Sports

Michigan Gov. allows return of pro sports — without fans

Published on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 12:00pm

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday allowed for the return of pro sports in Michigan as long as fans aren’t in attendance.

The move followed Major League Baseball’s decision this week to set a 60-game schedule to start July 23 or July 24 in empty ballparks. The governor said pro teams can resume operations notwithstanding capacity limits and restrictions on gatherings and events to curb the coronavirus.

Games must be played without a live audience for the “time being.” Only staff of the facility and media can attend.

Kop joy: Liverpool fans flood Anfield, 1st title in 30 years

Published on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 12:00pm

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The sun had just set over Anfield — and on a 30-year wait to be champions of England again — when the fireworks started to explode into the twilight.

A signal went out across Merseyside. The drought was finally over for Liverpool. 

At first there were just a dozen supporters who watching on phones and listening on radios outside this hallowed stadium. They were soon surrounded by a sea of thousands snaking from the entrance to the Kop past the The Albert Pub to the Hillsborough memorial. 

Alabama players, Saban appear in anti-racism video

Published on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 11:59am

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The University of Alabama football team released an emotional video on Thursday speaking out against racism and ending with the message that “all lives can’t matter until Black lives matter.” 

Head Coach Nick Saban and many prominent players, both Black and white, appear in the video that was written by Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood. 

The video begins with the players saying, “We are a team, Black, white, brown. Together, we are a family. We are brothers who represent ourselves, our families, our hometowns, our university and our country.”

Park names Neibauer as boys basketball coach

Published on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:18pm
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When the Park High boys basketball team takes the floor this winter, a new coach will be guiding them from the sideline.

Earlier this week, school administrators named Kyle Neibauer, 33, to be the new head coach of the team. The decision will be finalized and approved by the school board in July.

Neibauer teaches at Sleeping Giant Middle School and has experience coaching the program. He was an assistant coach in the program under previous head coach Layne Glaus. And, after taking a year off to focus on family, Neibauer is back at the top of the program. 

Prep Sports Schedule

Published on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:16pm

Braves

Thurs. - Sun., June 25 - June 28

@ Helena Tournament

 

 ***Denotes Home game

NFL cancels Hall of Fame game, delays inductions until ’21

Published on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:15pm

The NFL has canceled the Hall of Fame game that traditionally opens the preseason and is delaying the 2020 induction ceremonies for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Aug. 6 exhibition game in Canton, Ohio, between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers is the first on-field event the league has canceled during the pandemic. It will be played on Aug. 5, 2021, with the same teams.

Enshrinements for 20 men scheduled for this year now will occur on Aug. 7, 2021, with the 2021 inductees going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame the next day.

Kentucky Derby will run with limitations on spectators

Published on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:14pm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs officials have gotten their wish, announcing Thursday that when the rescheduled Kentucky Derby is run in September there will be spectators in the stands — just more spread out than usual.

The historic track got the go-ahead to run the Derby and Oaks this fall with spectators under strict guidelines to limit crowd density for the marquee Triple Crown race that annually attracts more than 150,000.

Vince Carter, 43, retires after record 22 NBA seasons

Published on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:14pm

Vince Carter made his retirement official on Thursday, announcing on his podcast that his 22-year NBA career has come to an end.

The announcement was largely a formality because the 43-year-old Carter had said many times over the course of this season that this would be his last in the NBA. His 22 seasons are the most in league history, and he became the first NBA player to appear in four different decades.

Tokyo Olympics must firm up $3.3 billion in sponsor income

Published on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 4:13pm

TOKYO (AP) — Local sponsors have chipped in a record $3.3 billion to support the postponed Tokyo Olympics. 

That’s at least two times more than any previous Olympics, and it amounts to almost 60% of the income for the privately funded operating budget. Another 14% of the income is budgeted from ticket sales, which could be in jeopardy with empty venues a possibility because of the coronavirus.

With the games delayed for a year, sponsors will be asked to sign up again. Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya said talks would begin next month.

Bandits handle Braves, sweep doubleheader

Published on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 3:31pm
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The Livingston Braves’ struggles at the plate continued as they were swept by the Belgrade Bandits in a doubleheader on Tuesday at Jack Weimer Memorial Park. 

The Braves failed to bring a run home in either game and were 10-runned in both contests. 

Belgrade was consistent at the plate in the opening game. After a scoreless first inning, the Bandits jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning. After a one-run third inning, the Bandits scored three runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth to close out an 11-0 win.