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Greenfield Recorder – Victory Lap with Jessica Lapachinski: Breaking the silence

Sport is a powerful platform for driving social change. We have witnessed athletes stepping beyond the lines of the field to use their voices and influence to bring awareness to issues that truly matter. From calls for racial justice to advocacy for gender equality, the sports world has served as a podium for broader sociocultural […]

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Sport is a powerful platform for driving social change. We have witnessed athletes stepping beyond the lines of the field to use their voices and influence to bring awareness to issues that truly matter. From calls for racial justice to advocacy for gender equality, the sports world has served as a podium for broader sociocultural conversations.

A once hushed-about topic, athlete mental health has taken center stage in recent years. During the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, fans witnessed Simone Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time, withdraw from several events to prioritize her mental health and well-being. And back in 2018, NBA player Kevin Love experienced a panic attack during a basketball game. Love shared personal details of his experience with The Players’ Tribune and stated, “For 29 years, I thought about mental health as someone else’s problem.” Problems are only problems if we view them as problems.

In a world where the stigma surrounding mental health can prevent meaningful conversations, many athletes have embraced the narrative. The walls are starting to come down.

Athletes have long been expected to model strength, resilience, and mental toughness — qualities that challenge the vulnerability needed to address mental health conversations. But athletes are humans, too. Like all of us, they experience mental health challenges — whether it be general stress, anxiety, depression or burnout. As fans, we might assume athletes are immune to the pressures of mental health because they are so exceptionally gifted. They can physically perform and compete at levels we cannot, and they have access to specialized training and skilled practitioners. How is it possible for them to struggle?

What we see on the outside does not always match what is happening inside.

We have no clue what others are experiencing – and that applies to athletes and non-athletes. Social media has only widened this gap, because we see bits and pieces of a person’s life and we might think we have an understanding of how good they have it. But that is the thing about mental health – people often suffer in silence, full of fear and anxiety of what others might think.

When athletes use their platform to bring awareness to mental health challenges, it humanizes the experience. It reminds the world that nobody is immune to feelings of anxiety and sadness, overwhelming pressure, and self-doubt. As athletes continue to speak openly about mental health, they encourage others to prioritize their own well-being. This open dialogue is not only helping athletes, but also influencing the general public to engage in the conversation. If some of the toughest and physically strongest people in the world can prioritize their mental wellness, why shouldn’t we?

The visibility of athletes advocating for mental health support has had a domino effect on important systemic changes in sport. Many professional sports leagues require teams to employ mental health professionals in support of athletes. We have also seen this initiative trickle down to collegiate sports. Nearly a decade ago, the NCAA released a guide for mental health best practices among member institutions. These guidelines include resources for schools, rooted in science and research, to better support athletes while navigating challenges associated with collegiate sports. Youth sport is also doing their part, with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play team providing helpful guides for parents and coaches to model and encourage healthy sport environments. The TrueSport organization is also a smart leader in this space.

I am certainly not claiming that athletes and sports organizations have solved the mental health crisis. There is still so much work to be done, but we are trending in the right direction. As I type this column, golfer Jordan Spieth is playing his way through a PGA tournament while wearing a green mental health awareness ribbon on his hat. So yes, the narrative is shifting. We are talking about what we once never talked about.

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, I challenge you to run a play from the mental health playbook and provide yourself with a little self-care and increased awareness. Write in a journal. Take a walk without your phone and savor the sunshine on your face, the budding flowers. Enjoy dinner with your family and discuss things you are grateful for (this exercise is not just for Thanksgiving Day!). Play a card game with your kids. Be present. Say something nice about yourself. Give someone grace.

Carry on.

Jess Lapachinski is an athletic administrator and sport performance professional who lives in the Pioneer Valley. Jess can be reached at jl.victoryLap@gmail.com



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Sports in brief: District 65 Tournaments slated | Youth Sports

District 65 Tournaments are about to begin The District 65 Little League 12’s, 11’s, 10’s and Tournament of Stars tourneys will begin Saturday, except the 10’s tournament, which will begin June 21. The Nipomo Little League will host the 12’s tournament. Atascadero will host the 11’s tourney, Lompoc will host the 10’s tournament and Village […]

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District 65 Tournaments are about to begin

Lompoc coaching opening



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Vanderbilt Football | Times, Windows Set for Rest of Football Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Additional game times and windows for Vanderbilt football’s eight SEC games were released by the league office on Wednesday, less than two weeks after kickoff times and television information was announced for the Commodores’ first three contests of the fall. Vandy’s final two nonconference matchups with Georgia State (Sept. 20) and Utah […]

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Additional game times and windows for Vanderbilt football’s eight SEC games were released by the league office on Wednesday, less than two weeks after kickoff times and television information was announced for the Commodores’ first three contests of the fall.

Vandy’s final two nonconference matchups with Georgia State (Sept. 20) and Utah State (Sept. 27) will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT and 11:45 a.m., respectively, at FirstBank Stadium, while it was also revealed that the Dores’ game at Texas on Nov. 1 will kick off at 11 a.m.

All other contests in the fall were designated a window of early (11 a.m.-noon), afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.), night (5-7 p.m.) or flex (afternoon or night). Flex games, which are limited in scope, will be narrowed to a specific window 12 days prior to kickoff, with precise times and broadcast networks for those matchups announced six days prior to kickoff.

This marks the second season that the SEC will use this system, which was designed to help ESPN and ABC have maximum flexibility to present the top games as the season goes on while also providing more advance knowledge of game timing to assist with game day planning.

2025 Vanderbilt Football Kickoff Times & Windows (all times Central)
Aug. 30 vs. Charleston Southern – 6 p.m. (ESPN+/SEC+)
Sept. 6 at Virginia Tech – 6:30 p.m. (ACCN)
Sept. 13 at South Carolina – 6 or 6:45 p.m. (ESPN or SECN)
Sept. 20 vs. Georgia State – 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
Sept. 27 vs. Utah State – 11:45 a.m. (SECN)
Oct. 4 at Alabama – Flex (2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m.)
Oct. 18 vs. LSU – Early (11 a.m.-noon)
Oct. 25 vs. Missouri – Flex (2:30-3:30 p.m. OR 5-7 p.m.)
Nov. 1 at Texas – 11 a.m. (ABC or ESPN)
Nov. 8 vs. Auburn – Afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 22 vs. Kentucky – Afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.)
Nov. 29 at Tennessee – Afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m.)

More information on tickets for the Commodores’ 2025 season is available here, while limited seating remains available in the brand-new Commodore Club premium seating in the south end zone.





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Creighton University breaks ground on softball and baseball fields

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Creighton University leaders and others broke ground, Wednesday on the over 200 thousand square foot softball competition field and baseball practice field. The softball field will have enhanced facilities like a dugout, dedicated bullpen, and a video board. The baseball field will serve not only as a practice field, but as […]

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OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Creighton University leaders and others broke ground, Wednesday on the over 200 thousand square foot softball competition field and baseball practice field.

The softball field will have enhanced facilities like a dugout, dedicated bullpen, and a video board.

The baseball field will serve not only as a practice field, but as a training ground for Omaha youth sports and teams heading to the College World Series.

“The two other important realities are keep helping building Omaha’s urban core and celebrating the relationship with the College World Series which is 75 years strong,” said Creighton University President Rev. Daniel Hendrickson.

The total cost is estimated to be around $30 million.

The estimated completion of the softball field is this fall and the baseball field will be ready in June 2026.

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Campers, instructors mingle during Hancock baseball camp | Youth Sports

As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball). “Get there, get there!,” an instructor called on a fly ball between two campers. “Call […]

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As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball).

“Get there, get there!,” an instructor called on a fly ball between two campers. “Call it!, call it!”

“We got two outs!,” an instructor exclaimed, as a camper threw to a fielder on a makeshift second base for a force out.

Hancock head baseball coach Chris Stevens is helping oversee Hancock’s 25th annual edition of the camps this week. There will be a camp next week as well.

The camps are coed. Youngsters ages 5-13 are eligible. 

“We have 36 campers in this camp, and in the camp next week we’re already at 45,” Stevens said.

“Our numbers are down some. Last year we were in the 70’s, up to 90. Average for us is in the 50’s.”

Nonetheless, “It’s been going great,” this year, said Stevens. “Our instructors have been great, and the kids are having a lot of fun.

“We try to keep the kids busy, but we also try to give them some experience.”

Brayden Nunes, 12, and Donny Shiffrar, 11, are veteran Hancock Baseball Camp campers. Nunes has been coming to both winter and summer Hancock camps for six years. Shiffrar has been coming to Hancock winter and summer camps for five.

“I like it that we can learn a bunch more stuff, and that all the kids in the camp are nice,” said Nunes. The right-handed Nunes played shortstop and pitches for the Orcutt American Little League Rangers.

Shiffrar is a right-handed second baseman for the Orcutt National Cardinals.

“What I like most about the camp are the Hancock players,” said Shiffrar. “They’re pretty cool.”

Andrew Sandoval is in his first year of working at a Hancock camp. The freshman Pioneer Valley graduate played shortstop for the Bulldogs this past season.

“I like being out here with the kids and teaching them the right way to play the game,” Sandoval said Wednesday.

“I like seeing them get better. That’s the best part.”



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Campers, instructors mingle during Hancock baseball camp | Youth Sports

As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball). “Get there, get there!,” an instructor called on a fly ball between two campers. “Call […]

Published

on


As the third day of the first of two Hancock Summer Baseball Camps commenced at Hancock College’s John Osborne Field Wednesday, campers and instructors took part in an enthusiastic game of pickup baseball (actually, the ball was a tennis ball).

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Why I Became a High School Umpire—Even After Getting Ridiculed Behind the Plate

Yes, I could easily focus solely on the negative, because my worst fears were indeed realized. But I’m not going to in this instance.  This past spring, after years of writing about high school sports for a variety of publications, I decided to try and give back to kids, parents and coaches in another way […]

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Yes, I could easily focus solely on the negative, because my worst fears were indeed realized. But I’m not going to in this instance. 

This past spring, after years of writing about high school sports for a variety of publications, I decided to try and give back to kids, parents and coaches in another way by registering to become an umpire in both baseball and softball. 

I did it despite the horror stories of umpire abuse throughout the country, and sure enough, I endured one of those experiences. 

While working behind home plate, the head coach of one baseball team called time for the sole purpose of berating my strike zone and saying I was responsible for having his pitcher throw more pitches than he should be. 

After calling the next two pitches strikes — because they actually were in my eyes, not based on what the berating coach was saying — the other coach called time to and accused me of changing calls based on the other coach arguing. 

All the while, parents and other fans were giving mock cheers and chiming in with their thoughts loudly. 

There have been other times of ridicule as well, even if not as demonstrative. 

Again though, I’m not here to focus on any of that. For every bad experience, there have been 10 other great ones of players, coaches and parents showing way more support than I expected when starting this venture. 

No doubt, maybe people are fully understanding why there is such a drastic referring shortage nationwide, with the National Federation of State High School Associations reporting that more than 50,000 officials have left the profession since 2018-19. 

It doesn’t matter that there is always work available and the pay is good, whether it’s extra cash to supplement another career, quick money to be made in the midst of a job transition, or a way to make money and stay active in retirement. People are still getting out of it.  

It can’t be understated how much that impacts kids and a multi-billion dollar youth sports industry that pulls in more money than the NFL and MLB combined. 

If there are no officials, there are no games. If there are no games, then the life lessons, opportunities and memories playing sports can offer don’t exist. 

For anyone hesitant to get into refereeing or umpiring, focus on what you are giving back and how much you can impact lives forever. Don’t focus on any potential ridicule or abuse, as it can easily happen anyway in everyday life. 

Much like kids are taught to learn from mistakes and simply work to get better, the same logic can apply to people getting into refereeing or umpiring for the first time. Spend time to get experience and learn the craft. It can actually feel good to be on the same wavelength as the kids in that regard in that we are all learning and striving to be better every day. 

Even with the ridicule that can be received during the process, from my experience, don’t quit that easily.

The reward of giving back to kids and communities and ensuring they are soaking in all that sports have to offer is way greater. 

Because of that, people can ridicule me all they want. I’m going to battle and fight for these kids no matter what going forward. 

If anyone is thinking about taking the plunge and getting into refereeing or umpiring, you can do the same. Don’t let the potential of abuse win. Kids, families and communities are counting on it. 



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