Vick begins drug treatment

Michael Vick left Virginia on Monday to enter a drug treatment program at a Kansas prison, a move that could reduce the former NFL star’s 23-month sentence on a federal dogfighting conviction.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback is now at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons minimum security facility in Leavenworth, his attorney, Billy Martin, said.

“Mr. Vick hopes to participate in programs offered at that facility, including the Bureau of Prisons drug treatment program,” Martin said in a statement.

Vick tested positive for marijuana in September while he was on supervised release after his guilty plea. The residential drug treatment programs at Bureau of Prisons institutions take place in units set apart from the general prison population, lasting at least 500 hours over six to 12 months, according to Bureau of Prisons policy.

Upon successful completion of the program, nonviolent offenders may be granted up to one year of early release. Staff members review the inmates’ records and behavior to determine whether they are eligible for early release.

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A federal judge dismissed an antitrust lawsuit filed against NASCAR by a Kentucky track that was left off its premier racing circuit.

Kentucky Speedway alleged that NASCAR had conspired to leave the Sparta track and others out of the Sprint Cup -- formerly known as the Nextel Cup -- series despite their superior amenities.

TENNIS

Henin reaches quarterfinals

Justine Henin advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sydney International at Australia without playing a match.

Henin moved on Tuesday when Lucie Safarova was unable to play her second-round match because of a strained buttock. Henin had already received a first-round bye because she was among the tournament’s top four seeded players.

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Second-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela narrowly avoided a first-round upset at the Heineken Open at Auckland, New Zealand, beating Dan King-Turner, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5.

Mario Ancic, who was due to play former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero today, withdrew and underwent tests in an Auckland hospital because of a continuing illness. . . . Roger Federer pulled out of the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament at Melbourne because of a severe stomach virus.

BASEBALL

Clubhouse security is revamped

Acting on recommendations in the Mitchell Report, Major League Baseball cracked down on clubhouse security in an effort to prevent the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Among the changes: Teams will no longer be notified the night before drug testing personnel arrive, and all clubs must have a designated area in home and visiting clubhouses for tests to be collected. The collectors will be given permanent credentials to expedite their access. Baseball also implemented background checks and random drug tests for all clubhouse employees, and teams now will be required to log all packages sent to clubhouses at major league ballparks.

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Jayson Werth and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a one-year, $1.7-million contract, avoiding arbitration. . . . Right-hander Elmer Dessens signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. . . . Reliever Duaner Sanchez agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the New York Mets. . . . Dodgers Spanish language broadcaster Jamie Jarrin will receive the Lifetime Achievement award from the Radio and Television News Assn. of Southern California on Jan. 26 at the Universal Hilton Hotel in Universal City.

MISCELLANY

Williams to defend title

Paul Williams will make the first defense of his World Boxing Organization welterweight title Feb. 9 at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula.

Williams (33-0, 24 knockouts) will fight Puerto Rico’s Carlos Quintana (24-1, 19 KOs). Unbeaten Riverside heavyweight Cristobal Arreola is also expected to fight on the card.

-- Lance Pugmire

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Jeff Agoos was hired as the sporting director of the New York Red Bulls, succeeding Bruce Arena, who resigned as the Major League Soccer franchise’s coach and sporting director in early November. . . . Kristine Lilly, captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team for the last three years, is expecting her first child and will miss the Olympics.