Major League Baseball issued a 60-game schedule Tuesday night that will start July 23 or 24 in empty ballparks as the sport tries to push ahead amid the coronavirus following months of acrimony. A dramatically altered season with games full of new rules was the final result of failed financial negotiations. But for fans eager to see any baseball this year, at least now they can look forward to opening day. The announcement by MLB came while more players continue to test positive for the virus — at least seven on the Philadelphia Phillies alone. And a stark realization...

Curtis Rowe of Star Physical Therapy(left) scores just ahead of the tag from Cooper Sports and More’s Jason Cash on Tuesday in 6U action of the Manchester Youth Baseball Association Thanks to a heroic effort from the Manchester Parks and Recreation staff, the Manchester Youth Baseball Association was able to play their full schedule on Tuesday night at Fred Deadman Park.  In the 6U Division, Star Physical Therapy topped Cooper Sports 14 to 8 and Manchester Tire and Brake took down Lovelady Auto Parts 20 to 3.   In the opener, both teams came out hitting the ball as Cooper...

The Coffee County Central High School softball team completed their “pre-dead period” part of their summer with a “closed” intersquad scrimmage on Thursday at Terry Floyd Field.   Dividing the squad into 2 equal teams, the Lady Raiders were able to get in some game action prior to the 2 week mandatory TSSAA Dead Period break.  “Overall I was pleased” said Lady Raider head coach Brandon McWhorter.  “We wanted to get the girls in some game like situations and really see the younger players against live pitching.  I was very impressed how quickly many of them adjusted.  It also gave...

Cole McDonald of the Tennessee Titans The Titans have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with quarterback Cole McDonald. McDonald was a seventh-round pick (224th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Titans.  He becomes the third member of the six-man draft class to reach a deal with the team, joining defensive lineman Larrell Murchison (fifth round) and safety Chris Jackson (seventh round). The 6-foot-3, 218-pound McDonald finished his career at Hawaii fourth on the school’s passing yards (8,032) and passing touchdowns (70) lists.  In 2019, McDonald completed 63.8 percent of his attempts for 4,135 yards and...

Eli Baker of Interstate Auto crosses home after hitting an inside the park home run on Monday in the 8U Division of the Manchester Youth Baseball Association The Manchester Youth Baseball Association opened up their 3rd week of action on Monday with games in 4 age divisions.  Despite periods of showers, all 8 games got completed without weather delays.  In the 8U Division, KK’s held off Interstate Auto 22 to 16 and Dr. J’s rolled past Lions Club 25 to 12. In the 1st game, KK’s scored in every inning to capture the win in a tightly contested game. ...

For the past three months, John Hynes has been preparing to lead his team again, whenever and however that may come about. Now, all that planning will soon be put into motion. The Preds last played a game on March 10, a victory in Montreal for their third-straight win. Instead of trying for a fourth two nights later in Toronto, Hynes and his team were on a plane back to Nashville, as the NHL went on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. But as professional sports leagues all over the world make plans to play games once more, the...

Josh Evans of Tennessee Titans [Photo by Getty Images] Josh Evans had the time of his life playing for the Titans, although it took him a while – with the help of counseling – to really appreciate it. While lying in a hospital bed over the weekend, his body and voice weakened by cancer, Evans looked back at his life through 47 years, eight months and 16 days. His voice went up when he talked about his three children, so it came as no surprise when he called them his greatest accomplishments. Evans spent a lot of time beating...

Keaton Rowe of Powers Storage slides across home plate with the eventual winning run on Friday night in 12U action of the Manchester Youth Baseball Association. The Manchester Youth Baseball Association closed out their 2nd week of action on Friday with 5 games in 4 age divisions.  In the 6U Division, Manchester Tire and Brake stopped Star Physical Therapy 22 to 6.  Unbeaten Manchester Tire and Brake scored at least 7 runs in each inning in the big win.  After being retired in order in the 1st inning, Star managed 12 hits in the next 2 innings.  Owen Holder...