You can add the Little League World Series to annual attractions being shut down by COVID-19.
The tournament usually takes place in August, and, in recent years, has hosted some Major League Baseball games in the area, in conjunction with ESPN, which carries the tournament. Little League, of course, is on hold, and likely not to play at all this year, as this would've been the start of the season this weekend.
For a fair number of 12 year old boys & girls, this would've been their final year of eligibility before moving on to the next level of amateur play (i.e. Cal Ripken or Mickey Mantle leagues).
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Meanwhile, NASCAR, based mostly in the Southeast, has gotten the go-ahead to resume its schedule, starting in two weeks, with attendance limited to participants, media, and other essential personnel. No fans, though I'd suspect that certain areas would welcome limited numbers of fans, with a number of states gradually reopening for business, some today, others further into the month. No need to worry about racers wearing face masks. Fireproof masks are usually part of the drivers' uniforms.
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The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown announced earlier this week that this year's induction ceremony, set for late July, and headlined by Derek Jeter, is being cancelled, and that Jeter, Larry Walker, and the late Marvin Miller (the union leader, not the actor) would share the stage with next year's class, assuming there will be one.
A tip for Jeter: Getting some Rogaine before going to Cooperstown would be nice.
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The Cincinnati Bengals cut QB Andy Dalton Thursday, deciding that Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow will be the likely starter this season for 2nd year coach Zac Taylor. I respectfully disagree with this move, largely because of how badly the Bengals have been in recent years, and cutting Dalton is not the answer to that problem. Apparently, they have stupid pills available in the city, which would explain why the Bengals AND Reds have been so moribound the last few years.
Meanwhile, former Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston landed in New Orleans with a one year deal, and then it comes out he had laser surgery done to correct his vision, which suggests eye problems played a big role in all those interceptions over the course of his five seasons in Tampa (2015-9). Winston will back up Drew Brees and Taysom Hill.
Did you hear about AMC and Regal Cinemas banning Universal's films?
ReplyDeleteSaw the headlines. It's just pettiness on the part of the theatre chains.
ReplyDeleteThe nerve of some people.
ReplyDeleteWell, they're losing money on Universal movies that are already appearing on demand due to the pandemic.
ReplyDelete'Sides this has nothing to do with what I'd written in this particular post......