INSIDER
Phillies get MLB-leading 8th All-Star with Sánchez replacing Atlanta's Chris Sale
Read full article: Phillies get MLB-leading 8th All-Star with Sánchez replacing Atlanta's Chris SalePhiladelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez is set for his first All-Star Game appearance as the replacement for Chris Sale.
Abreu gives up 2-run homer in Astros' Game 7 loss after suspension upheld but pushed to next year
Read full article: Abreu gives up 2-run homer in Astros' Game 7 loss after suspension upheld but pushed to next yearBryan Abreu gave up Nathaniel Lowe’s two-run homer in the Houston Astros’ 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series after his two-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Adolis García delayed until the start of next season.
MLB playoffs back at the Globe with Texas Rangers part of them, and not neutral 3 years after COVID
Read full article: MLB playoffs back at the Globe with Texas Rangers part of them, and not neutral 3 years after COVIDThere was a World Series and other postseason games played at Globe Life Field even before Texas Rangers fans got to see their own team do anything in the stadium with a retractable roof.
MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987
Read full article: MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987The average time of a nine-inning major league game dropped to 2 hours, 40 minutes in the first year of the pitch clock, a 24-minute decrease in a season of change that resulted in a spike in batting average and the most stolen bases in nearly 40 years.
The Rays are finalizing plans for a new stadium, which means MLB expansion could be on deck
Read full article: The Rays are finalizing plans for a new stadium, which means MLB expansion could be on deckThe Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing plans for a new ballpark in downtown St. Petersburg, which is a positive development for baseball fans in Florida.
MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseason
Read full article: MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseasonBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will consider increasing time on the pitch clock for the postseason but is reluctant to adjust an innovation the sport considers a great success.
Ohtani becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd straight year; 8 Braves selected for July 11 game
Read full article: Ohtani becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd straight year; 8 Braves selected for July 11 gameShohei Ohtani became a two-way All-Star for the third straight year when he was picked for the American League pitching staff, and eight Atlanta Braves were chosen for the July 11 game in Seattle — the most of any team since 2012.
Overturned outs are prompting confusion, frustration over MLB's blocking-the-plate rule
Read full article: Overturned outs are prompting confusion, frustration over MLB's blocking-the-plate ruleThe rules have changed since Bob Melvin and Bruce Bochy were big league catchers when big collisions with runners trying to score were just part of the game.
MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuff
Read full article: MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuffBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred thinks the use of banned sticky stuff is more widespread than the three pitchers ejected this season for illegal grip aids.
From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productions
Read full article: From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productionsMajor League Baseball celebrations have turned into a full-on production for some teams.
Anthony Rendon 'can't comment' on fan altercation in Oakland
Read full article: Anthony Rendon 'can't comment' on fan altercation in OaklandAnthony Rendon says he can't comment on a video posted on social media that appears to show the Los Angeles Angels All-Star third baseman appearing to swipe at an Oakland fan after the Angels lost to the Athletics on opening day.
Athletic Director Whit Babcock discusses Coach Kenny Brooks’ rise to success
Read full article: Athletic Director Whit Babcock discusses Coach Kenny Brooks’ rise to success10 Sports’ John Appicello sat down with Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock, who hired Women’s Basketball Coach Kenny Brooks.
Netherlands tops Cuba 4-2; Panama beats Taiwan 12-5 at WBC
Read full article: Netherlands tops Cuba 4-2; Panama beats Taiwan 12-5 at WBCThe 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with Panama defeating Taiwan 12-5 for its first win in tournament history and the Netherlands beating Cuba 4-2 in the opening Group A game as Didi Gregorius drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run.
Dodgers beat D-backs 6-0, clinch playoff spot (for real)
Read full article: Dodgers beat D-backs 6-0, clinch playoff spot (for real)Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer, Tyler Anderson threw seven sharp innings and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-0, becoming the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
Clark says push to unionize minor leaguers off to good start
Read full article: Clark says push to unionize minor leaguers off to good startMajor League Baseball Players Association head Tony Clark is confident that at least 30% of minor league players will sign union authorization cards in the coming days and weeks.
Senators ask MLB why antitrust exemption needed in minors
Read full article: Senators ask MLB why antitrust exemption needed in minorsLeaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to explain the impact of potential legislation stripping the sport’s antitrust exemption from covering the sport’s relationship with minor league players.
5 reasons why attending spring training is a home-run experience
Read full article: 5 reasons why attending spring training is a home-run experienceBaseball’s regular season begins this week, so that means the abbreviated spring training session for teams, which started late due to the offseason lockout, is over.
MLB tests pitch clock, anti-shift, bigger bases in minors
Read full article: MLB tests pitch clock, anti-shift, bigger bases in minorsPitchers, catchers and batters will be able to appeal calls from human umpires to “robo umps” in the Low-A Southeast League this season, while pitch clocks, anti-shift rules and larger bases will be tried in the minors ahead of possible big league use in 2023.
Former player, labor lawyer lead MLB into 9th work stoppage
Read full article: Former player, labor lawyer lead MLB into 9th work stoppageTony Clark was a minor league prospect in the Detroit Tigers’ system and Rob Manfred a junior lawyer on management’s legal team during Major League Baseball’s last work stoppage.
‘Field of Dreams’ game ends in cinematic fashion, with 2-run homer in the 9th
Read full article: ‘Field of Dreams’ game ends in cinematic fashion, with 2-run homer in the 9thTim Anderson recently admitted he has never watched “Field of Dreams.” Well, he just submitted a pretty good script for a sequel.
William Fleming’s season comes to an end with loss to Stone Bridge in state semifinals
Read full article: William Fleming’s season comes to an end with loss to Stone Bridge in state semifinalsWilliam Fleming fell to Stone Bridge 46-13 on Saturday in the Class 5 State semifinal game. The Colonels finished their season 6-3 overall.
2 MLB players test positive for COVID-19 in past week
Read full article: 2 MLB players test positive for COVID-19 in past week(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)NEW YORK – Two major league players and two staff members were positive for COVID-19 during the past week among 13,978 tests, a 0.03% positive rate. The positive tests were among 11 of the 30 teams. Including intake testing upon arrival at spring training, there have been 33 positive tests — 25 players, eight staff — among 78,227 tests, a positive rate of 0.04%. The positive tests were among 18 teams. All players on 40-man rosters and players with minor league contracts invited to big league training camps are screened.
Brookville’s McDaniel earns Player of the Week honors
Read full article: Brookville’s McDaniel earns Player of the Week honorsJohn serves as the Sports Director at WSLS 10. From Virginia Tech, to NASCAR and everything in between, WSLS 10 Sports covers the names making big plays in the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB.
Lynchburg Hillcats likely to remain Cleveland Indians affiliate, but at a different level
Read full article: Lynchburg Hillcats likely to remain Cleveland Indians affiliate, but at a different levelLYNCHBURG, Va. – Baseball players in the Hill City could still end up playing home games in Cleveland. The Lynchburg Hillcats announced Wednesday that they’ve been formally invited by the Cleveland Indians to become their new Low-A affiliate. “We appreciate Cleveland’s commitment to top-notch player development and working with us to keep professional baseball in Lynchburg for years to come. We can’t wait to host baseball games again at Bank of the James Stadium and do what we do best -- provide affordable family fun to our passionate fans.”The announcement comes as Major League Baseball has altered the minor league structure. Lynchburg was last a Low-A club in 1989 as a Boston Red Sox affiliate.
Fieldale Ducks defeat Virginia Spartans in prep football
Read full article: Fieldale Ducks defeat Virginia Spartans in prep footballJohn serves as the Sports Director at WSLS 10. From Virginia Tech, to NASCAR and everything in between, WSLS 10 Sports covers the names making big plays in the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB.
Teams to rebrand as Appalachian League transforms into a collegiate wood-bat league
Read full article: Teams to rebrand as Appalachian League transforms into a collegiate wood-bat leagueROANOKE, Va. – Say goodbye to the Pulaski Yankees, Danville Braves and the other familiar monikers of the Appalachian League. Major League Baseball and USA Baseball jointly announced a new format for the league, on Tuesday, which will feature the nation’s top rising college freshmen and sophomores in wood-bat play each summer. “The communities of the Appalachian League have supported baseball since our founding in 1911. This new Appalachian League format will continue that tradition, ensuring that high-level baseball will continue being played in our state for the long-term. We look forward to a new team as part of the community.” Danville Parks and Rec director Bill Sgrinia
Appalachian League to become a college baseball developmental league
Read full article: Appalachian League to become a college baseball developmental leagueROANOKE, Va. – The Appalachian League will look different when it returns. On Friday, Major League Baseball and USA Baseball announced a plan to transform the Appalacian League into a college summer league. Rather than being professional players at the rookie-level, the league would be comprised of the nation’s top rising college freshman and sophomores. The plan is to “retain high-caliber baseball in the communities where it is currently being played under the Appalachian League brand while bringing new, modern approaches to player development and exciting partnerships and opportunities for teams, fans and communities,” according to Major League BaseballMore details will be released during a Zoom meeting on Tuesday at noon.
Did Sonia Sotomayor save baseball 28 years ago?
Read full article: Did Sonia Sotomayor save baseball 28 years ago?While appointing Sonia Sotomayor as a justice for the Supreme Court in 2009, then-President Barack Obama caught a few people by surprise when he said, “Some say Judge Sotomayor saved baseball.”
Cardboard fans? Masks? MLB is back, but it doesn’t look real -- these photos might weird you out
Read full article: Cardboard fans? Masks? MLB is back, but it doesn’t look real -- these photos might weird you out(2020 Getty Images)A lone Boston Red Sox employee eats a hot dog in the stands before a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on July 26, 2020 in Boston. (2020 Getty Images)A peek at Tropicana Field during a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves on July 27, 2020 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (2020 Getty Images)A mask is placed on the Teammates Statue on Opening Day at Fenway Park on July 24, 2020 in Boston. (2020 Getty Images)A general view of of cardboard cutouts placed in the seats before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on July 25, 2020. (2020 Getty Images)With information from the Associated Press.
With an MLB season on the horizon, Lynchburg Hillcats reflect on should-have-been All-Star Game
Read full article: With an MLB season on the horizon, Lynchburg Hillcats reflect on should-have-been All-Star GameLYNCHBURG, Va. Yesterday in Lynchburg, the Carolina League All-Star game was supposed to be played. It would have been the citys first time hosting the game in 25 years. Its really sad for the city. It was our chance to really shine, and show off what weve done here for the last 25 years, General Manager Chris Jones said. Theres been so many ideas thrown around, as you can see, major league baseball and the players association are having their own issues, so I think minor league baseball is down on the totem pole of importance.