Sports

Calling the Pen

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ARTICLE On Saturday, MASN broadcaster Melanie Newman was working from the camera well close to third base at Boston’s Fenway Park when a foul ball off the bat of Rob Refsnyder came screaming toward her head. She saw the ball and did her best to avoid getting hit, but there wasn’t […]

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2 months ago

May 27, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SCROLL DOWN TO READ ARTICLE

On Saturday, MASN broadcaster Melanie Newman was working from the camera well close to third base at Boston’s Fenway Park when a foul ball off the bat of Rob Refsnyder came screaming toward her head. She saw the ball and did her best to avoid getting hit, but there wasn’t enough time or space to avoid it. Thankfully, she moved just enough to create a glancing blow and, after a trip to the hospital, was back at work on Sunday in the same camera well.

Broadcasters Ben Wagner and Ben McDonald interviewed Newman, who was in good spirits but couldn’t wear the headset over the left side of her head, where she had been struck. McDonald held up a catcher’s mask that he was going to send her way for extra protection.

In the third inning of Sunday’s game, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman took a direct hit — a foul tip off the bat of Boston’s Rafael Devers caught him squarely on his mask. Home plate umpire Emil Jimenez checked on him immediately, walking in front of him and giving Rutschman time to determine if he could continue. Rutschman indicated he could, but the MASN camera showed him squinting and blinking, as if he were shaken up.

He caught Dean Kremer’s next pitch, and the game moved on.

But why didn’t interim manager Tony Mansolino and his medical staff move from the dugout to ensure that Rutschman was OK? Why did it take until the fifth inning for Rutschman to come out of the game?

On Monday, a day removed from the play and still waiting to see if Rutschman will need to go on the 7-day concussion injured list, Mansolino had second thoughts.

“If I could do it over again, I would have went out there myself,” Mansolino said. “But it didn’t look like much initially. We still feel like it might not be much. There’s no assumptions that it’s anything more than a foul tip at the moment. It’s hard to tell sometimes.”

He pointed out that the Orioles’ staff did respond, even if not immediately.

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“They’re on top of it,” Mansolino said. “Every medical staff in baseball, and especially ours, they’re on top of it. They’re aware of what those are and what it is. We happen to have [bench coach Robinson] Chirinos, who had a history of it himself as a catcher in the big leagues. [Head athletic trainer Scott Barringer] was all over it. We’re aware. We sit there. We look at it. We use our professional judgment, and we go from there.”

But the Orioles appeared to put Rutschman in harm’s way by not reacting more quickly to a possible head injury. Catching is the last position you want a player who might have a concussion. And it’s the manager’s job to protect the player in those circumstances.

It’s not in a player’s competitive nature to take himself out of a game. One only has to go back to last season when backup catcher James McCann was struck in the face by a pitch that broke his nose. It was in the first game of a doubleheader, and McCann dutifully caught the rest of the game, endearing himself to fans.

Sunday’s incident was different. McCann got medical attention immediately, and it was clear, even in the bloody aftermath, that he was clear-headed. Rutschman looked dazed and not in a state to make a decision on whether to stay in the game.

The Orioles reacted but not at the speed that was required for someone dealing with 90-plus-mph fastballs. They put Rutschman at further risk, and let’s hope the outcome is similar to Newman’s.

Sports

Inverclyde Leisure offering free junior water polo session

The event at Gourock Outdoor Pool on Sunday, August 10, is set to run from 4pm to 5.30pm. It is open to young swimmers aged 11 to 17. Places are limited, and those interested are encouraged to sign up via the online link. Inverclyde Leisure will run the session with Western Baths Water Polo Club […]

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10 minutes ago

August 1, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The event at Gourock Outdoor Pool on Sunday, August 10, is set to run from 4pm to 5.30pm.

It is open to young swimmers aged 11 to 17.

Places are limited, and those interested are encouraged to sign up via the online link.

Inverclyde Leisure will run the session with Western Baths Water Polo Club Juniors.

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Leisure said: “Whether you already play or are just curious to try it out, this free taster is the perfect chance to dive in.

“It is a brilliant way to meet new friends and learn the basics of water polo.”

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Sports

Nebraska Volleyball Announces Schedule Change for November Trip to USC

Nebraska volleyball will have a slight adjustment to its travel plans in mid-November. The Huskers announced on Thursday that due to scheduling conflicts, Nebraska’s West Coast road trip to USC has been pushed back one day from its original schedule. Nebraska was originally intended to compete against the Trojans on Saturday, Nov. 15, but will […]

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24 minutes ago

August 1, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Nebraska middle blocker Andi Jackson (15) hits a ball over USC outside hitter Ally Batenhorst. / Nebraska Athletics

Former Nebraska volleyball outside hitter Ally Batenhorst becomes emotional in her return to Lincoln with USC. — Nebraska middle blocker Andi Jackson (15) hits a ball over USC outside hitter Ally Batenhorst. / Nebraska Athletics

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MSU Earns Team Academic Honors from USTFCCCA

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39 minutes ago

August 1, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Murray State women’s track & field program was honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as part of their national All-Academic Team awards for the 2024-25 school year.

“Our team members had a great year in the classroom,” said Murray State head coach Adam Kiesler. “We put our academics at the top and to see their hard work pay off is very rewarding. We’re looking forward to the start of the fall semester and look for great performances on and off the field of play in 2025-26.”

The criteria for inclusion to the All-Academic Team awards includes all student-athletes on the institution’s NCAA Squad List for
Indoor and/or Outdoor Track and Field must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

For more information on the Murray State track and field team, visit GoRacers.com or follow @RacersXCTF on Instagram and X.

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Sports

Takeways From Media Day – University of Maryland Athletics

Maryland’s transfers bring SEC, international experience Adam Hughes and the Terps’ coaching staff welcomed four transfers over the offseason. Three of the newcomers, including Ajack Malual, Haley Melby and Olivia Ruy, transferred from SEC programs. Malual, a transfer from Tennessee, boasts international experience, having grown up playing volleyball in Italy. The native of Rome attended […]

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41 minutes ago

August 1, 2025

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Maryland’s transfers bring SEC, international experience

Adam Hughes and the Terps’ coaching staff welcomed four transfers over the offseason. Three of the newcomers, including Ajack Malual, Haley Melby and Olivia Ruy, transferred from SEC programs.

Malual, a transfer from Tennessee, boasts international experience, having grown up playing volleyball in Italy. The native of Rome attended Tambosi ETI and was a member of the Italian U18 National Team. Her sister, Adhu, competes professionally in Italy, while her brother, Dhiu, previously competed professionally there.

The senior explained how transitioning to play in the United States has had a positive impact on her game.

“I feel like it has been such a beautiful experience for me,” Malual said. “I feel like I have something extra in my luggage of experiences in life. I get to see how people in America play. … It kind of taught me to adapt to change very quickly.”

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Men’s Volleyball Welcomes Gabriel Vergés as Inaugural Signee

Story Links RIVERDALE, NY – Manhattan Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Chris Schortgen has officially announced his first-ever signing with freshman setter Gabriel Vergés, on Thursday afternoon. “We are very excited to welcome Gabriel Vergés as our first international commit for our inaugural men’s volleyball season.” said Schortgen. “Gabriel comes to us from Barcelona where […]

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1 hour ago

August 1, 2025

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RIVERDALE, NY – Manhattan Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Chris Schortgen has officially announced his first-ever signing with freshman setter Gabriel Vergés, on Thursday afternoon.

“We are very excited to welcome Gabriel Vergés as our first international commit for our inaugural men’s volleyball season.” said Schortgen.

“Gabriel comes to us from Barcelona where he left his home at 13 to train at one of the top volleyball academies in Spain. He’s a very technical setter with a high IQ and proven leader throughout his career. We look forward to building with him.”

Vergés, the 6-4 setter who hails from Vilanova I la Geltru, Barcelona in Spain, attended INS Dolors Mallafré I Ros School, where he played six years of high school volleyball.

The incoming freshman was presented a high-performance athlete scholarship during his time at Vilanova I la Geltru, while helping his team to a third-place finish in back-to-back years in the Spanish Primera División Championships.

On the club circuit, Vergés most recently played for CEVOL Torredembarra. Prior to CEVOL, Verges competed with Club CV Barberá, Get BLUME, and VC Sant Martí as early as 2021-22.

Additionally, the Spaniard competed in Taekwondo for eight years in grade school in Barcelona.

In the classroom, Vergés was among the top three in his graduating class.

Vergés will be pursuing his bachelor’s degree in physics in Riverdale.

Follow Manhattan Men’s Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).

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Sports

Weightlifting Set to Return to Commonwealth Youth Games

British Weight Lifting is thrilled to learn that Weightlifting will be included in the sport programme of the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta. This marks a celebratory return for the sport, having last been featured at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa. With over 1,150 athletes aged 14–18 expected to […]

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1 hour ago

August 1, 2025

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British Weight Lifting is thrilled to learn that Weightlifting will be included in the sport programme of the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in Malta.

Weightlifting Set to Return to Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta 2027

This marks a celebratory return for the sport, having last been featured at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.

With over 1,150 athletes aged 14–18 expected to participate from across the Commonwealth Youth Games, the 2027 edition in Malta promises to be one of the most exciting yet. The sports programme includes athletics, para athletics, swimming and para swimming, water polo, netball, triathlon, sailing, squash—and, proudly, weightlifting.

Why This Matters to Weightlifting

A welcome milestone: This marks the sport’s return after a 12 year gap.

Pathway for youth athletes: The Commonwealth Youth Games has launched the careers of many past champions. Take Chris Murray, who earned his first international medal—a bronze—in the men’s 62kg category at Samoa 2015, before going on to become Commonwealth Games Champion in 2022.

Spotlight on our next generation: The Malta platform will offer young UK weightlifters the invaluable experience of international competition in a multi-sport environment much like the stepping stones ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Weightlifting’s return to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta 2027 is a momentous and welcome development. 12 years on from Samoa 2015, this edition offers young British weightlifters a powerful launchpad and fans a chance to cheer on the stars of tomorrow on an international stage.

Chris Murray commented “I am so pleased to see Weightlifting back on the programme for the Commonwealth Youth Games. Opportunities like this offer young athletes an important international experience where they can build confidence for future competitions. I had a fantastic time competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa and look forward to other athletes having the same experience in Malta.”

Chris Murray with his Bronze medal, Samoa Commonwealth Youth Games 2015