When Michael McGinley was in high school, he started a sports betting social media page with a few of his peers. Named Buzz Bar Betters, the page operates through an Instagram account, where McGinley and other people his age come together to post videos sharing their bets for upcoming sporting events.  

“I’d say it’s a passion,” said McGinley who is now in his first year at James Madison University, in the U.S. state of Virginia, where he is studying business.

Watch any sporting event and you will notice numerous advertisements marketing a variety of sports betting platforms: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics Sportsbook, Bet365, the list goes on. It only takes a few clicks and the app is downloaded to your phone so you can place bets 24/7.

Mainly thanks to betting becoming far more digital, there has been a rapid increase in the commercial gambling industry.

In 2024, Americans bet almost $148 billion on sports, more than 95% of it wagered online, according to the American Gaming Association. 

Teens gamble online.

In a report on gambling, the World Health Organization stresses the potential harms of the proliferating global market, “challenging the health and well-being of populations.” The report warns: “Unlicensed, illegal or offshore gambling poses significant regulatory challenges for all governments.” 

According to a November 2024 report from the The Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling, about 46% of adults and 18% of adolescents had engaged in gambling of some form within the preceding year across the globe. 

The commission found that one in 10 adolescents had gambled online.  “Which is noteworthy,” the commission reported, “given the widespread agreement that commercial gambling among adolescents should be prohibited.”  

All of the online sports betting applications have some form of identity verification to be sure the user is of age, but adolescents seem to find ways to set up accounts. That’s what Michael McGinley did.

“I made my first sports betting account when I was 18 years old on Underdog, and then when I was 18 years old, I downloaded DraftKings even though I’m not legally allowed to place bets on DraftKings,” McGinley said. 

Putting up barriers to youth gambling

David Huffman is the chief operating officer of the sports betting marketplace called Sporttrade. Huffman said Sporttrade has a process to verify a user’s age. “We partner with third-party providers where you try to sign up, we verify your identity against public known records,” he said. “So we do a lot of stuff on the front end.”

Sporttrade has access to lots of user information that helps continue to monitor players as they bet. For example, if you were trying to play under your 21-year-old brother’s identity, Sporttrade could pick up on that if, for example, they see a bank account under a different name.

“If you try to deposit money from your Venmo into your brother’s account,” said Huffman. 

They can also monitor abnormalities in the locations of bettors. “I personally think gambling should always remain 21,” Huffman said. “Underage kids should really not be trying gambling and getting these addictive behaviors because it’s very hard to shake, and losing 50 bucks when you’re 18 isn’t the end of the world, but it really shapes the way you act in the future.”

Sports betting can cause significant harm to people who gamble money on high risk wagers that would otherwise pay living expenses or go into savings or investments.

Many spent on gambling is needed elsewhere.

According to a June 2024 study done by a team of researchers led by University of Kansas Assistant Professor of Finance Kevin Pisciotta, sports betting may lead to constrained households spending more money on gambling that would have otherwise been put towards investments, savings or reducing debt, likely resulting in weaker financial health in the long-term.   

McGinley said that winning sometimes doesn’t make up for the times you lose. “If you placed a $50 bet on something you think is easy and you lose it’s kinda just like, ‘What the fuck are you doing?’”

Sports betting also can have serious effects on mental health functioning, especially when introduced to gambling at an early age. 

Back in 2006, researchers Mary Wilber and Marc Potenza wrote in the journal Psychiatry that gambling among adolescents is linked to a greater likelihood of alcohol use and related issues compared to those who don’t gamble. 

The most important practice in gambling is the ability to set limits for yourself.

Gambling addiction

Sporttrade has what they call a “Patron Protection Center” to target problem gambling, allowing users to set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits. Unfortunately, other sports betting platforms do not follow the same agenda and there is a financial disincentive to rein in problem gamblers. 

“This isn’t an opinion, this is a fact,” said Huffman, of Sporttrade. “All the sports books make their most revenue from problem gamblers. We’re pretty aggressive on problem gambling.”

This is consistent with World Health Organization data which states: “People gambling at harmful levels generate around 60% of losses,” or gambling revenue.

Some of the measures Sporttrade takes to shut down such behavior includes artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect abnormal betting habits. A typical situation, for example, might be someone who starts to bet unusually more, in an effort to “chase losses.”     

When asked about one piece of advice for a newer bettor entering the space, Huffman urged people to put bets in perspective and identify how much money you are willing and able to lose.  

“You could say well I would’ve gone to the movies or I would’ve gone to this concert and spent 100 bucks on that so I’m willing to lose 100 doing this,” Huffman said, as an example. 

McGinley said that as a first-year college student, he knows it is important to set limits as he doesn’t have much of an income yet. 

“I don’t place anything more than $10 on something,” McGinley said. “If I parlay something it’s about $5 max.”

Questions to consider:

1. What is so attractive about online sports gambling?

2. Why can gambling be problematic?

3. Do you think that young people should be allowed to gamble? Why?

Altoona Area Baseball Association

MAJOR LEAGUE W-L

Holsinger’s Plumbing 8-1

John Sisto Law Office 6-1

Sheetz 6-1

Leonard S. Fiore 5-2

Park Home 5-3

Masonic Lodges 4-5

Marana Electric 3-6

Locker Room 2-5

Drenning Delivery 2-6

ARC 0-9

RESULTS

MONDAY

Marana Electric 13, Drenning 3: Multiple hits–Woodring 2, Hileman 2, Pincin 2, Ross 2, Fiore 2, Zorger 2 (ME); WP–Woodring, LP–Carey; SO–Woodring 3 (ME), Carey 3, Gority 2 (DD)

Sheetz 9, Holsinger’s Plumbing 8: Multiple hits–Connolly 2, Carson Bridenbaugh 2, Touchton 2 (S); WP–Carter Bridenbaugh, LP–Carter Klausman; SO–Connolly 2, Carson Bridenbaugh 2, Touchton 2 (S), Farabaugh 6, Carter Klausman 2 (HP)

Masonic 9, Locker Room 7: Multiple hits–Owen McGeary 2, Cayson Erb 2, Avery Zabinsky 2, Micah Johnson 2 (ML), Declan Lutz 2 (LR); WP–Kyan Replogle, LP–Keelan Weyant; SO–Replogle 5, McGeary 6 (ML), Weyant 1, Lutz 4 (LR)

LSF 10, ARC 0: HR–Kraft 1 (inside); Multiple hits–Kraft 4 (LSF); WP–Garcia Hershey, LP–Berwager; SO–Garcia-Hershey 6 (LSF), Berwager 4, Carter 1 (ARC)

WEDNESDAY

LS Fiore 6, Masonic Lodges 2: Multiple hits–Garcia-Hershey 2, B. Wolfe 3, Gibney 3 (LSF), Moschella 2, Muth 2 (ML); WP–Kraft, LP–K. Replogle; SO–Kraft 9, Garcia-Hershey 1 (LSF), K. Replogle 3, Muth 2 (ML)

Sheetz 6, Park Home 1: Multiple hits–Carson Bridenbaugh 2 (S); WP–Connolly, LP–Williams; SO–Connolly 10 (S), Williams 2, Nedimyer 4 (PH)

Holsinger’s Plumbing 8, Marana Electric 4: Multiple hits–Farabaugh 3 (HP); WP–Farabaugh. LP–Hileman; SO–Klausman 5 Farabaugh 4 (HP), Hileman 8 (ME)

Drenning 8, ARC 0: Multiple hits–Pincherri 2, Sprouse 2, Sprowls 2 (DD), Kam Carter 2 Britton 2 (ARC); WP–Sprouse, LP–Carter; SO–Sprouse 5, Boring 3 (DD), Carter 3, Berwager 3 (ARC)

THURSDAY

Marana Electric 5, Locker Room 4: Multiple hits–Woodring 2, Pincin 3, Ross 2 (ME), Wilmott 2 (LR); WP–Hileman, LP–Pyzowski; SO–Hileman 9, Zorger 2 (ME), Stere 7, Pyzowski 1 (LR)

Park Home 12, Masonic Lodges 1: Multiple hits–Mateo Williams 2, Nedimyer 3, Roland 2, Gamber 2, Buchanan 2, Miller 2 (PH); WP–M Williams, LP–Muth; SO–Williams 6, Gamber 2 (PH), Muth 5 (ML)

Holsinger Plumbing 10, Drenning 1: Multiple hits–Carter Klausman 2, Peretta 2, Farabaugh 2, Brumbaugh 2, Gordon 2 (HP) ; WP–Peretta, LP–Sprowls; SO–Peretta 10 (HP), Sprowls 3, Mountain 2 (DD)

John Sisto Law 16, ARC 6: HR–Cobler 1 (inside) (JS); Multiple hits–Pyo 4, Kustaborder 2, Ballos 2 (JS), Berwager 2, Champeno 2 (ARC); WP–Wagner, LP–Dukeman; SO–Wagner 6, Irvin 4 (JS), Dukeman 6, Berwager 2 (ARC)

FRIDAY

Holsinger’s Plumbing 15, ARC 2: Multiple hits–Carter Klausman 3, Peretta 2, Farabaugh 2, Johnston 2, Brumbaugh 2 (HP), Britton 2 (ARC); WP–Johnston, LP–Britton; SO–Johnston 7, Gordon 1 (HP), Britton 1, Carter 2 (ARC)

Sheetz 9, Marana Electric 4: Multiple hits–Beaver 2, Connolly 2, Brock Orner 2 (S), Fiore 2 (ME); WP–Beaver, LP–Pincin; SO–Beaver 8, Brock Orner 2 (S), Pincin 4, Gority 1 (ME)

SATURDAY

Park Home 9, LS Fiore 8: Multiple hits–Nedimyer 2, Hescox 2, Clingerman 3 (PH), Myers 2, Gibney 2 (LSF); WP–Gamber, LP–Myers; SO–Williams 4 (PH), Kraft 7, Hershey 1, Wolfe 1 (LSF)

John Sisto 11, Locker Room 0: Multiple hits–Pyo 3, Kustaborder 2, Cobler 2 (JS); WP–Pyo, LP–Pyzowski; SO–Kustaborder 6, Pyo 4 (JS), Pyzowski 3, Lutz 1 (LR)

MINOR LEAGUE STANDINGS W-L-T

Gority Brothers 6-0-0

Altoona Honda 4-0-0

Altoona Mirror 3-1-1

Altoona Kiwanis 3-3-0

Reliance Bank 4-3-0

ERA Sports 4-3-0

Begin With Us 1-4-1

Cabinetree 1-4-1

Underground Sports 1-5-1

Redline Nutrition 1-5-0

RESULTS

WEDNESDAY

ERA Sports 5, Altoona Mirror 3

Gority Brothers 13, Underground 3

FRIDAY

ERA Sports 12, Redline 5

SATURDAY

Begin with Us 9, Underground 9

Reliance Bank 5, ERA Sports 3

Cabinetree 11, Redline 2

AIYBL

MAJOR DIVISION STANDINGS W-L

Sheetz 8-1

Sylvan Veterinary 6-3

Makdad 3-5

Cumming Motors 3-4

Fiore True Value 0-7

MONDAY

Sylvan Veterinary 7, Fiore True Value 3: Multiple hits–Schiappa 3, H. Coble 2, Gunnett 2, Clayton 2, Mish 2 (SV), Fiore 2 (FTV). WP–Schiappa. LP–Rentz (FTV). SO–H. Coble 7, Gunnett 1 (SV), Rentz 4, Menin 1 (FTV).

Cumming Motors 5, Makdad 2: Multiple hits–Giger 2 (CM). WP–Novak (CM). LP–Shock (M). SO–Novak 4 (CM), Shock 2, Baker 8 (M).

WEDNESDAY

Sheetz 3, Sylvan Veterinary 1: Multiple hits — Wilkins 3, Wasovich 2, Murphy Lingenfelter 2 (S). WP — Wasovich (S). LP — Schiappa (SV). SO — Wasovich 7 (S), Gunnett 3 (SV).

Cumming Motors 12, Fiore True Value 7: Multiple hits — Novak 3, Noel 3, Nagle 3, Giger 2, Lewis 2, Vaught 2 (CM). WP — Giger (CM). LP — Fiore (FTV). SO — Giger 5, Noel 4 (CM), Fiore 1, Brawley 2, Wilt 1 (FTV).

SATURDAY

Sylvan Veterinary (AIYBL) 15, Parsons (BAYB) 2: HR — RJ Smith (P). Multiple hits — Schiappa 3, Gunnett 2, Mish 2, George 2 (SV). WP — Schiappa (SV). LP — Brantley S. (P). SO — Schiappa 4, H. Coble 3 (SV), Brantley S. 3, B. Wiser 1 (P).

Sheetz 4, Cumming Motors 3: Multiple hits — Myers 2 (S). WP — Maddox Lingenfelter (S). LP — Novak (CM). SO — Luca Fanelli 4, Maddox Lingenfelter 7 (S), Novak 4, Delasko 1 (CM).

MINOR LEAGUE (AAA) W-L-T

Makdad AAA 6-1-0

C&J Cabinets 4-3-1

Altoona First Savings Bank 3-3-0

Martin Oil 2-3-1

Cesare Battisti 0-5-0

RESULTS

Makdad AAA 8, Altoona First Savings Bank 7

C&J Cabinets 13, Cesare Battisti 9

C&J Cabinets 6, Makdad AAA 5

Altoona First Savings Bank 9, Martin Oil 3

MINOR LEAGUE (AA) W-L

First Frontier Blair County 7-0

Stone Cellar 5-0

ERA 5-2

Stuckey Subaru 3-7

Subway 1-5

Sweet Frog 0-7

RESULTS

Subway 5, Sweet Frog 0

Stone Cellar 12, Stuckey Subaru 1

ERA 10, Stuckey Subaru 0

First Frontier Blair County 12, Sweet Frog 0

Bellwood-Antis Youth League

MAJOR LEAGUE STANDINGS W-L

Martin Oil 9-2

Eagles 6-3

Caracciolo’s 7-4

Parson’s 3-7

Messner’s 3-9

RESULTS

MONDAY

Caracciolo’s 13, Parsons 7: Multiple hits–Pullara, Gray, Showalter, M Jones (C); T Hatfield, L Hatfield, Wiser (P). SO–Gray 1, B Burroughs 7 (C); Saylor 4, T Hatfield 2 (P)

Eagles 14, Messner’s 8: Multiple hits–McCahan, Crist, Clabaugh (E); Wright (M). SO–D Learn 3, Clabaugh 4, Peterman 2 (E); Mcknight 1, Wright 3 (M)

WEDNESDAY

Eagles 5, Parsons 5: HR–Crist (E); Smith (P); Multiple hits–Crist (E); L Hatfield (P). SO–Clabaugh 5, D Learn 4 (E); L Hatfield 13 (P)

Caracciolo’s 10, Martin Oil 0: Multiple hits–N Burroughs, B Burroughs, M Jones (C). SO–N Burroughs 10, Pullara 2 (C); Smith 5, Schmitt 5 (MO)

SATURDAY

AIYBL Sylvan Vet 15, BAYB Parson’s 2: HR–Smith. Multiple hits–Schiappa, Mish (SV). SO–Saylor 3, Wiser 1 (P); Schiappa 4, Coble 3 (SV)

Caracciolo’s 6, Eagles 5: HR–Clabaugh. Multiple hits–Crist, Clabaugh (E); Pullara, B Burroughs, M Jones (C). SO–D Learn 3, Clabaugh 3, Peterman 3 (E); B Burroughs 8, Pullara 3 (C)

Martin Oil 9, Messner’s 3: Multiple hits–Seiler, Gibbons, Biddle (MO). SO–Zendek 7, Wright 1 (M); Smith 4, Plummer 4, Schmitt 6 (MO)

MINOR LEAGUE STANDINGS W-L-T

McClellan’s 10-1-0

Irvin’s 8-3-1

UVA 5-6-0

Ritchey’s 2-8-1

D Squared 2-9-0

RESULTS

THURSDAY

Irvin’s 7, UVA 6: Multiple hits–Dubbs, Williams, Kelley, Miller (I); Hettinger (U)

McClellan’s 6, Ritchey’s 1

SATURDAY

UVA 15, D Squared 6: Multiple hits–Hess, Smith, Stich (U); L. DelGrosso, Baker, Nagle, Hatfield (D)

Irvin’s 13, Ritchey’s 11: Multiple hits–Williams, Coho, Carlson, Mertiff, Kelley, Cmar, Weaver (I); Kenepp, Corle, Stoy (R)

East End Youth League

MAJOR LEAGUE STANDINGS W-L

Greenwood Meadows 11-0

Cumming Motors 9-2

Burgmeier Hauling 8-4

Kabello Contracting 6-5

Dean Patterson 4-6

Penn Med 3-7

Sheetz 2-9

Caporuscio’s Plumbing 0-10

RESULTS

Burgmeier Hauling 16, Sheetz 4: Multiple hits–Koehle 2, Ritchey 2, Gutshall 2 (BH). WP–Koehle, LP–K. Havlin, SO–Koehle 1 (BH), R. Havlin 2, K. Havlin 3 (SH)

Greenwood Meadows 15, Dean Patterson 2: Multiple hits–Wentz 2, B. Carney 2, WP–Piccotti, LP–Wentz, SO–Piccotti 5, Winterburn 5 (GM), K. Pfahler 2, Wentz 2, Knarr 1 (DP)

Cumming Motors 17, Caporuscio’s Plumbing 5: Multiple hits–H. Holland 3, P. Holland 2, Bulow 2 (CM), WP–Moyer, LP–Endress, SO–Coury 2 (CM), Endress 7, Parshall 1, Rogers 1 (CP)

Penn Med 8, Kabello Contracting 4: HR–McDowell 1, Bongiorno 1 (PM). Multiple hits–Bongiorno 2 (PM), Bordack 2, Seabrooks 2 (KC), WP–Nagle, LP–Bordack, SO–Nagle 2, McConnell 4 (PM), Bordack 3, l. Wolfe 8 (KC)

Burgmeier Hauling 14, Caporuscio’s Plumbing 2: Multiple hits–Endress 2 (CP), WP–Irwin, LP–Parshall, SO–Irwin 5, Chaplin 3 (BH), Parshall 5, Endress 3 (CP),

Dean Patterson 8, Sheetz 3: HR–Knarr 1 (DP), WP–Ronan, LP–Billotte, SO–Wentz 6, Ronan 1 (DP), Billotte 9 (SH),

Cumming Motors 17, Kabello Contracting 2: HR–P .Holland 1 (CM), Multiple hits–P. Holland 2 (CM), WP–Porta, LP–L. Wolfe, SO–Porta 6 (CP), L. Wolfe 4 (KC)

Greenwood Meadows 15, Penn Med 0: Multiple hits–McGinnis 2, Piccotti 2, Meese 2 (GM), WP–Wentz, LP–McDowell, SO–Pike 3 (GM), McDowell 2 (PM)

MINOR LEAGUE STANDINGS W-L

Barton Plumbing 9-0

Furrer Beverage 6-2

First Stop Shop 5-2

Penn Crest 3-4

Kettle Inn 2-4

Mattas Motorsports 3-6

Reliable Tire 2-6

Grace Builders 1-8

RESULTS

Grace Builders 10, Kettle Inn 5

First Stop Shop 9, Reliable Tire 4

Furrer Beverage 4, Mattas Motorsports 2

Barton Plumbing 9, Penn Crest 8

Furrer Beverage 6, Grace Builders 1

Mattas Motorsports 6, Kettle Inn 1

Barton Plumbing 10, Reliable Tire 5

First Stop Shop 6, Penn Crest 2

Barton Plumbing 11, Grace Builders 6

Hollidaysburg Area Summer League

50/70 STANDINGS W-L

Locker Room 5-0

Highland Closing Company 4-1

Gieg & Jancula 4-2

JK Electrical Services 4-2

LB Water 4-2

Sheetz 1-5

Spokes ‘n’ Skis 1-5

LHM Physical Therapy 0-6

RESULTS

Highland Closing Company 10, JK Electrical Services 2: WP–Matthew Bonin; Multiple hits–Matthew Bonin (4), Dylan Anders (3), Jaxon Nordick, Holden Schneider (HC)

LB Water 7, Sheetz 5: WP–Thayne Dimperio; Multiple hits–Blake Chamberlain (3), James Davis (3), Ethan Miller (LB)

Spokes ‘n’ Skis 3, LHM Physical Therapy 2: WP–Evan High; Multiple hits–Finn Gunnett, Dom Vyborny (SS)

Locker Room 12, Gieg & Jancula 5: WP–Max Manning; HR–Callan Mills (LR)

LITTLE LEAGUE W-L

RT Contracting 9-2

Imler’s Poultry 7-2

JCAC 7-4

Davison Snacks 6-5

O’Neill Hotel 4-5

Peppetti Law 4-6

ServPro 3-6

Lakemont Veterinary Clinic 3-6

Blair Therapies 2-9

RESULTS

JCAS 5, Davison Snacks 3: WP–Holden Schneider; Multiple hits–Holden Schneider (JC), Brayden Kaack (DS)

RT Contracting 11, Lakemont Veterinary Clinic 1: WP–Brayden Sapko; Multiple hits–Zachary Cohen, Aiden Pavlik, Simon Rettig (RT)

RT Contracting 11, JCAC 1: WP–Ronan Diehl; Multiple hits–Jace Dodson, Brantley Miller (JC)

Davison Snacks 7, Peppetti Law 6: WP–Samuel Mikolajczyk; Multiple hits–Samuel Mikolajczyk, Connor Hmel, Brayden Kaack (DS), Aiden Anderson (PL)

ServPro 9, Lakemont Veterinary Clinic 8: WP–Mitchell Seeley; Multiple hits–Zion Shubik, Micah Layton, Andrew Lloyd (SP), Trey Muth (LVC)

Imler’s Poultry 8, Blair Therapies 2: WP–Cullan Yost; Multiple hits–Christian Moyer (IP), Hudson Sheetz (BT)

JCAC 12, Davison Snacks 1: WP–Holden Schneider; Holden Schneider, Jace Dodson, Andrew Heaton (JC), Brayden Kaack (DS)

PEE WEE MAJOR W-L-T

Howsare’s Logging 9-0-0

Mountain View Eye 7-1-1

Adams Electric 5-4-0

McQuaide Blasko 4-6-0

Dean Accounting 3-4-1

Servello Orthodontics 4-6-0

Cunningham Media 3-4-0

Mid Atlantic Sports 3-6-0

Curry Supply 1-9-0

RESULTS

Howsare’s Logging 12, Adams Electric 1: WP–Wyatt Royer; Multiple hits–Wyatt Royer, Cam Musselman, Calen Robley

Mid Atlantic Sports 3, Curry Supply 1: WP–Joe Stuckey; Multiple hits–Joe Stuckey, Alec Sutton

McQuaide Blasko 7, Servello Orthodontics 6: WP–Dexter Delozier; Multiple hits–Liam Merritts, Andrew Burke, Lucas Pavlik

McQuaide Blasko 6, Mid Atlantic Sports 5: WP–Vincent Ruggiero; Multiple hits–Dexter Delozier, Liam Merritts, Lex Gillie, Joe Stuckey

Mountain View Eye 9, Servello Orthodontics 8: WP–Ellis Rettig; Multiple hits–Jeffrey Young, Zeke Reasy, Noah Krider, Derrick Dean, Lucas Pavlick, John Merritts

Cunningham Media 16, Curry Supply 3: WP–Colton Costanza; Multiple hits–Asher Cunningham, Colton Costanza, Parker Albright, Cresson Thacker

Adams Electric 9, Dean Accounting 4: WP–Colton Barr; Multiple hits–Calen Robley, Adam Goddard

PEE WEE MINOR

RESULTS

G3 Physical Therapy 11, Hite’s Garage 6

NPC, Inc. 16, Curry Fluid Power 14

Imler’s Poultry 6, Altoona Center for Oral and Maxiofacial Surgery 4

Snare and Associates 15, Ritchey’s Dairy 6

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has marked the commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day.

In a message shared by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate on X on Monday, Erdogan underscored the historical significance of May 19, marking the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, in 1919.

“We are protecting the homeland and the Republic—sacred legacies entrusted to us by our ancestors—and we are taking steps to advance and elevate the Republic of Türkiye, which will endure forever, in every field,” the Turkish president stated.

Erdogan emphasised that he sees Turkish youth not only as the architects of the future, but also as a driving force of change, saying he “truly” believes that with their energy, determination, and dreams—carrying the legacy of “our civilisation in their hearts”—the Turkish youth will leave a defining mark “on our era as the ‘Century of Türkiye.'”

TRT Global – Turkish president announces discovery of new natural gas reserve in Black Sea

“With this amount, we will be able to meet residential demand alone for approximately 3.5 years,” says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Türkiye’s future

In the construction of Türkiye’s future, “we solve and permanently eliminate” any problem that will waste the energy of Turkish youth and the country’s resources with “fruitless discussions,” he said.

“We work with all our might to fulfil our promise to leave our youth a peaceful and serene, high-tech, and prosperous country.”

“We offer opportunities for our youth to discover their potential in every field, from science to art, sports to agriculture, diplomacy to nuclear technologies, and we walk hand in hand and arm in arm with our youth to realise our ideal of a great and powerful Türkiye,” the president noted.

He said that they will continue to support all Turkish youth who work tirelessly to achieve their goals, never give up, and want to further glorify the civilisational heritage they inherited from their forefathers.

TRT Global – Erdogan emerges as key power broker in a fragmented world order

As Western diplomacy falters, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan positions Türkiye as a pivotal actor in global peace efforts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, backed by personal engagement and strategic independence.

Youth and Sports Day

The Turkish president stated that they will always maintain their determination to work harder and achieve more for the Turkish youth by crediting them for every success of Türkiye, “which has become a central country as it grows stronger and has strengthened its position with the steps we have taken.”

Erdogan also commemorated “all the heroes of our War of Independence, Gazi Mustafa Kemal in particular.”

May 19, 1919, was the day when Ataturk, who was later the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, arrived in the Black Sea city of Samsun from Istanbul to launch the war that four years later transformed the nation into modern Türkiye.

In 1938, Ataturk dedicated May 19 to the youth of the Turkish nation as Youth and Sports Day a national holiday that sees young people take part in sporting and cultural activities with official ceremonies across the country.

TRT Global – Türkiye advances in its quest for ‘terror-free’ future — Erdogan

Day after PKK’s jailed ringleader called for the terror outfit to disband, Turkish President Erdogan says it’s an opportunity toward Ankara’s goal of “tearing down the wall of terror that has been built between our thousand-year-old brotherhood.”

Local organizations serving Akron’s youth can now apply for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 as part of a city initiative aimed at expanding access to sports and wellness programming. 

The city has committed $100,000 to offset the cost of program fees, training and certifications for coaches, mental health services and safety and equipment to provide more opportunities for young Akronites.

“We know that sports participation is a fantastic tool to address a range of larger challenges including public safety,” Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement released Wednesday. “Giving our youth an opportunity to work as a team, learn new skills, develop coping strategies, and see the impact of their hard work and determination can help as a springboard to safe, healthy lives.” 

To be eligible, an interested organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that directly serves Akron youth. Applications for the grants must be submitted by Saturday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m. 

Applications can be emailed to Youth Opportunity Strategist Denico Buckley-Knight at dbuckley-knight@akronohio.gov. Paper copies are also available in the lobby at Akron City Hall, 166 S. High St., and can be turned in at the security desk. 

This program is part of Akron’s larger investment in youth development and public safety. As part of that effort, the city is adopting the Aspen Institute’s Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, an eight-point framework that emphasizes youth access to fun, safe and developmentally appropriate sports activities. 

The bill of rights “focuses on creating a shared community understanding that all youth should have real, meaningful opportunities to develop as people through sports,” Malik said at a press conference earlier this month.  

Malik also said the city plans to partner with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative to get at least 64% of Akron youth participating in sports by the end of 2030. 

“Other cities have seen the benefits of an increased focus on sports including obesity prevention, cancer risk reduction, gender equity, the social inclusion of people with disabilities and so much more,” Buckley-Knight said.

May 19 is celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

May 19, 1919 marks the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence, a turning point in Turkey’s history.

Ottomans joined World War I on the side of the Germans. Since the Germans lost the war, the Ottomans were also considered on the losing side. The Turkish army was disarmed and dispersed. Turkey was occupied by the wining states. Istanbul was occupied by the British, Adana and the southeastern region by the French, eastern Turkey by the Russians, and Antalya by Italian forces.

Upon the Greek landing in Izmir on May 15, 1919, the hero of Gallipoli war, General Mustafa Kemal decided to leave Istanbul and go to Anatolia and launch an independence campaign. He left Istanbul on a ship on May 16 and landed in Samsun on May 19, 1919.

After a long and harsh struggle, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk drove all the occupying forces out of the country and founded the modern Republic of Turkey on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire that previously lasted for six centuries.

Atatürk was born in 1881, but his birthday was not known. When the officials were preparing a new ID card for Atatürk, they asked him his birthday. Atatürk said “You can write May 19 as my birthday.” In fact, May 19 is not the birthday of Atatürk, but is the birthday of the modern Republic of Turkey.

Atatürk dedicated this day to the Turkish youth, and May 19 has since been celebrated as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. In honor of this day, schools of all levels, as well as military colleges and units, will organize sports and athletic events throughout Turkiye.

By JAN McLAUGHLIN

BG Independent News

The ballplayers, dressed in their crisp clean uniforms, were bundles of energy. This was opening day at the Weston ballpark – and their town was celebrating the beginning of a summer spent watching their kids play ball.

The revival of the Weston youth baseball, softball and T-ball has been led by a group of parents and grandparents committed to resurrecting the program that over the years had lost its spirit.

And on Saturday afternoon, the group hit a home run on opening day.

The festivities began with a parade of the ball teams, starting at the library downtown and traveling through neighborhoods to the ballpark. The young ballplayers cheered and chanted, as townspeople stood on their porches and front yards to celebrate the teams and the beginning of a new season.

A siren from the Wood County Sheriff’s vehicle leading the route announced the arrival of the antsy young players, and a Weston fire truck followed at the rear of the parade.

When the teams arrived at the ballpark, they were greeted by more townspeople ready to watch them do the ceremonial run around the bases, get team photos taken, and devour their first ballpark food of the season.

Jeanettie Zamarripa was one of the Weston residents determined to bring back the summer ball season. She coached her granddaughter’s team last year, and this year found herself as president of the Weston Sports Initiative Association.

“The program just needed to be picked up by people who cared about it,” Zamarripa said. The non-profit organization, run by passionate board members and volunteers, has seven teams this year. They compete against other community teams in the Otsego School District – Grand Rapids, Haskins and Tontogany.

The Village of Weston stepped up on the upkeep of the ballpark, Zamarripa said.

And after opening day Saturday, Zamarripa and others plan to spend much of their summer at the park – cheering from bleachers, coaching in the fields, monitoring kids in the dugouts.

Saturday saw a steady line of fans and families at the concession stand, behind home plate. The big sellers on the first day of the season were typical ballpark foods – hotdogs, popcorn and pretzels. 

Jessica Susor, a concession stand volunteer, said the familiar smells draw in customers.

“Everybody is always waiting for the hot buttered popcorn,” Susor said.

Along the third base line, the Kosicki T-ball team in their bright yellow uniforms, gathered around a picnic table. The players, just 4 to 6 years old, weren’t talking game strategy – they were wandering off to get snow cones, chasing each other, shrieking in delight at visits by the costumed Muddy and Madonna Mudhen and from Freddy and Frieda Falcon.

Their coaches took it all in stride. One parent described coaching a T-ball team like herding cats, but with a smile, coach Ashley Kosicki said it was more like “feral squirrels.”

Kosicki and parent Cheyenne Cheatwood talked about the importance of a summer ball program – even for kids too young to pick up many skills.

“It’s important to keep it alive for the small community,” Cheatwood said. “The kids get really excited.”

With a heavy dose of patience, Kosicki talked about the youngest players developing skills not necessary in the batter’s box or in the outfield.

“The mental health aspect is the most important thing for this age,” she said.

Before the games began, each team took a ceremonial run around the bases. James and Christina Fox sat on the bleachers and watched as their two sons, Colton and Wyatt, joined in the opening day tradition.

James Fox pointed out the more experienced players who faked falls as they came into home.

“They get a little dirt on them for the pictures,” he said, as one player rolled around in the gravel.

The Fox parents are thrilled their sons are outside playing ball, rather than inside playing video games, on their phones or their tablets.

“Our kids are all sports, sports, sports,” James Fox said.

Consequently, the parents will be spending many evenings at the ballpark. This coming week, that means rooting from the bleachers on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. “That’s the schedule this week for us,” the father said.

On the sidelines behind first base, players and coaches were lining up for team photos. The photographer repeated the instructions, “Hands down. Eyes up. Big smiles,” – hoping one of the shots would be good.

Meanwhile, girls with hair ribbons matching their uniforms, sat on the ground, drawing pictures in the gravel. Another player teetered on the edge of the dugout wall. “Dare me to jump down?” she asked a boy.

“No, don’t climb the fences. Get down,” a parent insisted.

A couple of the older players were relishing this day focused on them. Camden Tyree and Jayse Michalski, both 13, said he has been playing ball for nine years.

“Because it’s fun. I like the competition,” Camden said of his dedication to the game. “Yeah,” said Jayse, who was more of the quiet type. “Baseball is good.”

Both boys are versatile on the field. Camden plays shortstop, pitcher and catcher, while Jayse plays those plus second and third base.

Jocelyn Zamarripa, 9, admitted to being “kinda” nervous on Saturday’s opening day. “What positions do I play?” she asked her grandma.

After the singing of the National Anthem and several high-fives for good luck, the magic words rang out, “Play ball.”

The Kosicki T-ball team loaded into one dugout, with the adults trying to keep the youngsters matched with their hats and gloves, and away from the bats. “Stop hitting things with the bat,” one adult said.

“This is part of it – how we act in the dugout matters,” a coach said to the players bubbling over with energy.

Once on the field, many of the lessons were forgotten. One player threw the bat with every swing at the ball. Other players forgot to run to base once they made contact with the ball. And infielders en masse immediately swarmed and smothered any ball hit in their direction.

By the end of the season, the games will most likely look different as the players perfect some skills. But some things won’t change. The fans will still cheer from the bleachers. The concession stand will still crank out buttered popcorn. And the children will remember another summer spent at the ballfield.

Posted by: Jan Larson McLaughlin on May 18, 2025.