Category: Sports

NASCAR officials announced Monday that the 2020 Cup Series Awards and Champion’s Week festivities will not occur as scheduled in Nashville in early December because of COVID-19 concerns.

In the statement, officials indicated that the year-end celebration would return to Nashville in 2021. The statement also said NASCAR’s three national series champions will be feted with postseason honors to be determined at a later date.

“With the uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus and the impact on the industry, this year’s NASCAR Champion’s Week and NASCAR Cup Series Awards originally scheduled to take place in Nashville will not occur,” the statement reads. “The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series champions will be celebrated at the end of the season with more details to come. We look forward to returning to Nashville in 2021.”

NASCAR celebrated its season-ending awards banquet for the first time in the Tennessee capital last December. Kyle Busch savored the laurels of his second series title at the Music City Center, and the NASCAR industry embraced the new setting with burnouts on the famed Broadway strip and other music-themed activities.

NASCAR announced June 3 that the Cup Series would race at Nashville Superspeedway in 2021.

The Manchester Youth Baseball Association closed out their 3^rd week of competition on Friday with 3 games at Fred Deadman Park.   

In the 8U division, Dr. Jay beat Interstate Auto 14 to 12 and Freedom Automotive defeated KK’s 16 to 5. In the 1^st game, Dr. Jay trailed 11 to 7 entering the 3^rd inning before finding their groove.  Four runs in the 4^th inning and 3 more in the 5^th gave the Doc Squad the win.  Kolton swung the big stick for Dr. Jay as he had 4 home runs.  Kaden Spencer had a home run, 2 triples and a single for Interstate.  Keyton Childress also added a home run for Interstate.   In the 2^nd game, Freedom pushed a 7 to 5 lead entering the 3^rd inning, Freedom scored 8 runs to put the game out of reach.  Freedom held KK’s to no runs in the final 3 innings to grab the win. 

In the 12U division, Clower Automotive took down Peoples Bank 13 to 7.  The Boys from the Bank got off to a great start as they used 5 hits to plate 4 runs.  Clower tied the game in the bottom of the 1^st inning taking advantage of a couple of Peoples miscues.  Grayson Sadler found his groove on the mound for Clower as he held Peoples scoreless for the next 2 innings allowing Clower to build a 9 run lead.  Kaiden Gannon had a pair of singles and scored twice for Clower.  Isaiah Deadman had a pair of doubles for Peoples. 

Monday MYBA Schedule

8U Division at Fast Pitch Field

5:00 PM – Lions Club vs. Freedom Automotive

10U Division at National League Field

5:00 PM – Chico’s Bail Bands vs. First National Bank

7:30 PM – Coffee County Bank vs. State Farm

12U Division at Aaron Miller Field

5:00 PM – First Vision Bank vs. Powers Storage

7:30 PM – Clower Automotive vs. Bush Insurance

18U Division at Looney Riddle(Babe Ruth) Field

6:00 PM – Mets vs. Christiana Braves

8:00 PM – Christiana Braves vs. Mets

UNOFFICIAL Manchester Youth Baseball Association Standings(thru June 26th)

The pictures, material and information contained in this story may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, for commercial gain, without the express written consent of Coffee County Broadcasting.

As a youngster, Isaiah Mack learned about work ethic by watching his mother.  Sequoyah Mack took care of the family while going to school to be nurse. She worked long hours as Mack began following his dream to play in the NFL.  Mack, a defensive tackle who is set to begin his second season with the Titans, said he’ll never forget it.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without her, I can promise you that,” Mack said of his mother. “She is an outstanding woman, just being able to take care of me and my brother and my cousins, and on top of that go to school. Watching her, I got to see what hard work really is. She is an amazing example of not just hard work, but of determination.

“It’s why I can never give up. I just try and keep up with her and I understand: You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”  Mack, who starred at Chattanooga and made the Titans as an undrafted free agent last year, is working hard this offseason to enhance of chances of making the team again.  And in 2020, Mack wants to make even more of an impact.

The 6-foot-1, 299-pound Mack played in 13 games for the Titans as a rookie in 2019, and he finished with 11 tackles, eight quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks. After being inactive the last six games of the season, he’s already started to identify ways he needs to improve this offseason.  “The experience last season, it was awesome,” Mack said. “To go on the run we went on, it was great. We got to see how good we could be. As for myself, I think the whole year was a learning experience.”  Mack said he benefited from being around defensive linemen Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Jeffery Simmons and others.

“I learned a lot of things,” Mack said. “I learned from Jurrell about pass rush and learned from DaQuan and Jeffery about the run. I got put with a bunch of good guys I could learn from. I am glad I was put in a spot to learn from some good guys.”

This offseason, Mack said he’s working on his strength, and his technique.  After spending the early part of the offseason training in Chattanooga, Mack returned to Nashville and more recently he’s been working with his teammates in town.  He’s counting the days until training camp, when he knows he’ll have to prove himself all over again.

“The NFL, it’s a different level, and it’s important to win your one on ones when you have a chance,” Mack said.” They don’t come along that often, so you have to be able to win your one on ones and understand the playbook in depth to give yourself a chance. And Coach (Mike) Vrabel and (defensive line) coach T (Terrell Williams), they talk all the time about hustle, effort and finish. Nothing is more scary for an offense than 11 guys around the ball.

“I just want to keep getting better, keep improving. I feel like for everybody, no one is guaranteed anything. I know that’s the way I look at things. It is all about improving and trying to be the best player you can be. I know I’m going to work, and I’m going to do everything I can to get better so I can help the team.”

Nashville Soccer Club announced Wednesday in conjunction with Major League Soccer that the club will be featured on opening night of the MLS is Back Tournament on Wednesday, July 8 by taking on Eastern Conference foe Chicago Fire FC, presented by Renasant Bank. Scheduled to kick off at 9:30 p.m. CT, the match will be nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes from the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla.

After the opening match against Chicago, Nashville SC will take on the Philadelphia Union, presented by Renasant Bank on July 14 at 7 p.m. CT on Univision (TUDN). The Boys in Gold will wrap up the group competition on July 20 against the host club Orlando City SC on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, also, presented by Renasant Bank in an 8 a.m. CT matchup.

Nashville SC was drawn as Team 6 in Group A of the MLS is Back tournament, which also features fellow 2020 Expansion Club Inter Miami CF and New York City FC.

Major League Soccer announced a change to the knockout stage qualifications in which the top three teams from Group A will now advance from the group stage. Only the top two teams from Group A were meant to advance originally. The format of the tournament will mirror a FIFA World Cup format with each team playing three group stage matches, and those results counting in the 2020 MLS Regular Season standings. Click here for more details on the competition.

Follow Nashville SC in its trip to Orlando and participation in the MLS Is Back Tournament by visiting www.NashvilleSC.com and the club’s social channels on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Manchester Youth Baseball Association was in action on Thursday with a full slate of games at Fred Deadman Park.  All 5 age divisions were in action as the season reaches the halfway point.  

In the 6U division, Manchester Tire and Brake stopped Cooper Sports 21 to 7 and Star Physical Therapy squeaked past Lovelady Auto Parts 17 to 16.  In the first game, Manchester Tire and Brake raced out to an early lead as they improved to 6 and 0 on the season.  Jace Spencer had 3 home runs for MT&B while Owen Holder and Kasen Shelton each added 2 home runs.  Landon Cook had 2 doubles to lead Cooper.  In the 2^nd game, Star Physical Therapy needed to erase a 6 run deficit in their last at-bat to claim the win.  Laine Jones had a home run, a double and a single and scored 3 runs for Star.  For Lovelady, Kayde had a double and 2 singles and scored twice. 

In the 8U division, Freedom Automotive edged Dr. J 14 to 11 and KK’s downed Lions Club 23 to 9.  In the 1^st game, it was a battle of the top two teams in the division that saw 4 lead changes.  Trailing 11 to 8 entering the 6^th and final inning, Freedom plated 6 runs and then retired Dr. J in order in the bottom of the 6^th for the win.  Channing Gannon had 3 hits, including a 2 RBI double for Freedom.  For Dr. J’s, Starling, Abe and Kolton all had 3 hits and scored 3 runs.  In the 2^nd game, the 2 teams were tied at 6 after 1 inning before the KK’s defense slowed down the Lions Club.  Walker, Christian, Brandon and Kynx all had 3 hits and scored 3 runs for KK’s.   For Lions Club, Eli had 3 hits and scored 3 times. 

In the 10U division, Chico’s Bail Bands held off First National Bank 9 to 8.  The Chico’s bunch brought the “Bad News” to First National early as they built a 9 to 1 lead entering the 4^th inning.  First National made a valiant comeback attempt in the 4^th inning that came up short as the time limit expired.  Chico’s got a solo home run from Kaden Brewer and a double and a run scored from Christian Meadows to lead the way on offense.  Gavin Smith smacked a double and a triple with 1 RBI and Jake Holder stroked a 2 RBI double for First National.   

In the 12U division, Shelter Insurance shocked Powers Storage 9 to 5 and First Vision Bank stunned Bush Insurance 5 to 4.  In the opener, Shelter rallied from an early deficit to hand Powers their first loss of the season.  After Powers scored 4 runs in the 1^st inning, Shelter held them to 1 hit the rest of the game.   Ian Smith was the big hitter for Shelter as he had a home run and 2 doubles and scored 3 times.  Smith also got the win on the mound for Shelter.  Trevor Jesse had a double and single for Powers and scored twice.  In the nightcap, First Vision had to come from behind with 4 runs in the 3^rd inning to get the win.  Bryceton Bunch had a home run and got the win on the mound for First Vision.  Ethan Stephens had 3 singles for Bush while Elijah Vernon stroked a home run.

In the 18U division, the Christiana Braves clipped the Manchester Braves 7 to 3 and the Mets toppled the Manchester Braves 15 to 1. In the battle of the Braves, Manchester jumped out to a 1 to 0 lead in the first inning but Christiana plated 4 runs in the 2^nd inning to grab the lead and the win.  Smurz had a double and a single for Christiana.  Cole Bryce had a pair of doubles and an RBI while Jacob Sherrill added a single for Manchester.    In the final game of the night, the Mets banged out 8 hits while holding the Braves to a pair of singles on the night.  Brandon Jernigan belted a home run and a double for the Mets while Trenton Thompson and Timothy Henderson combined on the 2 hitter.  Harley Penn and Caleb Brewer each singled for the Braves. 

The pictures, material and information contained in this story may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, for commercial gain, without the express written consent of Coffee County Broadcasting.

By Mark Bowman – MLB.com

Ronald Acuña Jr. will not have enough time to make another bid for a 40-40 season in 2020, but the young superstar will have the chance to help the Braves win a third straight National League East title.

Thoughts of defending the division crown were rekindled Tuesday night, when Major League Baseball announced a return-to-play plan featuring a 60-game regular-season schedule.

Despite a different look and feel, there will still be room for the same excitement and optimism that existed before COVID-19 forced the sports world to stop back in March.

Here’s a look at some of the questions you might have about the Braves’ upcoming season:

Where will camp take place, and when?

The Braves’ camp will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta. Pitchers and catchers will arrive by July 1, while position players will report over the following few days. Teams will be permitted to bring 60 players to camp.

When and where is Opening Day?

The schedule has not yet been finalized, but we know the Braves will open the season on July 23 or 24.

Which teams will be on the schedule?

Atlanta’s 60-game schedule will include 40 games against its National League East opponents and 20 games against teams from the American League East. So the Braves will play the Nationals, Phillies, Mets and Marlins 10 times each, and they will also have four-game series against the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays and Rays.

What is the best the Braves did over a 60-game stretch?

Atlanta was 33-27 and a half-game back in the NL East through last year’s first 60 games. By comparison, the 1998 Braves started 42-18. That’s the best record produced through the first 60 games of a season in modern franchise history.

How are the Braves’ injured players doing?

Cole Hamels (left shoulder inflammation) might have been on the injured list through the end of May had the season started on time. The veteran southpaw has now recovered from that ailment and is projected to be on Atlanta’s Opening Day roster. The 30-man roster that will be utilized at the start of the season will allow the Braves the option to limit Hamels and each of their other starters to three to four innings during their first few starts.

Freddie Freeman might be wise to avoid overdoing it like he did when Spring Training began in February. But all indications suggest he will not be bothered by the right elbow that significantly burdened him late last season.

What are some competitions to watch when camp resumes?

When camp abruptly ended in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, two of the primary roster questions focused on Félix Hernández and Austin Riley. Now, both are expected to be on the Braves’ 30-man Opening Day roster. The presence of Hernández, Sean Newcomb, Kyle Wright and Touki Toussaint will allow Atlanta to limit the workloads of Hamels, Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz during the early part of the season.

As for Riley, the absence of a Minor League season erases the option to allow him to further develop at the Triple-A level. So now the question is whether to use him or Johan Camargo as the starting third baseman. Camargo is the better defensive option, but Riley’s power could create significant value in a variety of roles. If he’s not playing third base, he could be a top designated hitter option versus left-handed pitchers.

Who will serve as the DH?

There’s no longer reason to wonder how the Braves might find playing time for Nick Markakis. The presence of the DH this year will give manager Brian Snitker the option to use Markakis in that spot against right-handed pitchers. The veteran outfielder has produced a .823 OPS against righties over the past two seasons.

Riley and Adam Duvall are both intriguing options against left-handed pitchers. But given that Duvall is a much better defensive option than Marcell Ozuna, it may make the most sense to put Duvall in left field and utilize Ozuna as the designated hitter against lefties.

How will rosters be different? How will those changes affect my team?

Teams will open the season with a 30-man active roster, which will be reduced to 28 players after two weeks, then to 26 after four weeks. Carrying four additional players through the first two weeks will allow the Braves to protect Hamels and some of their other starters.

How can I listen?

Braves games will once again be broadcast on Thunder Radio as an affiliate of the Braves Radio Network or on the go with MLB Audio.

How can I watch the games?

Every Braves game will once again be available on FOX Sports South and FOX Sports Southeast. Out-of-market games can also be streamed live on MLB.TV on your favorite supported devices.

Mark Bowman has covered the Braves for MLB.com since 2001.

The Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, issued a statement on Wednesday announcing that they’ve discussed with Major League Baseball the possibility of hosting a league for unsigned big league players this year. 

The statement read:  “The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club has had discussions with Major League Baseball about the possibility of hosting games that would consist of free agents competing against each other at First Horizon Park this summer. We continue to have meaningful discussions with baseball officials and local health officials with hopes of baseball in Nashville in 2020.”

Sounds general manager Adam Nuse told Chris Harris of WSMV News 4 in Nashville that the hope is to host a 40-game season in compliance with Phase Four of the “Roadmap for Reopening Nashville.” Notably, unlike Major League Baseball, that would allow the Sounds to sell tickets and bring their stadium to 25 percent capacity. Phase Four of the city’s plan cannot commence until July 20 at the earliest. Under the scenario being discussed, the Sounds would hope to sign 40-plus players and field two teams that would play against each other. Players would report seven to ten days prior to the launch of Phase Four, hoping that the league would hit its target date for the launch of the next phase.

It’s a concept that hearkens back to the unofficial Spring Training camp for free agents prior to the 2018 season. The list of unsigned players isn’t currently as widespread as it was in that offseason when the MLBPA organized that setup, but when exploring the upcoming lift of the transaction freeze, there are still plenty of recognizable names without teams. Others could yet surface when the freeze lifts, as several veterans on minor league deals could opt out with their current clubs or simply be cut loose. The Sounds might not even end up being the only minor league club to take such measures. Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report that MLB is expecting other clubs to explore similar endeavors.

The plan bears some similarity to independent ball, although if the Sounds succeed in luring enough former big leaguers or out-of-work upper-minors players, the quality of competition could be superior to that on the indie circuit. And while the money for players wouldn’t be overly enticing — The Athletic’s Jayson Stark tweeted that they’d be paid $400 per week — the league could serve as an extended showcase to allow teamless players to eventually find their way back onto a big league roster. Injuries will still pop up throughout the MLB season, and struggling players will be cut loose and replaced by taxi-squad players. Those taxi-squad spots would need to be back-filled.

It’s unclear at this point where MLB stands on the concept, but the Sounds seem committed to the idea regardless. Nuse told Harris that the team is hopeful of cooperating with Major League Baseball but is currently planning to stage the league with or without the league’s cooperation.

Thanks to WSMV and MLBTradeRumors.com for their help with this story.

Major League Baseball has officially announced a plan to return to play that features players reporting for training by July 1, leading up to a proposed 60-game regular-season schedule anticipated to begin on July 23 and 24.

“Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with Baseball again soon.”

The decision was reached Monday by a unanimous vote of the 30 MLB clubs under the terms of the March 26 agreement struck by the league and the MLB Players Association that came after Spring Training camps were shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The league asked the MLBPA to confirm that players could report to training camps by July 1, which the union agreed to on Tuesday. MLB is working with a variety of public health experts, infectious disease specialists and technology providers on a comprehensive approach that aims to facilitate a safe return.

Players will undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival, then begin workouts if they test negative. Players, coaches and support staff will be tested for COVID-19 every other day during training camps, the regular season and postseason. Anybody testing positive will be quarantined. Two negative tests are reportedly required for a return. Players will also receive temperature/symptom checks at least twice per day, and antibody testing will be conducted approximately once per month.

MLB has submitted a 60-game regular-season schedule for review by the Players Association. In order to mitigate travel, the schedule would include 10 games for each team against its four divisional opponents, along with 20 games against the opposite league’s corresponding geographical division (for example, the AL East will play the NL East, and so on).

For the vast majority of teams, Spring Training 2.0 will be held in the clubs’ Major League ballparks, as recent spikes of the coronavirus in both Florida and Arizona caused all 30 spring facilities to be shut down for deep cleaning.

Pitchers and catchers will report first, followed by position players. Teams will be allowed to invite 60 players to big league camp, with only those players eligible to play during the season. Each team’s 60-man list must be submitted by Sunday afternoon. Teams will have the ability to send up to 20 players who are not on the 40-man roster to an alternate site.

The designated-hitter rule will be used in both leagues in 2020, part of the league’s health and safety protocols for this season.

Several other rules will be instituted during this shortened season:

• Teams will open the season with a 30-man active roster; it will be reduced to 28 players after two weeks, then to 26 after four weeks.

• The Trade Deadline will be Aug. 31.

• To be eligible for the postseason, a player must be added to the Major League roster by Sept. 15.

• Teams will be permitted to carry up to three taxi-squad players on the road during the season, though if a team carries three such players, one must be a catcher.

• During extra-inning games in the regular season, each half-inning will begin with a runner on second base. The batter who made the final out in the previous inning (or a pinch-runner for that batter) would be that runner.

• There will be a 10-day injured list for both pitchers and hitters, though the 60-day IL will be reduced to a 45-day IL.

• There will be a separate IL for players who either test positive or have symptoms/confirmed exposure to COVID-19. There is no maximum or minimum days for this IL.

• MLB’s transaction freeze, which has been in place since the season was suspended, will end on Friday, June 26^th at 12 p.m. ET.

• In addition to COVID-19 testing every other day, some other health precautions are as follows: Team personnel and players not likely to participate in the game (for example, the next day’s starting pitcher) will be sitting in the stands or another area designated by the club, at least six feet apart; non-playing personnel will wear masks in dugout and bullpen at all times; no spitting or chewing tobacco (gum is permitted); no celebratory contact (high-fives, fist bumps, hugs, etc.).

Players will be paid a full prorated portion of their 2020 salary based on games played, which will equal approximately 37 percent for the full season.

6U Division at T-Ball Field

5:00 PM –Manchester Tire & Brake vs. Cooper Sports

7:30 PM – Lovelady Auto Parts vs. Star Physical Therapy

8U Division at Fast Pitch Field

5:00 PM – Freedom Automotive vs. Dr. J.

10U Division at National League Field

5:00 PM – First National Bank vs. Chico’s Bail Bonds

12U Division at Aaron Miller Field

5:00 PM – Powers Storage vs. Shelter Insurance

7:00 PM – Bush Insurance vs. First Vision Bank

18U Division at Looney Riddle(Babe Ruth) Field

6:00 PM – Manchester Braves vs. Christiana Braves

8:00 PM – Mets vs. Manchester Braves

The idea is simple, really: Masks On, Keep Smashville Strong.

The Predators haven’t been able to rally the Nashville community on the ice, but there have been a slew of endeavors elsewhere to help those in Middle Tennessee and beyond to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As businesses begin to reopen in Music City, it’s important to continue adhering to social distancing guidelines to remain safe. Wearing a face covering to keep you – and your neighbor – healthy is one of those practices, and the Preds are doing their part to assist in the process.

Not only have the Predators developed team-branded masks that allow fans to show their Preds Pride while staying safe, the organization is also distributing 20,000 Smashville Strong branded masks to their city, corporate and media partners across Middle Tennessee. These partners include food and beverage and retail sites with locations across the state.

The ‘Masks On, Keep Smashville Strong’ mantra is an easy one to follow, and it’s one the Preds believe the community will embrace.

“When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation came out that we should be wearing masks in public, we were inundated by fans wanting to wear our logo,” Predators President & CEO Sean Henry said. “They wanted to show their pride. They want to make it cool, and you want to have a little bit of fun. The fact is, when you’re putting a mask on, there can be a lot of negative reinforcements of why we’re doing it, and at least when you see our logo, you get a chance to smile a little bit and maybe think of some of those Golden Moments that we’ve created together.”

Not only did the Preds receive requests from fans to create face coverings, but Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s offices also wanted to team up with the organization.

“We were pretty humbled by the fact that the governor’s office reached out and asked us to be part of that campaign, and we jumped at it,” Henry said. “And then of course Nashville Mayor John Cooper got in touch with us too. When Nashville started reopening with different phases coming in, the mayor’s recommendation was that people wear masks, and it is required in all municipal-owned buildings and it is for Bridgestone Arena. So, it became just another outlet for us to help them celebrate how easy it is to cover up and to bring to life some of the things that we all need to do together to make sure that as we reopen, we can all stay as safe as possible.”

“Tennesseans have stepped up to do their part and keep their neighbors safe throughout this health crisis,” Director of the Economic Recovery Group Mark Ezell said via press release. “The more we can celebrate masks and make them fun, the more lives we ultimately protect. These businesses are the heart and soul of Tennessee, and we’re grateful to them for helping our citizens stay healthy and have a little fun sporting their favorite brands while they’re at it.”

The Predators have also relied on their partnership with Vanderbilt University Medical Center during this time, and the doctors, nurses and staff have proved to be invaluable assets just like always.

“As we move out of staying safer at home and replace it with more public interaction and commerce, we must replace the safety of no interaction with other ways to keep ourselves from getting sick,” Deputy CEO and Chief Health System Officer of Vanderbilt University Medical Center C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD, said. “Wearing a mask is a very valuable way to accomplish this along with keeping distance from others, washing our hands frequently and not touching our faces. As a partner with the Predators, we want to see everyone in their organization and our community stay healthy. We also want to see the economy open back up successfully and safely. We can all help ourselves and each other by practicing these simple methods to avoid becoming infected by the Coronavirus.”

A total of 100,000 Nashville Predators-branded masks will be made available to other entities across the state and available for purchase at NashvilleLockerRoom.com on June 23, and the Preds will continue to assist our community get back to business as long as it takes.

“It’s something we’re really proud of, and kind of humbled by,” Henry said of the initiative. “We do pride ourselves on using our games and the passion people have for our logo to bring about change in the community in a positive way or bring attention to causes that are so needed through our Preds Foundation or community relations. But when someone thinks of us as a driving force, that we can help have fun and do some good during such a really important initiative, we couldn’t say yes fast enough.”