dddddddddeggie Abercrombie led off with an infield single,

MUNICH, Germany -- Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone rejected accusations of bribery as he went on trial Thursday in a case that could threaten his grip on the sport, telling a Munich court that he was blackmailed by a German banker who received a disputed $44 million payment. Ecclestone said at the beginning of a four-hour personal statement read out in German by his lawyers that he was "grateful" to be able to give his side of the story -- though he told judges that he would answer questions from the Munich state court through his lawyers, rather than personally. The 83-year-old Ecclestone is charged with bribery and incitement to breach of trust, and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The charges involve a $44 million payment to banker Gerhard Gribkowsky, who is serving an 8 1/2-year sentence for taking the money. Ecclestone appeared in court in a dark three-piece suit and followed the proceedings closely with help from an interpreter whispering into his ear. Prosecutors allege the payment was meant to facilitate the sale of Munich-based bank Bayern LBs stake in Formula One to a buyer of Ecclestones liking. Gribkowsky was in charge of selling that 47 per cent stake in F1 in 2005. Ecclestone testified during Gribkowskys trial in 2011 and Gribkowsky is expected to be the main witness during Ecclestones trial, which is scheduled to last until Sept. 16. Gribkowsky was found guilty of corruption, tax evasion and breach of trust in a trial led by the same judge who is hearing Ecclestones case, Peter Noll. The defence made clear that it will attack Gribkowskys credibility, and Ecclestone said in his statement that the banker didnt tell the truth. In Thursdays statement, Ecclestone reiterated testimony he gave at Gribkowskys trial that he gave the banker the money because he was "blackmailed" and worried Gribkowsky would falsely accuse of him of being in charge of a trust fund set up for the Formula One bosss former wife and their children -- possibly incurring a huge British tax bill. Ecclestone said that "from todays point of view, it was not a rational decision" to pay Gribkowsky. "I saw my lifes work in danger" if Gribkowsky went to the British tax authorities, he said, adding that he wouldnt have been able to pay the resulting bill. Ecclestone said he had turned over his entire stake in Formula One to his then-wife, Slavica, and their two daughters in 1997 following a series of operations and a health scare that left him worried his wife would face a 40 per cent inheritance tax. He said he ran the day-to-day business of Formula One but hasnt owned any stake in the lucrative series since 1997. Ecclestones lawyers also insisted anew that their client is innocent, saying in a written statement that "the alleged bribe has not occurred." They argued that the indictment is based on statements by Gribkowsky that are "incorrect, misleading and incoherent" and said they would produce new documents at the trial to dispute Gribkowskys assertions. Ecclestone said he thought Gribkowsky wanted out of banking and had been interested in founding his own Formula One team. Ecclestone has stepped down temporarily as a director of F1s holding company pending the outcome of the trial, though he continues to manage the sports commercial operations on behalf of investment fund CVC Capital Partners, which has a controlling stake in the web of companies which run the commercial side of the sport. Ecclestone, who built his powerbase in F1 starting in the 1970s, likely would be unable to remain in charge if convicted -- even if he avoids a prison sentence. The trial will continue May 2. Cheap Kings Jerseys . -- Justin Verlander took a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and won his fourth straight decision, leading Detroit over the Kansas City Royals 9-4 Sunday and extending the Tigers winning streak to a season-high five games. Cheap Kings Jerseys China . Hoefl-Rieschs exit — from the downhill course into safety nets, then airlifted from the slope by helicopter — left Anna Fenninger of Austria favourite to win her first giant crystal trophy one month after becoming an Olympic champion. http://www.cheaplosangeleskingsjerseys.com/. -- A deflected pass that landed in DeSean Jacksons hands. Cheap Adidas Kings Jerseys . Neither side would publicly confirm or deny any discussions were taking place, until the near unexpected happened. On Saturday night sources confirmed to TSN, the league and players agreed to terms on a new, tentative CBA, pending ratification by the unions players. A league source confirmed the CFLs board of governors must also ratify any potential agreement. Cheap Los Angeles Kings Jerseys . - The RBC Canadian Open will return to Glen Abbey Golf Club next year, marking the 27th time that the national open championship will be played at the Oakville, Ont.The Winnipeg Goldeyes looked dead in the water after seven innings on Monday night. But a three-run homer by Ray Sadler turned a potential Sioux City blowout into a home-opening thriller at Shaw Park. On a night when the 7-3 Goldeyes looked dead tired after a 10-game road trip through Texas and Nebraska, 7,155 fans watched a slow start turn into a heart-stopping ninth inning as the Fish fell 6-5 to the visiting Explorers.The Explorers scored early and often against Goldeyes starter Jason Jarvis. Samson drove home the first run of the game in the first inning with a solid single to right then Sioux City added two more in the second to take a 3-0 lead. The Goldeyes got one back in the bottom of the third as Casey Haerther doubled and scored on a double by Tyler Kuhn, but Sioux City scored two more in the fifth and one more in the sixth to take a 6-1 lead. With the Goldeyes scuffling, this one looked like it was in the books. But in the eighth, Ryan Pineda singled, Tyler Kuhn singled and with two out, Ray Sadler hit a fastball from Sioux City reliever Geoff Broussard well over the leftfield fence to cut the Explorers lead to 6-4. After Chris Kissock got the Explorers out in the ninth, the Goldeyess got a rally going in the bottom half of the inning.ddddddddddddeggie Abercrombie led off with an infield single, Donnie Webb walked and Casey Haerther bunted his way on base to load them up. Pineda then hit into a double play that drove home Abercrombie to make it 6-5. With two out and Webb on third, Luis Alen drilled a line shot up the middle that hit Explorers closer Chris Bodishbaugh on the leg. The ball deflected to Xs first baseman Luke Merton who grabbed it between second and first while Bodishbaugh went to field the ball himself. However, Bodishbaugh quickly changed direction, headed to cover first and beat Alen to the bag to record the final out. What appeared to be a game-tying base hit turned into a stunning final out and the Goldeyes suffered their fourth loss of the season. Sioux City starter Patrick Johnson (1-1, 2.19 ERA) got the win, while Jarvis (1-2, 10.39 ERA) suffered the loss. Bodishbaugh got the save, his first of the season. The Goldeyes and Explorers meet up in Game 2 of this three-game series on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Shaw Park. Kyle Anderson (1-0, 0.93 ERA) will start for the Goldeyes, while John Straka (1-0, 2.03 ERA) will take to the bump for Sioux City. ' ' '