MORNING ROUNDUP

Halladay was flying plane low, witnesses tell safety board

Former Philadelphia Phillies’ pitcher Roy Halladay was flying his tiny sport plane low over the Gulf of Mexico shortly before it slammed into the water and killed the retired star pitcher, witnesses told federal investigators.

National Transportation Safety Board Investigator Noreen Price said Wednesday that Halladay’s ICON A5 experienced a “high-energy impact” with the water. She said both flight data recorders were recovered and the plane did not have a voice recorder.

She said Halladay had been a licensed pilot since 2013 and logged about 700 hours of flight time before Tuesday’s crash near Tampa. She said a preliminary report on the cause likely will be issued in seven to 10 days, but the full investigation could take up to two years.

Gressel named MLS’ Rookie of the Year

Atlanta midfielder Julian Gressel has been voted Major League Soccer’s Rookie of the Year.

The 23-year-old German, selected with the eighth overall draft pick this year after playing at Providence, had five goals and nine assists in 32 league games, the third-most assists for a rookie behind 12 by Andy Williams and 10 by Clint Mathis, both in 1998.

He received an average of 54 percent of the vote in balloting by players, media and club management that was announced Wednesday.