Sport Scores

One simple fix to speed up baseball: call more strikes – Chicago Tribune

Thursday, February 23, 2017

“He’s a looker!” When my Little League coach yelled that to our pitcher, we got the message loud and clear: The batter was waiting for a walk, so just throw strikes and make him hit his way on base. It was good advice then. It’s good advice now. If baseball really wants to fix its pace-of-game issues, they only need to make one simple change. Have the umpires call more…

Baseball’s New Intentional Walk Scheme Is A Pointless, Off-Target Act Of Surrender – Deadspin

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, in collaboration with his quisling associates in the players’ union, is apparently ready to do away with the normal and basic baseball act of four balls leading to a walk. He and they have agreed to a scheme by which the intentional walk doesn’t physically occur, but is simply motioned for from the dugout. Advertisement This is revolting, not just because Manfred is a…

How baseball can speed up games with one simple fix – Chicago Tribune

Thursday, February 23, 2017

“He’s a looker!” When my little league coach yelled that to our pitcher, we got the message loud and clear: The batter was waiting for a walk, so just throw strikes and make him hit his way on base. It was good advice then. It’s good advice now. If baseball really wants to fix its pace-of-game issues, they only need to make one simple change. Have the umpires call more…

Baseball making big rule change to become marginally less boring – A.V. Club

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Baseball, long-regarded as America’s least interesting way to use bats, is looking to shake things up in an attempt to shorten its games, presumably to attract more younger viewers here in the go-go, Fast & Furious, Snapchatting, Bagel Bitesing 2010s. According to ESPN, Major League Baseball and the players’ union have agreed on a plan to change the rules on intentional walks, allowing team managers to simply signal from the…

2017 Fantasy Baseball draft strategy: When will we see Yoan Moncada? – CBSSports.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Every year, it seems, since Mike Trout opened our eyes to the potential of the midseason callup, the Fantasy Baseball world has pinpointed some eager hopeful to target in the umpteenth round, hoping he might make a similar impact.   In 2013, it was Wil Myers. In 2014, George Springer. In 2015, Kris Bryant actually ascended to the early rounds. Last year, you could say it was Byron Buxton, which didn’t…

Kris Bryant believes baseball’s fine just the way it is – Chicago Tribune

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Last May in Kauffman Stadium, White Sox reliever Tommy Kahnle came into a game in the ninth inning and threw a wild pitch on an intentional walk before serving up a game-winning hit. The Royals scored six runs in the ninth to win the game, and Kahnle’s inability to throw an intentional ball to catcher Alex Avila factored into the meltdown. “It just got away from me,” Kahnle said the…

Major League Baseball teams can now intentionally walk a batter without throwing a single pitch – Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The players’ association has agreed to Major League Baseball’s proposal to have intentional walks without pitches this year. While the union has resisted many of MLB’s proposed innovations, players are willing to accept the intentional walk change. “As part of a broader discussion with other moving pieces, the answer is yes,” union head Tony Clark wrote Wednesday in an email to the Associated Press. “There are details, as part of…

UNO Privateers baseball upsets No. 2 LSU – WWLTV.com

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Photo: UNO Athletics Privateers Baseball  NEW ORLEANS – Playing in front of the largest crowd at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark since the facility was rebuilt in 2014, the University of New Orleans baseball team claimed a marque victory for its home field on Tuesday night with an 11-8 victory over No. 2 LSU. BOX SCORE PDF With the victory, the Privateers improve to 4-0 for the first time…

Vote: Will these rules speed up baseball games? – Atlanta Journal Constitution

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The average major league baseball game in 2016 played for 3 hours, 2 minutes with only two teams averaging a game time of less than two hours — the Atlanta Braves were not one of them.

Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez is hoping to represent Mexico in World Baseball Classic – Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

At some point during the first week of March, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will have his right elbow examined. “Up until then,” Gonzalez said, “there’s no updates.” Gonzalez was diagnosed with inflammation before his arrival at Camelback Ranch last week. His availability for opening day is not considered in doubt. But he may have to sit out the World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez hopes to play in one or two games…

Facebook Is in Talks to Stream Major League Baseball Games – Bloomberg

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Facebook Inc. is in talks to stream Major League Baseball games, according to a person familiar with the matter, the latest sign professional sports leagues are embracing social media as a way to reach viewers. The deal would involve one game a week in the coming season, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. An agreement with Facebook would need to be approved by…

Money for nothing: Baseball’s worst contracts in 2017 – ESPN

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

8:30 AM ET Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email comment One of my favorite annual features to put together is our list of the best and worst contracts in baseball. You don’t see the impact of money directly on the field, but there’s no denying that it is an elemental aspect of how teams are constructed and has been crucial for nearly a half-century now. But we’re doing one thing…

Major League Baseball Is Changing How Intentional Walks Are Given Out – Huffington Post

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

This makes the four-pitch walk older than large mitts for catchers (1891), the infield fly rule (1895) and the sacrifice fly (1908), but not as old as coaches (1887), chest protectors (1885), 15-inch canvas bases and the location of home plate (1877), Baseball Almanac says. 

Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez is hoping to represent Mexico in World Baseball Classic – Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

At some point during the first week of March, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will have his right elbow examined. “Up until then,” Gonzalez said, “there’s no updates.” Gonzalez was diagnosed with inflammation before his arrival at Camelback Ranch last week. His availability for opening day is not considered in doubt. But he may have to sit out the World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez hopes to play in one or two games…

Money for nothing: Baseball’s worst contracts in 2017 – ESPN

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

8:30 AM ET Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email comment One of my favorite annual features to put together is our list of the best and worst contracts in baseball. You don’t see the impact of money directly on the field, but there’s no denying that it is an elemental aspect of how teams are constructed and has been crucial for nearly a half-century now. But we’re doing one thing…

MLB commish Rob Manfred sees Las Vegas and future Word Baseball Classics as viable – CBSSports.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made waves Tuesday when he revealed the league had — and would impose its — unilateral say over rules come next season. Naturally, rumors of a pitch clock, reduced strike zone and the automation of intentional walks followed. But whereas those changes could be coming to MLB in 2018, Manfred also speculated on other changes that could be years off — like the future…

Fantasy Baseball Today Podcast: Second base preview – CBSSports.com

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Subscribe for free!: iTunes | RSS | Stitcher | TuneIn In 2015, two players who are currently eligible at second base hit 20 or more home runs. One year later, 15 second base eligible players reached the 20-homer mark. The landscape has changed, and your strategy must change with it. We are previewing second base on this edition of the Fantasy Baseball Podcast.   2017 Draft Prep Guide More from today’s show: Scott and Heath tell us…

Money for nothing: Baseball’s worst contracts in 2017 – ESPN

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

8:30 AM ET Facebook Twitter Facebook Messenger Pinterest Email comment One of my favorite annual features to put together is our list of the best and worst contracts in baseball. You don’t see the impact of money directly on the field, but there’s no denying that it is an elemental aspect of how teams are constructed and has been crucial for nearly a half-century now. But we’re doing one thing…

Youth Baseball Games In Panama Are Rowdier Than Anything In MLB – Deadspin

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Photo via FEDEBEIS PANAMA CITY, Panama — Baseball was on. Real, true baseball. A sweltering Friday night, a flashy casino in the heart of Panama City, an enormous projector looming over the slot machines, showing the game. To this American, whose offseason antsiness is fading into the inevitable letdown of spring training, catching a glimpse of competitive baseball in the wild was like a shot of adrenaline; an energizing respite…

Former baseball President gets weekends in jail – WKBW-TV

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) – A former Youth Baseball President will be spending his weekends in jail. A judge sentenced 46-year-old Kevin Chodkowski to weekends in jail for 90 days after he admitted to embezzling money from a youth baseball organization. Chodkowski pleaded guilty to Attempted Grand Larceny in December. While serving as President of the West Seneca Youth Baseball Association from 2011-2014, prosecutors say Chodkowski stole $49,000 by making unauthorized withdrawals…