The excitement that was next-gen baseball last year was quickly extinguished by Major League Baseball 2K6. This mess of code featured batters that all swung in the same exact choppy animation and fielders that could grab a grounder in the outfield and throw immediately to first with barely any animation between. Let’s not forget the fact that your runners lallygag around the bases slow enough to make the coach from Bull Durham have a heart attack if you didn’t mash the "run" button. Lucky for us, a few people at 2K Sports noticed and decided that they needed an overhaul.

The fifth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) will provide an unforgettable weekend of live musical performances and campout experiences held July 18 – 21 at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

History will be made when international superstar Mariah Carey performs live from Times Square on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2006," Saturday, Dec. 31, on ABC. Her performance will mark the first time in the 34-year history of the program that a singer will perform from the famed New York landmark before nearly 1 million fans in Times Square and millions more across the nation.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" will lead America into the New Year when Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest host specials starting at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, on ABC. Clark and Seacrest will be joined by actress/recording star Hilary Duff, who will preside over segments of the show from Hollywood and introduce top recording artists The Bangles, Chris Brown, Sean Paul, The Pussycat Dolls, Sugarland, 3 Doors Down and 311.

Rumors have been flying around the web that former Creed frontman Scott Stapp was involved in a drunken altercation with members of the band 311. Well, there appears to be truth in the buzz, as this statement has just been posted on 311's official blog: "We did not intend to discuss this incident publicly, but since rumors are beginning to spread we'd like to set the record straight.

Sometimes wishes do come true. For fans of Fenix TX who wished for reconciliation after the band's sudden break-up in 2002, the dream will become reality on November 8 when the highly anticipated Purple Reign In Blood - Live album (with enhanced CD featuring a live video of "Katie W") will be released. The band launched an extensive tour in Cleveland on October 7 to bring the celebration directly to their anxious fans. The Drive Thru Records-sponsored trek-which also features Allister, Houston Calls, Day at the Fair and Denver Harbor--concludes December 4 in Chicago.