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Is MLB’s pitch clock leading to better defense? Some players and coaches think so

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The pitch clock may be bothering players as they step to the plate, but they like it a whole lot better once they put on their gloves and take the field.While the rule changes put in place this year to speed up the pace of play have garnered plenty of attention for how they’ve affected hitters and pitchers, some players and managers say the new guidelines also are positively impacting defense. The pitch clock in particular — an idea meant to make it easier for fans to stay focused on the field — may be keeping fielders locked in, too.“I think it’s helping defensively a lot, just because you don’t have the down time to really kind of walk around,” said Seattle Mariners second baseman Kolten Wong, a two-time Gold Glove winner. “You’re not cleaning dirt, you’re constantly back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. So, I’m a big fan of it.”The pitch clock adopted this year — along with limits on infield shifts and several other rules — gives pitchers 15 seconds bet...

Spirited, candy-eating heptathlete Anna Hall has world title on mind and world record in sight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

Heptathlete Anna Hall isn’t one to hold back her emotions. Those grimaces or dances reveal her precise thoughts about a particular jump, throw or run.She’s an open book, too — with her journal. The reigning world bronze medalist encourages her coaches to scan her entries for insight into her workout mindset (the doodles happen to be a nice bonus).The fun-loving, candy-chomping 22-year-old from Colorado who labels herself a “big goofball” is emerging as the next big name in track and field. She might even be the one to break Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s nearly 35-year-old world heptathlon record.“What I see are all the tools to rewrite the record books,” Joyner-Kersee said in a phone interview on the eve of the U.S. championships that start Thursday at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. “You’re seeing greatness in motion without even knowing the greatness is before you, because of her natural ability. When you see Anna compete, she competes with joy.”She may even have with her a packag...

England win toss and bowling first against Australia in 3rd Ashes test at Headingley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

LEEDS, England (AP) — England won the toss and chose to field first against Australia in the third Ashes test at Headingley on Thursday.The home side wanted first crack on a green-tinged pitch in partly cloudy conditions with a chance of scattered showers.England must win to stay alive in the five-match series. Australia can clinch the series at 2-0 up.Allrounder Mitchell Marsh will play his first test since the last time Australia toured here in 2019. He replaced Cameron Green, who has a hamstring strain but should be fit for the fourth test at Old Trafford.Fast bowler Scott Boland was in for Josh Hazlewood, whose workload was being managed after playing consecutive tests. Spinner Todd Murphy will make his Ashes debut after four tests in India this year as the replacement for Nathan Lyon, who tore his calf in the 43-run win at Lord’s last week.“Toddy was a star in India, he’s pumped and ready to go,” captain Pat Cummins said.Steve Smith will play his 100th test.“Huge, t...

Más de 15 millones de personas están bajo la amenaza de tormentas severas en todo el centro de EE.UU.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

(CNN) — Según el Centro de Predicción de Tormentas (SPC, por sus siglas en inglés), más de 15 millones de personas del centro de EE.UU. están amenazadas por tormentas fuertes este jueves.El riesgo de tormentas fuertes, nivel 3 de 5, está en vigor en partes del este de Colorado, oeste de Kansas y noroeste de Oklahoma, incluyendo Denver, Colorado Springs y Pueblo.Las principales amenazas son granizo grande a muy grande, vientos dañinos superiores a 120 km/h y tornados. El Centro de Predicción Meteorológica (WPC) advierte de que estas tormentas también pueden ir acompañadas de fuertes precipitaciones.“Las precipitaciones pueden dar lugar a inundaciones repentinas”, advierte el WPC.Un ligero riesgo de tormentas severas, nivel 2 de 5, está en efecto a través del sureste de Montana hasta el norte de Texas Panhandle, incluyendo Wichita, Rapid City, Cheyenne y Casper.Las principales amenazas son granizo grande a muy grande, ráfagas de viento dañinas y la posibilidad de un ...

Slokavia defender Milan Skriniar joins PSG on a five-year deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain bolstered its defense on Thursday by signing Milan Skriniar on a five-year deal, a year after missing out on the former Inter Milan center back.PSG announced its first new player of the summer a day after unveiling new coach Luis Enrique.Out of contract with Inter, the powerfully-built Slovak international had been in talks with PSG for months after the French champions failed to reach a financial agreement with the Serie A side last year.PSG has reportedly been very active on the transfer market in recent weeks and is expected to announce further signings. Luis Enrique has pledged to build a competitive team in a bid to challenge for the Champions League title. The 28-year-old Skriniar joined Sampdoria in 2016 and became the youngest defender to play at least 35 games in Serie A, PSG said. He then moved to Inter Milan and played 246 matches with 10 goals in five seasons.“There’s always pressure when you join a club like Paris Saint-Germain,” Skrinia...

Officer opens fire at suspects targeting homeless encampments with fireworks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Police in Lakewood opened fire on suspects who were allegedly throwing fireworks at homeless encampments on Colfax.The Lakewood Police Department tweeted about a large police presence in the area of Colfax and Teller just after 4:30 a.m. Thursday. The area is in the Edgewood neighborhood just west of Sloan's Lake Park.FOX31's Jim Hooley is on the scene and spoke with LPD who said at least two suspects were driving down Colfax and throwing lit fireworks at homeless encampments. One person without housing who was targeted by the fireworks threw a rock back at the suspects and broke the back window of their vehicle. Do you recognize this man? He’s accused of stealing bras and panties LPD said they arrived on scene and began speaking to the people in the homeless encampment. At that point, the suspect's vehicle returned to the area. According to LPD, the officer felt threatened and one round was fired at the car. No one was hit by the gunfire, and no injuries have been...

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ gets release date and bold new trailer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

(CNN) — Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese’s buzzy new project “Killers of the Flower Moon” will hit theaters in October.The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons.Based on a true story, “Killers” is a western crime drama hybrid mixed with the improbable love story of Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Gladstone) at its center.“At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight,” states the film’s official synopsis. “The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder.”A new trailer was released Wednesday, along with the release date for the film, which will be October 6 in selected theaters and wide on October 20, before streaming globally on Apple TV+“Killers of the Flower Moon” is directed by Scorsese from a screenplay by E...

15-year-old shares recovery amidst surge of shark bites in New York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

NEW YORK (WSVN) — As a recent surge in shark attacks raised concerns among New York beachgoers, state officials have confirmed at least five shark bites, including a 15-year-old surfer who was attacked while catching waves nearby.The attack on the teen marked the latest in a series of shark-related incidents occurring as more and more people flock to the nation’s beaches. Peter Banculli, who was bitten by a shark earlier this week, remained in good spirits despite the shark attack. His foot, heavily bandaged, now requires him to use a knee scooter for mobility. “My first reaction when the shark grabbed my foot was to immediately get out of the water and get help,” he said.Peter’s left heel and toes were bitten by the predator while he was surfing on Monday evening. He managed to swim to shore and credits his friend and a good Samaritan for providing assistance until first responders arrived.Peter’s mother, Kelly, expressed her initial disbelief upon hea...

Westminster’s tweeters flock to Threads … as the EU misses out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

LONDON — Move over Twitter: Westminster’s finest have a new way to hand over their personal data and break their brains.Just hours after launching on Thursday, Threads — the Twitter rival from Facebook and Instagram owner Meta — is already home to a host of prominent British political tweeters seeking sanctuary from Elon Musk’s troubled platform.And, with the app remaining off-limits in the European Union amid competition concerns, there was plenty of room for gloating about a supposed Brexit dividend.Quick out of the traps to sign up Thursday were social media-savvy Tory MPs including Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, Leveling-Up Minister Dehennna Davison and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Shapps, an early adopter of Twitter back in 2008, said Threads’ launch reminded him “of when I was the first MP on Twitter. At the time few thought it would amount to much. Let’s see what we’re saying about Threads in 14 years time!”Labour frontbenchers Wes Streeting and Alison M...

Found Summer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:21 GMT

How about that pool/beach day we had yesterday?! Finally, right? If this is your vacation week, it was a rough start to it with complexes of showers and storms keeping it wet and overcast for long stretches, so the sun and the warmth yesterday was a welcomed change. Temps did reach the low 90s inland, while holding in the 80s near the coast. Today, it’ll be very similar. While it is warm and humid today, and good beach/pool weather overall, just keep an eye to the sky for a brief passing showers/storm. They will be few and far between, with only 10-20% of the area picking up on one, but the will be out there. It’ll be coolest at the coast again this afternoon, but temps still run in the upper 70s to 80s there. Waves run 2 feet and water temps have warmed into the 60s to low 70s, so some nice hours on the beach are certainly in store today and again tomorrow. Tomorrow won’t be much different, as highs run in the 80s to near 90. Warmest inland. With the warmth, the...