Category: Sports

MLB releases 2021 schedule; all 30 teams to open on April 1

MLB releases 2021 schedule; all 30 teams to open on April 1
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball will open the 2021 season on April 1 and hopes to have every team play its first game on the same day for the first time since 1968. The league released the full schedule Thursday, two weeks before it plans to begin a 2020 season that’s been delayed and shortened by the coronavirus pandemic. MLB intended to start this season on March 26, its earliest opening date ever except for international games. The league also hoped to have all 30 clubs play on the same opening day this season, but that was spoiled when Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended spring training in March.

NFL’s stay-at-home order means no travel for training camp. Steelers 54 year Streak at St. Vincent Broken

NFL’s stay-at-home order means no travel for training camp
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer
The NFL’s version of a stay-at-home order is interrupting the fading but still time-honored tradition of teams traveling for training camp. The pandemic forced the league to tell clubs they had to stay in their own facilities for camp. The edict is ending the latest California run for the Dallas Cowboys. The Pittsburgh Steelers will see the end of a 54-year streak in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Most or all teams went away for camp for decades. But that number has dwindled to single digits. Training camps are scheduled to start July 28.

17 Apply for Aliquippa Boys Basketball Coaching Position, Hines Does Not Reapply

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano


(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa School District Athletic Director Brandon  LeDonne said this morning there  has been overwhelming support for  Dwight “Dewey ” Hines whose contract wasn’t renewed by the Aliqquippa School board  at its June meeting. Ines didn’t reapply for the position even though his  supporters  urged him.

LeDonne said this morning  approximately 17 individuals have applied as of Monday’s deadline. He said he actually thought more prospects would have applied.
There is a school board meeting next Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Black Box Theater.  LeDonne said a decision could  possibly  be made at the August meeting..

NASCAR 7-Time Champ Jimmie Johnson cleared to race after 2 negative coronavirus tests

Johnson cleared to race after 2 negative coronavirus tests
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson has twice tested negative for the coronavirus and has been cleared to race Sunday at Kentucky Speedway. Johnson missed the first race of his Cup career when he tested positive last Friday. He was tested after his wife received a positive result. Hendrick Motorsports says Johnson tested negative on Monday and Tuesday and will return to the No. 48 Chevrolet. Johnson’s streak of 663 consecutive starts — most among active drivers — was snapped when he didn’t race Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

NHL, players’ union announce plan to resume play on Aug. 1

NHL, players’ union announce plan to resume play on Aug. 1
By JOHN WAWROW and STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writers
The National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association have reached a tentative agreement to return to play this season and extend their collective bargaining agreement by four years. Training camps would open July 13 and games would resume Aug. 1 if approved by the league’s board of governors and players’ executive committee and full membership. The NHL is going straight to the playoffs with 24 teams resuming play. Those teams will travel to one of two “hub” cities July 26. A person with direct knowledge of the agreements told The Associated Press that the NHL has selected Toronto and Edmonton, Alberta, to be the hub cities in hosting the qualifying round and at least first two playoff rounds.

Jimmie Johnson 1st NASCAR driver to test positive for virus

Jimmie Johnson 1st NASCAR driver to test positive for virus
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus. The seven-time champion will miss what was supposed to be his final Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend. He will be sidelined and miss testing an Indy car on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next week. Johnson had talked about the test and the possibility of running the Indianapolis 500. Hours later, he said he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Baseball’s minor leagues cancel 2020 seasons

Baseball’s minor leagues cancel 2020 seasons
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball’s minor leagues canceled their seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the head of their governing body said more than half the 160 teams were in danger of failing without government assistance or private equity injections. The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues made the long-expected announcement. Pat O’Conner, the president of the governing body, O’Conner estimated 85-90% of revenue was related to ticket money, concessions, parking and ballpark advertising. The minors drew 41.5 million fans last year for 176 teams in 15 leagues.

Pirates RHP Santana banned 80 games for drugs, out this year

Pirates RHP Santana banned 80 games for drugs, out this year
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Edgar Santana has been suspended for 80 games after violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The club announced that Santana tested positive Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance. The 28-year-old Santana is in the process of a comeback after missing all of the 2019 season following reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in September 2018. Santana is 3-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 88 career games, all with the Pirates. He worked five hitless innings of relief in spring training before the MLB season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harvick knocks off Pocono from winless list

Late scratch: Harvick knocks off Pocono from winless list
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Kevin Harvick snapped an 0-for-38 drought at Pocono Raceway, taking the checkered flag Saturday at one of two tracks where victory had eluded him. Harvick won the first of two NASCAR Cup races in front of no fans this weekend at Pocono and will start 20th on Sunday with the field set by inverting the lead-lap finishers. Harvick has won at every active track except Kentucky Speedway (nine tries) and the 2014 series champion has three wins overall for Stewart-Haas Racing this season. Harvick held off a hard-charging Denny Hamlin for his 52nd career Cup victory. He had 12 top-five finishes in his other 38 starts at Pocono.

Pocono twin bill weekend loses luster with no fans at track

Pocono twin bill weekend loses luster with no fans at track
By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer
LONG POND, Pa. (AP) — Pocono Raceway is set to hold two NASCAR Cup Series races this weekend without any fans. One race is Saturday, and the race on Sunday comes with a twist. The field for Sunday’s race will be set by inverting the lead-lap finishers from race No. 1.   Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick are 5-1 favorites on Saturday.