Seeking an easy to use digital SLR camera?

Look at a Nikon D40x. Currently, you can get one for under $920 here. This package has an 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm zoom and comes from a very reliable EBay vendor.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40x-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-55-200mm-Lens-USA_W0QQitemZ160153749063QQihZ006QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Another package here has even longer zoom range. It includes a Nikon D40x with 18-55mm lens for $740.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40x-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-Lens-Kit-NEW-USA_W0QQitemZ160155736624QQihZ006QQcategoryZ43456QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Then add this great 70-300mm VR (vibration reduction) zoom for $500.
http://search.stores.ebay.com/Cameta-Camera_70-300mm-vr_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZ5QQfclZ4QQfromZR10QQfsnZCametaQ20CameraQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQfsubZ3QQsascsZ2QQsaselZ27280321QQsatitleZ70Q2d300mmQ20vrQQsbrsrtZdQQsofpZ2

Here’s an article about why VR is so important.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/image-stabilization.htm

That gives you an easy to use, automatic family DSLR that, with the 70-300mm VR becomes a great sports camera.

Does that work in the real world? Absolutely. Here’s some shots I took with a D50, the older little brother to the D40x. The D50 is a 6 megapixel camera (not 10 mp like the D40x). I took these shots at ISO ratings from 400 to 1600 from high in the opposite ends of the stadium. I used an old “outdated”, non-VR Nikon 75-300mm and then cropped and resized the photos before uploading to this website.
http://www.spmsportspage.com/images/college/football/2007/California-45-Tennessee-31-09-01-2007/DSC_0065_GHYoung.html

If I can do this with old, lower resolution equipment, I think you’ll be fine with the D40x and the 70-300mm VR.

Oh yes, and you’ll still have about $600-$700 left from your budget.

p.s. One more bit of information for you.
http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital_camera/dslr

I hope you find this helpful.

The Nikon D40 is a popular choice with Digital SLR first timers
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://astore.amazon.com/wormdanglecou-20/detail/B000LRIX8I/102-7265848-8374509

As is the Canon Digital Rebel XTi / EOS 400D
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/rebelxti.html

The Olympus E510 looks kinda promising
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/e510.html
And I found this outfit for it on Amazon – $999.95
http://astore.amazon.com/wormdanglecou-20/detail/B000RU49CI/102-7265848-8374509

But if it wasn’t for your desire to be able to use different lenses, I’d have recommended the Fuji S6000fd….. which along with the S700 + S9100 is the closest you’ll get to owning a Digital SLR without actually buying one (similar features & design to one, just can’t change lenses).
Though I have managed to take pics of things zoomed in from 2.6miles away with my S6000fd/S6500fd (acurately measured with GOOGLE EARTH)
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s6000fd.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/s9100.html
http://astore.amazon.com/wormdanglecou-20/102-7265848-8374509?_encoding=UTF8&node=20
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h257/jduck1979/Fuji%20S6500fd%20Demo%20shots/S6500fd-1_31stAugust2007110.jpg

Personally if I had the money I’d go for this Fuji S5 Pro, though I believe it may be a little OTT for your needs
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VIFKYW/102-7265848-8374509?ie=UTF8&tag=wormdanglecou-20&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B000VIFKYW