Sports

Games are restarting, but few reporters will be there

(AP) - Many familiar pregame sights won’t be back when baseball and the NBA return later this month. Managers won’t exchange lineup cards at home plate and basketball lineup introductions won’t feature special high fives.

SOURCE: NFL CUTTING PRESEASON IN HALF, PUSHING BACK START

(AP) - The NFL will cut its preseason in half and push back the start of exhibition play so teams have more time to train following a virtual offseason made necessary by the coronavirus pandemic, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

NFL EXTENDS VIRTUAL OFFSEASON UNTIL JUNE 26

(AP) - The NFL has extended virtual offseason programs for teams through June 26, but no further. Although team facilities have opened for key personnel, coaches and players rehabilitating injuries, healthy players have been barred from those complexes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The remote programs have taken the place of on-site work, and some teams already have announced they are shutting those down.

On the Court

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Local youth enjoy an afternoon on the new basketball courts at Marcus Cain Park in Jennings.

Manfred: 100 percent chance of MLB season, new proposal soon

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there is a “100percent” chance of big league ball this year.

LET’S PLAY BALL!

LAKE ARTHUR - Since Team LA was able to renovate the basketball courts at the local park, Police Chief Kobi Turner said he had a chance to get out there and play ball with some of the children who were enjoying the courts.

“I noticed some kids had old basketballs with no grip left on them,” said Turner. “I decided to do something about it. I originally purchased six basketballs to donate to those who were in need of a new ball.”

He said he invited any child who needed a new basketball to stop by the station to get one.

NBA owners approve 22-team season restart plan

(AP) - The NBA took a major step toward getting back on the court Thursday, with the league’s Board of Governors approving a 22-team format for restarting the league season next month at the Disney campus near Orlando, Florida.

NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader in Indy will not have fans

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host the IndyCar-NASCAR doubleheader on the July 4 weekend without fans.

MLB rejects 114-game schedule, threatens plan of about 50

NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball and its players take the field for a coronanvirus-delayed 2020 season, it will be after acrimonious negotiations that resemble their labor war of a generation ago.

Notre Dame-Navy football opener moved from Ireland to U.S.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The college football season opener between Notre Dame and Navy has been moved out of Ireland because of the cornavirus pandemic.