Baseball players reject pitch clock, mound limits
The players’ association rejected Major League Baseball’s proposal to institute 20- second pitch clocks and limits on mound visits, a move that dares management to unilaterally impose the changes designed to speed pace of games.
Management has the right to implement the rules changes it proposed last year. Under baseball’s labor contract, management can change on- field rules on its own with one season of advance notice.
MLB does not intend to make any decision before its next owners’ meetings, scheduled for Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 in Beverly Hills, California.
Players and MLB have bargained over the matter since last summer, and the union told MLB on Thursday there was no consensus among its members for pace alterations. After a November owners’ meeting, commissioner Rob Manfred vowed change.
Closer Felipe Rivero signed a four- year, $ 22 million contract extension with the Pirates.
The Twins hired former starting pitcher Jim Kaat as a special assistant to the organization.
LeBron, Curry to captain All- Stars
Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Warriors guard Stephen Curry will be the captains who pick teams for the revamped NBA All- Star Game. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Boston’s Kyrie Irving and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan were also selected as starters from the Eastern Conference. Houston’s James Harden, Golden State’s Kevin Durant and New Orleans teammates Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins were also selected as starters from the Western Conference.
The NBA suspended Magic guard Arron Afflalo for two games for throwing a punch at Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica on Wednesday night.
Odiase sets blocks mark in UIC win
Marcus Ottey set career highs with 29 points and four three- pointers, Tai Odiase added 17 points and blocked five shots to set a Horizon League record, and UIC hit a season- high 14 three- pointers in beating host Youngstown State 92- 78. The Flames ( 9- 11, 4- 3 Horizon League) shot 50 percent from the floor and scored 24 points off of 13 Penguins turnovers.
James Palmer Jr. scored 19 points, Isaiah Roby had a careerhigh 14 and Nebraska beat visiting No. 23 Michigan 72- 52 for its first win over the Wolverines since joining the Big Ten.
NCAA president Mark Emmert wants new reforms in place for men’s basketball programs before the start of the 2018 season.
Fire acquire defender Ramos
The Fire acquired defender Rafael Ramos and $ 100,000 in targeted allocation money from Orlando City SC in exchange for Cameron Lindley. Also, goalkeeper Jorge Bava agreed to terminate his contract with the team.
USA Gymnastics announced that it will cut ties with the Karolyi Ranch, a longtime training ground for the country’s elite gymnasts and also a site where former national medical coordinator Larry Nassar sexually assaulted gymnasts.