BUTTE, MT — July 25, 2025

In Montana, where the window for outdoor baseball is often limited to just a few short months, every extra inning matters. That’s why a new summer/fall baseball league is stepping up to give Butte’s young players more chances to play the game they love.

Local baseball advocate Mike Butala is launching a new wood bat league for league-age 9–11 players (2025) — and the mission is simple: More Butte baseball for more Butte kids.

The league will run from August 10 through September 21 at the Missoula Street Fields, offering a relaxed, developmental environment where players can keep improving and having fun even as the traditional season winds down.

“The goal is simple: More Butte baseball for more Butte kids,” said organizer Mike Butala.

“We’re just getting this started, and we know there will be some learning along the way — but with strong support, this can be something special.”

League Highlights:

• Location: Missoula Street Fields
• Dates: August 10 – September 21
• Ages: League-age 9–11 (2025 season)
• Format: Wood bat
• Cost: $20 per player
  (Includes a league t-shirt, baseballs, and helps provide wood bats)

This isn’t a high-stakes or high-pressure league — it’s about getting more kids out playing ball, learning, growing, and enjoying every ounce of Butte’s baseball season while it lasts.

Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help coach, organize, or assist however they can. It’s a team effort — and the more the community pitches in, the better the experience will be for the kids.

To register a player or get involved, contact Mike Butala and help spread the word. Let’s make the most of baseball season in the Mining City.

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports 

As the countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games continues, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined city leaders, LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover, Olympians, Paralympians, and hundreds of youth athletes at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday to announce a major milestone for PlayLA, the city’s youth sports initiative. The program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports programs across the city.

Among the athletes present was 17-year-old Paralympic silver medalist Arelle Middleton, a PlayLA alum, who was part of the announcement celebration.

PlayLA, which is operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks, is funded by a $160 million investment from LA28 and the International Olympic Committee. The funding allows for greater access to sports programming, offering enhanced opportunities for young athletes from diverse backgrounds. Through PlayLA, children have access to more than 40 sports options, ensuring that all Angelenos, regardless of ability, can participate.

“We’re exactly three years out from welcoming the world to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and already we have achieved an extraordinary legacy of youth development thanks to the Games,” said Mayor Bass. “Through PlayLA, the youth of Los Angeles have affordable, quality, and inclusive sports programming. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet.”

LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover also praised the program’s success. “Experiencing the Olympic and Paralympic Games in-person is an unforgettable memory that will stick with you for life, but the tangible impact that PlayLA is having on thousands of kids across Los Angeles is a pre-Games legacy that extends beyond the framework of a major sporting event,” Hoover said. “To have one million program enrollments in PlayLA in just five years — with three years still to go — speaks to the quality, availability, and desire for youth sport and adaptive sport programming.”

Jimmy Kim, General Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks, highlighted the program’s impact. “This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to equity, access, and opportunity for all,” Kim said. “Thanks to the support of LA28 and the International Olympic Committee, we’re building healthier communities and expanding opportunities for every child to reach their full potential ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.”

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Community organizations teamed up to bring awareness to youth violence Friday, and they’re doing it with a slam dunk!

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne is taking a new approach to bring awareness to the issue of youth violence.

It is playing the classic game of basketball with a “Don’t Shoot, Hoop” event.

“Through sports, we give them a gateway to just come here and engage with others, not be in the streets,” said Jalik Jelks, Athletic Director at Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne.

Teens from all over the area made their way to the organization’s gym.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs is really great to come to,” said Giahnni Sparks, a member of the organization. “You kinda get to do everything.”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne teamed up with other community organizations focused on the younger generation, including City Life and Youth For Christ.

There was even a special appearance by Mayor Sharon Tucker.

“I wanted to come in tonight to show my support and not only for the non-profits, but to also show my support for the kids,” said Tucker.

So far this year, when it comes to homicides in Fort Wayne, 14 teenagers, 18 and under, have been involved as either a suspect or a victim.

The “Don’t Shoot, Hoop” event will return to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne on Friday, August 1, from 9 to 11 p.m.

Copyright 2025 WPTA. All rights reserved.

Love Island USA alum Olivia Walker has found love outside the villa! The returning bombshell opened up on Love Island: Beyond the Villa and spoke about her new beau and how she’s really happy.

Olivia first appeared on Love Island Season 6. And she’s among the cast members starring in the brand new spinoff. The docuseries follows former islanders as they navigate their real lives. The show gives viewers the drama they want to see and a peek at what happens outside the fun and games of the villa.

Liv Walker is “happy” in her new relationship after Love Island USA

Fans were especially excited to see Kaylor Martin reunite with ex Aaron Evans. She’s admitted to still loving him but that doesn’t mean reconciliation. And it shouldn’t considering their toxic past.

But Kaylor and Aaron aren’t the only ones fans are watching. Australian bombshell Liv admitted on the first episode that she was “seeing someone new.” And while the series was filmed in the spring, Liv confirmed that they are still together now.

She appeared on SiriusXM’s Reality Checked and Dorinda Medley asked her, “Now we hear there might be a budding romance between you and an unnamed athlete. Can you give us any update on that?”

Liv smiled and confirmed, “I’m happy, in a relationship. We’re both living our best life.” She also clarified that she wasn’t purposefully trying to be cagey on the show.

“I feel like during the show it’s kind of early days so you see like different, I don’t get into detail with it just because I signed up for this life, but also because we’re still navigating it and working it out,” she explained.

She added, “I’m never hiding anything from the audience of wanting to keep my whole love life completely offline. That’s not the case. I just feel like we are just pick and choosing when to kind of share and making sure we’re happy, which we are with each other.”

It’s smart of her to tread cautiously. Going public can get quite complicated. But it seems like she’s pretty thrilled. “I’m excited when the time comes to share with everyone,” Liv said.

Love Island USA: Beyond the Villa is available to stream on Peacock.

TELL US – HAVE YOU BEEN ENJOYING BEYOND THE VILLA? WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SO FAR?

The post Love Island USA’s Liv Walker Dating Mystery Athlete: ‘Living Our Best Life’ appeared first on Reality Tea.

This webinar will take place Tuesday, August 19, at 2 p.m. ET. To register, click below:

Webinar Description:

Youth sports proved their sustainable power during the pandemic and their rise only continues. But what does your event and destination need to be aware of that to position your organization for further success? In this webinar, join the president of one of the nation’s largest youth sports organizations, an industry veteran of events large and small, and a destination leader who has found success attracting events in a roundtable discussion of where the youth sports industry is headed. And come prepared with your own questions to make sure you are staying on top of where the industry is going next.

Participants:

Glen Allen
Vice President of Sports and Entertainment
Visit Lauderdale

Glen Allen joined Visit Lauderdale in 2023 as the vice president of sports and entertainment. He has over 14 years of experience in sports tourism, having previously worked with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and Central Florida Sports Commission (now Greater Orlando Sports Commission). In his current role, he oversees the sports and entertainment department, which features four teammates whose role is to recruit, develop and cultivate event opportunities for Broward County. He also leads Visit Lauderdale’s efforts with developing sports marketing partnerships with opportunities including the Florida Panthers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Meyer Shank Racing among others.

Megan Ditchman
Business Development Senior Manager
Global Sports Experiences

Megan Ditchman has 14 years of experience in soccer event management, currently serving as business development senior manager for Global Sports Experiences. She previously worked 13 years for Elite Tournaments in a variety of roles including senior vice president of marketing and partnerships. Throughout her career she has worked on youth events and professional match promotion, organizing international events for world class brands and creating unforgettable experiences for teams and fans alike.
 

Jo Mirza
President
AAU

Jo Mirza, the 49th president of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), has dedicated more than five decades of service to the AAU at the local, national and international levels. Mirza got his start in AAU as an athlete in the sport of karate in 1972, competing in the Central AAU Association (now District), though he’s been a student of martial arts since 1967. His roles with the AAU have been many throughout the years, including AAU Karate National Chair, District AAU Governor (Central and Florida Gold Coast), and District Lieutenant Governor (Central) as well as instructor, official, and dedicated volunteer. In 1987, President Mirza was recognized for his many efforts on behalf of the AAU Karate program, winning election as AAU Karate National Chair and being named the AAU Junior Olympic Games Karate Chairman, positions he has held ever since. He has been a member of the AAU Board of Directors since 1994.

Moderator:
Matt Traub
Editor
SportsTravel

Matt Traub is the editor for SportsTravel, focusing on the magazine’s content, digital and social media strategies. Before joining SportsTravel in 2019, he worked in sports departments at several newspapers across the United States, most recently as the assistant sports editor at the Salt Lake Tribune. Under his leadership, the organization grew digital audience around the region’s most-loved topics: the Olympics, the Utah Jazz and college football. He also was in charge of sports departments at newspapers in New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina that were repeatedly recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as a Top 10 section nationally with coverage of everything from the Little League World Series to Southeastern Conference football.
 

Sponsored by:

Mercy,  one of the 15 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized care and one of the nation’s largest and highest performing Accountable Care Organizations in quality and cost. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including 50 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has over 1,000 physician practice locations and outpatient facilities, more than 5,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 50,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In fiscal year 2024 alone, Mercy provided nearly half a billion dollars of free care and other community benefits, including traditional charity care and unreimbursed Medicaid.