After saying their goodbyes, the duke and duchess paused at the top of a staircase leading to the plane to pose for one last photo.

Renee Zellweger arrives for Reese Witherspoon`s wedding

Renee Zellweger has arrived in California to help Reese Witherspoon with her wedding to CCA agent Jim Toth.

The Bridget Jones star checked into the luxury Ojai Valley Inn - where she and other guests will be staying.

The exclusive spa hotel is close to Witherspoon's farmhouse, where the celebration will be held.

Zellweger, dressed in leggings, a sweatshirt and sneakers, was spotted with two suitcases, a large bag and a moving box.

RadarOnline is reporting that Witherspoon has already apologised to her neighbours for the noise, traffic and extra congestion caused by her friends, family and media descending on their neighbourhood.

'Reese sent nice personalised letters to all the neighbours last week', a source told the site.

'She informed us that she and Jim were having their wedding at her home and apologised ahead of time for all the construction and cargo trucks that would be coming in and out of the community.'

Tsunami Reaches California After Soaking Hawaii

A tsunami wave reached the West Coast of the U.S. this morning with threats of waves as tall as nine feet that could strike from California to Alaska.
Residents along the northern California and Oregon coasts reported seeing the tell-tale sign of an impending tsunami -- the waterline quickly withdrawing from the beach prior to large incoming waves.
The tsunami, which has claimed hundreds of lives in Japan, triggered warning sirens across the Pacific and led to evacuations as far away as Hawaii and Oregon.
By the time the tsunami reached California around 7:45 a.m. PST, it had soaked Hawaii's beaches but done little lasting damage there.
Officials were cautiously optimistic that the West Coast would fare similarly, but warned of waves as high as 9 feet, and banned boaters and surfers in California from entering the water.
Warning sirens began blaring in some Oregon coastal communities in the small hours of the morning, and residents were urged to seek higher ground.
Orgeon officials said highways were congested with residents evacuating low lying ares near Florence.
Sam McAlmond, a resident of Gold Beach, Ore., chose not to evacuate, but is prepared to leave his home if it becomes necesary.
"This doesn't happen too often. We liked to see it if and when anything happens," he said of the tsunami. "We have all of our necessary equipment -- fresh water and food. Filled up the tank with gas and there is an escape route."
McAlmond said he had not seen any significant waves from his beach front home.
In California, the city of San Francisco activated it's emergency operations response team and closed its coastal highway. All coastal access to San Francisco area beaches have been closed.
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan Friday afternoon local time, triggering a tsunami that is speeding across the Pacific Ocean at speeds of 500 mph, as fast as a jet airplane.
Hawaii Gets Soaked But More Waves Anticipated
The tsunami reached Hawaii around 3:30 a.m. local time. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says Kauai was the first island hit early by the wave, which quickly swept through the Hawaiian Island chain. There were no immediate reports of serious damage.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey the first wave to hit is not as large as experts anticipated, but bigger ones are expected to follow.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie ordered the evacuation of coastal areas. Through the night, residents waited on lines to buy gas, bottled water, canned food and generators.
At least tens of thousands of people were evacuated and there were reports of fighting at gas stations as people fuel up their cars to move inland in Hawaii.
"We have been hearing those reports and we've asked everybody to stop doing that, to get out of the way and that their hindering the evacuation," Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle said.
"It's not just a wave, it's a series of waves and no one knows which one will be the strongest, no one knows which one will do the most of damage and we don't even know how long they will last, they could last for a series of hours," Carlisle said.
Officials did not regret the call for evacuations. "We called this right. This evacuation was necessary," said geophysicist Gerard Fryer in Hawaii. "There's absolutely no question, this was the right thing to do."
Brian Shiro of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami that will reach the Wes Coast "loses a little bit of power because of friction from the bottom of the ocean, but this tsunami is pretty sufficient."
Shiro said the West Coast could see waves as high as 9 feet.
"Some places in California will see 6 feet in some cases 9 feet. This could certainly be a bad day for people on the beach. If you have a house right on the water... it could be flooded," he said.
Tsunami Racing Across the Pacific at 500 MPH
The tsunami is expected to hit Los Angeles at 8:30 a.m. local time, but another, bigger wave is expected two hours later when the tide is higher, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake is the fifth largest ever recorded and extended along a 400 mile fault zone.