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Young Bucs fun, but also frustrating

The biggest move the Pirates made at the trade deadline was going all in on playing the young guys. They ditched veterans Rich Hill, Carlos Santana, Ji-Hwan Bae and Austin Hedges. As a result, it’s been nothing but the “Young Bucs’’ ever since. It’s been Endy Rodriguez behind the plate, Henry Davis in right field, Liover Peguero up the middle and Jared Triolo as well. For as much excitement there’s been just as much frustration. They’re fun and play the game with a flair unbeknownst to Pittsburgh in quite a while. They’re frustrating too as they’re young and ...

Golf trying to manage ball distance

There’s a fairly big battle brewing in the game of golf today. I’m not talking about Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler or even the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf. I’m talking about a battle to roll back the golf ball, developing and utilizing a ball that would travel a shorter distance than it does today. The concept has been around for years, but in March the USGA began a process to do just that when it announced a proposed Mode Local Rule that would limit golf ball distance for elite competitions beginning in January 2026. The USGA has set aside a comment period to invite ...

Many project 10 wins

UNIVERSITY PARK — A survey was taken amongst media members to see just what everyone thinks about this upcoming season that could show a lot of promise for Penn State football. Most of the members asked agreed between 11-1 and 10-2 with the biggest question marks being the usual Ohio State and Michigan showdowns. The Lions play the Buckeyes in Columbus in October, and host Michigan in November. Here is what some of the statewide media said on what they expect from Penn State this season: Michael Boytim, Altoona Mirror: 9-3. Comment: Nittany Lions will probably lose a game they ...

US women’s soccer team sees 3-peat dreams dashed

Sweden put an end to any hopes the U.S. Women’s World Cup team had for a three-peat in their meeting in the round of 16s. The Americans, for the second time, failed to notch a goal in regulation time and were hurt even worse when the aggressive Trinity Rodman had to go out with an injury. Just before the game headed into overtime, Megan Rapinoe, playing in her final Cup, was inserted. Rapinoe played subpar during the course of overtime, and when the game came to penalty kicks, she sailed her kick way high and laughed about it. U.S. goalie Alyssa Naeher stopped the winning PK from ...

Rugby World Cup will be worth watching

In a little more than one month, the Rugby World Cup will kick off on Friday, Sept. 8, with a barnburner of a game. That’s when France will play New Zealand to start things off. Twenty countries will be represented, with all games in France. Watch out for Antoine Dupont, who plays scrumhalf for France. Imagine Patrick Mahomes — though a bit sturdier — playing quarterback and defensive back. That is Dupont. The World Cup will be on Peacock, with some games on NBC. Take a few minutes and watch some of the greatest rugby players in the world represent their country. n n ...

With conference realignment, no program safe in dash for cash

Don’t call it conference realignment. Call it college football consolidation. Recent history suggests few are safe from being the next to get squeezed out. And even if your school makes the cut it can come with a cost. What was once a Big Six in major college football conferences became a Power Five and is now down to four after the Big 12 and Big Ten, motivated by a dwindling pool of television network dollars, carved up the Pac-12 over the course of about 36 hours last week. The previous time college football lost a power conference was right before the Bowl Championship Series ...