DETROIT (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered twice, Seth Lugo gave up just four hits over eight strong innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 7-1. Bobby Witt Jr. also homered for the Royals, who are 4-0 on their current road trip. Detroit has lost four in a row and been outscored 25-5 in that span. Lugo (13-5) gave up one run, struck out three and walked one after going 1-3 in July. He is 7-0 with a 1.31 ERA in nine starts against the AL Central this season. Detroit's Keider Montero (1-5) allowed four runs on six hits in a career-high seven innings.

CHICAGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Mike Tauchman doubled in Dansby Swanson with the winning run as the Chicago Cubs scored three times in the ninth inning to rally for a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With Chicago down 4-2, Cody Bellinger hit a solo homer with one out. After Nico Hoerner singled and stole second, Swanson followed with an RBI double to tie it. Tauchman lined St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley’s 2-2 fastball down the left field line for the win. Seiya Suzuki hit a 459-foot solo shot in the sixth inning for his second hit of the night. The team said it was the longest by a Cubs player this season.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels star Mike Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee. The operation will end another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. Trout said Thursday in a social media post that an MRI revealed the new meniscus tear. He previously had surgery on May 3 to repair the meniscus and had been working toward a return before his rehab was shut down on Tuesday. Trout says he was “devastated” by the news. Trout batted .220 with 10 homers and 14 RBIs in 29 games this season. The 32-year-old has been limited by a series of injuries over the past five years.

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — While Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud and other starters from both teams watched from the sideline, the NFL’s new kickoffs didn’t provide any excitement. Brett Rypien stole the show before lighting and heavy rain ended the game. The veteran quarterback threw three touchdown passes, leading the Chicago Bears to a 21-17 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game. The NFL’s exhibition opener was stopped with 3:31 left in the third quarter and was called off after a 36-minute delay. All eyes were on the NFL’s radical new kickoffs rule at the start. The league dramatically redesigned the play, aiming to revive it after a record-low returns last season.

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The first two kickoffs under the NFL’s radical new rule were both returned a yard farther than the old touchback. Houston’s Steven Sims fielded Cairo Santos’ kickoff at the 5 and ran 21 yards before he was tackled at the 26 to open Thursday night’s preseason game between the Texans and Chicago Bears. Touchbacks used to result in the offense starting at the 25. After the Texans scored on the opening drive, Chicago’s Tyler Scott caught Ka’imi Fairbairn’s kickoff at the 7 and returned it 19 yards to the 26. With both teams sitting starters, all eyes were on the overhauled kickoffs during the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will miss at least the next two weeks because of an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot. The injury was diagnosed following practice Wednesday. Doctors expect that the fifth-year quarterback will be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Herbert will spend two weeks in a walking boot followed by what the Chargers termed “a graduated return to play protocol.” It is the first significant injury during Jim Harbaugh’s first training camp as Chargers coach. Harbaugh has made it a priority to slowly ramp up the intensity of practices to prevent soft tissue injuries.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew are locked in an even battle to become the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback. Coach Antonio Pierce said he was waiting for one of them to take charge. There are several teams with similar questions at that position around the NFL. Quarterbacks are competing for starting jobs with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Expected starters with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings are being pushed to keep those spots.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge overturned a jury’s $4.7 billion verdict in the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL and granted judgment to the NFL. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez ruled Thursday that the testimony of two witnesses for the subscribers had flawed methodologies and should have been excluded. The jury on June 27 awarded $4.7 billion in damages to residential and commercial subscribers after it ruled the NFL violated antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on a premium subscription service.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business. Federal prosecutors say Mathew Bowyer’s business operated for at least five years in Southern California and Las Vegas and took wagers from more than 700 bettors, including Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Bowyer is expected to plead guilty Aug. 9 to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return.

UNDATED (AP) — College sports leaders believe they have found a way through a massive antitrust settlement to finally separate “true NIL” for athletes from what they say is booster-funded pay-for-play. If the settlement is approved by a judge, mandatory disclosure rules, an outside clearinghouse to assess deals and an enforcement process that includes neutral arbitrators will be used to scrutinize transactions between college athletes and third parties for fair-market value. The plan is targeting so-called NIL collectives. For some, it looks like an overstep by the NCAA. Others see ample precedent in professional leagues to support regulating NIL.

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia has opened practice without wide receiver Rara Thomas, who has been dismissed from the team following his arrest on charges of cruelty to children and battery. Coach Kirby Smart says he met with Thomas on Tuesday and informed the junior of the decision. Thomas was arrested early Friday on felony charges of cruelty to children and misdemeanor battery charges. Georgia announced after the arrest Thomas was indefinitely suspended. Thursday’s announcement made the removal of Thomas from the team permanent. Thomas was released on $3,500 bond Tuesday. Georgia was picked to win the league at SEC media days.

PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles edged Rebeca Andrade of Brazil during a tense all-around gymnastics final Thursday to become a two-time Olympic champion. Biles’ total of 59.131 was just ahead of Andrade at 57.932. That's one of the closest calls Biles has ever endured at a major international event. Still, the meet ended just like all the ones Biles has started and finished over the last 11 years: with hugs and gold on the way. American Sunisa Lee, the defending Olympic all-around champion, earned the bronze.

VILLEPINTE, France (AP) — Imane Khelif of Algeria won her opening Olympic boxing bout when opponent Angela Carini of Italy quit after just 46 seconds. Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test, and her presence at the Paris Olympics has become a divisive issue. Carini and Khelif exchanged only a few punches before Carini walked away. Her headgear apparently became dislodged before she quit. Carini didn’t shake Khelif’s hand after the decision was announced but cried in the ring. Afterward, she said she quit because of intense pain in her nose after the opening punches. She said she wasn’t making a political statement and wasn't refusing to fight Khelif.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Friday, August 2nd, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Friday, August 2nd, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8550684/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>DETROIT (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered twice, Seth Lugo gave up just four hits over eight strong innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 7-1. Bobby Witt Jr. also homered for the Royals, who are 4-0 on their current road trip. Detroit has lost four in a row and been outscored 25-5 in that span. Lugo (13-5) gave up one run, struck out three and walked one after going 1-3 in July. He is 7-0 with a 1.31 ERA in nine starts against the AL Central this season. Detroit's Keider Montero (1-5) allowed four runs on six hits in a career-high seven innings.CHICAGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Mike Tauchman doubled in Dansby Swanson with the winning run as the Chicago Cubs scored three times in the ninth inning to rally for a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With Chicago down 4-2, Cody Bellinger hit a solo homer with one out. After Nico Hoerner singled and stole second, Swanson followed with an RBI double to tie it. Tauchman lined St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley’s 2-2 fastball down the left field line for the win. Seiya Suzuki hit a 459-foot solo shot in the sixth inning for his second hit of the night. The team said it was the longest by a Cubs player this season.ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels star Mike Trout needs a second surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee. The operation will end another injury-marred campaign for the three-time MVP. Trout said Thursday in a social media post that an MRI revealed the new meniscus tear. He previously had surgery on May 3 to repair the meniscus and had been working toward a return before his rehab was shut down on Tuesday. Trout says he was “devastated” by the news. Trout batted .220 with 10 homers and 14 RBIs in 29 games this season. The 32-year-old has been limited by a series of injuries over the past five years.CANTON, Ohio (AP) — While Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud and other starters from both teams watched from the sideline, the NFL’s new kickoffs didn’t provide any excitement. Brett Rypien stole the show before lighting and heavy rain ended the game. The veteran quarterback threw three touchdown passes, leading the Chicago Bears to a 21-17 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game. The NFL’s exhibition opener was stopped with 3:31 left in the third quarter and was called off after a 36-minute delay. All eyes were on the NFL’s radical new kickoffs rule at the start. The league dramatically redesigned the play, aiming to revive it after a record-low returns last season.CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The first two kickoffs under the NFL’s radical new rule were both returned a yard farther than the old touchback. Houston’s Steven Sims fielded Cairo Santos’ kickoff at the 5 and ran 21 yards before he was tackled at the 26 to open Thursday night’s preseason game between the Texans and Chicago Bears. Touchbacks used to result in the offense starting at the 25. After the Texans scored on the opening drive, Chicago’s Tyler Scott caught Ka’imi Fairbairn’s kickoff at the 7 and returned it 19 yards to the 26. With both teams sitting starters, all eyes were on the overhauled kickoffs during the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will miss at least the next two weeks because of an injury to the plantar fascia in his right foot. The injury was diagnosed following practice Wednesday. Doctors expect that the fifth-year quarterback will be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Herbert will spend two weeks in a walking boot followed by what the Chargers termed “a graduated return to play protocol.” It is the first significant injury during Jim Harbaugh’s first training camp as Chargers coach. Harbaugh has made it a priority to slowly ramp up the intensity of practices to prevent soft tissue injuries.COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew are locked in an even battle to become the Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback. Coach Antonio Pierce said he was waiting for one of them to take charge. There are several teams with similar questions at that position around the NFL. Quarterbacks are competing for starting jobs with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Expected starters with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings are being pushed to keep those spots.LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge overturned a jury’s $4.7 billion verdict in the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL and granted judgment to the NFL. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez ruled Thursday that the testimony of two witnesses for the subscribers had flawed methodologies and should have been excluded. The jury on June 27 awarded $4.7 billion in damages to residential and commercial subscribers after it ruled the NFL violated antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on a premium subscription service.LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California bookmaker who took thousands of sports bets from the ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to running an illegal gambling business. Federal prosecutors say Mathew Bowyer’s business operated for at least five years in Southern California and Las Vegas and took wagers from more than 700 bettors, including Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Bowyer is expected to plead guilty Aug. 9 to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering, and subscribing to a false tax return.UNDATED (AP) — College sports leaders believe they have found a way through a massive antitrust settlement to finally separate “true NIL” for athletes from what they say is booster-funded pay-for-play. If the settlement is approved by a judge, mandatory disclosure rules, an outside clearinghouse to assess deals and an enforcement process that includes neutral arbitrators will be used to scrutinize transactions between college athletes and third parties for fair-market value. The plan is targeting so-called NIL collectives. For some, it looks like an overstep by the NCAA. Others see ample precedent in professional leagues to support regulating NIL.ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia has opened practice without wide receiver Rara Thomas, who has been dismissed from the team following his arrest on charges of cruelty to children and battery. Coach Kirby Smart says he met with Thomas on Tuesday and informed the junior of the decision. Thomas was arrested early Friday on felony charges of cruelty to children and misdemeanor battery charges. Georgia announced after the arrest Thomas was indefinitely suspended. Thursday’s announcement made the removal of Thomas from the team permanent. Thomas was released on $3,500 bond Tuesday. Georgia was picked to win the league at SEC media days.PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles edged Rebeca Andrade of Brazil during a tense all-around gymnastics final Thursday to become a two-time Olympic champion. Biles’ total of 59.131 was just ahead of Andrade at 57.932. That's one of the closest calls Biles has ever endured at a major international event. Still, the meet ended just like all the ones Biles has started and finished over the last 11 years: with hugs and gold on the way. American Sunisa Lee, the defending Olympic all-around champion, earned the bronze.VILLEPINTE, France (AP) — Imane Khelif of Algeria won her opening Olympic boxing bout when opponent Angela Carini of Italy quit after just 46 seconds. Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 world championships after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test, and her presence at the Paris Olympics has become a divisive issue. Carini and Khelif exchanged only a few punches before Carini walked away. Her headgear apparently became dislodged before she quit. Carini didn’t shake Khelif’s hand after the decision was announced but cried in the ring. Afterward, she said she quit because of intense pain in her nose after the opening punches. She said she wasn’t making a political statement and wasn't refusing to fight Khelif.THURSDAY SCORESAMERICAN LEAGUEINTERLEAGUEFinal Colorado 5 L.A. Angels 4AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Kansas City 7 Detroit 1Final Cleveland 10 Baltimore 3NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Atlanta 4 Miami 2

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Friday

WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;The Hutchinson Monarchs edged out Santa Barbara Foresters with a 3-2 win on Thursday night at Eck Stadium in Wichita.

 The game was marked by strong pitching performances from both teams. For the Foresters, Jackson Cloud pitched 7 innings, giving up only 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7. Jake Fields pitched in relief, allowing just one unearned run over 1 inning.

Offensively, the Monarchs were led by Camden Johnson and Jaden Gustafson, each driving in a run to secure the victory. Johnson went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Gustafson contributed with a hit and an RBI as well. The Monarchs scored their two initial runs in the third inning and added an insurance run in the eighth.

For the Foresters, Andrew Semo had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with a double. TJ Pompey scored one of the team’s runs, and Jonah Sebring added two hits. The Foresters scored in the second inning and mounted a late rally in the ninth, scoring another run, but ultimately fell short.

Bradyn McClure earned the win for the Monarchs, pitching 7 innings and allowing only one run on 4 hits while striking out 5. Reece Usselman and Ian Lanik earned the save despite allowing an unearned run in the ninth. Lanik, got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam only allowing just one unearned run to earn the save.

The Monarchs’ victory advances them to the semifinals where they will play the Kansas Cannons, while the Foresters finish in fifth place. Hutchinson eliminated the Foresters in 2023 to win their first ever NBC World Series Championship

The other semi-final will consist of the Hays Larks versus the Lonestar Baseball team out of Texas.

Three of the four remaining teams are from Kansas. Hutchinson is the defending NBC World Series Champions.

For more NBC World Series information click <a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/tournament-central-2024/">here</a>.

<a href="https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=616941">BOXSCORE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722596358642.jpeg" alt="Monarchs advance to semi-finals with win over Foresters" />
 <figcaption>Monarchs advance to semi-finals with win over Foresters</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. -&nbsp;The Hutchinson Monarchs edged out Santa Barbara Foresters with a 3-2 win on Thursday night at Eck Stadium in Wichita. The game was marked by strong pitching performances from both teams. For the Foresters, Jackson Cloud pitched 7 innings, giving up only 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7. Jake Fields pitched in relief, allowing just one unearned run over 1 inning.Offensively, the Monarchs were led by Camden Johnson and Jaden Gustafson, each driving in a run to secure the victory. Johnson went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Gustafson contributed with a hit and an RBI as well. The Monarchs scored their two initial runs in the third inning and added an insurance run in the eighth.For the Foresters, Andrew Semo had a standout performance, going 3-for-4 with a double. TJ Pompey scored one of the team’s runs, and Jonah Sebring added two hits. The Foresters scored in the second inning and mounted a late rally in the ninth, scoring another run, but ultimately fell short.Bradyn McClure earned the win for the Monarchs, pitching 7 innings and allowing only one run on 4 hits while striking out 5. Reece Usselman and Ian Lanik earned the save despite allowing an unearned run in the ninth. Lanik, got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam only allowing just one unearned run to earn the save.The Monarchs’ victory advances them to the semifinals where they will play the Kansas Cannons, while the Foresters finish in fifth place. Hutchinson eliminated the Foresters in 2023 to win their first ever NBC World Series ChampionshipThe other semi-final will consist of the Hays Larks versus the Lonestar Baseball team out of Texas.Three of the four remaining teams are from Kansas. Hutchinson is the defending NBC World Series Champions.For more NBC World Series information click <a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/tournament-central-2024/">here</a>.<a href="https://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=616941">BOXSCORE</a>

⚾ Hutch Monarchs edge Santa Barbara; advance to semi's in NBC World Series

DETROIT (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered twice, Seth Lugo gave up just four hits over eight strong innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 7-1 on Thursday night.

Bobby Witt Jr. also homered for the Royals, who are 4-0 on their current road trip. Detroit has lost four in a row and been outscored 25-5 in those games.

“Vinnie is a run producer and he's had some big games for us lately — following up the homer yesterday with two today,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Bobby was in a mini-slump for him — he was 0 for 2 before he hit the homer and double.”

Lugo (13-5) gave up one run, struck out three and walked one after going 1/3 in July. He is 7-0 with a 1.31 ERA in nine starts against the AL Central this season.

“The game plan was just to attack hitters,” Lugo said. “I want the ball and I'm in a great place physically. I wanted the ninth, but (Quatraro) made the smart play there.”

Keider Montero (1-5) allowed four runs on six hits in a career-high seven innings. The rookie, one of Detroit's only two healthy starting pitchers, allowed three runs before he got an out, but settled down.

“We made an adjustment to the pitching plan after that inning,” he said through an interpreter. “We knew they were sitting on the slider, so we went to the fastball and the change to keep them off balance.”

Maikel Garcia started the game with a single and stole second and third without throws. Witt walked and Pasquantino lined his 13th homer into the right-field stands for a 3-0 lead.

“With a runner on third and no one out, I'm just trying to get the ball in the air,” Pasquantino said.

Bligh Madris got the Tigers on the board with a fourth-inning sacrifice fly, but Freddy Fermin's RBI single gave Kansas City a 4-1 lead in the seventh.

“Lugo is an All-Star and he's smart,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He's got a ton of pitches that he can use and he feeds off early-count overaggressiveness.”

Witt and Pasquantino hit back-to-back homers in the eighth off Brenan Hanifee. It was Pasquantino's first multi-homer game, coming in the same stadium where he hit his first major league homer on July 1, 2022.

“It was nice to jog around the bases this time instead of getting tagged out at second,” said Pasquantino, whose first homer only came after a replay review. “It's nice to have two great memories here.”

“He's an incredible player and he's the face of baseball going forward — at least part of the face,” Hinch said. “He gets on base, he has power, he has speed — he's a generational player for a reason.”

The Tigers, who only had 23 players on the active roster after the trading deadline, activated SS Javier Báez from the bereavement list and selected Hanifee and LHP Sean Guenther from Triple-A Toledo. Detroit will have 11 relievers for the four-game Royals series.

The teams play the second of the four-game series on Friday night, with Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (12-3, 2.35) facing LHP Cole Ragans (7-7, 3.37).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722591825641.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Vinnie Pasquantino homered twice, Seth Lugo gave up just four hits over eight strong innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 7-1 on Thursday night.Bobby Witt Jr. also homered for the Royals, who are 4-0 on their current road trip. Detroit has lost four in a row and been outscored 25-5 in those games.“Vinnie is a run producer and he's had some big games for us lately — following up the homer yesterday with two today,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Bobby was in a mini-slump for him — he was 0 for 2 before he hit the homer and double.”Lugo (13-5) gave up one run, struck out three and walked one after going 1/3 in July. He is 7-0 with a 1.31 ERA in nine starts against the AL Central this season.“The game plan was just to attack hitters,” Lugo said. “I want the ball and I'm in a great place physically. I wanted the ninth, but (Quatraro) made the smart play there.”Keider Montero (1-5) allowed four runs on six hits in a career-high seven innings. The rookie, one of Detroit's only two healthy starting pitchers, allowed three runs before he got an out, but settled down.“We made an adjustment to the pitching plan after that inning,” he said through an interpreter. “We knew they were sitting on the slider, so we went to the fastball and the change to keep them off balance.”Maikel Garcia started the game with a single and stole second and third without throws. Witt walked and Pasquantino lined his 13th homer into the right-field stands for a 3-0 lead.“With a runner on third and no one out, I'm just trying to get the ball in the air,” Pasquantino said.Bligh Madris got the Tigers on the board with a fourth-inning sacrifice fly, but Freddy Fermin's RBI single gave Kansas City a 4-1 lead in the seventh.“Lugo is an All-Star and he's smart,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He's got a ton of pitches that he can use and he feeds off early-count overaggressiveness.”Witt and Pasquantino hit back-to-back homers in the eighth off Brenan Hanifee. It was Pasquantino's first multi-homer game, coming in the same stadium where he hit his first major league homer on July 1, 2022.“It was nice to jog around the bases this time instead of getting tagged out at second,” said Pasquantino, whose first homer only came after a replay review. “It's nice to have two great memories here.”Witt added an RBI double in the ninth.“He's an incredible player and he's the face of baseball going forward — at least part of the face,” Hinch said. “He gets on base, he has power, he has speed — he's a generational player for a reason.”TRAINER'S ROOMThe Tigers, who only had 23 players on the active roster after the trading deadline, activated SS Javier Báez from the bereavement list and selected Hanifee and LHP Sean Guenther from Triple-A Toledo. Detroit will have 11 relievers for the four-game Royals series.UP NEXTThe teams play the second of the four-game series on Friday night, with Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (12-3, 2.35) facing LHP Cole Ragans (7-7, 3.37).

⚾ Royals beat Tigers to begin four game series

<a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/tournament-central-2024/">NBC World Series Tournament Central</a>

WICHITA, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs continue bracket play at the 90th NBC World Series against the Santa Barbara Foresters in the quarterfinals. First pitch from Eck Stadium on the Wichita State University campus is scheduled for 6 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721407331249.png" alt="Photo Courtesy NBC World Series" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy NBC World Series</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/tournament-central-2024/">NBC World Series Tournament Central</a>WICHITA, Kan. — The Hutchinson Monarchs continue bracket play at the 90th NBC World Series against the Santa Barbara Foresters in the quarterfinals. First pitch from Eck Stadium on the Wichita State University campus is scheduled for 6 p.m.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t9i9SaRgxQA?si=pJO1V0ih_JGEn4L0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥⚾ WATCH: Monarchs and Foresters in NBCWS quarterfinal at 6 p.m.

NEW YORK (AP) — The World Series could extend into November for the fourth straight year and will start on a Friday for the third consecutive time.

AL Division Series will have an extra scheduled off day between Games 1 and 2, a format that allows a team to have the same pitchers start Games 1 and 4, and Games 2 and 5 on normal four days’ rest. Last year, NL Division Series had the extra off day.

Major League Baseball said Thursday the Series will start on Oct. 25, putting a possible seventh game on Nov. 2. The Series went into November for the first time in 2001, when the 9/11 terrorist attacks caused the regular season to end a week later than originally scheduled. The latest a Series game has been played was Nov. 5, when Houston beat Philadelphia in Game 6 in 2022.

Before 2022, the World Series had not started on a Friday since 1915.

All four best-of-three Wild Card Series are scheduled for consecutive days from Oct. 1-3.

Twelve teams make the playoffs under the format that began in 2022. The top two teams in each league get first-round byes, while the No. 3 seed faces No. 6 and No. 4 plays No. 5. The higher seed will be home in each best-of-three series.

In the best-of-five Division Series, the top seed plays the 3-vs.-6 winner and the No. 2 seed plays the 4-vs.-5 winner. The Division Series will have the familiar format of the higher seed home for Games 1 and 2, and, if necessary, Game 5.

AL Division Series start on Oct. 5, have an off day followed by a game on Oct. 7, then switch to the other cities on Oct. 9-10. After another travel day, Game 5s would be played Oct. 12.

NL Division Series also will start Oct. 5-6 followed by travel day and switch to the other sites for games on Oct. 8-9. Game 5s would be Oct. 11.

The NL Championship Series starts Oct. 13 and the AL Championship Series the following day, with off days after Game 2s and Game 5s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1667138897638.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The World Series could extend into November for the fourth straight year and will start on a Friday for the third consecutive time.AL Division Series will have an extra scheduled off day between Games 1 and 2, a format that allows a team to have the same pitchers start Games 1 and 4, and Games 2 and 5 on normal four days’ rest. Last year, NL Division Series had the extra off day.Major League Baseball said Thursday the Series will start on Oct. 25, putting a possible seventh game on Nov. 2. The Series went into November for the first time in 2001, when the 9/11 terrorist attacks caused the regular season to end a week later than originally scheduled. The latest a Series game has been played was Nov. 5, when Houston beat Philadelphia in Game 6 in 2022.Before 2022, the World Series had not started on a Friday since 1915.All four best-of-three Wild Card Series are scheduled for consecutive days from Oct. 1-3.Twelve teams make the playoffs under the format that began in 2022. The top two teams in each league get first-round byes, while the No. 3 seed faces No. 6 and No. 4 plays No. 5. The higher seed will be home in each best-of-three series.In the best-of-five Division Series, the top seed plays the 3-vs.-6 winner and the No. 2 seed plays the 4-vs.-5 winner. The Division Series will have the familiar format of the higher seed home for Games 1 and 2, and, if necessary, Game 5.AL Division Series start on Oct. 5, have an off day followed by a game on Oct. 7, then switch to the other cities on Oct. 9-10. After another travel day, Game 5s would be played Oct. 12.NL Division Series also will start Oct. 5-6 followed by travel day and switch to the other sites for games on Oct. 8-9. Game 5s would be Oct. 11.The NL Championship Series starts Oct. 13 and the AL Championship Series the following day, with off days after Game 2s and Game 5s.

⚾ MLB announces postseason schedule

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The NFL’s new kickoff rule will make its debut when the preseason opens Thursday night with the Chicago Bears facing the Houston Texans.

While both teams are expected to sit starters, all eyes will be on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kickoff-rule-changes-2e1166daccae49508a5ec35e22d9a023">overhauled kickoffs</a>&nbsp;during the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.

NFL&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-owners-meetings-new-kickoff-rules-fc1bf4fddc86ef03cf6fbc44ba6c26a0">owners approved</a>&nbsp;a radical change for kickoffs in order to revive a “dead play” that saw a record-low returns last season.

For a standard kickoff, the ball will be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, five on each side of the field.

The return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There will be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.

Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also will result in a touchback at the 30.

If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback will be at the 20 or the ball could be returned.

If a kick goes out of bounds before the end zone, or hits the ground or is touched by the receiving team before reaching the landing zone, the return team gets the ball at the 40.

Owners agreed to a one-year trial of the new system that was heavily influenced by the kickoffs used in the XFL spring league.

Only 21.8% of all kickoffs were returned last season as both kicking and receiving teams too often chose to avoid the risk of a possible return.

The NFL estimates that more than half of all kickoffs will be returned this season. The goal is to increase the number of returns without making it more dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719524116479.png" alt="FILE – The NFL logo is seen during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. Opening arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 6, 2024, in federal court in a class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 and has withstood numerous challenges, including a dismissal that was overturned. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE – The NFL logo is seen during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. Opening arguments are expected to begin Thursday, June 6, 2024, in federal court in a class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers claiming the NFL broke antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 and has withstood numerous challenges, including a dismissal that was overturned. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>CANTON, Ohio (AP) — The NFL’s new kickoff rule will make its debut when the preseason opens Thursday night with the Chicago Bears facing the Houston Texans.While both teams are expected to sit starters, all eyes will be on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-kickoff-rule-changes-2e1166daccae49508a5ec35e22d9a023">overhauled kickoffs</a>&nbsp;during the annual Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Stadium.NFL&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nfl-owners-meetings-new-kickoff-rules-fc1bf4fddc86ef03cf6fbc44ba6c26a0">owners approved</a>&nbsp;a radical change for kickoffs in order to revive a “dead play” that saw a record-low returns last season.For a standard kickoff, the ball will be kicked from the 35-yard line with the 10 kick coverage players lined up at the opposing 40, five on each side of the field.The return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard line, with at least seven of those players touching the 35. There will be up to two returners allowed inside the 20.Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air can be returned, or the receiving team can opt for a touchback and possession at the 30. Any kick that reaches the end zone in the air and goes out of bounds or out of the end zone also will result in a touchback at the 30.If a ball hits a returner or the ground before the end zone and goes into the end zone, a touchback will be at the 20 or the ball could be returned.If a kick goes out of bounds before the end zone, or hits the ground or is touched by the receiving team before reaching the landing zone, the return team gets the ball at the 40.Owners agreed to a one-year trial of the new system that was heavily influenced by the kickoffs used in the XFL spring league.Only 21.8% of all kickoffs were returned last season as both kicking and receiving teams too often chose to avoid the risk of a possible return.The NFL estimates that more than half of all kickoffs will be returned this season. The goal is to increase the number of returns without making it more dangerous.

🏈 NFL’s revamped kickoff making it debut in the Hall of Fame game tonight

PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles remains peerless. Even when she’s not quite perfect.

The American gymnastics star edged Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade during a tense&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/simone-biles-olympics-gymnastics-updates">Olympic all-around final</a>&nbsp;Thursday. Biles’ total of 59.131 was just over a point ahead of Andrade at 57.932, one of the closest calls Biles has ever endured at a major international event.

Sunisa Lee, the Tokyo Olympics champion, earned bronze despite spending much of the last 15 months dealing with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-suni-lee-gymnastics-paris-7405ae9182a808aa95941e16add839a5">multiple kidney diseases</a>&nbsp;that left her return to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games">Games</a>&nbsp;very much in doubt.

Still, the meet ended just like all the ones Biles has started and finished over the last 11 years: with hugs and gold on the way.

And a silver goat chain — along with a gold medal — around the Greatest of All Time’s neck.

“It is crazy that I am in the conversation of ‘Greatest of all athletes’ because I just still think, ‘I’m Simone Biles from Spring, Texas who loves to flip,’” she said.

The margin was the smallest in a major international event since Biles captured the third of her record six world championships in 2015.

She was a teenager then. She’s an icon now.

The 27-year-old who is redefining what a gymnast can do — and just as notably, for how long she can do it — became the third woman to become a two-time Olympic champion, joining Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union in 1956 and 1960 and Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia in 1964 and 1968.

Biles also is the oldest woman to claim the biggest title in her sport since then 30-year-old Maria Gorokhovskaya of the Soviet Union won the first-ever Olympic all-around in Melbourne in 1952.

Yet the sixth gold and ninth overall medal — the same as Romanian great Nadia Comaneci, who was among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-simone-basketball-db19a0714f946fd14d82e1940a50daa0">star-studded crowd that included the U.S. men’s basketball team</a>&nbsp;— of Biles’ unparalleled career did not come as easy as so many that came before.

She misjudged a transition on uneven bars, the weakest of her four events, letting go of the upper bar too soon and forcing her to reach for a larger-than-expect gap.

While she didn’t fall — Biles muscled her way back into the routine — it blunted her momentum and led to major deductions that left her trailing Andrade through two rotations.

Biles responded with a largely wobble-free 14.566 on the balance beam, the highest of the night among the 24 finalists, while Andrade was forced to do a major balance check during her slightly easier set that dropped her down to second heading into floor exercise, Biles’ signature event.

Andrade, the silver medalist behind Lee in 2021, needed the best floor set of her life to catch Biles. It didn’t quite happen. Andrade stepped out of bounds at one point, a minor problem but enough to create plenty of wiggle room for Biles.

“I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more,” Biles said. “I’m tired. Like, she’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close.”

Biles incorporated music from pop icons Taylor Swift and Beyonce into her current routine, a 75-second set that began with the opening bars of Swift’s hit “Ready For It?” and featured the hardest tumbling done by a woman in the history of the sport.

When she was done — sealing gold that served as a redemption of sorts three years after pulling out of multiple finals in Tokyo to focus on her mental health — Biles sprinted to hug Lee just off the podium and blew kisses to the cameras that have become fixtures wherever she goes under the Olympic rings.

After the final score was announced, Biles and Lee — both Olympic champions — bolted onto the floor, waving an American flag. Lee, the Tokyo winner with Biles sidelined, is the first to win gold in all-around one Games then earn another medal in the next since Comaneci in 1976 and ’80.

“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it because I didn’t think that I could,” Lee said.

While there may be more medals on the way — Biles is in three event finals later in the Games — the all-around puts her into the conversation as perhaps the greatest American Olympian ever.

Biles is no longer the prodigy who triumphed in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.

She’s married and a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and the importance of proper mental health. She openly volunteered after the Americans won gold in the team final on Tuesday that she met with her personal therapist that morning to help get her in the right mindset.

Biles relied on the internal work she’s done over the years after that rocky bars routine. She sat with her legs crossed on a chair in her blue sequined leotard and closed her eyes, immune to the cameras that followed her every move.

When she opened them, she was ready to move on.

It’s what she does. She has said repeatedly over the last three years that what happened in Tokyo is a part of her past, not a part of her present, and if critics have a problem with it, that’s their issue, not hers.

She’s moved on to bigger things. Like setting a standard that may never be reached.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722541479379.jpeg" alt="Simone Biles, left, celebrates with teammate Suni Lee, of the United States, after winning the gold and bronze medals respectively in the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics Thursday in Paris. [ NATACHA PISARENKO | AP ]" />
 <figcaption>Simone Biles, left, celebrates with teammate Suni Lee, of the United States, after winning the gold and bronze medals respectively in the women's artistic gymnastics all-around finals in Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics Thursday in Paris. [ NATACHA PISARENKO | AP ]</figcaption>
 </figure>PARIS (AP) — Simone Biles remains peerless. Even when she’s not quite perfect.The American gymnastics star edged Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade during a tense&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/simone-biles-olympics-gymnastics-updates">Olympic all-around final</a>&nbsp;Thursday. Biles’ total of 59.131 was just over a point ahead of Andrade at 57.932, one of the closest calls Biles has ever endured at a major international event.Sunisa Lee, the Tokyo Olympics champion, earned bronze despite spending much of the last 15 months dealing with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-suni-lee-gymnastics-paris-7405ae9182a808aa95941e16add839a5">multiple kidney diseases</a>&nbsp;that left her return to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games">Games</a>&nbsp;very much in doubt.Still, the meet ended just like all the ones Biles has started and finished over the last 11 years: with hugs and gold on the way.And a silver goat chain — along with a gold medal — around the Greatest of All Time’s neck.“It is crazy that I am in the conversation of ‘Greatest of all athletes’ because I just still think, ‘I’m Simone Biles from Spring, Texas who loves to flip,’” she said.The margin was the smallest in a major international event since Biles captured the third of her record six world championships in 2015.She was a teenager then. She’s an icon now.The 27-year-old who is redefining what a gymnast can do — and just as notably, for how long she can do it — became the third woman to become a two-time Olympic champion, joining Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union in 1956 and 1960 and Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia in 1964 and 1968.Biles also is the oldest woman to claim the biggest title in her sport since then 30-year-old Maria Gorokhovskaya of the Soviet Union won the first-ever Olympic all-around in Melbourne in 1952.Yet the sixth gold and ninth overall medal — the same as Romanian great Nadia Comaneci, who was among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-simone-basketball-db19a0714f946fd14d82e1940a50daa0">star-studded crowd that included the U.S. men’s basketball team</a>&nbsp;— of Biles’ unparalleled career did not come as easy as so many that came before.She misjudged a transition on uneven bars, the weakest of her four events, letting go of the upper bar too soon and forcing her to reach for a larger-than-expect gap.While she didn’t fall — Biles muscled her way back into the routine — it blunted her momentum and led to major deductions that left her trailing Andrade through two rotations.The deficit didn’t last.Biles responded with a largely wobble-free 14.566 on the balance beam, the highest of the night among the 24 finalists, while Andrade was forced to do a major balance check during her slightly easier set that dropped her down to second heading into floor exercise, Biles’ signature event.Andrade, the silver medalist behind Lee in 2021, needed the best floor set of her life to catch Biles. It didn’t quite happen. Andrade stepped out of bounds at one point, a minor problem but enough to create plenty of wiggle room for Biles.“I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more,” Biles said. “I’m tired. Like, she’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close.”Biles incorporated music from pop icons Taylor Swift and Beyonce into her current routine, a 75-second set that began with the opening bars of Swift’s hit “Ready For It?” and featured the hardest tumbling done by a woman in the history of the sport.When she was done — sealing gold that served as a redemption of sorts three years after pulling out of multiple finals in Tokyo to focus on her mental health — Biles sprinted to hug Lee just off the podium and blew kisses to the cameras that have become fixtures wherever she goes under the Olympic rings.After the final score was announced, Biles and Lee — both Olympic champions — bolted onto the floor, waving an American flag. Lee, the Tokyo winner with Biles sidelined, is the first to win gold in all-around one Games then earn another medal in the next since Comaneci in 1976 and ’80.“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it because I didn’t think that I could,” Lee said.While there may be more medals on the way — Biles is in three event finals later in the Games — the all-around puts her into the conversation as perhaps the greatest American Olympian ever.Biles is no longer the prodigy who triumphed in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.She’s married and a vocal advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and the importance of proper mental health. She openly volunteered after the Americans won gold in the team final on Tuesday that she met with her personal therapist that morning to help get her in the right mindset.Biles relied on the internal work she’s done over the years after that rocky bars routine. She sat with her legs crossed on a chair in her blue sequined leotard and closed her eyes, immune to the cameras that followed her every move.When she opened them, she was ready to move on.It’s what she does. She has said repeatedly over the last three years that what happened in Tokyo is a part of her past, not a part of her present, and if critics have a problem with it, that’s their issue, not hers.She’s moved on to bigger things. Like setting a standard that may never be reached.In her sport. And maybe all others, too.

Simone Biles wins second Olympic all-around gymnastics title

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722533694371.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure><div>Kansas Athletics
 
LAWRENCE, Kan.&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;The Horejsi name has been synonymous with the University of Kansas and KU Athletics for decades. The family&apos;s three generations of Jayhawks and thirty years of philanthropic support for KU started with Stewart Horejsi, a native of Salina, Kansas, who was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor&apos;s degree in business at KU in 1959. Two more generations of Jayhawks and a legacy of impact across academics and athletics followed. Today, KU Chancellor Douglas Girod and KU Director of Athletics Travis Goff announce the family&apos;s $10 million commitment to the Gateway District Project and reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. This is the latest gift in the family&apos;s continuous support for KU which includes contributions for KU Volleyball and the game-changing Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena, support for the School of Business, student scholarships, KU Golf, the Booth Hall of Athletics and the Wagnon Study Center. &quot;I am proud to have my children and grandchildren join me in committing to this gift that will make a difference across KU,&quot; Stewart Horejsi said. &quot;It&apos;s important to us and to so many other Jayhawks.&quot; Goff lauded the Horejsi family&apos;s latest commitment and its impact on KU and Kansas Athletics. &quot;An ambitious project and vision require ambitious supporters,&quot; Goff said. &quot;The Horejsi and Ciciora families are precisely that and have heeded the call to invest in the future of our University and Kansas Athletics. This is a family of remarkable Jayhawks and even better people and we are exceptionally grateful for their profound support.&quot; Stewart&apos;s daughter Susan (Horejsi) Ciciora, who earned her bachelor&apos;s degree in journalism in 1987, said the Gateway District, including the new north campus entrance, will be a fantastic addition to KU and a great place to gather for games &mdash; something that often brings three generations of the family together. The family agreed the project is an essential element for the university&apos;s growth and recruitment. &quot;We were raised as Jayhawks and KU has had a significant impact on our lives. This gift ensures future families will have the same opportunity we had to fall in love with this special place,&quot; said Susan, who with husband John Ciciora, have three children who are KU alumni. &nbsp;Son Jack graduated in 2017 with a bachelor&apos;s degree in liberal arts, followed in 2018 by daughter Amanda, who followed in her mother&apos;s footsteps with a bachelor&apos;s degree in journalism. The third child, daughter Courtney, graduated with a degree in journalism in 2022. The Gateway&nbsp;District will develop the north entrance to campus in a profound way to drive student enrollment and economic benefit to Lawrence and the state, while also bolstering the trajectory of the KU football program. The project includes a new campus gateway, hotel, multi-use&nbsp;space for conferences and transformed football facilities &mdash; all of which will strengthen KU&apos;s ability to recruit and retain students. &quot;The Horejsi family&apos;s support turned our volleyball venue into a world-class arena for our student-athletes and fans, and this latest commitment will have a similar impact on not just our football program, but the entire university through the Gateway District,&quot; said Chancellor Girod. &quot;We are grateful for their continued investment in the University of Kansas.&quot; Susan, who is a director of the Horejsi Charitable Foundation, said the family&apos;s philanthropy and profound loyalty to KU started with her father Stewart and sprang from a deep appreciation of his KU education and experiences. It has grown stronger through each generation&apos;s own KU journeys, including her brother John Horejsi, who graduated from KU in 1991 with a bachelor&apos;s degree in sociology. &quot;We are thrilled to provide this gift to support KU football and the whole KU family,&quot; said John. &quot;We hope other generational Jayhawk families continue to join us in investing in the future of KU and Kansas Athletics.&quot;</div>

🏐 Horejsi family makes $10 million commitment to KU Gateway District Project

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The sound of whistles echoing through Gowans Stadium on Aug. 1 means one thing, football is back.

Hutchinson Community College held its first official practice of the 2024 season on Thursday morning.

"It's good to be back out here No. 1," head coach Drew Dallas said. "We put a lot of work into it this offseason, throughout the summer, so just getting back out, getting on the turf, kind of going at that next level of tempo and scheme and those kind of things has been really fun with this group of guys."

Dallas liked the pace and tempo his group showed on the first day.

"Very pleased with where we're at after day one," Dallas said. "I thought our guys were attentive, there was a lot of attention to detail, there was great effort and great attitudes. "I think it's a starting point and it's going to be fun to watch them continue to progress as we go."

The Blue Dragons look to defend their KJCCC title this fall after being selected as the preseason favorite last Friday.&nbsp;

HutchCC will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at home against New Mexico Military Institute. The Blue Dragons and Broncos have met three previous times in program history, the last coming in the 2009 Salt City Bowl, a 22-14 Blue Dragon win.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722532159392.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Community College head football coach Drew Dallas addresses the team following its first practice on Thursday, August 1, at Gowans Stadium. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Community College head football coach Drew Dallas addresses the team following its first practice on Thursday, August 1, at Gowans Stadium. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The sound of whistles echoing through Gowans Stadium on Aug. 1 means one thing, football is back.Hutchinson Community College held its first official practice of the 2024 season on Thursday morning."It's good to be back out here No. 1," head coach Drew Dallas said. "We put a lot of work into it this offseason, throughout the summer, so just getting back out, getting on the turf, kind of going at that next level of tempo and scheme and those kind of things has been really fun with this group of guys."Dallas liked the pace and tempo his group showed on the first day."Very pleased with where we're at after day one," Dallas said. "I thought our guys were attentive, there was a lot of attention to detail, there was great effort and great attitudes. "I think it's a starting point and it's going to be fun to watch them continue to progress as we go."The Blue Dragons look to defend their KJCCC title this fall after being selected as the preseason favorite last Friday.&nbsp;HutchCC will open the season on Thursday, Aug. 29 at home against New Mexico Military Institute. The Blue Dragons and Broncos have met three previous times in program history, the last coming in the 2009 Salt City Bowl, a 22-14 Blue Dragon win.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722532969420.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Community College head football coach Drew Dallas following its first practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Gowans Stadium. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Community College head football coach Drew Dallas following its first practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Gowans Stadium. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722533004368.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Community College head football coach Drew Dallas addresses the team at its first practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Gowans Stadium. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Community College head football coach Drew Dallas addresses the team at its first practice on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Gowans Stadium. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>

🏈 Blue Dragons open 2024 season with first practice Thursday

WICHITA, Kan.—The Wichita Wind Surge battled in an eventual 9-4 loss to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Riverfront Stadium. Wichita batters combined for 16 hits, the second-highest number of the season.

Four pitches into the game, Javier Vaz lined a ball to center that bounced to the wall. The Naturals second baseman sped all the way around the bases and slid home safely for an inside-the-park home run. Vaz’s feat marked the fifth time that a hitter has recorded an inside-the-park home run in Riverfront Stadium history and the third such play against the Wind Surge.

Aaron Sabato&nbsp;walked, and&nbsp;Tanner Schobel&nbsp;doubled on a liner to left field to start the bottom of the second.&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;pulled a base hit past shortstop, allowing Sabato to score to tie the game. The next batter,&nbsp;Kyler Fedko, smoked a go-ahead sacrifice fly to Peyton Wilson in left before the end of the inning.

Ricardo Olivar, who made his Wichita debut last night, recorded his first Wind Surge double to the left-center alley, where Jake Rucker came around from second to put one more on the board an inning later in the last of the third. Olivar would finish the night a perfect 5-5 at the plate; he’s now 6-8 (.750) in two games at the Double-A level.

Tyler Tolbert hit a solo shot, his fourth of the season, into the Wind Surge bullpen to start the sixth inning. Vaz laced a two-RBI double deep into the right-center gap in the next inning, giving Northwest Arkansas a 4-3 advantage into the stretch. That lead would be shortlived, as a run-scoring groundout tied the game for Wichita in the home half of the frame.

Dillan Shrum wallopped his team-leading 13th long ball the opposite way to right field in the top of the eighth. After the Wind Surge loaded and stranded the bases in the bottom part of the inning, four more Naturals runs followed on a pair of errors, a single, and a popout to shallow left field on the way to their second win of the series.

John Stankiewicz&nbsp;received the loss in relief to move to 1-4 on the season. Over an inning, he gave up three earned runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.&nbsp;Christian MacLeod&nbsp;fared well in his Riverfront Stadium debut, striking out eight over five and two-thirds innings of two-run baseball with four hits and two walks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722510381486.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan.—The Wichita Wind Surge battled in an eventual 9-4 loss to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Riverfront Stadium. Wichita batters combined for 16 hits, the second-highest number of the season.Four pitches into the game, Javier Vaz lined a ball to center that bounced to the wall. The Naturals second baseman sped all the way around the bases and slid home safely for an inside-the-park home run. Vaz’s feat marked the fifth time that a hitter has recorded an inside-the-park home run in Riverfront Stadium history and the third such play against the Wind Surge.Aaron Sabato&nbsp;walked, and&nbsp;Tanner Schobel&nbsp;doubled on a liner to left field to start the bottom of the second.&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;pulled a base hit past shortstop, allowing Sabato to score to tie the game. The next batter,&nbsp;Kyler Fedko, smoked a go-ahead sacrifice fly to Peyton Wilson in left before the end of the inning.Ricardo Olivar, who made his Wichita debut last night, recorded his first Wind Surge double to the left-center alley, where Jake Rucker came around from second to put one more on the board an inning later in the last of the third. Olivar would finish the night a perfect 5-5 at the plate; he’s now 6-8 (.750) in two games at the Double-A level.Tyler Tolbert hit a solo shot, his fourth of the season, into the Wind Surge bullpen to start the sixth inning. Vaz laced a two-RBI double deep into the right-center gap in the next inning, giving Northwest Arkansas a 4-3 advantage into the stretch. That lead would be shortlived, as a run-scoring groundout tied the game for Wichita in the home half of the frame.Dillan Shrum wallopped his team-leading 13th long ball the opposite way to right field in the top of the eighth. After the Wind Surge loaded and stranded the bases in the bottom part of the inning, four more Naturals runs followed on a pair of errors, a single, and a popout to shallow left field on the way to their second win of the series.John Stankiewicz&nbsp;received the loss in relief to move to 1-4 on the season. Over an inning, he gave up three earned runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.&nbsp;Christian MacLeod&nbsp;fared well in his Riverfront Stadium debut, striking out eight over five and two-thirds innings of two-run baseball with four hits and two walks.

⚾ Wichita Wind Surge drop second game of series to Naturals

CHICAGO (AP) — Freddy Fermin launched a two-run homer among his four hits and the Kansas City Royals pounded the White Sox 10-3, extending Chicago’s franchise-record losing streak to 17 games. Vinnie Pasquantino added a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs. Salvador Perez had three hits and drove in two runs as the Royals won their third straight. Major league batting leader Bobby Witt Jr. lengthened his hitting streak to 13 games with two infield singles, raising his average to .349. The star shortstop walked twice, scored three runs and stole his 24th base. Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a double and finished with two hits for the major league-worst White Sox, whose slide is the longest since Arizona dropped 17 straight games in 2021.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tommy Pham started in left field for St. Louis, getting three hits and two RBIs, and Michael McGreevy pitched seven innings in his MLB debut to lift the Cardinals to a 10-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Brendan Donovan drove in three runs, and Michael Siani and Alec Burleson each had two RBIs. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt added two hits apiece, and the Cardinals scattered 14 hits against four pitchers. Marcus Semien had two of the Rangers five hits.

BALTIMORE (AP) — Top-ranked prospect Jackson Holliday hit a grand slam in his first game back from the minors. The Baltimore Orioles recalled Holliday from Triple-A Norfolk, giving the infielder his second shot at the major leagues. Holliday was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. After grounding out his first two times up against Toronto, Holliday hit a 439-foot drive to right field that was so obviously gone he paused a bit before starting his trot. Holliday then waved to the crowd from the dugout. It was his first career home run.

EASTLAKE, Ohio (AP) — Travis Bazzana, the top pick in this month’s amateur draft, hit a grand slam for his first professional home run in High-A Lake County’s 17-5 rout of Beloit in the Midwest League. The 21-year-old Australian, selected by Cleveland on July 14, homered on a drive to right-center in the fifth inning against left-hander Caleb Wurster, a 25-year-old left-hander on the Miami Marlins farm team. Batting leadoff, Bazzana also singled, walked twice and scored three runs. Bazzana is hitting .364 with a home, five RBIs, five runs and a stolen base in three games.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs know what they have with their No. 1 cornerback in Trent McDuffie. McDuffie, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, is atop the depth chart after the offseason trade of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans. Figuring out the order after McDuffie, however, remains in flux as the Chiefs are in the third week of training camp.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The judge who presided over the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL said the jury did not follow his instructions in determining damages. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez made the remark as he heard the NFL’s post-trial motion asking that Gutierrez rule for the league if he finds the plaintiffs did not prove their case. Gutierrez could also order a new trial because the eight-person jury came up with its own calculations for damages. The NFL has said it would appeal the verdict. That appeal would go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then possibly the Supreme Court.

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — The U.S. men's basketball team had an easier time with South Sudan in the rematch than it did when the teams first met a couple of weeks ago. Easier. Not easy. The U.S. clinched a trip to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics by beating South Sudan 103-86 on Wednesday night — a game that wasn’t ever really in doubt but was no romp either. Bam Adebayo scored 18 points and Kevin Durant scored 14 for the Americans, who took control with a 25-4 run in the first half.

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Turns out, those comparisons to Michael Phelps weren’t farfetched at all when it comes to Léon Marchand. They certainly weren’t a burden for the 22-year-old Frenchman. Marchand has completed one of the most audacious doubles in swimming history, winning the 200-meter butterfly and the 200 breaststroke about two hours apart at the Paris Games. Two grueling races. Two very different strokes. Two Olympic records. Two gold medals. Take that, Phelps. Thrilling the home fans and claiming the spotlight even on a night when Katie Ledecky romped to another gold medal, Marchand claimed his second and third victories at La Defense Arena and stamped himself as one of the faces of these Games.

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Katie Ledecky has tied one of swimming’s most impressive records. Chances are, she’ll have it all to herself by the time she finishes the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old Ledecky bumped her career total to 12 medals with a dominating victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle. She equaled three fellow Americans for the most ever by a female swimmer. Here's what's next for Ledecky: She is expected to compete in the final of the 4x200 freestyle relay on Thursday. The U.S. took silver in that event at the Tokyo Games. She also has the 800 freestyle, where she'll be going for her fourth straight gold medal.

PARIS (AP) — Coco Gauff has lost in women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics a day after her tearful exit in singles. Gauff and her U.S. teammate, Jessica Pegula, were the top-seeded women’s pair but were eliminated in the second round by the Czech duo of Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 in a match tiebreaker on Wednesday. Gauff was defeated Tuesday by Donna Vekic of Croatia in straight sets in the third round of singles, where the American was seeded second. Gauff got into an argument with the chair umpire close to the finish of that match over an officiating decision.

TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (AP) — Tahiti is hosting the surfing competition for the Paris Olympics and has been a coveted destination for the sport for decades, but it’s only in more recent years that local surf culture and talent begun to develop among younger generations. Residents say local professional surfers have been critical in the development of local surfing talent and culture. Two French Polynesian surfers competing in the 2024 Olympics has been a boost for the promotion and development of local surfing. The surfing community expects local interest in the sport to grow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, August 1st, 2024." />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, August 1st, 2024.</figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe width="100%" height="95" src="https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/8550092/embed?v=202301" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="allowtransparency" scrolling="no" title="Audioboom player" allow="autoplay" sandbox="allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe></div>CHICAGO (AP) — Freddy Fermin launched a two-run homer among his four hits and the Kansas City Royals pounded the White Sox 10-3, extending Chicago’s franchise-record losing streak to 17 games. Vinnie Pasquantino added a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs. Salvador Perez had three hits and drove in two runs as the Royals won their third straight. Major league batting leader Bobby Witt Jr. lengthened his hitting streak to 13 games with two infield singles, raising his average to .349. The star shortstop walked twice, scored three runs and stole his 24th base. Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a double and finished with two hits for the major league-worst White Sox, whose slide is the longest since Arizona dropped 17 straight games in 2021.ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tommy Pham started in left field for St. Louis, getting three hits and two RBIs, and Michael McGreevy pitched seven innings in his MLB debut to lift the Cardinals to a 10-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Brendan Donovan drove in three runs, and Michael Siani and Alec Burleson each had two RBIs. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt added two hits apiece, and the Cardinals scattered 14 hits against four pitchers. Marcus Semien had two of the Rangers five hits.BALTIMORE (AP) — Top-ranked prospect Jackson Holliday hit a grand slam in his first game back from the minors. The Baltimore Orioles recalled Holliday from Triple-A Norfolk, giving the infielder his second shot at the major leagues. Holliday was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. After grounding out his first two times up against Toronto, Holliday hit a 439-foot drive to right field that was so obviously gone he paused a bit before starting his trot. Holliday then waved to the crowd from the dugout. It was his first career home run.EASTLAKE, Ohio (AP) — Travis Bazzana, the top pick in this month’s amateur draft, hit a grand slam for his first professional home run in High-A Lake County’s 17-5 rout of Beloit in the Midwest League. The 21-year-old Australian, selected by Cleveland on July 14, homered on a drive to right-center in the fifth inning against left-hander Caleb Wurster, a 25-year-old left-hander on the Miami Marlins farm team. Batting leadoff, Bazzana also singled, walked twice and scored three runs. Bazzana is hitting .364 with a home, five RBIs, five runs and a stolen base in three games.ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs know what they have with their No. 1 cornerback in Trent McDuffie. McDuffie, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, is atop the depth chart after the offseason trade of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans. Figuring out the order after McDuffie, however, remains in flux as the Chiefs are in the third week of training camp.LOS ANGELES (AP) — The judge who presided over the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL said the jury did not follow his instructions in determining damages. U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez made the remark as he heard the NFL’s post-trial motion asking that Gutierrez rule for the league if he finds the plaintiffs did not prove their case. Gutierrez could also order a new trial because the eight-person jury came up with its own calculations for damages. The NFL has said it would appeal the verdict. That appeal would go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then possibly the Supreme Court.OlympicsVILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — The U.S. men's basketball team had an easier time with South Sudan in the rematch than it did when the teams first met a couple of weeks ago. Easier. Not easy. The U.S. clinched a trip to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics by beating South Sudan 103-86 on Wednesday night — a game that wasn’t ever really in doubt but was no romp either. Bam Adebayo scored 18 points and Kevin Durant scored 14 for the Americans, who took control with a 25-4 run in the first half.NANTERRE, France (AP) — Turns out, those comparisons to Michael Phelps weren’t farfetched at all when it comes to Léon Marchand. They certainly weren’t a burden for the 22-year-old Frenchman. Marchand has completed one of the most audacious doubles in swimming history, winning the 200-meter butterfly and the 200 breaststroke about two hours apart at the Paris Games. Two grueling races. Two very different strokes. Two Olympic records. Two gold medals. Take that, Phelps. Thrilling the home fans and claiming the spotlight even on a night when Katie Ledecky romped to another gold medal, Marchand claimed his second and third victories at La Defense Arena and stamped himself as one of the faces of these Games.NANTERRE, France (AP) — Katie Ledecky has tied one of swimming’s most impressive records. Chances are, she’ll have it all to herself by the time she finishes the Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old Ledecky bumped her career total to 12 medals with a dominating victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle. She equaled three fellow Americans for the most ever by a female swimmer. Here's what's next for Ledecky: She is expected to compete in the final of the 4x200 freestyle relay on Thursday. The U.S. took silver in that event at the Tokyo Games. She also has the 800 freestyle, where she'll be going for her fourth straight gold medal.PARIS (AP) — Coco Gauff has lost in women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics a day after her tearful exit in singles. Gauff and her U.S. teammate, Jessica Pegula, were the top-seeded women’s pair but were eliminated in the second round by the Czech duo of Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 in a match tiebreaker on Wednesday. Gauff was defeated Tuesday by Donna Vekic of Croatia in straight sets in the third round of singles, where the American was seeded second. Gauff got into an argument with the chair umpire close to the finish of that match over an officiating decision.TEAHUPO’O, Tahiti (AP) — Tahiti is hosting the surfing competition for the Paris Olympics and has been a coveted destination for the sport for decades, but it’s only in more recent years that local surf culture and talent begun to develop among younger generations. Residents say local professional surfers have been critical in the development of local surfing talent and culture. Two French Polynesian surfers competing in the 2024 Olympics has been a boost for the promotion and development of local surfing. The surfing community expects local interest in the sport to grow.WEDNESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal Miami 6 Tampa Bay 2Final N.Y. Yankees 6 Philadelphia 5Final Minnesota 8 N.Y. Mets 3Final St. Louis 10 Texas 1Final Houston 5 Pittsburgh 4Final San Francisco 1 Oakland 0Final Colorado 2 L.A. Angels 1AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Baltimore 10 Toronto 4Final Kansas City 10 Chicago White Sox 3Final Boston 3 Seattle 2NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Atlanta 6 Milwaukee 2Final Arizona 5 Washington 4Final Chicago Cubs 13 Cincinnati 4

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Thursday

AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, August 21st 2024:

Vikings DC Flores says he was hurt by Tagovailoa's sharp criticism but wishes Dolphins QB well

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores acknowledged he was stung by the sharp criticism of his coaching style from Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's recent public assessment of their time together with the Dolphins. Flores responded to remarks Tagovailoa made in an interview that aired on the "Dan LeBatard Show." He wished his former player well and expressed pleasure in the success the fifth pick in the 2020 draft has had. Flores also said he has reflected on his time as head coach of the Dolphins and believes he has learned to improve as a leader.

Panthers QB Bryce Young says he's 'comfortable' in new offense even if he doesn't play in preseason

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young isn't concerned if he doesn't take a snap in the preseason. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 is coming off a tough rookie season. He went 2-14 as a starter and ranked near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. And he enters Year 2 having had to learn a different offense under new coach Dave Canales. Despite all that, Canales held Young out of Carolina's first two preseason games. Young says he's comfortable enough in the offense and will be ready for the regular season even if he doesn't play in Saturday's final exhibition game at the Buffalo Bills.

Alabama gave a big contract to its GM. Why college football teams are operating more like pros

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has given one of Kalen DeBoer's key behind-the-scenes staffers, general manager Courtney Morgan, a new three-year contract worth nearly $2.5 million. The move is a notable investment from one of the top programs in the country at a time when colleges teams are increasingly operating like professional franchises. Plenty of major college teams now have general managers. They are increasingly valuable.

Guardians outlast Yankees 9-5 in 12 innings to win longest MLB game this season

NEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Lane Thomas delivered a tiebreaking double to spark a six-run 12th inning, and the Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 in the longest major league game this season. Both teams began the night in first place, and the tense opener of their three-game series at Yankee Stadium had the feel of a potential playoff preview. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back homers in the first, but Cleveland came right back and the game was tied at 3 after four innings. Despite numerous chances on both sides, neither offense managed to score again until the 12th.

WNBA players would like more time off after the Olympics are over before league play resumes

WNBA players would like more of a break after the All-Star Game and Olympics before league play resumes. Here was a quick turnaround this year after the Paris Games. It could be a major topic of discussion when negotiations begin for the next collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA ends next year. Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles all played three games in a four-day span to resume the the regular season. Fortunately, from the Olympics standpoint, the next Games are in Los Angeles, so travel will be less of an issue for the players.

Blues' offer sheets land Broberg, Holloway. NHLPA reviewing Flyers' decision to waive Ryan Johansen

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway to two-year contracts after the Edmonton Oilers declined to match the offer sheets for the restricted free agents. Broberg signed for a total of $9.16 million and Holloway $4.58 million. The Blues sent second- and third-round picks to Edmonton. In Philadelphia, the NHL Players' Association is reviewing the Flyers decision to place forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach that was not disclosed.

Analysis: The FedEx Cup playoffs deliver. Just not always the best player with the title

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler says it's silly to call the FedEx Cup title a season-long competition when it comes down to one tournament at the end. He's not wrong. This also is nothing new. Scheffler has said it before. So have Jon Rahm and and Patrick Cantlay and even Tiger Woods some 15 years ago. It's a matter of the PGA Tour having to choose between the risk of someone wrapping up the title before the Tour Championship or making the season finale compelling. The FedEx Cup is an important title for players. It just doesn't always define the best season.

Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive for a steroid twice but will not be suspended

Top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but will not be suspended because the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist. The agency announced the case's resolution on Tuesday and said Sinner will lose the $325,000 in prize money and 400 rankings points he earned at the tournament in Indian Wells, California, where his first positive drug test happened. Sinner won the Cincinnati Open on Monday and will be among the favorites at the U.S. Open, which starts in New York next week.

Prospect of player pay another wrinkle for HBCU schools, where big NIL deals still taking root

Athletic programs at historically Black colleges and universities are facing another wrinkle. Few of them have NIL collectives to arrange endorsement deals with athletes, though the area has seen some growth in the past couple years. Now all schools are facing the prospect of being able to pay athletes directly via revenue sharing, perhaps as early as 2025. That is a daunting possibility for schools with modest resources, including HBCUs. Coaches and players say the HBCU appeal goes far beyond available money.

Who wins the Heisman Trophy? Can a veteran QB or 1st-year starter break through the transfer trend?

The Heisman Trophy race appears wide open this season. The top five players in last year's Heisman voting, won by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, and eight of the top 10 are currently in NFL training camps. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is the only player among 2023's top 10 vote-getters to appear on a long list of players with Heisman odds from BetMGM. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Georgia's Carson Beck lead that list.

Final	San Francisco	4	Chicago White Sox	1	

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701494597443.png" alt="Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, August 21st, 2024" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines and News for Wednesday, August 21st, 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>AP Sports Summary for Wednesday, August 21st 2024:Vikings DC Flores says he was hurt by Tagovailoa's sharp criticism but wishes Dolphins QB wellEAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores acknowledged he was stung by the sharp criticism of his coaching style from Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's recent public assessment of their time together with the Dolphins. Flores responded to remarks Tagovailoa made in an interview that aired on the "Dan LeBatard Show." He wished his former player well and expressed pleasure in the success the fifth pick in the 2020 draft has had. Flores also said he has reflected on his time as head coach of the Dolphins and believes he has learned to improve as a leader.Panthers QB Bryce Young says he's 'comfortable' in new offense even if he doesn't play in preseasonCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young isn't concerned if he doesn't take a snap in the preseason. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 is coming off a tough rookie season. He went 2-14 as a starter and ranked near the bottom of the league in most statistical categories. And he enters Year 2 having had to learn a different offense under new coach Dave Canales. Despite all that, Canales held Young out of Carolina's first two preseason games. Young says he's comfortable enough in the offense and will be ready for the regular season even if he doesn't play in Saturday's final exhibition game at the Buffalo Bills.Alabama gave a big contract to its GM. Why college football teams are operating more like prosTUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has given one of Kalen DeBoer's key behind-the-scenes staffers, general manager Courtney Morgan, a new three-year contract worth nearly $2.5 million. The move is a notable investment from one of the top programs in the country at a time when colleges teams are increasingly operating like professional franchises. Plenty of major college teams now have general managers. They are increasingly valuable.Guardians outlast Yankees 9-5 in 12 innings to win longest MLB game this seasonNEW YORK (AP) — Pinch-hitter Lane Thomas delivered a tiebreaking double to spark a six-run 12th inning, and the Cleveland Guardians outlasted the New York Yankees 9-5 in the longest major league game this season. Both teams began the night in first place, and the tense opener of their three-game series at Yankee Stadium had the feel of a potential playoff preview. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge hit back-to-back homers in the first, but Cleveland came right back and the game was tied at 3 after four innings. Despite numerous chances on both sides, neither offense managed to score again until the 12th.WNBA players would like more time off after the Olympics are over before league play resumesWNBA players would like more of a break after the All-Star Game and Olympics before league play resumes. Here was a quick turnaround this year after the Paris Games. It could be a major topic of discussion when negotiations begin for the next collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA ends next year. Phoenix, Chicago and Los Angeles all played three games in a four-day span to resume the the regular season. Fortunately, from the Olympics standpoint, the next Games are in Los Angeles, so travel will be less of an issue for the players.Blues' offer sheets land Broberg, Holloway. NHLPA reviewing Flyers' decision to waive Ryan JohansenThe St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway to two-year contracts after the Edmonton Oilers declined to match the offer sheets for the restricted free agents. Broberg signed for a total of $9.16 million and Holloway $4.58 million. The Blues sent second- and third-round picks to Edmonton. In Philadelphia, the NHL Players' Association is reviewing the Flyers decision to place forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach that was not disclosed.Analysis: The FedEx Cup playoffs deliver. Just not always the best player with the titleCASTLE ROCK, Colo. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler says it's silly to call the FedEx Cup title a season-long competition when it comes down to one tournament at the end. He's not wrong. This also is nothing new. Scheffler has said it before. So have Jon Rahm and and Patrick Cantlay and even Tiger Woods some 15 years ago. It's a matter of the PGA Tour having to choose between the risk of someone wrapping up the title before the Tour Championship or making the season finale compelling. The FedEx Cup is an important title for players. It just doesn't always define the best season.Tennis star Jannik Sinner tested positive for a steroid twice but will not be suspendedTop-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but will not be suspended because the International Tennis Integrity Agency determined the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist. The agency announced the case's resolution on Tuesday and said Sinner will lose the $325,000 in prize money and 400 rankings points he earned at the tournament in Indian Wells, California, where his first positive drug test happened. Sinner won the Cincinnati Open on Monday and will be among the favorites at the U.S. Open, which starts in New York next week.Prospect of player pay another wrinkle for HBCU schools, where big NIL deals still taking rootAthletic programs at historically Black colleges and universities are facing another wrinkle. Few of them have NIL collectives to arrange endorsement deals with athletes, though the area has seen some growth in the past couple years. Now all schools are facing the prospect of being able to pay athletes directly via revenue sharing, perhaps as early as 2025. That is a daunting possibility for schools with modest resources, including HBCUs. Coaches and players say the HBCU appeal goes far beyond available money.Who wins the Heisman Trophy? Can a veteran QB or 1st-year starter break through the transfer trend?The Heisman Trophy race appears wide open this season. The top five players in last year's Heisman voting, won by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, and eight of the top 10 are currently in NFL training camps. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is the only player among 2023's top 10 vote-getters to appear on a long list of players with Heisman odds from BetMGM. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Georgia's Carson Beck lead that list.AP-ScorecardTODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___INTERLEAGUEFinal	Toronto	10	Cincinnati	3	Final	Baltimore	9	N.Y. Mets	5	Final	Pittsburgh	4	Texas	0	Final	L.A. Dodgers	6	Seattle	3	Final	Chicago Cubs	3	Detroit	1	Final	San Francisco	4	Chicago White Sox	1	Final	San Diego	7	Minnesota	5	___AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal	Boston	6	Houston	5	Final	L.A. Angels	9	Kansas City	5	Final	Cleveland	9	N.Y. Yankees	5	Final	Tampa Bay	1	Oakland	0	___NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal	Arizona	3	Miami	1	Final	Colorado	3	Washington	1	Final	Atlanta	3	Philadelphia	1	Final	Milwaukee	3	St. Louis	2	___WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	New York	94	Dallas	74	Final	Connecticut	69	Los Angeles	61	Final	Seattle	83	Washington	77	___

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Wednesday

CHICAGO (AP) — Freddy Fermin launched a two-run homer among his four hits and the Kansas City Royals pounded the White Sox 10-3 on Wednesday, extending Chicago’s franchise-record losing streak to 17 games.

Vinnie Pasquantino added a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs. Salvador Perez had three hits and drove in two runs in his 1,500th career game as the Royals won their third straight.

Perez joked that Fermin had his first four-hit game in the majors because the two natives of Venezuela chatted beforehand. Fermin appreciated the humor, then went to work.

“Just created my plan and tried to make a good swing and I did,” said Fermin, who is getting increased playing time and raised his batting average to .304. “I just want to continue to do that.”

Major league batting leader Bobby Witt Jr. lengthened his hitting streak to 13 games with two infield singles, boosting his average to .349. The star shortstop walked twice, scored three runs and stole his 24th base as the middle of the Royals lineup produced.

“That's why they are the heart of the order,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “That's what we need from them and they know that. When they're driving in runs and getting on base, we're a deep lineup.”

Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a double and finished with two hits for the major league-worst White Sox, whose slide is the longest since Arizona dropped 17 straight games in 2021.

“Show up in Minnesota,” Benintendi suggested as a way to end the skid. “I mean, if you dwell on it too long, I guess it will eat you up. So focus on the next one.”

Chicago (27-84) is 57 games below .500 for the first time and on pace for a worse finish than the 1962 New York Mets, whose 40-120 mark during their inaugural season is the poorest in baseball’s modern era (since 1900).

Brady Singer (8-6) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings in his third straight win. The right-hander struck out four, walked none and was touched up only when Chicago scored three times in the second.

Singer settled down and retired 17 of his last 19 hitters.

“I was struggling a little bit at the beginning of the year,” he said. “I'm happy to get deep into ballgames toward the end of the year here.”

Kansas City is 60-49, a 26-win improvement over 2023 through 109 games, and holds an AL wild card.

White Sox rookie Drew Thorpe (3-3) yielded six runs and seven hits over five innings in a second consecutive rough outing following five quality starts.

The Royals jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on Pasquantino’s single. Fermin’s sixth homer in the second upped it to 3-0.

The White Sox tied it in the bottom half. Benintendi drove in two runs with his double and scored on Dominic Fletcher’s single.

Witt came home on Perez’s single in the third to put Kansas City back on top 4-3.

The Royals increased it to 6-3 in the fifth. Perez’s liner rolled out of Fletcher's glove in center for a double to drive in a run. Hunter Renfroe followed with a sacrifice fly.

Pasquantino's 12th homer iced it in a four-run eighth.

Kansas City RHP Michael Lorenzen, acquired from Texas in a trade Monday, will start Saturday at Detroit.

Lorenzen will fill the slot of righty Alec Marsh, who was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Marsh was sent down to make room for reliever Lucas Erceg, who reported to the Royals and pitched a perfect eighth following a trade from Oakland.

White Sox 3B Yoán Moncada, out since April 9 with a left adductor strain, is “ramping up” activity at the team’s Arizona training facility, manager Pedro Grifol said.

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (12-5, 2.66 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Keider Montero (1-4, 6.38) in Detroit on Thursday.

White Sox: RHP Davis Martin (0-0, 3.38 ERA) makes his first start since returning from Tommy John surgery against Twins RHP Joe Ryan (6-7, 3.69) on Friday in Minnesota.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717239521858.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>MATT CARLSON Associated PressCHICAGO (AP) — Freddy Fermin launched a two-run homer among his four hits and the Kansas City Royals pounded the White Sox 10-3 on Wednesday, extending Chicago’s franchise-record losing streak to 17 games.Vinnie Pasquantino added a two-run shot and finished with three RBIs. Salvador Perez had three hits and drove in two runs in his 1,500th career game as the Royals won their third straight.Perez joked that Fermin had his first four-hit game in the majors because the two natives of Venezuela chatted beforehand. Fermin appreciated the humor, then went to work.“Just created my plan and tried to make a good swing and I did,” said Fermin, who is getting increased playing time and raised his batting average to .304. “I just want to continue to do that.”Major league batting leader Bobby Witt Jr. lengthened his hitting streak to 13 games with two infield singles, boosting his average to .349. The star shortstop walked twice, scored three runs and stole his 24th base as the middle of the Royals lineup produced.“That's why they are the heart of the order,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “That's what we need from them and they know that. When they're driving in runs and getting on base, we're a deep lineup.”Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs with a double and finished with two hits for the major league-worst White Sox, whose slide is the longest since Arizona dropped 17 straight games in 2021.“Show up in Minnesota,” Benintendi suggested as a way to end the skid. “I mean, if you dwell on it too long, I guess it will eat you up. So focus on the next one.”Chicago (27-84) is 57 games below .500 for the first time and on pace for a worse finish than the 1962 New York Mets, whose 40-120 mark during their inaugural season is the poorest in baseball’s modern era (since 1900).Brady Singer (8-6) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings in his third straight win. The right-hander struck out four, walked none and was touched up only when Chicago scored three times in the second.Singer settled down and retired 17 of his last 19 hitters.“I was struggling a little bit at the beginning of the year,” he said. “I'm happy to get deep into ballgames toward the end of the year here.”Kansas City is 60-49, a 26-win improvement over 2023 through 109 games, and holds an AL wild card.White Sox rookie Drew Thorpe (3-3) yielded six runs and seven hits over five innings in a second consecutive rough outing following five quality starts.The Royals jumped ahead 1-0 in the first on Pasquantino’s single. Fermin’s sixth homer in the second upped it to 3-0.The White Sox tied it in the bottom half. Benintendi drove in two runs with his double and scored on Dominic Fletcher’s single.Witt came home on Perez’s single in the third to put Kansas City back on top 4-3.The Royals increased it to 6-3 in the fifth. Perez’s liner rolled out of Fletcher's glove in center for a double to drive in a run. Hunter Renfroe followed with a sacrifice fly.Pasquantino's 12th homer iced it in a four-run eighth.RETOOLED ROTATIONKansas City RHP Michael Lorenzen, acquired from Texas in a trade Monday, will start Saturday at Detroit.Lorenzen will fill the slot of righty Alec Marsh, who was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Marsh was sent down to make room for reliever Lucas Erceg, who reported to the Royals and pitched a perfect eighth following a trade from Oakland.TRAINER’S ROOMWhite Sox 3B Yoán Moncada, out since April 9 with a left adductor strain, is “ramping up” activity at the team’s Arizona training facility, manager Pedro Grifol said.UP NEXTRoyals: RHP Seth Lugo (12-5, 2.66 ERA) faces Tigers RHP Keider Montero (1-4, 6.38) in Detroit on Thursday.White Sox: RHP Davis Martin (0-0, 3.38 ERA) makes his first start since returning from Tommy John surgery against Twins RHP Joe Ryan (6-7, 3.69) on Friday in Minnesota.

⚾ Royals sweep White Sox Wednesday

MIDLAND, Texas—The Wichita Wind Surge went down quietly in a 3-0 shutout loss to the Midland RockHounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark. Wichita was hitless for the final seven innings, with just three men reaching over that span on a walk and a pair of hit-by-pitches.

Cory Lewis&nbsp;struck out four RockHounds hitters his first time through the lineup. He’d finish the night with seven K’s, marking the third straight start that he has met that mark with the Wind Surge.

Jordan Groshans pushed a sacrifice fly to center field to score Nick Kurtz, who made his Double-A debut for the hosts, from third in the bottom of the fourth, though&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;would throw to third after Kurtz crossed the plate to retire Shane McGuire for a double play.

The RockHounds loaded the bases on a trio of free passes after the stretch in the home half of the seventh, then Jeremy Eierman drew the fourth to improve the Midland lead to 2-0. Caeden Trenkle pushed a sacrifice fly out to right field for the second run of the frame. While the following batter, Denzel Clarke, walked on five pitches to put men aboard everywhere again, the score would remain in reach for Wichita at 3-0, heading into the eighth after a flyout to center.

In the eighth and ninth innings, the Wind Surge would go six up and six down on the way to being shut out for the fifth time this season in the series opener.

Lewis dropped to 1-3 in Wichita after the loss in his second Double-A quality start of six innings of one-run baseball on five hits with an earned run and those seven strikeouts.

The Wind Surge continue their series with the Midland RockHounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark tomorrow, Wednesday, August 21, at 6:30 PM. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch them online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/MiLB.TV">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724218061652.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge</figcaption>
 </figure>MIDLAND, Texas—The Wichita Wind Surge went down quietly in a 3-0 shutout loss to the Midland RockHounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark. Wichita was hitless for the final seven innings, with just three men reaching over that span on a walk and a pair of hit-by-pitches.Cory Lewis&nbsp;struck out four RockHounds hitters his first time through the lineup. He’d finish the night with seven K’s, marking the third straight start that he has met that mark with the Wind Surge.Jordan Groshans pushed a sacrifice fly to center field to score Nick Kurtz, who made his Double-A debut for the hosts, from third in the bottom of the fourth, though&nbsp;Ben Ross&nbsp;would throw to third after Kurtz crossed the plate to retire Shane McGuire for a double play.The RockHounds loaded the bases on a trio of free passes after the stretch in the home half of the seventh, then Jeremy Eierman drew the fourth to improve the Midland lead to 2-0. Caeden Trenkle pushed a sacrifice fly out to right field for the second run of the frame. While the following batter, Denzel Clarke, walked on five pitches to put men aboard everywhere again, the score would remain in reach for Wichita at 3-0, heading into the eighth after a flyout to center.In the eighth and ninth innings, the Wind Surge would go six up and six down on the way to being shut out for the fifth time this season in the series opener.Lewis dropped to 1-3 in Wichita after the loss in his second Double-A quality start of six innings of one-run baseball on five hits with an earned run and those seven strikeouts.The Wind Surge continue their series with the Midland RockHounds at Momentum Bank Ballpark tomorrow, Wednesday, August 21, at 6:30 PM. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>&nbsp;or watch them online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/MiLB.TV">MiLB.TV</a>&nbsp;and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.milb.com/windsurge.com">windsurge.com</a>.

⚾ Rock Hounds hand Wind Surge 2nd straight loss

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs know what they have with their No. 1 cornerback in Trent McDuffie.

McDuffie, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, is atop the depth chart after the offseason trade of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans.

Figuring out the order after McDuffie, however, remains in flux as the Chiefs are in the third week of training camp.

“We certainly miss LJ (Sneed), but somebody’s got to step up there and take that,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “But I’m waiting for somebody to, you know, assert themselves and say, ‘I’m that guy that can do it.’”

There are no shortages of candidates for the Chiefs to consider.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722517857498.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 27, 2024, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs know what they have with their No. 1 cornerback in Trent McDuffie.McDuffie, who was a first-team All-Pro in 2023, is atop the depth chart after the offseason trade of cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans.Figuring out the order after McDuffie, however, remains in flux as the Chiefs are in the third week of training camp.“We certainly miss LJ (Sneed), but somebody’s got to step up there and take that,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “But I’m waiting for somebody to, you know, assert themselves and say, ‘I’m that guy that can do it.’”There are no shortages of candidates for the Chiefs to consider.Spagnuolo has rotated Joshua Williams, the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick in 2022, and Kelvin Joseph, who signed in January, in training camp alongside McDuffie.Second-year pro Chamarri Conner, who started seven games in 2023, has also rotated with the first-team defense’s nickel package at the slot.But the Chiefs are dealing with injuries in the defensive backfield as Nazeeh Johnson has missed time with a knee injury and Jaylen Watson, who started eight games over the past two seasons, remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.“We know who our No. 1 is, right? We all know that,” Spagnuolo said. “We’re just trying to find guys. We’re going to have to find our next two best players, however that works out.“I mean we know NJ (Johnson) is dealing with his little injury right now. Josh (Williams) has been out there, Kelvin (Joseph) — it’s a lot of guys mixing in there, but somebody’s got to surface. And if not, it gets tough.”While the Chiefs need players to get healthy to effectively evaluate the position group, the absences of Watson and Johnson have allowed the coaching staff to get a closer look at other players.For example, second-year pro Ekow Boye-Doe and rookie Miles Battle have gained valuable work as outside cornerbacks with the second-team unit.“It’s good for the young guys to get some reps in there,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.Nevertheless, the Chiefs would likely hope to settle the order at cornerback sooner than later, especially when considering last season’s defensive rankings.Kansas City’s run to its second straight Super Bowl title was helped by one of the NFL’s best defenses, which ranked second in total defense and fourth against the pass (176.5 yards allowed per game).The departure of Sneed leaves not just one hole, but possibly two in the defense. The Chiefs coveted Sneed’s versatility to line up either as an outside cornerback or inside to defend against a slot wide receiver.But Conner, who can play safety and cornerback, believes the Chiefs have the right personnel to find the answer.“This scheme is great for hybrid players that can play defensive backs,” Conner said. “Not just safety, not just corner, but a defensive back that can play all over the field. It’s definitely been great for me.”As for who assumes the responsibility to cover an opponent’s top wide receiver, the Chiefs won’t need to look far to find the answer.“I told Spags (Spagnuolo) wherever he needs me,” McDuffie said. “Like I always said, that’s where you can put me.“I’m going against the best of the best, you know, that’s why we play this game, to go against the best of the best. Being able to compete, no matter who it’s against, I’m ready to do that.”Outside of McDuffie and perhaps Conner, the hope for the Chiefs is for three or four cornerbacks to step up to the challenge and seize the opportunity to become entrenched as a contributor.“It’s a lot of guys mixing in there, but somebody’s got to surface and if not, it gets tough,” Spagnuolo said. “You know, you can have the best pass rush in the world, but these receivers get open quick if you’re not able to cover them so. We got some developing to do.”