HUTCHINSON, Kan.—Can't get enough March Madness? Let it extend into April at the Sports Arena Saturday.

State Tournaments all across Kansas wrapped up March 8-11. The NJCAA D1 Men's Tournament had a great stay in Hutch March 20-25.&nbsp; This week, the NCAA NIT Men's Tournament wrapped up, KU's Women's team is in the WNIT finals. It's final 4 weekend in Houston, and the 43rd HutchCC Quarterback Club Mid Kansas Classic will get under way at the Sports Arena.

This event shows off the "best of the best" high school basketball athletes from all across the state of Kansas.

The Sports Arena doors will open at noon. Please enter through the East side of the Sports Arena. The girls game will tip at 1 p.m. and the boys at 3 p.m.

Gate admission is $5; children 5 and younger are free.

There will be a girls 3-point shooting contest at halftime.

Rosters are below, beginning with the girls.

AMERICAN TEAM - Coach Conor Reilly (Hutchinson High School)&nbsp;

Addison Verbeck – Goddard
Eisenhower H.S.

NATIONAL TEAM - Coach Dwight Roper (Haven High School)

The boys will play at 3 p.m. with a Slam Dunk Contest during halftime.

AMERICAN TEAM - Coach Tyreece Berry (HutchCC Assistant Coach)

NATIONAL TEAM - Coach Anthony White (HutchCC Assistant Coach)

Marcus Zeigler Jr –
Wichita Heights H.S.

This is one of several events that the Quarterback Club does to support athletics and raise funds for assistance to Hutchinson Community College.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583539185508.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Sports Arena" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Sports Arena</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan.—Can't get enough March Madness? Let it extend into April at the Sports Arena Saturday.State Tournaments all across Kansas wrapped up March 8-11. The NJCAA D1 Men's Tournament had a great stay in Hutch March 20-25.&nbsp; This week, the NCAA NIT Men's Tournament wrapped up, KU's Women's team is in the WNIT finals. It's final 4 weekend in Houston, and the 43rd HutchCC Quarterback Club Mid Kansas Classic will get under way at the Sports Arena.This event shows off the "best of the best" high school basketball athletes from all across the state of Kansas.The Sports Arena doors will open at noon. Please enter through the East side of the Sports Arena. The girls game will tip at 1 p.m. and the boys at 3 p.m.Gate admission is $5; children 5 and younger are free.There will be a girls 3-point shooting contest at halftime.Rosters are below, beginning with the girls.AMERICAN TEAM - Coach Conor Reilly (Hutchinson High School)&nbsp;Landon Forbes – Bishop
Carroll H.S.Madison Denison – Minneola
H.S.Avery Lowe – Maize South
H.S.Bailey Young – Pretty
Prairie H.S.Trinity Kruse – Pretty
Prairie H.SHannah Ames – Hutchinson
H.S.Emily Durst – Moundridge
H.S.Addison Verbeck – Goddard
Eisenhower H.S.Becca Unruh – Dodge City
H.SNATIONAL TEAM - Coach Dwight Roper (Haven High School)Amaya Gallegos – Garden
City H.S.Leah Durr – Cheney H.S.Elina Bartlett – Cheney
H.S.Kaleigh O’Brien –
Remington H.S.Rebecca Snyder – Emporia
H.S.Camryn Winter – Andale
H.S.BrieAnn Brawner – Haven
H.S.Kinley Jacques – Haven
H.S.Paisley Smyth – Fairfield
H.S.Maci Neufeld - Inman H.S.The boys will play at 3 p.m. with a Slam Dunk Contest during halftime.AMERICAN TEAM - Coach Tyreece Berry (HutchCC Assistant Coach)Micah Cooley – Freedom
Elite AcademyMason Le – Wichita
Southeast H.S.Wade Meyer – Hutchinson
H.S.Brekyn Ratzlaff -
Hillsboro H.S.Logan Churchill -
Moundridge H.S.Landon Kaufman -
Moundridge H.S.Blake Hammeke – Trinity
Catholic H.S.Kellan Simoneau – Rosehill
H.S.Ryle Riddlesperger -
Hugoton H.S.NATIONAL TEAM - Coach Anthony White (HutchCC Assistant Coach)DJ Miller - Haven H.S.Garrett Robertson -
Hutchinson H.S.Brant Sipe - Haven H.S.Trevor Pierce – Ark City
H.S.Kaeson Fisher-Brown - Derby H.S.Marcus Zeigler Jr –
Wichita Heights H.S.Carson Bennett - Hugoton
H.S.Mason Miller - McPherson
H.S.This is one of several events that the Quarterback Club does to support athletics and raise funds for assistance to Hutchinson Community College.

🏀 HutchCC Quarterback Club to host 43rd Mid-Kansas All Star Game

CHESTER, Pa. — Sporting Kansas City (0-3-2) seeks its first victory of the season when it visits the Philadelphia Union (2-3-0) tonight at Subaru Park.

The Union were 19-5-10 overall during the 2022 season while going 14-0-5 at home. The Union scored 72 goals and had a goal differential of +46 last season.

Sporting KC went 11-16-7 overall last season while going 2-10-5 on the road. Sporting KC scored 42 goals a season ago, averaging 1.2 per game.

CHESTER, Pa. — Sporting Kansas City (0-3-2) seeks its first victory of the season when it visits the Philadelphia Union (2-3-0) tonight at Subaru Park.The Union were 19-5-10 overall during the 2022 season while going 14-0-5 at home. The Union scored 72 goals and had a goal differential of +46 last season.Sporting KC went 11-16-7 overall last season while going 2-10-5 on the road. Sporting KC scored 42 goals a season ago, averaging 1.2 per game.Kickoff is at 7:30 Eastern.

⚽ Sporting KC on road Saturday

The Kansas City Chiefs have extended their agreement with Missouri Western State University to make St. Joseph the home of Chiefs Training Camp&nbsp;through the 2024 season.

“We are thrilled to announce that we will return to Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph community for another two years,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “Missouri Western and St. Joseph have warmly hosted our team and fans for the past 13 years – a welcome start to the NFL season.

"I want to thank President Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Director of Athletics Andy Carter for their leadership throughout this process, and we look forward to starting our 2023 season at Missouri Western again this summer.”

“We’re thrilled to have the Super Bowl Champions back on campus and look forward to providing a top-notch experience to the team and their fans as they prepare for another successful season," University president Elizabeth Kennedy said. "We’re grateful to the Chiefs for making us their summer training camp home and to the St. Joseph community for embracing the team and its fans.”

The Chiefs have held training camp on the Missouri Western campus every year since 2010 (excluding 2020 due to Covid-19). This will mark the 13th year of training camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph.

Dates and additional details for 2023 Chiefs Training Camp presented by Mosaic Life Care will be announced in mid-June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680278355514.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACVia St. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Chiefs have extended their agreement with Missouri Western State University to make St. Joseph the home of Chiefs Training Camp&nbsp;through the 2024 season.“We are thrilled to announce that we will return to Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph community for another two years,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “Missouri Western and St. Joseph have warmly hosted our team and fans for the past 13 years – a welcome start to the NFL season."I want to thank President Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Director of Athletics Andy Carter for their leadership throughout this process, and we look forward to starting our 2023 season at Missouri Western again this summer.”“We’re thrilled to have the Super Bowl Champions back on campus and look forward to providing a top-notch experience to the team and their fans as they prepare for another successful season," University president Elizabeth Kennedy said. "We’re grateful to the Chiefs for making us their summer training camp home and to the St. Joseph community for embracing the team and its fans.”The Chiefs have held training camp on the Missouri Western campus every year since 2010 (excluding 2020 due to Covid-19). This will mark the 13th year of training camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph.Dates and additional details for 2023 Chiefs Training Camp presented by Mosaic Life Care will be announced in mid-June.

🏈 Chiefs agree to keep camp in St. Joseph through 2024

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick is entering the NBA draft after one season with the Jayhawks.

The 6-foot-8 guard announced his decision&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/gradey_dick/status/1641890748093313024">in a social media post Friday</a>.

Dick started all 36 games for the Jayhawks and averaged 14.1 points while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. He made 83 3-pointers, a program record for a freshman.

Kansas lost to Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with Dick scoring just seven points in his finale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678218741479.jpeg" alt="KU Dick named Jerry West shooting guard of year finalist leaving for NBA" />
 <figcaption>KU Dick named Jerry West shooting guard of year finalist leaving for NBA</figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressLAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick is entering the NBA draft after one season with the Jayhawks.The 6-foot-8 guard announced his decision&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/gradey_dick/status/1641890748093313024">in a social media post Friday</a>.Dick started all 36 games for the Jayhawks and averaged 14.1 points while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. He made 83 3-pointers, a program record for a freshman.Kansas lost to Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with Dick scoring just seven points in his finale.

🏀 MBB: Gradey Dick to leave Kansas for NBA draft after 1 season

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football head coach Lance Leipold on Friday announced the addition of coaching veteran Sean Snyder to the staff as special Assistant to the Head Coach.

Snyder, an experienced college football coach for more than 20 years spent the 2022 season as the special teams coordinator/specialists coach at Illinois. Snyder spent the previous two seasons as the special teams coordinator at USC.

Snyder spent more than two decades at Kansas State, where he served as special teams coordinator/associate head coach from 2011-18 and special teams analyst in 2019 before moving to USC.

Snyder began his career at Kansas State as a part-time assistant coach in 1994 and 1995, then served as director of football operations from 1996 to 1998, assistant athletic director for football operations in 1999 and 2000, associate athletic director in 2001 and senior associate athletic director from 2002 to 2010. He then moved into his role working with the program’s special teams.

During his tenure, Kansas State ranked in the Top 15 of the ESPN Special Teams Efficiency rating five times, including first in 2017, second in 2015 and third in 2012. The Wildcats also were in the Top 25 of the Football Outsiders Special Teams Rating six times since 2011, including first in 2017, third in 2014 and 2019 and sixth in 2012. Snyder was named the national Special Teams Coordinator of the Year in 2015 by FootballScoop and Phil Steele and in 2017 by Phil Steele.

In 2020, USC’s special teams were ranked No. 1 nationally by Football Outsider and the Trojans were in the national Top 25 in NCAA statistics in kickoff return defense (10th at 17.0) and net punting (25th at 40.8). &nbsp;True freshman Parker Lewis was 20th nationally in field goals (1.6), Gary Bryant Jr. (also a true freshman) was 22nd in kickoff returns (26.2), Ben Griffith’s 46.4 punting average was the highest by a Trojan since 2003 and snapper Damon Johnson was a Mannelly Award finalist.

Under Snyder, Kansas State’s special teams units set or tied eight team records and 20 individual marks. &nbsp;He coached four Big 12 Special Teams Players of the Year, including three consecutive (returners Tyler Lockett in 2013 and 2014, Morgan Burns in 2015 and Joshua Youngblood in 2019). Lockett, who now plays for the Seattle Seahawks, was an All-American first team kickoff returner in 2011 and punt returner in 2014. &nbsp;Burns earned All-American first team honors in 2015 as a kick returner when he led the country in kickoff return touchdowns (4). Youngblood was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2019 when he ran back 3 kickoffs for TDs and helped Kansas State top the nation in kickoff return average (29.5).

Placekicker Matthew McCrane was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2014 and All-Big 12 first team pick in 2017, while kicker Jack Cantele made the All-Big 12 first team in 2015. &nbsp;Kick returner Byron Pringle was All-Big 12 first team in 2016 and returner D.J. Reed was so honored in 2017.

Snyder was a consensus All-American and All-Big Eight first team punter under his father, Bill Snyder, at Kansas State as a senior in 1992, averaging 44.7 yards per punt. &nbsp;He was the Big Eight Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a 1991 junior, with a 40.5 punting average. His 43.0 career punting average was a school record. &nbsp;He played in the 1992 Blue-Gray Game. He was inducted into Kansas State’s inaugural Ring of Honor Class in 2002 and into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

Snyder redshirted at Iowa in 1988, then saw action in two games for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt freshman in 1989 before transferring to Kansas State. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State in money and banking in 1994.

Snyder signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1993 and the San Diego Chargers in 1994. He and his wife Wanda raised a daughter Katherine and sons Tate and Matthew. They have five grandchildren: Katherine and her husband Colton have three kids, DJ, Declan, and Murphy, and Tate and his wife Nikki have two children, Pearce and Presley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680440629740.jpeg" alt="KU Football adds Sean Snyder to staff" />
 <figcaption>KU Football adds Sean Snyder to staff</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;Kansas football head coach Lance Leipold on Friday announced the addition of coaching veteran Sean Snyder to the staff as special Assistant to the Head Coach.Snyder, an experienced college football coach for more than 20 years spent the 2022 season as the special teams coordinator/specialists coach at Illinois. Snyder spent the previous two seasons as the special teams coordinator at USC.Snyder spent more than two decades at Kansas State, where he served as special teams coordinator/associate head coach from 2011-18 and special teams analyst in 2019 before moving to USC.Snyder began his career at Kansas State as a part-time assistant coach in 1994 and 1995, then served as director of football operations from 1996 to 1998, assistant athletic director for football operations in 1999 and 2000, associate athletic director in 2001 and senior associate athletic director from 2002 to 2010. He then moved into his role working with the program’s special teams.During his tenure, Kansas State ranked in the Top 15 of the ESPN Special Teams Efficiency rating five times, including first in 2017, second in 2015 and third in 2012. The Wildcats also were in the Top 25 of the Football Outsiders Special Teams Rating six times since 2011, including first in 2017, third in 2014 and 2019 and sixth in 2012. Snyder was named the national Special Teams Coordinator of the Year in 2015 by FootballScoop and Phil Steele and in 2017 by Phil Steele.In 2020, USC’s special teams were ranked No. 1 nationally by Football Outsider and the Trojans were in the national Top 25 in NCAA statistics in kickoff return defense (10th at 17.0) and net punting (25th at 40.8). &nbsp;True freshman Parker Lewis was 20th nationally in field goals (1.6), Gary Bryant Jr. (also a true freshman) was 22nd in kickoff returns (26.2), Ben Griffith’s 46.4 punting average was the highest by a Trojan since 2003 and snapper Damon Johnson was a Mannelly Award finalist.Under Snyder, Kansas State’s special teams units set or tied eight team records and 20 individual marks. &nbsp;He coached four Big 12 Special Teams Players of the Year, including three consecutive (returners Tyler Lockett in 2013 and 2014, Morgan Burns in 2015 and Joshua Youngblood in 2019). Lockett, who now plays for the Seattle Seahawks, was an All-American first team kickoff returner in 2011 and punt returner in 2014. &nbsp;Burns earned All-American first team honors in 2015 as a kick returner when he led the country in kickoff return touchdowns (4). Youngblood was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2019 when he ran back 3 kickoffs for TDs and helped Kansas State top the nation in kickoff return average (29.5).Placekicker Matthew McCrane was a Freshman All-American first teamer in 2014 and All-Big 12 first team pick in 2017, while kicker Jack Cantele made the All-Big 12 first team in 2015. &nbsp;Kick returner Byron Pringle was All-Big 12 first team in 2016 and returner D.J. Reed was so honored in 2017.Snyder was a consensus All-American and All-Big Eight first team punter under his father, Bill Snyder, at Kansas State as a senior in 1992, averaging 44.7 yards per punt. &nbsp;He was the Big Eight Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a 1991 junior, with a 40.5 punting average. His 43.0 career punting average was a school record. &nbsp;He played in the 1992 Blue-Gray Game. He was inducted into Kansas State’s inaugural Ring of Honor Class in 2002 and into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.Snyder redshirted at Iowa in 1988, then saw action in two games for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt freshman in 1989 before transferring to Kansas State. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State in money and banking in 1994.Snyder signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Cardinals in 1993 and the San Diego Chargers in 1994. He and his wife Wanda raised a daughter Katherine and sons Tate and Matthew. They have five grandchildren: Katherine and her husband Colton have three kids, DJ, Declan, and Murphy, and Tate and his wife Nikki have two children, Pearce and Presley.

🏈 Kansas Football adds Sean Snyder to staff as Special Assistant to the Head Coach

The 6-foot-8 guard announced his decision <a href="https://twitter.com/gradey_dick/status/1641890748093313024">in a social media post Friday</a>.

Dick
 started all 36 games for the Jayhawks and averaged 14.1 points while 
shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. He made 83 3-pointers, a 
program record for a freshman.

Associated PressLAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas sharpshooter Gradey Dick is entering the NBA draft after one season with the Jayhawks.The 6-foot-8 guard announced his decision <a href="https://twitter.com/gradey_dick/status/1641890748093313024">in a social media post Friday</a>.Dick
 started all 36 games for the Jayhawks and averaged 14.1 points while 
shooting better than 40% from 3-point range. He made 83 3-pointers, a 
program record for a freshman.Kansas lost to Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with Dick scoring just seven points in his finale.

🏀 Gradey Dick to leave Kansas for NBA draft after 1 season

The Hutchinson High School Salthawk baseball team opens the 2023 campaign this afternoon against the Great Bend Panthers. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from the Great Bend Sports Complex.

The Salthawks will be under the direction of first-year head coach Mace Krol, who was <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/a0af929e-9930-4ba5-bcac-90ae992994ca">hired last May.</a>&nbsp;

All home and road games can be heard on Hutch Post, while all home games will also have live video on Hutch Post and on the NFHS Network Hutch Channel.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680014270281.png" alt="Gameday vs Great Bemd Baseball on NFHS Network - Audio Only" />
 <figcaption>Gameday vs Great Bemd Baseball on NFHS Network - Audio Only</figcaption>
 </figure>The Hutchinson High School Salthawk baseball team opens the 2023 campaign this afternoon against the Great Bend Panthers. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from the Great Bend Sports Complex.The Salthawks will be under the direction of first-year head coach Mace Krol, who was <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/a0af929e-9930-4ba5-bcac-90ae992994ca">hired last May.</a>&nbsp;All home and road games can be heard on Hutch Post, while all home games will also have live video on Hutch Post and on the NFHS Network Hutch Channel.<div><iframe src="https://player.nfhsnetwork.com/#/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gamddcc3330bd" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360"></iframe>
</div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

⚾🎙 LISTEN: Salthawks open season at Great Bend

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680278355514.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;photo by Tommy Rezac." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;photo by Tommy Rezac.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostThe Kansas City Chiefs have extended their agreement with Missouri Western State University to make St. Joseph the home of Chiefs Training Camp&nbsp;through the 2024 season.“We are thrilled to announce that we will return to Missouri Western State University and the St. Joseph community for another two years,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “Missouri Western and St. Joseph have warmly hosted our team and fans for the past 13 years – a welcome start to the NFL season."I want to thank President Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy and Director of Athletics Andy Carter for their leadership throughout this process, and we look forward to starting our 2023 season at Missouri Western again this summer.”“We’re thrilled to have the Super Bowl Champions back on campus and look forward to providing a top-notch experience to the team and their fans as they prepare for another successful season," University president Elizabeth Kennedy said. "We’re grateful to the Chiefs for making us their summer training camp home and to the St. Joseph community for embracing the team and its fans.”The Chiefs have held training camp on the Missouri Western campus every year since 2010 (excluding 2020 due to Covid-19). This will mark the 13th year of training camp at Missouri Western in St. Joseph.Dates and additional details for 2023 Chiefs Training Camp presented by Mosaic Life Care will be announced in mid-June.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pablo Lopez pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning of his Twins debut, and Trevor Larnach and pinch-hitter Donovan Solano each drove in a run as Minnesota beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 to open the season. Lopez walked three and struck out eight while outpitching former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke on a breezy afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. Lopez left after 5 1/3 innings, and the Twins' bullpen did the rest. Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth to earn a save. Greinke allowed both runs in an otherwise solid start to his 20th big league season for the Royals. Salvador Perez and Kyle Isbel had their only hits.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — George Springer had five hits and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat St. Louis 10-9 despite the Cardinals’ Tyler O’Neill tying a major league record by homering on opening day for the fourth straight season. Bo Bichette had four hits for the Blue Jays, who set a team record for hits in an opener and outhit the Cardinals 19-15. Making his Cardinals debut, catcher Willson Contreras left after the eighth inning, when he was hit on the left knee by a 102.7 mph fastball from Jordan Hicks on the first pitch to Guerrero.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman committed Major League Baseball’s first pitch-clock violation in the third inning of Thursday’s opening day game against the Milwaukee Brewers. With no outs, rookie Brice Turang on second base and Christian Yelich at the plate, plate umpire Ron Kulpa called the violation on Stroman at Wrigley Field. Kulpa pointed to his wrist in announcing the call, and the automatic ball made it a 2-2 count against Yelich. Cubs-Brewers was the fourth of 15 opening day games to begin Thursday. Several more violations followed on the first day of regular season games since MLB introduced a slate of rules changes this season.

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge rang in opening day the same way he marked many nights last season: with a home run. In his first game as New York Yankees captain, Judge hit a solo drive in the first inning off San Francisco’s Logan Webb, a 422-foot shot into the netting above Monument Park in center field. Judge hit a thigh-high cutter on the outside part of the plate for a 109 mph drive and his first opening-day home run. Judge hit an American League-record 62 home runs last year, one more than Roger Maris’ total with the 1961 Yankees.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 over six scoreless innings in his season debut coming off the World Baseball Classic title before Oakland capitalized once he exited with Aledmys Díaz rallying the Athletics on a tiebreaking single in the eighth for a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Esteury Ruiz singled and Tony Kemp hit a tying double to start the rally against Aaron Loup. Rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe singled in the fifth to break up a scoreless game and put the Angels ahead. Then Los Angeles right fielder Hunter Renfroe made an amazing no-look catch for the opening-day highlight reels. Trevor May pitched the eighth for the win. Dany Jimenez earned the save.

DALLAS (AP) — South Carolina and Iowa will meet in one of the most highly anticipated Final Four matchups in women's basketball history. The undefeated Gamecocks are looking to become the 10th team to go through a season unbeaten and the first to repeat as champions since UConn won four in a row from 2013 through 2016. To get to the NCAA Tournament title game, Dawn Staley's squad will have to slow down dynamic guard Caitlin Clark, who has Iowa back in the national semifinals for the first time in 30 years.

HOUSTON (AP) — The college basketball season started with familiar faces and ended up with an unexpected Final Four. North Carolina was the preseason No. 1-ranked team only to miss the NCAA Tournament. Fellow bluebloods like Duke and Kentucky all fell out of the rankings at points. And reigning champion Kansas was among the first No. 1 seeds to fall short of making even the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. The transfer portal allowing players to move freely is a factor in redistributing talent to quickly change rosters. That meant more opportunities for some and tougher roads for some traditional top programs.

HOUSTON (AP) — Alabama All-American forward Brandon Miller is heading to the NBA after displaying versatile talent and potential in his lone season of college basketball. But that season was also blemished by revelations that he was present at a fatal shooting near campus in January. The 6-foot-9, 200-pound freshman told ESPN his decision to leave for the NBA. A person with knowledge of the decision confirmed that decision to The Associated Press, but spoke on condition of anonymity pending Miller’s official declaration. He is projected as a potential top 5 draft pick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680255656188.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Friday" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pablo Lopez pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning of his Twins debut, and Trevor Larnach and pinch-hitter Donovan Solano each drove in a run as Minnesota beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 to open the season. Lopez walked three and struck out eight while outpitching former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke on a breezy afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. Lopez left after 5 1/3 innings, and the Twins' bullpen did the rest. Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth to earn a save. Greinke allowed both runs in an otherwise solid start to his 20th big league season for the Royals. Salvador Perez and Kyle Isbel had their only hits.ST. LOUIS (AP) — George Springer had five hits and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat St. Louis 10-9 despite the Cardinals’ Tyler O’Neill tying a major league record by homering on opening day for the fourth straight season. Bo Bichette had four hits for the Blue Jays, who set a team record for hits in an opener and outhit the Cardinals 19-15. Making his Cardinals debut, catcher Willson Contreras left after the eighth inning, when he was hit on the left knee by a 102.7 mph fastball from Jordan Hicks on the first pitch to Guerrero.CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman committed Major League Baseball’s first pitch-clock violation in the third inning of Thursday’s opening day game against the Milwaukee Brewers. With no outs, rookie Brice Turang on second base and Christian Yelich at the plate, plate umpire Ron Kulpa called the violation on Stroman at Wrigley Field. Kulpa pointed to his wrist in announcing the call, and the automatic ball made it a 2-2 count against Yelich. Cubs-Brewers was the fourth of 15 opening day games to begin Thursday. Several more violations followed on the first day of regular season games since MLB introduced a slate of rules changes this season.NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge rang in opening day the same way he marked many nights last season: with a home run. In his first game as New York Yankees captain, Judge hit a solo drive in the first inning off San Francisco’s Logan Webb, a 422-foot shot into the netting above Monument Park in center field. Judge hit a thigh-high cutter on the outside part of the plate for a 109 mph drive and his first opening-day home run. Judge hit an American League-record 62 home runs last year, one more than Roger Maris’ total with the 1961 Yankees.OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 over six scoreless innings in his season debut coming off the World Baseball Classic title before Oakland capitalized once he exited with Aledmys Díaz rallying the Athletics on a tiebreaking single in the eighth for a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Esteury Ruiz singled and Tony Kemp hit a tying double to start the rally against Aaron Loup. Rookie catcher Logan O’Hoppe singled in the fifth to break up a scoreless game and put the Angels ahead. Then Los Angeles right fielder Hunter Renfroe made an amazing no-look catch for the opening-day highlight reels. Trevor May pitched the eighth for the win. Dany Jimenez earned the save.DALLAS (AP) — South Carolina and Iowa will meet in one of the most highly anticipated Final Four matchups in women's basketball history. The undefeated Gamecocks are looking to become the 10th team to go through a season unbeaten and the first to repeat as champions since UConn won four in a row from 2013 through 2016. To get to the NCAA Tournament title game, Dawn Staley's squad will have to slow down dynamic guard Caitlin Clark, who has Iowa back in the national semifinals for the first time in 30 years.HOUSTON (AP) — The college basketball season started with familiar faces and ended up with an unexpected Final Four. North Carolina was the preseason No. 1-ranked team only to miss the NCAA Tournament. Fellow bluebloods like Duke and Kentucky all fell out of the rankings at points. And reigning champion Kansas was among the first No. 1 seeds to fall short of making even the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. The transfer portal allowing players to move freely is a factor in redistributing talent to quickly change rosters. That meant more opportunities for some and tougher roads for some traditional top programs.HOUSTON (AP) — Alabama All-American forward Brandon Miller is heading to the NBA after displaying versatile talent and potential in his lone season of college basketball. But that season was also blemished by revelations that he was present at a fatal shooting near campus in January. The 6-foot-9, 200-pound freshman told ESPN his decision to leave for the NBA. A person with knowledge of the decision confirmed that decision to The Associated Press, but spoke on condition of anonymity pending Miller’s official declaration. He is projected as a potential top 5 draft pick.THURSDAY SCORESINTERLEAGUEFinal N.Y. Yankees 5 San Francisco 0Final Texas 11 Philadelphia 7Final Toronto 10 St. Louis 9AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Baltimore 10 Boston 9Final Tampa Bay 4 Detroit 0Final Minnesota 2 Kansas City 0Final Chicago White Sox 3 Houston 2Final Seattle 3 Cleveland 0Final Oakland 2 L.A. Angels 1NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Atlanta 7 Washington 2Final Chicago Cubs 4 Milwaukee 0Final N.Y. Mets 5 Miami 3Final Pittsburgh 5 Cincinnati 4Final Colorado 7 San Diego 2Final L.A. Dodgers 8 Arizona 2NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Boston 140 Milwaukee 99Final New Orleans 107 Denver 88NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Florida 5 Montreal 2Final Pittsburgh 2 Nashville 0Final New Jersey 2 N-Y Rangers 1Final Tampa Bay 5 Washington 1Final OT Boston 2 Columbus 1Final OT Ottawa 5 Philadelphia 4Final Detroit 3 Carolina 2Final St. Louis 5 Chicago 3Final Edmonton 2 Los Angeles 0Final Seattle 4 Anaheim 1Final OT San Jose 4 Vegas 3

Sports Headlines for Friday

Via Hutchinson CC Sports Information

EL DORADO – Freshman catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/cymbalista_colin_zaji">Colin Cymbalista</a>&nbsp;hit his first home of the season and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Hutchinson Community College baseball team to an 11-1 run-rule victory over Butler in eight innings and split the first two game of a Jayhawk West Series on Thursday at McDonald Stadium.

The Blue Dragons' eight-inning win over the Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing streak after Butler won the series opener 8-3 on Thursday. Games 3 and 4 will be played at Hobart-Detter Field beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

GAME 2 RECAP Cymbalista's big day in Game 2 started with his two-out two-run single in the first inning to give Hutchinson a 3-0 lead. He then capped off the Blue Dragons' eight-run eighth inning with a three-run home run for an 11-1 Hutchinson lead.

Cymbalista led the Blue Dragons' 13-hit attack, going 4 for 5 with five RBIs. He also scored two runs. Cymbalista also was strong defensively, throwing out a runner at second base trying to advance on a wild pitch to end a Butler threat in the fourth inning.

Cymbalista gave pitchers&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/ojeda_sam_8hjt">Sam Ojeda</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/uhler_michael_i630">Michael Uhler</a>&nbsp;plenty of run support

Ojeda gave up a first-inning run, but held the Grizzlies scoreless over his next four innings. Ojeda (2-1) earned the victory with four hits, one earned run and one walk allowed. Ojeda struck out four.

Uhler earned his first career save with three scoreless innings. He surrendered three hits and one walk. Uhler struck out four and he retired the final four batters he faced.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/henderson_ryan_sab3">Ryan Henderson</a>&nbsp;went 2 for 5 with two RBIs. Henderson had a two-run single in the eighth inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/edmunson_will_rdcc">Will Edmunson</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

A.J. Mustow had an RBI double in the first and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/gunderson_cody_4bzo">Cody Gunderson</a>&nbsp;had an RBI single in the eighth.

GAME 1 RECAP Butler out-hit Hutchinson 10-2 in the opening game. The Grizzlies also answered the Blue Dragons in the two runs they scored in to build a five-run lead.

The Dragons scored a single run in the third when Cooper Westland singles moved to third on two wild pitches and scored on&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/powell_christian_dv61">Christian Powell</a>'s sacrifice fly.

The Dragons then loaded the bases with no out in the fourth and pulled within 5-3 on&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/gardner_jack_8lt5">Jack Gardner</a>'s two-run single scored Edmunson and Gunderson.

<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/scott_reed_03bo">Reed Scott</a>&nbsp;(3-2) suffered the loss after allowing seven hits and seven earned runs over four innings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680255450278.jpeg" alt="Colin Cymbalista went 4 for 5 with a homer and five RBIs in Hutchinson's 11-1 run-rule victory over Butler on Thursday in El Dorado. (Andrew Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Colin Cymbalista went 4 for 5 with a homer and five RBIs in Hutchinson's 11-1 run-rule victory over Butler on Thursday in El Dorado. (Andrew Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>Via Hutchinson CC Sports InformationEL DORADO – Freshman catcher&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/cymbalista_colin_zaji">Colin Cymbalista</a>&nbsp;hit his first home of the season and drove in a career-high five runs to lead the Hutchinson Community College baseball team to an 11-1 run-rule victory over Butler in eight innings and split the first two game of a Jayhawk West Series on Thursday at McDonald Stadium.The Blue Dragons' eight-inning win over the Grizzlies snapped a four-game losing streak after Butler won the series opener 8-3 on Thursday. Games 3 and 4 will be played at Hobart-Detter Field beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday.GAME 2 RECAP Cymbalista's big day in Game 2 started with his two-out two-run single in the first inning to give Hutchinson a 3-0 lead. He then capped off the Blue Dragons' eight-run eighth inning with a three-run home run for an 11-1 Hutchinson lead.Cymbalista led the Blue Dragons' 13-hit attack, going 4 for 5 with five RBIs. He also scored two runs. Cymbalista also was strong defensively, throwing out a runner at second base trying to advance on a wild pitch to end a Butler threat in the fourth inning.Cymbalista gave pitchers&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/ojeda_sam_8hjt">Sam Ojeda</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/uhler_michael_i630">Michael Uhler</a>&nbsp;plenty of run supportOjeda gave up a first-inning run, but held the Grizzlies scoreless over his next four innings. Ojeda (2-1) earned the victory with four hits, one earned run and one walk allowed. Ojeda struck out four.Uhler earned his first career save with three scoreless innings. He surrendered three hits and one walk. Uhler struck out four and he retired the final four batters he faced.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/henderson_ryan_sab3">Ryan Henderson</a>&nbsp;went 2 for 5 with two RBIs. Henderson had a two-run single in the eighth inning.&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/edmunson_will_rdcc">Will Edmunson</a>&nbsp;was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.A.J. Mustow had an RBI double in the first and&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/gunderson_cody_4bzo">Cody Gunderson</a>&nbsp;had an RBI single in the eighth.GAME 1 RECAP Butler out-hit Hutchinson 10-2 in the opening game. The Grizzlies also answered the Blue Dragons in the two runs they scored in to build a five-run lead.The Dragons scored a single run in the third when Cooper Westland singles moved to third on two wild pitches and scored on&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/powell_christian_dv61">Christian Powell</a>'s sacrifice fly.The Dragons then loaded the bases with no out in the fourth and pulled within 5-3 on&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/gardner_jack_8lt5">Jack Gardner</a>'s two-run single scored Edmunson and Gunderson.<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/bios/scott_reed_03bo">Reed Scott</a>&nbsp;(3-2) suffered the loss after allowing seven hits and seven earned runs over four innings.

⚾ Cymbalista's career day leads HutchCC to split with Butler

LOS ANGELES&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas redshirt-junior Jalen Wilson has been named one of five finalists for the 2023 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year. The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced the All-American Team and the five finalists Thursday evening on ESPN2. &nbsp; Wilson becomes the 26th Jayhawk to be named a Wooden Award All-American all-time. Kansas has had back-to-back honorees with Ochai Agbaji earning the accolade in 2022. Wilson now seeks to become the third Kansas player to win the Wooden Award, joining Frank Mason III (2017) and Danny Manning (1988). &nbsp; Joining Wilson as finalists for the Wooden Award are Zach Edey (Purdue), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Marcus Sasser (Houston) and Drew Timme (Gonzaga). All five players have been invited to Los Angeles for the 47th annual presentation of the John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Gala. &nbsp; One of four Naismith Trophy finalists, Wilson will be Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team honoree. The unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, rebounds at 8.3 and double-doubles with 12. The Denton, Texas, forward posted three 30-point performances and had 22 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last seven contests. Wilson is the seventh player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, including the fourth Jayhawk to earn the distinction. &nbsp; On nearly every national player of the year watch list, Wilson is just the 10th player in Kansas men’s basketball history to record 1,400-plus career points and 800-plus career rebounds and the first since Perry Ellis (2013-16). Wilson’s 1,475 points rank 27th on the KU career list and his 802 rebounds are 14th in school history. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list. &nbsp; The 47th annual John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Men’s Player of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, April 4th on ESPN’s SportsCenter. The John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Gala will honor the Men’s and Women’s Wooden Award winners, and will include the presentation of the Wooden Award All American Teams and the Legends of Coaching Award, this year given to Dawn Staley. The Gala will take place at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday, April 7th. &nbsp; Kansas Wooden Award All-Americans 2023 – Jalen Wilson 2022 – Ochai Agbaji 2020 – Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson 2018 – Devonte’ Graham 2017 – Frank Mason III (Wooden Award recipient), Josh Jackson 2016 – Perry Ellis 2014 – Andrew Wiggins 2013 – Ben McLemore 2012 – Thomas Robinson 2011 – Marcus Morris 2010 – Sherron Collins 2008 – Brandon Rush 2007 – Brandon Rush 2005 – Wayne Simien 2003 – Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich 2002 – Drew Gooden 1998 – Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce 1997 – Raef LaFrentz, Jacque Vaughn 1996 – Jacque Vaughn 1988 – Danny Manning (Wooden Award recipient) 1986 – Danny Manning

<figure>
 <img src="https://mcusercontent.com/3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1/images/62889d5d-1494-4924-adf8-fe25509f009f.jpg" alt="Wilson Wooden Award Finalist" />
 <figcaption>Wilson Wooden Award Finalist</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas redshirt-junior Jalen Wilson has been named one of five finalists for the 2023 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year. The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced the All-American Team and the five finalists Thursday evening on ESPN2. &nbsp; Wilson becomes the 26th Jayhawk to be named a Wooden Award All-American all-time. Kansas has had back-to-back honorees with Ochai Agbaji earning the accolade in 2022. Wilson now seeks to become the third Kansas player to win the Wooden Award, joining Frank Mason III (2017) and Danny Manning (1988). &nbsp; Joining Wilson as finalists for the Wooden Award are Zach Edey (Purdue), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Marcus Sasser (Houston) and Drew Timme (Gonzaga). All five players have been invited to Los Angeles for the 47th annual presentation of the John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Gala. &nbsp; One of four Naismith Trophy finalists, Wilson will be Kansas’ 32nd&nbsp;all-time Consensus All-America First Team honoree. The unanimous Big 12 Player of the Year and All-Big 12 First Team selection, Wilson leads the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 points per game, rebounds at 8.3 and double-doubles with 12. The Denton, Texas, forward posted three 30-point performances and had 22 games of 20 or more points scored this season, including each of his last seven contests. Wilson is the seventh player in Big 12 history to lead the league in scoring and rebounding in the same season, including the fourth Jayhawk to earn the distinction. &nbsp; On nearly every national player of the year watch list, Wilson is just the 10th player in Kansas men’s basketball history to record 1,400-plus career points and 800-plus career rebounds and the first since Perry Ellis (2013-16). Wilson’s 1,475 points rank 27th on the KU career list and his 802 rebounds are 14th in school history. Wilson’s 28 career double-doubles are ninth on the KU all-time list. &nbsp; The 47th annual John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Men’s Player of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, April 4th on ESPN’s SportsCenter. The John R. Wooden Award Presented by Wendy’s Gala will honor the Men’s and Women’s Wooden Award winners, and will include the presentation of the Wooden Award All American Teams and the Legends of Coaching Award, this year given to Dawn Staley. The Gala will take place at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Friday, April 7th. &nbsp; Kansas Wooden Award All-Americans 2023 – Jalen Wilson 2022 – Ochai Agbaji 2020 – Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson 2018 – Devonte’ Graham 2017 – Frank Mason III (Wooden Award recipient), Josh Jackson 2016 – Perry Ellis 2014 – Andrew Wiggins 2013 – Ben McLemore 2012 – Thomas Robinson 2011 – Marcus Morris 2010 – Sherron Collins 2008 – Brandon Rush 2007 – Brandon Rush 2005 – Wayne Simien 2003 – Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich 2002 – Drew Gooden 1998 – Raef LaFrentz, Paul Pierce 1997 – Raef LaFrentz, Jacque Vaughn 1996 – Jacque Vaughn 1988 – Danny Manning (Wooden Award recipient) 1986 – Danny Manning

🏀 MBB: KU's Jalen Wilson Named Wooden Award Finalist

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pablo Lopez and four Minnesota relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on a breezy opening day Thursday.

Trevor Larnach and pinch-hitter Donovan Solano each drove in a run. Lopez allowed both Kansas City hits while walking three and striking out eight in 5 1/3 innings, outpitching former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.

A trio of Twins relievers easily ushered the game to Jhoan Duran, who worked around a walk in the ninth to earn the save on an overcast afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Greinke, who also lasted 5 1/3 innings, delivered a solid start for Kansas City to begin his 20th season in the big leagues. The 39-year-old right-hander allowed both runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four.

The Twins won despite leaving the bases loaded three times and 12 on base in all.

Salvador Perez and Kyle Isbel had the Royals' only hits.

Even though Greinke and Lopez matched scoreless innings through the fifth, both had to wiggle out of trouble.

The Twins had a pair of singles and a walk in the first inning, but Greinke rebounded to get Nick Gordon to ground out and end the threat. The Royals' erstwhile ace didn't allow another hit until Christian Vazquez singled with one out in the fifth.

Lopez, who arrived in a January trade with Miami, retired the first seven batters he faced and didn't allow a single until Perez's shattered bat went about as far as the ball in the fourth. Lopez later loaded the bases on a double, hit batter and walk in the fifth, but the righty got MJ Melendez to ground down the first-base line into an inning-ending double play.

The Twins finally broke though in the sixth. Larnach followed Byron Buxton's leadoff triple with a base hit, and Solano entered to face Royals reliever Amir Garrett, ripping a single up the middle to extend the lead.

Kansas City never really threatened the rest of the way.

The Royals made Perez, their seven-time All-Star catcher, the fourth captain in franchise history Thursday. He's the first to wear the “C” on his jersey since Mike Sweeney in 2007; the others were George Brett and Frank White.

Twins SS Carlos Correa singled in his first at-bat after a bizarre offseason. Lucrative deals with the Giants and Mets fell apart over concerns about his surgically repaired ankle and he returned to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million deal.

Twins: RHPs Ronny Henriquez (elbow inflammation) and Josh Winder (shoulder strain), INF Jorge Polanco (knee inflammation) and OFs Gilberto Celestino (thumb surgery) and Alex Kirilloff (wrist surgery) went on the injured list before the game.

Royals: OF Drew Waters (oblique strain) and LHP Daniel Lynch (rotator cuff strain) went on the IL before the game.

Twins: INF/OF Willi Castro had his contract selected from Triple-A St. Paul to provide depth with Polanco and Kirilloff out.

Royals: OFs Jackie Bradley Jr. and Franmil Reyes and INF Matt Duffy had contracts selected from Triple-A Omaha. LHP Richard Lovelady was traded to Atlanta and 1B Matt Beaty to San Francisco, both for cash.

After a day off Friday, Twins RHP Sonny Gray gets the start against Royals RHP Jordan Lyles on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680115673148.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pablo Lopez and four Minnesota relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 2-0 on a breezy opening day Thursday.Trevor Larnach and pinch-hitter Donovan Solano each drove in a run. Lopez allowed both Kansas City hits while walking three and striking out eight in 5 1/3 innings, outpitching former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.A trio of Twins relievers easily ushered the game to Jhoan Duran, who worked around a walk in the ninth to earn the save on an overcast afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.Greinke, who also lasted 5 1/3 innings, delivered a solid start for Kansas City to begin his 20th season in the big leagues. The 39-year-old right-hander allowed both runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four.The Twins won despite leaving the bases loaded three times and 12 on base in all.Salvador Perez and Kyle Isbel had the Royals' only hits.Even though Greinke and Lopez matched scoreless innings through the fifth, both had to wiggle out of trouble.The Twins had a pair of singles and a walk in the first inning, but Greinke rebounded to get Nick Gordon to ground out and end the threat. The Royals' erstwhile ace didn't allow another hit until Christian Vazquez singled with one out in the fifth.Lopez, who arrived in a January trade with Miami, retired the first seven batters he faced and didn't allow a single until Perez's shattered bat went about as far as the ball in the fourth. Lopez later loaded the bases on a double, hit batter and walk in the fifth, but the righty got MJ Melendez to ground down the first-base line into an inning-ending double play.The Twins finally broke though in the sixth. Larnach followed Byron Buxton's leadoff triple with a base hit, and Solano entered to face Royals reliever Amir Garrett, ripping a single up the middle to extend the lead.Kansas City never really threatened the rest of the way.CAPTAIN SALThe Royals made Perez, their seven-time All-Star catcher, the fourth captain in franchise history Thursday. He's the first to wear the “C” on his jersey since Mike Sweeney in 2007; the others were George Brett and Frank White.CORREA'S RETURNTwins SS Carlos Correa singled in his first at-bat after a bizarre offseason. Lucrative deals with the Giants and Mets fell apart over concerns about his surgically repaired ankle and he returned to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million deal.TRAINER'S ROOMTwins: RHPs Ronny Henriquez (elbow inflammation) and Josh Winder (shoulder strain), INF Jorge Polanco (knee inflammation) and OFs Gilberto Celestino (thumb surgery) and Alex Kirilloff (wrist surgery) went on the injured list before the game.Royals: OF Drew Waters (oblique strain) and LHP Daniel Lynch (rotator cuff strain) went on the IL before the game.MAKING MOVESTwins: INF/OF Willi Castro had his contract selected from Triple-A St. Paul to provide depth with Polanco and Kirilloff out.Royals: OFs Jackie Bradley Jr. and Franmil Reyes and INF Matt Duffy had contracts selected from Triple-A Omaha. LHP Richard Lovelady was traded to Atlanta and 1B Matt Beaty to San Francisco, both for cash.UP NEXTAfter a day off Friday, Twins RHP Sonny Gray gets the start against Royals RHP Jordan Lyles on Saturday.

⚾ Pablo Lopez, Twins' bullpen blank Royals on opening day

🏀 MBB: K-State selected to play in 2023 Baha Mar Hoops Championship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For Mammoth Design Director David Folsom, creating a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals was a passion project, dream come true, and homage to baseball’s rich history all at once.&nbsp;

The Royals have initial plans in place to bring the hometown team into the heart of the city. One option is to build at the site of the old Kansas City Star printing pavilion, stretching part of ballpark over I-35.&nbsp;

That’s where Folsom and Mammoth Sports Construction came in. A lifetime baseball fan and Kansas City native, Folsom poured unvarnished passion into the conception. Recycled copper from the KC Star building pays tribute to the site where it would stand. The brick facade incorporates the style of the iconic West Bottoms stockyards. The thoughtfully curved seating bowl preserves the present seating structure of Kaufman Stadium. And the U-shaped section design takes inspiration from Fenway Park and Camden Yards.

Altogether, it's a a timeless ballpark design, woven into its city, with all the history of yesterday and the features of tomorrow. Craftsman quality. Anchored to place. A city like this one deserves no less.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680173500141.jpeg" alt="Rendering" />
 <figcaption>Rendering</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For Mammoth Design Director David Folsom, creating a new stadium for the Kansas City Royals was a passion project, dream come true, and homage to baseball’s rich history all at once.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680173450042.jpeg" alt="Rendering&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rendering&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The Royals have initial plans in place to bring the hometown team into the heart of the city. One option is to build at the site of the old Kansas City Star printing pavilion, stretching part of ballpark over I-35.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680173548977.jpeg" alt="Renering" />
 <figcaption>Renering</figcaption>
 </figure>That’s where Folsom and Mammoth Sports Construction came in. A lifetime baseball fan and Kansas City native, Folsom poured unvarnished passion into the conception. Recycled copper from the KC Star building pays tribute to the site where it would stand. The brick facade incorporates the style of the iconic West Bottoms stockyards. The thoughtfully curved seating bowl preserves the present seating structure of Kaufman Stadium. And the U-shaped section design takes inspiration from Fenway Park and Camden Yards.Altogether, it's a a timeless ballpark design, woven into its city, with all the history of yesterday and the features of tomorrow. Craftsman quality. Anchored to place. A city like this one deserves no less.&nbsp;

⚾ Mammoth Design releases downtown KC stadium renderings

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City Royals announced several roster moves this morning to finalize their Opening Day Roster. The Royals have selected outfielders&nbsp;Jackie Bradley Jr.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Franmil Reyes&nbsp;and infielder&nbsp;Matt Duffy.

Additionally, left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jake Brentz&nbsp;has been placed on the 60-day Injured List as he continues to recover from left elbow surgery, and outfielder&nbsp;Diego Hernandez&nbsp;has been recalled and placed on the 60-day Injured List with a dislocated right shoulder. Outfielder&nbsp;Drew Waters&nbsp;has been placed on the 10-day Injured List retroactive to March 27 with a left oblique strain, and left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Daniel Lynch&nbsp;has been placed on the 15-day Injured List retroactive to March 27 with a rotator cuff strain. Left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Angel Zerpa&nbsp;was placed on the 60-day Injured List on March 15 with left shoulder tendinopathy.

The Royals have 40 players on the Major League Reserve List.

Kansas City’s 26-man Opening Day roster includes 15 players who made the Opening Day roster in 2022, including pitchers&nbsp;Scott Barlow,&nbsp;Kris Bubic,&nbsp;Taylor Clarke,&nbsp;Dylan Coleman,&nbsp;Amir Garrett,&nbsp;Zack Greinke,&nbsp;Carlos Hernández,&nbsp;Brad Keller&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brady Singer; catcher&nbsp;Salvador Perez; infielders&nbsp;Hunter Dozier,&nbsp;Nicky Lopez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.; and outfielders&nbsp;Kyle Isbel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Edward Olivares.

Five Royals made the Opening Day roster for the first time, including pitcher&nbsp;Jose Cuas, catcher&nbsp;MJ Melendez&nbsp;and infielders&nbsp;Nate Eaton,&nbsp;Michael Massey&nbsp;and&nbsp;Vinnie Pasquantino.

Six players will be making their Royals debuts with their 1st&nbsp;appearance this season, including pitchers&nbsp;Aroldis Chapman,&nbsp;Jordan Lyles&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ryan Yarbrough, infielder&nbsp;Matt Duffy&nbsp;and outfielders&nbsp;Jackie Bradley Jr.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Franmil Reyes.

Zack Greinke&nbsp;made the Opening Day roster for the 17th&nbsp;time in his career and is making his 7th career Opening Day start today. This marks his 6th Opening Day start in the last eight seasons, which matches&nbsp;Max Scherzer,&nbsp;Aaron Nola&nbsp;and&nbsp;Madison Bumgarner&nbsp;for the most Opening Day starts by a pitcher in the Majors since 2016.

Salvador Perez&nbsp;is making his 9th&nbsp;career Opening Day start at catcher, most in franchise history at that position. His 9 career Opening Day starts (at any position) are tied with&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;for the 7th most in franchise history.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680192072477.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City Royals announced several roster moves this morning to finalize their Opening Day Roster. The Royals have selected outfielders&nbsp;Jackie Bradley Jr.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Franmil Reyes&nbsp;and infielder&nbsp;Matt Duffy.Additionally, left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Jake Brentz&nbsp;has been placed on the 60-day Injured List as he continues to recover from left elbow surgery, and outfielder&nbsp;Diego Hernandez&nbsp;has been recalled and placed on the 60-day Injured List with a dislocated right shoulder. Outfielder&nbsp;Drew Waters&nbsp;has been placed on the 10-day Injured List retroactive to March 27 with a left oblique strain, and left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Daniel Lynch&nbsp;has been placed on the 15-day Injured List retroactive to March 27 with a rotator cuff strain. Left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Angel Zerpa&nbsp;was placed on the 60-day Injured List on March 15 with left shoulder tendinopathy.The Royals have 40 players on the Major League Reserve List.Kansas City’s 26-man Opening Day roster includes 15 players who made the Opening Day roster in 2022, including pitchers&nbsp;Scott Barlow,&nbsp;Kris Bubic,&nbsp;Taylor Clarke,&nbsp;Dylan Coleman,&nbsp;Amir Garrett,&nbsp;Zack Greinke,&nbsp;Carlos Hernández,&nbsp;Brad Keller&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brady Singer; catcher&nbsp;Salvador Perez; infielders&nbsp;Hunter Dozier,&nbsp;Nicky Lopez&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bobby Witt Jr.; and outfielders&nbsp;Kyle Isbel&nbsp;and&nbsp;Edward Olivares.Five Royals made the Opening Day roster for the first time, including pitcher&nbsp;Jose Cuas, catcher&nbsp;MJ Melendez&nbsp;and infielders&nbsp;Nate Eaton,&nbsp;Michael Massey&nbsp;and&nbsp;Vinnie Pasquantino.Six players will be making their Royals debuts with their 1st&nbsp;appearance this season, including pitchers&nbsp;Aroldis Chapman,&nbsp;Jordan Lyles&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ryan Yarbrough, infielder&nbsp;Matt Duffy&nbsp;and outfielders&nbsp;Jackie Bradley Jr.&nbsp;and&nbsp;Franmil Reyes.Zack Greinke&nbsp;made the Opening Day roster for the 17th&nbsp;time in his career and is making his 7th career Opening Day start today. This marks his 6th Opening Day start in the last eight seasons, which matches&nbsp;Max Scherzer,&nbsp;Aaron Nola&nbsp;and&nbsp;Madison Bumgarner&nbsp;for the most Opening Day starts by a pitcher in the Majors since 2016.Salvador Perez&nbsp;is making his 9th&nbsp;career Opening Day start at catcher, most in franchise history at that position. His 9 career Opening Day starts (at any position) are tied with&nbsp;Mike Sweeney&nbsp;for the 7th most in franchise history.

⚾ BSB: Royals set Opening Day roster

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that they have traded left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Richard Lovelady&nbsp;to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.

Lovelady, 27, has spent his entire professional career with Kansas City after being selected by the Royals in the 10th&nbsp;round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. 

He made his Major League debut in 2019 but has pitched only 34.0 innings over the last three seasons (2020-22) due to injury.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that they have traded left-handed pitcher&nbsp;Richard Lovelady&nbsp;to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.Lovelady, 27, has spent his entire professional career with Kansas City after being selected by the Royals in the 10th&nbsp;round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. He made his Major League debut in 2019 but has pitched only 34.0 innings over the last three seasons (2020-22) due to injury.

⚾ BSB: Royals trade Lovelady to Braves for cash

A major shift in how Major League Baseball is played. About time, too.

Aaron Judge aiming at his own home run record, Shohei Ohtani trending with every pitch and swing, Dusty Baker trying to win another World Series ring.

All-Stars in different spots, a new scheduling concept featuring each team facing all 29 opponents.

If it sounds like these plot lines are from a movie — "Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes to mind — it's true.

Opening day is Thursday and the full slate includes games at Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. And good news for fans — there's no snow in the forecast at any of them.

Manny Machado drew the first pitch clock violation in spring training and it was nuisance. A game between the Braves and Red Sox ended on a clock call and it was a novelty.

Chances are, if Max Scherzer or Nolan Arenado or some other intense star gets timed out in a key spot, it could go nuclear.

But MLB realized it had to do something to cut all the dead periods when absolutely nothing was happening. Well, except for hitters adjusting their batting gloves or pitchers pawing at the rubber. So with games routinely dragging on for more than three hours, the slowdown is getting sped up.

The sport that never had a clock suddenly has them all over the park. Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and the rest of the pitchers get 15 seconds to throw with nobody on base, 20 seconds with runners on. Vladimir Guerero Jr., Mookie Betts and the hitters need to be ready.

The early returns were good, spring training games lasted nearly a half-hour less this year. But remember, that was in Clearwater, Tempe and Lakeland — it might be a lot different, especially early in the season, when umpires begin pointing to their wrists at Busch Stadium, Camden Yards and Petco Park.

NL home run champ Kyle Schwarber, 2020 World Series MVP Corey Seager and a bevy of left-handed boppers should benefit hugely by this rule change. Because from now on, those pull hitters won't face a wall of three infielders on the right side.

Defensive shifts dominated the game in recent years, a big reason why batting averages plummeted so sharply. José Ramírez, Cody Bellinger and other lefties increasingly found themselves being thrown out from shallow-to-medium right field.

No longer. Realizing that shifts were a winning strategy on the field but a losing proposition with fans, MLB banned them. These days, two infielders must be standing on each side of second base. And no playing deep on the grass to rob hits, either — Dansby Swason, Jeremy Peña and other infielders need to be on the dirt.

One likely effect: With more grounders sneaking through for singles, look for the number of no-hitters and near-gems to drop.

All eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani when he starts for the Los Angeles Angels on opening day at Oakland. Here's what fans will really watch: Where will the two-way sensation wind up?

Quite possibly the most popular and talented player on the planet, Ohtani clinched the World Baseball Classic for Japan and earned the MVP trophy by striking out Angels teammate Mike Trout.

Ohtani can become a free agent after this year. He's never reached the postseason since joining the Halos in 2018 — Trout, a three-time MVP, has never won a single playoff game, but that's another matter.

At 28, it's hard to imagine Ohtani sticking around Anaheim after yet another lost season. If they don't start winning soon, the Angels can either trade him to a very ambitious team or risk letting him walk away for nothing.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom bolted New York for a greener field in Texas. Three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, a model of power pitching, now on the mound for the Mets.

Trea Turner smoothly slid over to join pal Bryce Harper on the Phillies. Xander Bogaerts livened up a San Diego lineup that already included sluggers Manny Machado, Juan Soto and the suspended Fernando Tatis Jr.

AL batting champion Luis Arraez was traded from Minnesota to Miami and former MVP José Abreu signed with the World Series champion Houston Astros.

Maybe the most intriguing newcomer: Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida. He powered Japan in the WBC and was penciled into the Boston cleanup spot even before his major league debut.

We get it: Stolen bases are for suckers, modern metrics show they're not worth the gamble. Miami's Jon Berti stole 41 last season and topped the majors; it was the lowest total for the MLB leader since 1963, when Maury Wills and Luis Aparicio each swiped 40.

Execs hope bigger bases that are 18-inch squares, up from 15-inch squares, will help entice more speedsters to try. It cuts down the distance between the bags by a few inches. They “look like a pizza box,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. Pitchers also will be limited in how many pickoff throws they can make.

Note to MLB: If you really want to get Randy Arozarena, Bobby Witt Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr. on the run, see Andrés Giménez and others drop down more surprise bunts, open up hitting lanes and just increase overall offense, here's a better idea — shorten the bases to 88 feet.

The NFL spruced up its game by moving back the extra-point line, making the PAT a more competitive play and prompting coaches to go for two. The NBA overhauled its sport way back by adding the 3-point arc. We know baseball has its hallowed distances — 90 feet and 60 feet, 6 inches — but they don't have to stay that way forever, especially not with younger audiences eager for more action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680171143216.jpeg" alt="MLB starts today" />
 <figcaption>MLB starts today</figcaption>
 </figure>A major shift in how Major League Baseball is played. About time, too.Aaron Judge aiming at his own home run record, Shohei Ohtani trending with every pitch and swing, Dusty Baker trying to win another World Series ring.All-Stars in different spots, a new scheduling concept featuring each team facing all 29 opponents.If it sounds like these plot lines are from a movie — "Everything Everywhere All at Once” comes to mind — it's true.Opening day is Thursday and the full slate includes games at Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. And good news for fans — there's no snow in the forecast at any of them.TICK-TOCKManny Machado drew the first pitch clock violation in spring training and it was nuisance. A game between the Braves and Red Sox ended on a clock call and it was a novelty.Chances are, if Max Scherzer or Nolan Arenado or some other intense star gets timed out in a key spot, it could go nuclear.But MLB realized it had to do something to cut all the dead periods when absolutely nothing was happening. Well, except for hitters adjusting their batting gloves or pitchers pawing at the rubber. So with games routinely dragging on for more than three hours, the slowdown is getting sped up.The sport that never had a clock suddenly has them all over the park. Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and the rest of the pitchers get 15 seconds to throw with nobody on base, 20 seconds with runners on. Vladimir Guerero Jr., Mookie Betts and the hitters need to be ready.The early returns were good, spring training games lasted nearly a half-hour less this year. But remember, that was in Clearwater, Tempe and Lakeland — it might be a lot different, especially early in the season, when umpires begin pointing to their wrists at Busch Stadium, Camden Yards and Petco Park.VERY SHIFTYNL home run champ Kyle Schwarber, 2020 World Series MVP Corey Seager and a bevy of left-handed boppers should benefit hugely by this rule change. Because from now on, those pull hitters won't face a wall of three infielders on the right side.Defensive shifts dominated the game in recent years, a big reason why batting averages plummeted so sharply. José Ramírez, Cody Bellinger and other lefties increasingly found themselves being thrown out from shallow-to-medium right field.No longer. Realizing that shifts were a winning strategy on the field but a losing proposition with fans, MLB banned them. These days, two infielders must be standing on each side of second base. And no playing deep on the grass to rob hits, either — Dansby Swason, Jeremy Peña and other infielders need to be on the dirt.One likely effect: With more grounders sneaking through for singles, look for the number of no-hitters and near-gems to drop.SHO OR GO?All eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani when he starts for the Los Angeles Angels on opening day at Oakland. Here's what fans will really watch: Where will the two-way sensation wind up?Quite possibly the most popular and talented player on the planet, Ohtani clinched the World Baseball Classic for Japan and earned the MVP trophy by striking out Angels teammate Mike Trout.Ohtani can become a free agent after this year. He's never reached the postseason since joining the Halos in 2018 — Trout, a three-time MVP, has never won a single playoff game, but that's another matter.At 28, it's hard to imagine Ohtani sticking around Anaheim after yet another lost season. If they don't start winning soon, the Angels can either trade him to a very ambitious team or risk letting him walk away for nothing.STAR SCRAMBLETwo-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom bolted New York for a greener field in Texas. Three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, a model of power pitching, now on the mound for the Mets.Trea Turner smoothly slid over to join pal Bryce Harper on the Phillies. Xander Bogaerts livened up a San Diego lineup that already included sluggers Manny Machado, Juan Soto and the suspended Fernando Tatis Jr.AL batting champion Luis Arraez was traded from Minnesota to Miami and former MVP José Abreu signed with the World Series champion Houston Astros.Maybe the most intriguing newcomer: Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida. He powered Japan in the WBC and was penciled into the Boston cleanup spot even before his major league debut.EXTRA BAGGAGEWe get it: Stolen bases are for suckers, modern metrics show they're not worth the gamble. Miami's Jon Berti stole 41 last season and topped the majors; it was the lowest total for the MLB leader since 1963, when Maury Wills and Luis Aparicio each swiped 40.Execs hope bigger bases that are 18-inch squares, up from 15-inch squares, will help entice more speedsters to try. It cuts down the distance between the bags by a few inches. They “look like a pizza box,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. Pitchers also will be limited in how many pickoff throws they can make.Note to MLB: If you really want to get Randy Arozarena, Bobby Witt Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr. on the run, see Andrés Giménez and others drop down more surprise bunts, open up hitting lanes and just increase overall offense, here's a better idea — shorten the bases to 88 feet.The NFL spruced up its game by moving back the extra-point line, making the PAT a more competitive play and prompting coaches to go for two. The NBA overhauled its sport way back by adding the 3-point arc. We know baseball has its hallowed distances — 90 feet and 60 feet, 6 inches — but they don't have to stay that way forever, especially not with younger audiences eager for more action.

⚾ MLB opening day offers clocks, shift bans, Ohtani and Judge

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals owner John Sherman believes that plans are progressing toward a new downtown ballpark, which would replace the nearly 50-year-old Kauffman Stadium as early as 2027 or 2028. The club has had dialogue with fans, business leaders and politicians about potential sites, though none has been decided. The idea is to build a $1 billion stadium as the centerpiece of a $1 billion residential and commercial development. Meanwhile, the owner is similarly optimistic about the current team, which lost nearly 100 games a year ago. The Royals have a new manager in Matt Quatraro and several promising young prospects that they believe will continue to develop throughout the upcoming season, which begins Thursday against Minnesota.

UNDATED (AP) — A major shift is coming to Major League Baseball, starting on opening day this Thursday. New rules are now in effect. There will be clocks at stadiums to hurry along pitchers and hitters, and there are restrictions on defensive shifts for fielders. The full slate of 15 games includes matchups at Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. Aaron Judge will aiming at his own home run record, Shohei Ohtani will be trending with every pitch and swing and Houston manager Dusty Baker is trying to win another World Series ring.

UNDATED (AP) — Major league pitchers and batters aren’t the only ones going on the clock this season. Big league broadcasters have also been using spring training to adjust to baseball’s new rhythm amid a series of rules changes. When the season opens Thursday, Major League Baseball will usher in an age of sharper, quicker and more concise commentary. For a generation of play-by-play pros who grew up idolizing loquacious storytellers like Hall of Famer Vin Scully, it’s been an adjustment. But not necessarily an unwelcome one.

NEW YORK (AP) — Minor league baseball players reached a historic initial collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball on Wednesday that will more than double player salaries, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details were not announced. The sides reached the five-year deal on Wednesday, two days before the start of the minor league season and hours after a federal judge gave final approval to a $185 million settlement reached with MLB last May of a lawsuit filed in 2014 alleging violations of federal minimum wage laws. Under the new deal, minimum salaries in Triple-A will rise from $17,500 to $45,800.

HOUSTON (AP) — A toxic cauldron on social media is one of the minefields players in the NCAA Tournament must navigate. In an era of increased sensitivity to athlete mental health, never have there been more outside voices scrutinizing their every move. In the third part of a series on social media's impact on March Madness, The Associated Press found that turning off social media is an option but not really a practical one. It's unrealistic with the way society interacts in the 21st century. And many athletes need to use social media for endorsement deals. All of that, the AP found, comes with a toll best illustrated by spikes among athletes in anxiety and depression over the past two years.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU guard Mike Miles Jr. has declared for the NBA draft, and he says he is leaving this time. Miles had also declared for the draft last year, but pulled his name out of consideration and returned for his junior season with the Horned Frogs. He says the time is right to turn pro. He was second in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 17.9 points while playing in 27 of TCU’s 35 games. He missed five games in a row after hyperextending his right knee in late January. He missed two earlier games with a left foot issue and sat out another with an illness.

UNDATED (AP) — A congressional hearing targeting what one lawmaker called “NIL chaos” in college sports drifted into the consequences of college athletes being deemed employees. A subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held the first hearing Wednesday related to college sports in the House or Senate in more than two years. The intended focus was name, image and likeness compensation for athletes. College sports leaders have been asking for a federal law to bring uniform regulation to the way athletes can earn money through sponsorship or endorsement deals.

NEW YORK (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he's hopeful that a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players can get done by the end of this week, though he stopped short of predicting that a deal would actually get struck. The league and the National Basketball Players Association are facing a midnight Friday deadline for either side to decide that they will opt out of the deal and end the current CBA on June 30. That opt-out deadline already has been extended twice, and Silver said the NBA’s plan is to exercise that option if there is no deal by Friday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680170778822.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Thursday" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals owner John Sherman believes that plans are progressing toward a new downtown ballpark, which would replace the nearly 50-year-old Kauffman Stadium as early as 2027 or 2028. The club has had dialogue with fans, business leaders and politicians about potential sites, though none has been decided. The idea is to build a $1 billion stadium as the centerpiece of a $1 billion residential and commercial development. Meanwhile, the owner is similarly optimistic about the current team, which lost nearly 100 games a year ago. The Royals have a new manager in Matt Quatraro and several promising young prospects that they believe will continue to develop throughout the upcoming season, which begins Thursday against Minnesota.UNDATED (AP) — A major shift is coming to Major League Baseball, starting on opening day this Thursday. New rules are now in effect. There will be clocks at stadiums to hurry along pitchers and hitters, and there are restrictions on defensive shifts for fielders. The full slate of 15 games includes matchups at Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. Aaron Judge will aiming at his own home run record, Shohei Ohtani will be trending with every pitch and swing and Houston manager Dusty Baker is trying to win another World Series ring.UNDATED (AP) — Major league pitchers and batters aren’t the only ones going on the clock this season. Big league broadcasters have also been using spring training to adjust to baseball’s new rhythm amid a series of rules changes. When the season opens Thursday, Major League Baseball will usher in an age of sharper, quicker and more concise commentary. For a generation of play-by-play pros who grew up idolizing loquacious storytellers like Hall of Famer Vin Scully, it’s been an adjustment. But not necessarily an unwelcome one.NEW YORK (AP) — Minor league baseball players reached a historic initial collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball on Wednesday that will more than double player salaries, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details were not announced. The sides reached the five-year deal on Wednesday, two days before the start of the minor league season and hours after a federal judge gave final approval to a $185 million settlement reached with MLB last May of a lawsuit filed in 2014 alleging violations of federal minimum wage laws. Under the new deal, minimum salaries in Triple-A will rise from $17,500 to $45,800.HOUSTON (AP) — A toxic cauldron on social media is one of the minefields players in the NCAA Tournament must navigate. In an era of increased sensitivity to athlete mental health, never have there been more outside voices scrutinizing their every move. In the third part of a series on social media's impact on March Madness, The Associated Press found that turning off social media is an option but not really a practical one. It's unrealistic with the way society interacts in the 21st century. And many athletes need to use social media for endorsement deals. All of that, the AP found, comes with a toll best illustrated by spikes among athletes in anxiety and depression over the past two years.FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU guard Mike Miles Jr. has declared for the NBA draft, and he says he is leaving this time. Miles had also declared for the draft last year, but pulled his name out of consideration and returned for his junior season with the Horned Frogs. He says the time is right to turn pro. He was second in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 17.9 points while playing in 27 of TCU’s 35 games. He missed five games in a row after hyperextending his right knee in late January. He missed two earlier games with a left foot issue and sat out another with an illness.UNDATED (AP) — A congressional hearing targeting what one lawmaker called “NIL chaos” in college sports drifted into the consequences of college athletes being deemed employees. A subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held the first hearing Wednesday related to college sports in the House or Senate in more than two years. The intended focus was name, image and likeness compensation for athletes. College sports leaders have been asking for a federal law to bring uniform regulation to the way athletes can earn money through sponsorship or endorsement deals.NEW YORK (AP) — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he's hopeful that a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players can get done by the end of this week, though he stopped short of predicting that a deal would actually get struck. The league and the National Basketball Players Association are facing a midnight Friday deadline for either side to decide that they will opt out of the deal and end the current CBA on June 30. That opt-out deadline already has been extended twice, and Silver said the NBA’s plan is to exercise that option if there is no deal by Friday night.WEDNESDAY SCORESNATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Milwaukee 149 Indiana 136Final New York 101 Miami 92Final Brooklyn 123 Houston 114Final Philadelphia 116 Dallas 108Final L.A. Lakers 121 Chicago 110Final L.A. Clippers 141 Memphis 132Final Oklahoma City 107 Detroit 106Final Sacramento 120 Portland 80Final Phoenix 107 Minnesota 100Final Utah 128 San Antonio 117NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal SO N-Y Islanders 2 Washington 1Final OT Florida 3 Toronto 2Final Minnesota 4 Colorado 2

Sports Headlines for Thursday

<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=887943cbeb&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=85d0ce2438&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Postgame Notes</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=0f94e4eaff&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Season Stats</a>

LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks led for more than 33 minutes Wednesday night and dominated Washington 61-36 in the Fab 4 of the WNIT.

With the convincing win, the Jayhawks (24-11) will now host Columbia out of the Ivy League in the WNIT Championship Game on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The contest will also be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network.

"I thought we got off to a slow start offensively, just because of nerves," said Head Coach Brandon Schneider. "We missed some shots that normally, we would make. You can't blame the girls in a setting like this, probably for the first time. Our defense was locked in and they were really good all night long. It was great to see us, even the last couple of minutes, really stay attentive and take pride in trying to get a stop."

Taiyanna Jackson posted her 22nd&nbsp;double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks, while Zakiyah Franklin led all scorers with 14 points and Holly Kersgieter and Wyvette Mayberry each had 11 points apiece.

Kansas will now appear in the WNIT Championship Game for the second time in program history after falling to South Florida in the 2009 title contest.

Wednesday’s game opened as a defensive battle on both ends of the court, with Washington taking a 6-2 lead at the first media timeout with 4:38 to play in the first quarter. The Jayhawks held the Huskies to a 3-for-9 start from the field and a 0-for-2 start from deep.

Kansas got hot out of the media timeout and immediately went on a 7-0 run over just a 54-second stretch. After a layup from Washington, a Sanna Strom three-pointer made it a 10-2 run for the Jayhawks and made the score 12-8 Kansas with just more than two and a half minutes to play in the opening quarter. Washington cut it to two, but a three-point play from Mayberry in the final minute made the score 15-10 at the end of the first.

The hosts extended their lead to open the second quarter. After a basket from Washington, Kansas went on a 6-0 run to extend its lead to nine at 21-12 and force a timeout for the Huskies with 5:37 to play in the first half. Kersgieter converted a fast break with a layup to force the Washington timeout and get the home crowd of 7,229 in a frenzy.

It turns out the Jayhawks were just getting started. Washington hit a layup out of the timeout to break the 6-0 run, but Kansas then went on a 9-0 run right after the bucket that ballooned the score to 30-14. The 9-0 run came via six points from Jackson and a three-point play from Kersgieter. Washington’s Hannah Stines converted on a jumper in the final minute of the half to make the score 30-16 at the break.

The intermission did nothing to cool off the Jayhawks, who kept their foot on the gas in the second half. Kansas began the third quarter on a 12-2 run to extend the lead to 42-18 with less than five minutes to play in the quarter. Kansas closed out the quarter, leading 48-28 to take a 20-point lead into the final quarter. The Jayhawks got six points from Mayberry in the third and held Washington to 4 of 13 shooting from the floor with five turnovers in the quarter.

The Jayhawks led by at least 21 points the entire fourth quarter and held Washington to 7 of 31 shooting in the second half with 11 turnovers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680170522781.jpeg" alt="KU WBB atdvance to WNIT Championship" />
 <figcaption>KU WBB atdvance to WNIT Championship</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=887943cbeb&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Box Score</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=85d0ce2438&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Postgame Notes</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3846a6408b9536a51afeabac1&amp;id=0f94e4eaff&amp;e=33e05464a3" target="_blank">Season Stats</a>LAWRENCE, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Jayhawks led for more than 33 minutes Wednesday night and dominated Washington 61-36 in the Fab 4 of the WNIT.With the convincing win, the Jayhawks (24-11) will now host Columbia out of the Ivy League in the WNIT Championship Game on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The contest will also be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network."I thought we got off to a slow start offensively, just because of nerves," said Head Coach Brandon Schneider. "We missed some shots that normally, we would make. You can't blame the girls in a setting like this, probably for the first time. Our defense was locked in and they were really good all night long. It was great to see us, even the last couple of minutes, really stay attentive and take pride in trying to get a stop."Taiyanna Jackson posted her 22nd&nbsp;double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Jayhawks, while Zakiyah Franklin led all scorers with 14 points and Holly Kersgieter and Wyvette Mayberry each had 11 points apiece.Kansas will now appear in the WNIT Championship Game for the second time in program history after falling to South Florida in the 2009 title contest.Wednesday’s game opened as a defensive battle on both ends of the court, with Washington taking a 6-2 lead at the first media timeout with 4:38 to play in the first quarter. The Jayhawks held the Huskies to a 3-for-9 start from the field and a 0-for-2 start from deep.Kansas got hot out of the media timeout and immediately went on a 7-0 run over just a 54-second stretch. After a layup from Washington, a Sanna Strom three-pointer made it a 10-2 run for the Jayhawks and made the score 12-8 Kansas with just more than two and a half minutes to play in the opening quarter. Washington cut it to two, but a three-point play from Mayberry in the final minute made the score 15-10 at the end of the first.The hosts extended their lead to open the second quarter. After a basket from Washington, Kansas went on a 6-0 run to extend its lead to nine at 21-12 and force a timeout for the Huskies with 5:37 to play in the first half. Kersgieter converted a fast break with a layup to force the Washington timeout and get the home crowd of 7,229 in a frenzy.It turns out the Jayhawks were just getting started. Washington hit a layup out of the timeout to break the 6-0 run, but Kansas then went on a 9-0 run right after the bucket that ballooned the score to 30-14. The 9-0 run came via six points from Jackson and a three-point play from Kersgieter. Washington’s Hannah Stines converted on a jumper in the final minute of the half to make the score 30-16 at the break.The intermission did nothing to cool off the Jayhawks, who kept their foot on the gas in the second half. Kansas began the third quarter on a 12-2 run to extend the lead to 42-18 with less than five minutes to play in the quarter. Kansas closed out the quarter, leading 48-28 to take a 20-point lead into the final quarter. The Jayhawks got six points from Mayberry in the third and held Washington to 4 of 13 shooting from the floor with five turnovers in the quarter.The Jayhawks led by at least 21 points the entire fourth quarter and held Washington to 7 of 31 shooting in the second half with 11 turnovers.

🏀 WBB: Jayhawks advance to WNIT Championship after dominating Washington

LAWRENCE, Kan.—Another Jayhawk is leaving the nest. Kansas wing&nbsp;MJ Rice&nbsp;intends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Rice is set to depart&nbsp;KU after his freshman season with the Jayhawks.&nbsp;The 6-foot-5, 225-pound small forward ended the season averaging 2.2 points per game on 40 percent shooting from the field, while adding 1.0 rebounds per contest. He will have three seasons of playing eligibility left at his next school.

It was an up-and-down season for Rice and one that was impacted due to his availability. He missed the Omaha game in the first week of the season before he didn’t travel to the Champions Classic due to an illness. He came back and played against Southern Utah but suffered from kidney stones before the NC State game in Battle 4 Atlantis and missed that contest. Over a three-game span against Tennessee, Texas Southern and Seton Hall, Rice notched double-digit minutes. After the Seton Hall contest, Rice averaged six minutes per game and played in 17 of KU's next 27 contests.

Rice committed to KU in August of 2021 and signed with the program during the early period. He took official visits to Kansas and Oklahoma State and held offers from seven other program.&nbsp;He was the No. 28-ranked recruit nationally, the No. 8-ranked small forward and the No. 5-ranked player in California in the 247Sports rankings for the class of 2022. Per the 247Sports Composite, Rice was the No. 25-ranked prospect nationally with the same position and state rankings.

Rice is the latest KU player to enter the transfer portal in what is shaping up to be a roster overhaul.

In the first year of the portal windows, the college basketball transfer portal begins March 13 and runs until May 11.&nbsp;Numerous graduate transfers already entered the transfer portal prior to the March 13 opening, but that date kicked off the 60-day window for the rest of the prospective transfers to hop in the portal to examine their options. The one-time transfer rule is still intact, per usual. If a player has not transferred yet, they are immediately eligible. In Martin's case, he is a graduate transfer and is immediately eligible at his next school.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609550863288.jpeg" alt="KU basketball&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>KU basketball&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan.—Another Jayhawk is leaving the nest. Kansas wing&nbsp;MJ Rice&nbsp;intends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Rice is set to depart&nbsp;KU after his freshman season with the Jayhawks.&nbsp;The 6-foot-5, 225-pound small forward ended the season averaging 2.2 points per game on 40 percent shooting from the field, while adding 1.0 rebounds per contest. He will have three seasons of playing eligibility left at his next school.It was an up-and-down season for Rice and one that was impacted due to his availability. He missed the Omaha game in the first week of the season before he didn’t travel to the Champions Classic due to an illness. He came back and played against Southern Utah but suffered from kidney stones before the NC State game in Battle 4 Atlantis and missed that contest. Over a three-game span against Tennessee, Texas Southern and Seton Hall, Rice notched double-digit minutes. After the Seton Hall contest, Rice averaged six minutes per game and played in 17 of KU's next 27 contests.Rice committed to KU in August of 2021 and signed with the program during the early period. He took official visits to Kansas and Oklahoma State and held offers from seven other program.&nbsp;He was the No. 28-ranked recruit nationally, the No. 8-ranked small forward and the No. 5-ranked player in California in the 247Sports rankings for the class of 2022. Per the 247Sports Composite, Rice was the No. 25-ranked prospect nationally with the same position and state rankings.Rice is the latest KU player to enter the transfer portal in what is shaping up to be a roster overhaul.In the first year of the portal windows, the college basketball transfer portal begins March 13 and runs until May 11.&nbsp;Numerous graduate transfers already entered the transfer portal prior to the March 13 opening, but that date kicked off the 60-day window for the rest of the prospective transfers to hop in the portal to examine their options. The one-time transfer rule is still intact, per usual. If a player has not transferred yet, they are immediately eligible. In Martin's case, he is a graduate transfer and is immediately eligible at his next school.

🏀 MBB: Kansas wing MJ Rice intends to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Are you ready for Royals Opening Day? It's almost here! Join us at The K on Thursday, March 30th vs. the Minnesota Twins! With a brand-new bobblehead, exciting LIVE music, and the return of powder blues, this is a game you DO NOT want to miss! Tickets start at just $29, or save even more with a bundled ticket pack below. Bring your mom, your dad, your brother, your sister, your cousin, your neighbor, your dog... well, don't bring your dog yet. Wait until Bark at the Park to do that. Anyway, we can't wait to see you!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679898458513.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Are you ready for Royals Opening Day? It's almost here! Join us at The K on Thursday, March 30th vs. the Minnesota Twins! With a brand-new bobblehead, exciting LIVE music, and the return of powder blues, this is a game you DO NOT want to miss! Tickets start at just $29, or save even more with a bundled ticket pack below. Bring your mom, your dad, your brother, your sister, your cousin, your neighbor, your dog... well, don't bring your dog yet. Wait until Bark at the Park to do that. Anyway, we can't wait to see you!<h2>Game Day Activations</h2><ul>
 <li>Parking lots will open at 9:00 a.m. and stadium gates will open at 12 p.m.Parking must be purchased in advance&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/ballpark/transportation">here</a>.</li><li>Parking must be purchased in advance&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mlb.com/royals/ballpark/transportation">here</a>.</li><li>Bobby Witt, Jr. Bobblehead gate giveaway presented by Price Chopper</li><li>On it's 50th Anniversary, full powder blue uniforms return and make their debut at The K</li><li>Pre-game Concert by Grammy-award winning Country Rock duo Brothers OsborneLocated on the&nbsp;Miller Lite Fountain Bar Deck&nbsp;(above the left-center field fountains facing the field)Concert will take place from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.Must have an Opening Day game ticket to attend</li><li>Located on the&nbsp;Miller Lite Fountain Bar Deck&nbsp;(above the left-center field fountains facing the field)</li><li>Concert will take place from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.</li><li>Must have an Opening Day game ticket to attend</li><li>Pre-game Opening Day ceremonyCelebration of the 50th anniversary of the Kauffman Stadium FountainsMembers of the 1973 Royals Opening Day team will be in attendance. This was the first team to wear full powder bluesFlyover by aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base</li><li>Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Kauffman Stadium Fountains</li><li>Members of the 1973 Royals Opening Day team will be in attendance. This was the first team to wear full powder blues</li><li>Flyover by aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base</li>
 </ul>

⚾ MLB: Opening day at the 'K'; Royals vs Minnesota

PHOENIX (AP) — Dan Snyder’s departure from the NFL is moving closer to reality. A group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales and another group led by Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos have submitted fully financed bids for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Two people confirmed the bid from Harris. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because details of the bid have not been publicly announced. The Harris/Rales group includes basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta also has been in the running. Snyder had yet to accept an offer when the league’s finance committee met Monday so his future wasn’t openly discussed.

PHOENIX (AP) — Lamar Jackson’s frustration over contract negotiations reached a boiling point when he announced Monday that he has requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens. Staying in Baltimore might be his best and only option. If the two sides can’t agree on a long-term deal by July 17, Jackson could play this season on the $32.4 million franchise tag. The 2019 NFL MVP hasn’t generated any interest in free agency after the Ravens placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on him. Some teams immediately said they wouldn’t pursue Jackson. The Washington Commanders joined that list Monday.

CHICAGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani watch is on. Not Ohtani’s home runs or strikeouts or any of his magnificent numbers from the field. Nothing like that. It’s all about how much his next contract will be worth. Ohtani is among a group of players going into their final season before they are eligible for free agency. There is still time for signatures and press conferences before opening day, but history shows a new contract becomes less likely once the real games begin. The list of impending free agents also includes Aaron Nola, Matt Chapman, Teoscar Hernández, Ian Happ and Julio Urías.

DALLAS (AP) — LSU coach Kim Mulkey is returning to Texas for another Final Four. The former Baylor coach says some people with ties to her lengthy tenure in Texas will be in the stands when the Tigers play Virginia Tech in the national semifinals Friday night in Dallas. Mulkey is the third coach to lead multiple schools to the Final Four. She made four trips with Baylor. It's her first with LSU in her second season. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley returns to the scene of her first national championship five years ago. The Gamecocks play Iowa.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rodney Terry says he always felt confident he'd earn the chance to be the full-time head basketball coach at Texas. The school removed the interim tag from his title and gave him the full-time job after leading the Longhorns to the Elite Eight following the midseason firing of Chris Beard. Terry said at a news conference Tuesday that his previous experience as a Longhorns assistant had prepared him for the job. The chairman of the school's Board of Regents said Terry got a five-year contract at $3 million per year.

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA has taken a seat on the bench in the political game. The organization that governs college athletics was once at the forefront of hot-button issues such as the Confederate flag and transgender rights. But that stance evolved quickly as one Republican-controlled state after another rushed to pass laws that cover everything from abortion to transgender rights to drag shows. The NCAA’s new approach came into sharper focus this week as Texas prepares to host both the men’s and women’s Final Four. Not a word has been spoken about moving these events out of Houston and Dallas.

UNDATED (AP) — The number of college athletes who are monetizing their social media followings has grown over the past 18 months. The NCAA cleared the way for athletes to cash in on their celebrity in July 2021. Many of those influencers are female athletes. Some say they are aware their growing popularity can draw attention from fans who may overstep their bounds. Sometimes it's in the comments on their social media posts. And sometimes they show up at sporting events just to meet the athletes.

GENEVA (AP) — Some Russian athletes can soon return to international sports, although their status for the Paris Olympics is still up in the air. The International Olympic Committee has recommended that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus should be allowed to return to competition under a neutral status as long as they have no military links. But the IOC held off on deciding whether they can compete at next year’s Paris Olympics. While the IOC said Russia and Belarus should remain barred from team sports such as soccer and basketball, it still defied repeated calls by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to exclude all Russian athletes while his country is being occupied and attacked.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680085628575.jpeg" alt="Sports Headlines for Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Sports Headlines for Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>PHOENIX (AP) — Dan Snyder’s departure from the NFL is moving closer to reality. A group led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales and another group led by Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos have submitted fully financed bids for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Two people confirmed the bid from Harris. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because details of the bid have not been publicly announced. The Harris/Rales group includes basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta also has been in the running. Snyder had yet to accept an offer when the league’s finance committee met Monday so his future wasn’t openly discussed.PHOENIX (AP) — Lamar Jackson’s frustration over contract negotiations reached a boiling point when he announced Monday that he has requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens. Staying in Baltimore might be his best and only option. If the two sides can’t agree on a long-term deal by July 17, Jackson could play this season on the $32.4 million franchise tag. The 2019 NFL MVP hasn’t generated any interest in free agency after the Ravens placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on him. Some teams immediately said they wouldn’t pursue Jackson. The Washington Commanders joined that list Monday.CHICAGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani watch is on. Not Ohtani’s home runs or strikeouts or any of his magnificent numbers from the field. Nothing like that. It’s all about how much his next contract will be worth. Ohtani is among a group of players going into their final season before they are eligible for free agency. There is still time for signatures and press conferences before opening day, but history shows a new contract becomes less likely once the real games begin. The list of impending free agents also includes Aaron Nola, Matt Chapman, Teoscar Hernández, Ian Happ and Julio Urías.DALLAS (AP) — LSU coach Kim Mulkey is returning to Texas for another Final Four. The former Baylor coach says some people with ties to her lengthy tenure in Texas will be in the stands when the Tigers play Virginia Tech in the national semifinals Friday night in Dallas. Mulkey is the third coach to lead multiple schools to the Final Four. She made four trips with Baylor. It's her first with LSU in her second season. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley returns to the scene of her first national championship five years ago. The Gamecocks play Iowa.AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rodney Terry says he always felt confident he'd earn the chance to be the full-time head basketball coach at Texas. The school removed the interim tag from his title and gave him the full-time job after leading the Longhorns to the Elite Eight following the midseason firing of Chris Beard. Terry said at a news conference Tuesday that his previous experience as a Longhorns assistant had prepared him for the job. The chairman of the school's Board of Regents said Terry got a five-year contract at $3 million per year.UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA has taken a seat on the bench in the political game. The organization that governs college athletics was once at the forefront of hot-button issues such as the Confederate flag and transgender rights. But that stance evolved quickly as one Republican-controlled state after another rushed to pass laws that cover everything from abortion to transgender rights to drag shows. The NCAA’s new approach came into sharper focus this week as Texas prepares to host both the men’s and women’s Final Four. Not a word has been spoken about moving these events out of Houston and Dallas.UNDATED (AP) — The number of college athletes who are monetizing their social media followings has grown over the past 18 months. The NCAA cleared the way for athletes to cash in on their celebrity in July 2021. Many of those influencers are female athletes. Some say they are aware their growing popularity can draw attention from fans who may overstep their bounds. Sometimes it's in the comments on their social media posts. And sometimes they show up at sporting events just to meet the athletes.GENEVA (AP) — Some Russian athletes can soon return to international sports, although their status for the Paris Olympics is still up in the air. The International Olympic Committee has recommended that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus should be allowed to return to competition under a neutral status as long as they have no military links. But the IOC held off on deciding whether they can compete at next year’s Paris Olympics. While the IOC said Russia and Belarus should remain barred from team sports such as soccer and basketball, it still defied repeated calls by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to exclude all Russian athletes while his country is being occupied and attacked.TUESDAY SCORESMAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLINTERLEAGUEFinal Washington 3 N.Y. Yankees 0Final Philadelphia 6 Toronto 5Final Minnesota 7 Pittsburgh 5Final Atlanta 7 Boston 5Final Chicago Cubs 8 Chicago White Sox 5Final Arizona 3 Cleveland 1Final L.A. Angels 13 L.A. Dodgers 5AMERICAN LEAGUEFinal Texas 5 Kansas City 3Final Houston 5 Sugar Land 1NATIONAL LEAGUEFinal Milwaukee 8 Colorado 1NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal Washington 130 Boston 111Final Toronto 106 Miami 92Final Atlanta 120 Cleveland 118Final Memphis 113 Orlando 108Final Charlotte 137 Oklahoma City 134Final Golden State 120 New Orleans 109NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal Philadelphia 3 Montreal 2Final N-Y Rangers 6 Columbus 2Final Tampa Bay 4 Carolina 0Final Nashville 2 Boston 1Final Detroit 7 Pittsburgh 4Final OT St. Louis 6 Vancouver 5Final Dallas 4 Chicago 1Final Calgary 2 Los Angeles 1Final Edmonton 7 Vegas 4Final San Jose 3 Winnipeg 0