PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jason Bay had arthroscopic knee surgery to relieve irritation under his left kneecap.

The club said Wednesday that Bay underwent the procedure a week ago and that he walked out of the hospital minutes after it was completed.

Bay intended to have the surgery immediately after the season ended. He delayed the operation until his wife, Kristen, gave birth to the couple's first child, daughter Addison, on Nov. 19.

Bay was bothered by the knee throughout last season and often had ice applied to the knee after games. Despite the problem, Bay hit .286 with 35 homers and 109 RBI and was chosen as a starting NL outfielder in the All-Star game in Pittsburgh.

BUTLER TWP — The Butler High School varsity soccer teams recently announced their 2006 season awards.<B>Boys:</B> Ben Horner (MVP Overall and Academic), Tim Duffy (P.R.I.D.E.-Positive attitude, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Enthusiasm); Doug Moran (MVPOffense); Kevin McCune (MVPDefense and Jason D. Karenbauer Memorial Award).<B>Girls: </B>Lisa Rodgers (MVPDefense and Academic); Amy Macurdy (P.R.I.D.E.); Becca Crissman (MVPOffense); Ashley Oluschak (MVPOverall).

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State appears ready to hire Boston College's Tom O'Brien as its new football coach, according to multiple reports Wednesday.The broadcast and Web reports were based on unidentified sources, though San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers — a four-year starter who left N.C. State as the school's all-time passing leader — told a newspaper that O'Brien was the choice to replace fired coach Chuck Amato.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia plans to spend millions on its football facilities and hopes the improvements will help persuade coach Rich Rodriguez to stay with the Mountaineers.