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SYDNEY (AP) Australia booked its place in next year’s World Baseball Classic by beating South Africa 12-5 in Sunday’s final of a qualifying tournament, securing victory with a six-run eighth inning that was helped by a two-run throwing error on a bunt. In a game where the lead changed hands four times, Mitch Dening and Trent Oeltjen hit run-scoring singles in the bottom of the seventh inning to break…

The Southern baseball team is ineligible for the NCAA tournament under the first of multiple sanctions against the program. Jaguars coach Roger Cador revealed the sanction even though the school is still awaiting written notification of the penalties from the NCAA. …

PEBBLE BEACH — Striding through an ocean fog murkier than the A’s future ballpark plans, Rob Manfred finished up three days of golfing bliss here Saturday. He did so about as far under the radar as a commissioner of major league baseball could concoct. Manfred has been on the job as Bud Selig’s successor for more than a year. But let’s just say the new commish’s face is not yet…

For this year’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, beauty isn’t measured by pounds or kilograms; it’s defined by Ashley Graham. The model just made history, becoming the first-ever size-16 body activist model to grace the cover of the magazine. And she almost started her celebration with a wardrobe malfunction. James Macari/Sports Illustrated “I see my cover and I wanted to drop to my knees but this dress would’ve ripped and I…

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died Saturday at the age of 79, was perhaps the most influential Supreme Court justice over the last three decades. In the coming weeks, his long list of significant opinions will be studied and debated. Justice Scalia’s sharply conservative views attracted praise from some and scorn from others. All who followed his career, however, would agree that Justice Scalia possessed a profound gift…

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When NASCAR announced earlier this week that it had adopted a Charter system to give 36 teams guaranteed starting spots and a variety of financial benefits, it was widely hailed as a progressive and much-needed step. And it was a very good move. Unless you’re a fan of the Wood Brothers. NASCAR’s oldest team was founded in 1950 and one of the teams that didn’t get a Charter. NASCAR only…

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Launching pad Former Palomar Comets who played baseball at now-replaced Myers Field before eventually reaching the big leagues: Randy Johnson, IF: Played for Braves in 1982-84. Currently a scout with Tigers. George Hinshaw, IF: Played for Padres in 1982-83. Former head coach at Los Angeles City College. Jim Scranton, IF: Played for Royals in 1984-85. Troy Afenir, C: Played for Astros, A’s and Reds from 1987-92. Currently scouting for Yankees….

Tanner Houck knows what it’s like to make an impact as a first-year player. The sophomore pitcher had a 3.49 earned run average in 2015 and was a consensus freshman All-American. Going into his second season, he has advice for new members of the Missouri baseball team. “Don’t skip out on your reps,” Houck said. “If you can, get more. If you can push yourself, that’s what you need to…

There has been a growing excitement around the prospect of a new sporting league where competitors race that very futuristic sounding vehicle, a drone. By drone they mean small remote controlled quadcopters, incredibly agile little aircraft that can move at speeds of over 100 miles and hour. Unlike most racing sports — cars, horses, dog sleds — there is no human onboard the drone. The pilots are all standing about…

Decathlon Utsav, aptly named so, was all about celebrations. Held recently in the city the event was a multi sports extravaganza, aimed to foster the sporting spirit and mass participation from the public. People, irrespective of age, gender and fitness, participated in it. The Utsav was organised to mark the second anniversary of Decathlon’s new outlet Anubhav on New Airport Road. It was gala sports event held across two days…

Diego Costa’s goal was his seventh in eight league games under Guus Hiddink Newcastle dropped into the relegation zone on goal difference after three goals in the first 17 minutes set Chelsea on their way to an easy win. Diego Costa slid in the opener, a Rolando Aarons error let in Pedro to run clear and fire home, and Costa set up Willian to make it 3-0. Pedro and Bertrand…

NEW YORK (AP) Mets reliever Jenrry Mejia became the first player to receive a lifetime ban under Major League Baseball’s drug agreement after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time. The commissioner’s office said that Mejia tested positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone, which athletes have used to increase muscle mass and once was popular for use in horse racing. The 26-year-old right-hander was the Mets’ closer…

Listen, we know it’s tough to catch up on everything happening in the baseball world each morning. There are all kinds of stories, rumors, game coverage and Vines of dudes getting hit in the beans every day. Trying to find all of it while on your way to work or sitting at your desk just isn’t easy. It’s okay, though, we’re going to do the heavy lifting for you each…

From my early life until this very moment (and so far all the moments hence) I have played video games. It’s mostly my dad’s fault, though he probably doesn’t think so. But considering that he has achieved a perfect score on Galaga on more than one occasion, the first Nintendo he bought was decidedly not for his children, and that on any given evening he continues to click his way…

A man who nearly died from carbon monoxide poisoning is alive thanks to a Good Samaritan wielding a baseball bat. Charlie Cottrill was on his way to work early Wednesday morning in Chillicothe, Ohio, when his car started filling up with exhaust fumes, hospital officials said. Within 15 to 20 minutes he passed out and drove into a field. Jessica Farley, 35, also happened to be driving early that morning…