ng from West Bromwich Albion. The 26-year-old Ireland striker,

HULL, England -- Hull City has completed the transfer of striker Shane Long from West Bromwich Albion. The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this
season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Long
says, "I finally got the deal signed. Its a club thats on the up, and Im
delighted to be a part of that." Hull was promoted from the English second tier
last season and lies 10th in the Premier League. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals
shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing
offence, making Dale Sveum the hitting coach and Mike Jirschele their third base
coach. Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will now
instruct catchers. The moves were announced after the Royals finished off a
disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston, and before
they opened a four-game series in Toronto. Sveum said the Royals havent done a
good enough job this season of hitting pitches in the upper half of the strike
zone. "The bottom line is weve struggled with elevation and weve swung at
pitches down in the zone probably way too much," he said. "From thigh high to
the top of the strike zone, were not doing enough damage." The Royals began the
day last in the majors with 21 homers, putting them on pace to match the 1976
club for the fewest in franchise history for a non-strike-shortened season.
Theyre also last in the American League in runs and slugging percentage. "There
is not one man in the lineup thats hitting the ball well," Royals designated
hitter Billy Butler said Wednesday. "Were just cold." Yost said "a different
voice can make a difference," to struggling batters, but the Royals have heard
plenty of voices about hitting: Sveum is Kansas Citys fifth hitting coach in
lless than three seasons.dddddddddddd The Royals let go of Kevin Seitzer two
years ago in the hope that somebody else would help the club generate more
power. Seitzer was eventually hired by the Blue Jays, who currently lead the
majors with 76 homers -- more than Kansas City is on pace for all season. Jack
Maloof and Andre David were hired before last season, but they only made it a
couple of months before they were reassigned within the franchise. It was at
that point that the Royals hired Grifol and Hall of Famer George Brett on an
interim basis. The Royals showed signs of life once that duo was in charge,
slowly climbing into playoff contention. Grifol was given the job on a full-time
basis after Brett stepped down in July, but lasted less than a year in the role.
"Hes the one that pulled us out of our trouble last year," Yost said of Grifol
Thursday. "A year later, we find ourselves in the exact same spot." Sveum, a
former Brewers and Cubs manager, had been serving as the Royals third base
coach. But he also has plenty of experience as a hitting coach, helping
Milwaukee finish in the top three of the National League in homers in each of
his three seasons. "Hes got experience, he studies hitting," Yost said. "Hes got
a lot of knowledge. He helped Prince Fielder get, in my opinion, to the next
level as an offensive performer." Wholesale Jerseys China ' ' '