SAN FRANCISCO -- Two San Francisco Chronicle reporters will avoid jail time after a criminal defense lawyer agreed to plead guilty to leaking them secret grand jury documents from the BALCO steroids investigation.

Attorney Troy Ellerman admitted in court papers filed Wednesday that he allowed reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada to view transcripts of the grand jury testimony of baseball stars Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and sprinter Tim Montgomery, according to court documents.

The Chronicle published stories in 2004 that reported Giambi and Montgomery admitted taking steroids while Bonds and Sheffield testified that they didn't knowingly take performance enhancing drugs.

Clock rules to be repealed

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- An NCAA committee has proposed rolling back some football rules that were enacted last season to shorten games after coaches complained the changes were unfair.

The NCAA football rules committee, meeting in Albuquerque, N.M., recommended going back to starting the clock on the snap after a change of possession instead of when the referee signals the ball ready for play.

It also suggested starting the clock on kickoffs after the ball is touched by the receiving team rather than when it is kicked. Coaches complained about the rule changes last season, particularly the rule starting the clock when the referee signaled.

Et cetera

Soccer

World Cup champion Italy ended Brazil's 4.5-year stay at the top of FIFA's world soccer rankings, taking the No. 1 spot for the first time since 1993. The United States rose three places to 28th following last week's 2-0 victory over Mexico. … An Italian sports judge shut down Catania's Angelo Massimino stadium, ruling the Serie A team must play the remainder of the season's games in neutral venues and behind closed doors. The Sicilian club's responsibility for the violence that led to the Feb. 2 slaying of 38-year-old policeman Filippo Raciti was "unequivocal," judge Gianpaolo Tosel wrote in a ruling posted on the club's Web site. … American goalkeeper Tim Howard will end his association with Manchester United and move to Everton permanently after the season. Howard, who has been on loan to Everton since losing the starting job at United to Edwin van der Sar, will sign a five year contract that will keep him with the team until 2012.

Crime and courts

Despite the potential risks, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis decided to have gastric bypass surgery because he was afraid he would one day "drop dead" if he didn't lose weight. Weis, who suffered life-threatening complications and nearly died after the June 2002 surgery, testified in his medical malpractice case against two surgeons that he has struggled with his weight all his life. … Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen will serve two days in jail for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Baseball

Former All-Star Dmitri Young agreed to a minor-league contract with the Washington Nationals, getting another chance after the Detroit Tigers cut him last year following legal and substance problems. … Mariano Rivera had this warning for the New York Yankees: If he becomes a free agent, he'll consider offers from other teams. "Everybody has the same shot," he said. "The Yankees will not have an advantage." … Free agent right-hander Steve Trachsel signed a $3.1 million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, filling a void in the starting rotation left by the Kris Benson's injury.

Skiing

Bode Miller is on the verge of being shut out for the second straight year at a major championship. Miller hit a gate with his head during an error-filled second run on new skis in the giant slalom at the world championships in Are, Switzerland, finishing 15th in a race won by Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal. Ted Ligety was fourth, but the American men still lack a medal with the championships drawing near a close.

Football

About $125,000 has been raised to aid needy, retired National Football League players. The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund was launched by Jerry Kramer, star right guard of the Green Bay Packers four decades ago under Vince Lombardi. Kramer auctioned off a replica of his Super Bowl I ring last spring, raising more than $22,000 to help supplement pension and disability benefits for other former players.

Tennis

Kim Clijsters won the first match of her last home tournament, beating Olga Poutchkova 6-0, 6-2 to advance into the quarterfinals of the Diamond Games at Antwerp, Belguim.

College

Oregon hired insurance executive Pat Kilkenny, an alum and prominent school booster, as its new athletic director. Kilkenny replaces Bill Moos, who in November announced plans to step down next month.