GLENDALE, AZ — The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority is giving out $6.3 million to schools and youth sports groups, the most the organization has ever given out in a single grant cycle.

The record amount of grant money is available because of the amount of revenue generated in 2024 and 2025 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale – the home of the Arizona Cardinals and where the biggest concerts in the state are held.

AZSTA’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget has the largest adjusted gross revenue for events – $14,058,641 – in the organization’s history, an AZSTA spokesperson told the Business Journal.

Funds are going to 36 sports-related projects across Maricopa County.

Read more of this story from the Business Journal.

Youth Sports Umpire Assaulted By Parent In Parking Lot originally appeared on The Spun.

A youth sports umpire was assaulted by an angry parent in the parking lot following a game over the weekend.

In upstate New York, an umpire calling a girls softball game was assaulted by a spectator who was upset with some of his calls. The youth umpire was calling a travel softball game. The umpire was followed into the parking lot by the angry parent.

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Carlos Chaluisant, 68, said he’s dealt with his fair share of complaints over the years. But he’s never been attacked like he was on Sunday.

“He approached me, I then tried to defend myself and he kicked me off my feet. I fell on the floor, and he swiped me with his hand on my face,” he told 12 News.

The youth umpire had to go to the emergency room after experiencing head pain. Thankfully, the scans came back clear and he didn’t face any serious injuries.

He’s scared moving forward, though.

“It’s scary. It really is scary, because right now this happened to me on Sunday, and I’m still having a little bit of emotion on it because what did I do wrong? I was just doing a game,” he told 12 News.

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It’s a growing issue across the country, as parents become more obsessed over their kids and their sporting events, even though 99.9 percent of youth athletes aren’t going to make a career – or even play in college – when it comes to sports.

“We were concerned for several years that something like this would end up happening at some point,” President of the Binghamton Umpires’ Association, Ryan Hastings, said. “We’ve seen videos all over online that this happens across the country on unfortunately a routine basis.”

Meanwhile, the youth umpire has made a decision on his future, following the attack.

“It doesn’t change, I still love the game. I played the game as a child, and now I’m 68 but 26 years [umpiring] and I still love the game. And I will love it until the moment I die.”

Youth Sports Umpire Assaulted By Parent In Parking Lot first appeared on The Spun on Jul 9, 2025

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Umpires in New York State are sounding the alarm on a scary trend following an alleged fan assault over the weekend.

Carlos Chaluisant, 68, who has umpired for more than two decades, said he had just worked a game in the Binghamton area Sunday when a spectator followed him to the parking lot and struck him because he was angry over Chaluisant’s calls.

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“He approached me, I then tried to defend myself and he kicked me off my feet. I fell on the floor, and he swiped me with his hand on my face,” Chaluisant told 12News.

The veteran arbiter said he went to the emergency room on Monday after experiencing back and head pain. Thankfully, all tests came back clear and he’s on the mend.

Ryan Hastings, the president of the Binghamton Umpires’ Association, says incidents like this are part of an alarming epidemic of bad behavior against umpires nationwide.

“We were concerned for several years that something like this would end up happening at some point,” said Hastings. “We’ve seen videos all over online that this happens across the country on unfortunately a routine basis.”

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This latest report comes in the midst of an ongoing umpire shortage around the country. It’s an issue that has been building for some time, and has been written about extensively, including by CNN in 2023.

“The problem isn’t the money, the problem is the verbal abuse,” said Don Mason, the head of baseball operations for Top Gun Sports and USSSA baseball in North and South Carolina, to Queen City News back in May. “You have a lot of guys say, ‘I don’t care how much you pay me, I’m not going back out there because of fan abuse, coach abuse,’ so on and so forth.”

According to the National Umpire Association, it had 6,229 members in 2017, but that number fell to 4,995 in 2022 for both youth baseball and softball.

That figure isn’t going to go back up either with more occurrences like the one in Binghamton last weekend.

Youth Sports Umpires Warn of ‘Scary’ Growing Trend first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jul 9, 2025

Written By: Ashleigh Johnson, DrPH – San Diego State University

Now is a great time to focus on the fact that we need to look after young athletes’ emotional and mental health, holistically.

Youth sports offer immense benefits for physical and mental health, and sport is one of the best investments for promoting physical activity. However, roughly 70% of youth drop out of organized sports by age 13, most commonly because of injury and burnout. There are many ways to take a proactive approach to create a supportive and sustainable sports environment for young people.

Understanding Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes:

Overuse injuries happen when athletes repeat the same movements over and over, without giving their bodies enough time to rest and recover. These injuries often develop slowly, not from one big incident, and might appear as pain that won’t go away, swelling, or trouble moving like usual.

Common Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes:

Some common overuse injuries from youth sports are listed below. The duration of injuries can vary from less than a week to being season-ending.

• Bone stress injury: when bones are repeatedly stressed, they can develop small cracks, like hairline fractures. Common locations include the shin, foot, and lower back.
• Growing pains at bone attachment sites: overuse can also cause irritation and pain at the spots where muscles and tendons connect to growing bones. This often happens at the heel, kneecap, and inside the elbow.
• Tendon irritation: Tendons can also become inflamed and painful with overuse. A common example is “jumper’s knee”, which affects the tendon below the kneecap.
• Growth plate injuries: Children and adolescents have growth plates at the end of their bones, which can become injured from repeated stress. This can happen from throwing a lot (Little League shoulder) or in the wrist from gymnastics.

Understanding Youth Sports Burnout:

Burnout is another primary reason that young athletes drop out of sports. Burnout in youth sports isn’t just about physical exhaustion; it’s a combination of emotional, physical, and social factors. Recognizing the signs is the first step in prevention. Common indicators include:

• Decreased enjoyment: A loss of enthusiasm for the sport.
• Persistent fatigue: Feeling constantly tired, even after rest.
• Increased irritability: Becoming easily frustrated or angry.
• Reduced performance: A noticeable decline in skill or ability.
• Anxiety symptoms: Excessive worry, agitations.

How to Prevent Youth Sports Burnout and Overuse Injuries:

To ensure a healthy and fulfilling sports experience for young athletes, while avoiding burnout and injury, consider some key factors:

1. Age-Appropriate Involvement:

• Focus on Fundamental Skills: Up to age 12, prioritize developing basic movement skills and motor control. Encourage participation in a variety of sports and unstructured activities like swimming, biking, or rock climbing. This supports well-rounded athletic and physical development.
• Build a Foundation: The early years should focus on building confidence, ability, and a lifelong desire for physical activity. The focus should be on fun and enjoyment rather than intense competition.
• Re-evaluate as Youth Develop: As children grow, continually assess their mental, social, and physical health. For those who choose to specialize, gradually introduce sport-specific training while ensuring it aligns with their developmental stage.

2. Sport Sampling vs. Specialization:

• Avoid Sport Specialization: Year-round training and a focus on a single sport increases the risk of burnout and injury. Regardless of a child’s age, always encourage a more balanced approach.
• Embrace Cross-Training: Encourage participation in multiple sports (i.e., sport sampling) and fun, cross-training activities.

3. Manage Level of Involvement:

• Consider Level of Competition: Balance recreational and competitive sports based on the athlete’s needs and goals. Be sure the level of competition aligns with their abilities and is something they enjoy.
• Limit Time Commitment: Ensure the athlete has time for other activities, rest, and social interaction. Athletes should take time off from sports on a weekly and yearly basis.

4. Think of the Big Picture:

• Consider the Social Environment: Pay attention to the athlete’s relationships with coaches, teammates, and parents. A positive and supportive social environment is crucial.
• Put the Athlete First: Support athletes in making their own choices about sports. Encourage them to play for the love of the game, and value their dedication and participation as much as, or more than, their performance. Prioritize the athlete’s overall well-being over short-term achievements.
• Shared and Informed Decision-Making: Have open, honest conversations between parents, athletes, and coaches about the athlete’s goals. Acknowledge that only a small percentage of high school athletes compete at the collegiate or professional level, and that enjoying the sport is the top priority.

Conclusion:

The goal of youth sports should be to foster happy, healthy, and active adults. If we recognize burnout and injury risks and use prevention methods, young athletes can have a healthy and lasting sports experience. A balanced approach, open communication, and a focus on long-term well-being are key to preventing sports dropout and promoting a lifelong love of physical activity.

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A FOOTBALL FIELD in Santa Clara could be on tap to receive a long overdue upgrade.

The 49ers Foundation and Bay Area Host Committee may partner with Santa Clara Unified School District to rehabilitate Townsend Field, which is connected to Buchser Middle School and home to the Santa Clara Lions Youth Football and Cheer club. The project is still in the design phase and cost details need to be worked out before it comes back to the district board of trustees in the fall for approval.

School district employees presented some of the project’s early plans at a June 12 board meeting and most of the SCUSD trustees were excited about the project, though they raised multiple questions about the fine print.

“I share the concern with just wanting to know what costs are going to be involved, getting a little bit more detail on that, because there might be ongoing costs and we know that we have a challenging budget picture so we just want to get a better handle on that, but I think it’s very exciting,” Trustee Michele Ryan said at the meeting.

This field rehabilitation is part of the 49ers Foundation’s philanthropic work supporting the greater Santa Clara community, but it’s also coming at a pivotal time, as the city prepares to host two of the world’s largest sports events — the FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl 60.

Zaileen Janmohamed, the Bay Area Host Committee’s CEO and president, said this is one of nine projects in the committee’s Sports for All initiative, as they aim to engage athletic groups throughout the region ahead of the sports events.

“It’s (one) of many legacy investments we’re making to ensure that the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup aren’t just events that pass through the Bay Area, but moments that leave a lasting impact in the communities that need it most,” Janmohamed told San José Spotlight. “This initiative is about equity, access and building opportunity.”

A spokesperson from the 49ers Foundation said they’re proud of their ongoing partnership with the school district

“Because of the relationship with the Santa Clara Lions, we thought this was a great opportunity to give them a safe and sustainable playing space for years to come,” 49ers Foundation Executive Director Justin Prettyman said during the board meeting.

Linda Connelly, Santa Clara Lions president, said she’s excited about the field rehabilitation. When the team moved in about 25 years ago, she and her husband and former president Craig Connelly personally renovated the two snack shacks and painted the bleachers.

She hopes the renovations include updating the field’s bathrooms and paving the dirt track with rubber, as the dust kicks up into the snack shack. Connelly also said she wants the field to remain natural grass, citing some of the health dangers of artificial turf.

“My concern is for the health of our children, that’s why I don’t want turf,” Connelly told San José Spotlight. “I’d rather have them recrowned or replanted with grass. The field’s all dirt, if they really want to improve this place, put a rubber track around the place. That would really improve the facilities.”

The dangers of artificial turf have been a growing debate, as Santa Clara County almost banned it in January 2025. Multiple cities have removed artificial turf fields from planned park renovations, including Sunnyvale and Palo Alto.

Trustee Andrew Ratermann wants more information on the projects, such as 49ers expectations or whether the timeline is attainable given the district’s need to run projects through state regulators. Despite his concerns, Ratermann said he’s been hearing good updates about the project’s development, and is looking forward to learning more when the full proposal comes back to the board.

“I do know that sometimes, when you get into asking questions about these details, it comes across as negative, and I don’t really want that to happen,” Ratermann told San José Spotlight. “Here is … one of our corporate entities that is reaching out to do something very positive, and I want to keep it in that positive vein.”

Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at sakura@sanjosespotlight.com or @SakuCannestra on X.

This story originally appeared in San José Spotlight.

The event, which originally began in 2016, featured boys lacrosse teams, aged 8 and under up to 16 and under, competing in five different divisions. There are about 46 teams this year, which is a bit higher than normal, according to event director Kevin Leveille.

“Usually we get up to around 46 and then we lose like four or so, but they’ve held it on, so it’s a good amount,” he said. “(There are) a couple of teams bigger than normal, but it fits right in here nicely, and we’ve got a good mix of teams.”

Leveille noted that some of the teams traveled from Canada, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland and even New Jersey.

“Then a lot of upstate teams and some from Long Island,” he said. There are also a couple of North Country-based teams — The NoCo Ripperz and Tru North.

For Leveille, who has been in charge of this tournament since its inception, said it’s great to be in Lake Placid for lacrosse.

“You get north of, you know, Saratoga or Watertown, and you can just smell the difference in the Adirondack air,” he said. “And it’s kind of like your whole mentality changes, and I think that’s kind of how everybody feels coming up here.”

Leveille said that about half of these squads are new to this tournament, so a lot of people are getting to experience Lake Placid for the first time. He said, so far, the reception has been super positive, and people were excited to enjoy the town.

“I know people were at the beach yesterday, and that was really a good thing all around. I’ve heard of people going to Experience Outdoors, over to the Olympic sites and I think people were going to the flum today. So, people are hitting the spots. I’ve heard a lot about good food, the local restaurants and it’s nice to know half the people and then have new people here, essentially introduce to the area.”

Following the LPSYC, Summit Lacrosse will host the 36th Lake Placid Summit Classic from July 28 to Aug. 3.

The Summit Classic showcases two tournaments over the course of a week, starting with the scholastic tournament — consisting of youth, high school and college-age players — followed by the adult tournament, which includes a 65 and older age group.

The Summit Lacrosse Society hosted tournaments in Albany, Saratoga, Denver and in California earlier in the year.

For Leveille, whose father, George, founded the Summit Classic here in 1990, the tournaments here are special to him.

“It’s a different vibe; generally, tournaments are like over two days and you go sit in a field at a high school and there’s not much to do,” he said. “But because we’re over three days and people are on vacation, it’s not chewing up a weekend, people are just in a better mood. They’re making the most of like the time outside of the fields and kind of setting up and just having little hangouts with snacks during the day.”