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WOLF PACK CONTINUE TO EXPAND FOOTPRINT WITH STRONG 2024-25 SEASON IN THE COMMUNITY AND AT THE BOX OFFICE

May 6, 2025 HARTFORD, CT – The 50th Anniversary of professional hockey in the city of Hartford was a roaring success for the Hartford Wolf Pack, as the organization completed another successful season. The Wolf Pack enjoyed another strong year of growth in terms of ticket sales and their footprint in the Greater Hartford Community. […]

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May 6, 2025

HARTFORD, CT – The 50th Anniversary of professional hockey in the city of Hartford was a roaring success for the Hartford Wolf Pack, as the organization completed another successful season.

The Wolf Pack enjoyed another strong year of growth in terms of ticket sales and their footprint in the Greater Hartford Community.

The club sported 19 lower bowl sellouts during the 2024-25 campaign, a mark that helped them see another historic season at the box office.

Over the course of 36 regular season home games, the Wolf Pack welcomed an average of 5,590 fans to the XL Center in downtown Hartford. This marked the club’s highest single-season average attendance since the 2010-11 season.

This marked the first time since the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons that the Wolf Pack averaged over 5,000 fans per game in back-to-back seasons. The club averaged 5,456 fans during the 2023-24 campaign.

In total, over 201,000 fans came through the XL Center doors this season, including 10,074 on Jan. 11, 2025. That marked the first time since Jan. 28, 2017, that the club welcomed over 10,000 fans to the XL Center for a game.

The club also set a record for the most paid tickets distributed in franchise history. 

The 2024-25 season also saw the Wolf Pack continue to expand their footprint in the Greater Hartford Community. The franchise’s beloved mascot, Sonar, made 67 appearances during the season at local schools, community events, community fundraising initiatives, youth sports practices, and more.

Hartford Wolf Pack players and coaches also chipped in, making 41 visits during the season. In addition to traditional visits to local schools and youth hockey practices, Wolf Pack players and coaches made trips to Connecticut Children’s Hospital to donate toys during the holiday season as part of the team’s annual toy drive and to donate the teddy bears following the team’s annual ‘Teddy Bear Toss’ game. 

Players and coaches also stopped by a local soup kitchen in Southington, CT, to assist with dinner service and cleanup in November around the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Players also participated in CHR’s ‘Adopt-A-Family’ Toy Drive, where they purchased gifts for families dealing with financial hardships during the holiday season. 

Additionally, the ‘Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation’ donated over 1,912 tickets to the community during the 2024-25 season. These tickets were donated to local schools, hospitals, youth sports organizations, and charitable organizations for a variety of purposes. 

Over $36,000 was donated by the ‘Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation’ as part of the annual grant process. Grants were awarded to ‘Hands of Hartford’, ‘Horizons at Westminster School’, ‘Ädelbrook Behavioral Consultation’, ‘Hartford P.A.L’, and ‘Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’. 

$12,321.89 was raised by the organization via DASH Auctions throughout the season. That money was then donated to numerous nonprofits in the Greater Hartford Area.

Additionally, the Wolf Pack hosted numerous drives throughout the season. The club helped collect over 200 care packages put together thanks to donations from their ‘Military Appreciation Night’. Those care packages, in conjunction with ‘Boxes to Boots’, were sent to a unit in Syria, a naval ship, and two other undisclosed addresses. The care packages, along with letters written by players and coaches, were sent to units with ties to the state of Connecticut. 

Over 350 books were donated by fans at the club’s annual book drive this past March. Those books were donated to the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC).

“The CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering Middle School is so thankful to the Hartford Wolf Pack and it’s fans for this generous donation,” said Jill Wnuk, school Principal, ahead of the annual drive. 

On Feb. 22, the club hosted its annual food drive benefitting ‘Hands on Hartford’. The food drive brought in over 600 pounds of food. 

“Hands On Hartford is so grateful for our wonderful, ongoing partnership with the Hartford Wolf Pack,” said Kelly Dougherty, Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Communications Coordinator with ‘Hands on Hartford’. 

“With their (along with their loyal fans’) generous support over the years, through gameday food drives, financial donations, and their very special player-made ornament auction, we have been able to continue to stock our community pantry’s shelves and stuff hundreds of backpacks full of nourishing food for individuals, families and children falling on hard times and experiencing food insecurity.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Hartford Wolf Pack for exemplifying the true meaning of teamwork. We could not do this important work without the support of our community.”

For more information on the Wolf Pack’s community initiatives and the ‘Hartford Wolf Pack Community Foundation’, please visit www.hartfordwolfpack.com/fan-zone/hartford-wolf-pack-community-foundation. 

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ABOUT THE HARTFORD WOLF PACK: The Hartford Wolf Pack has been a premier franchise in the American Hockey League since the team’s inception in 1997. The Wolf Pack are the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and play at the XL Center. The Wolf Pack has been home to some of the Rangers newest faces including Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindgren. Follow the Wolf Pack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.   





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Businessman plans $1M indoor sports site in St. Louis

The project would renovate the 22,500-square-foot former bowling alley to convert it to the sports use, while cleaning up the property. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A St. Louis-area businessman is proposing an indoor sports facility at the abandoned site of a former bowling alley in south St. Louis County. As part of the estimated […]

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The project would renovate the 22,500-square-foot former bowling alley to convert it to the sports use, while cleaning up the property.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A St. Louis-area businessman is proposing an indoor sports facility at the abandoned site of a former bowling alley in south St. Louis County.

As part of the estimated $1 million proposal for the former Show Me Lanes site at 4575 Lemay Ferry Road off Interstate 55 in South County, trucking company owner Midhat Selimovic proposes a complex geared toward youth sports.

Selimovic said he hopes to build two soccer fields, a volleyball/basketball court and a pickleball court, as shown in renderings submitted Monday night to the St. Louis County Planning Commission.

The project would renovate the 22,500-square-foot former bowling alley to convert it to the sports use, while cleaning up the property, which has fallen into an abandoned state, engineer Mark Doering said at Monday’s public hearing, representing the developer.

Selimovic is interested in building the facility because his daughters play soccer and volleyball, and he believes the area needs more youth sports sites, he said at the hearing. It would be his first such development project.

Click here to read the full story from the St. Louis Business Journal.



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Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired: Jordan Schubert

When Jordan Schubert first picked up a basketball as a kid in the Chicago area, he had no idea how far that first dribble would take him. Introduced to Special Olympics in fifth grade, his mom signed him up for basketball “as something to do in the fall.” What followed was a lifelong journey defined […]

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When Jordan Schubert first picked up a basketball as a kid in the Chicago area, he had no idea how far that first dribble would take him. Introduced to Special Olympics in fifth grade, his mom signed him up for basketball “as something to do in the fall.” What followed was a lifelong journey defined by sport, confidence, leadership, and ultimately, a job offer.

“I didn’t really know what I was getting into at the time,” Schubert said. “But from sixth grade on, I have loved every moment of it.”

His passion for basketball grew, and while he also tried bowling, soccer, floor hockey, and softball, the hardwood remained his home with one of his most cherished memories happening when he won his first gold medal on his mother’s birthday.

Youth Empowered, Leaders Inspired: Jordan Schubert

Jordan began playing basketball with Special Olympics in the fifth grade. This small action eventually became a regular part of his life and eventually developed into a passion he pursued.


Special Olympics helped Schubert grow far beyond athletics. “It helped me academically,” he said. “I got better grades and made more friends.”

Schubert’s leadership journey took off in high school, when he was selected to attend the 2010 USA Games National Youth Summit. That opportunity led him to champion Unified Champion Schools initiatives in Illinois, and later, as a member of the National Youth Activation Committee after moving to Pennsylvania.

From there, Schubert’s relationship with Special Olympics deepened. In 2013, he interned at the organization’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., working with the User Experience (UX) team and supporting departments across the office. “Whenever I got my own work done early, I’d help other departments wherever they needed,” he said.

That same summer, at a staff conference in Charlotte, Schubert met the President & CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania and learned about an upcoming job opening. “I applied as soon as my internship ended and got it a couple of months later,” he said.

He started part-time during college as the Athlete Leadership Coordinator, essentially supporting the department’s daily operations. But just two months in, a staff transition pushed Schubert to take on more responsibility. Balancing a full academic course load with his job helped him sharpen key professional skills, prioritization, delegation, independence.

After graduation, Schubert was promoted to full-time. A year later, he took on an expanded role as Manager of Athlete Leadership and Young Athletes. “Young Athletes was such a meaningful addition,” Schubert said. “I wish that had been around when I was younger, I would’ve started Special Olympics much earlier.”

Today, Schubert’s work centers on developing and supporting athlete leaders across Pennsylvania. He helps individuals set goals, plan speeches and appearances, and connect with regional staff. He also leads statewide trainings and recently helped launch a recognition program to celebrate athletes going above and beyond.

Through it all, he continues to apply lessons learned on the court. “A lot of principles I’ve learned from sports, teamwork, resilience, reflection. I try to apply those to my job,” he said. “Be a team player. Stay steady. Always strive to improve.”

Athlete walking out at Special Olympics event.

Jordan Schubert entering Opening Ceremony at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

Schubert still competes, too. He played basketball at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando. That experience, coming out of the pandemic, only deepened his appreciation for the mission. “It made me value what I do and what others do so much more,” he said.

For Schubert, working at Special Olympics is about more than a paycheck.

“I think the biggest thing I’m proud of is the relationships I’ve built with athletes, volunteers, colleagues. People know I’ll listen, and I know they’ll listen to me. That means a lot.”

Jordan Schubert

He also believes firmly that hiring athletes is not about checking a box. “If other sports organizations value people with lived experience, why shouldn’t we?” he said. “Athletes bring insight that makes everything better. We don’t have all the answers, but inclusive collaboration is how we build a better future.”

“Inclusion to me means one,” he added. “It doesn’t matter what word you use—unified, inclusive—it’s about seeing each other as one.”





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Girls flag football now a sanctioned sport

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference announced it has adopted girls flag football as a sanctioned conference sport for the 2025-26 school year. The move highlights the rapid growth of girls’ athletics and the evolving landscape of youth sports. “One of the best parts of this job is watching what was once just an […]

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CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference announced it has adopted girls flag football as a sanctioned conference sport for the 2025-26 school year.

The move highlights the rapid growth of girls’ athletics and the evolving landscape of youth sports.

“One of the best parts of this job is watching what was once just an idea between a few student-athletes turn into real opportunity,” Western Hills High School athletic administrator Chloe Mayfield-Brown said in a statement. “The growth and excitement around girls flag football has been amazing to say the least — and I’m happy to have played a part in where we are now as an official CMAC sport.”

As one of Ohio’s most visible and competitive leagues, the CMAC becomes one of the first conferences in the state to formally integrate this fast-growing sport into its official slate of offerings.

What began as a pilot program fueled by student voice and community support has blossomed into a permanent part of the CMAC calendar — complete with league play, all-conference honors and a championship pathway.

“This moment is bigger than a game,” said Josh Hardin, who is the CMAC Commissioner and Cincinnati Public Schools District Athletic Director. “It’s about opportunity, equity, and the future. Girls flag football is here to stay. I want to specifically thank the Cincinnati Bengals and Taylor Conklin for their continued commitment and unwavering support of CPS and the growth of girls flag football. Their partnership has been instrumental in making this a reality.”

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced July 17 that it will sanction a state championship in girls flag football starting in spring 2026.

While the sport won’t be fully sanctioned in Ohio yet, the OHSAA and the NFL are counting Ohio as the 17th state to add girls flag football.

There are 80 high school teams in Ohio, with that number expected to grow.

Fueled by national momentum, including support from the NFL, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, and driven locally by athletic directors, coaches, student-athletes and school leaders, the program has rapidly gained traction and exceeded all expectations in participation.

“This is monumental,” Hardin added. “We are proud to be on the leading edge of expanding access to sports for girls, and even prouder to see how quickly our athletes, coaches, and families have embraced the game.”

Jabreel Moton, Woodward Career Technical High School athletic administrator and coach, said the first year of the sport was special and he can’t wait for the future.

“It feels good to know girls flag football is finally being taken seriously and getting the recognition it deserves,” Woodward Career Technical High School student-athlete Mylah Case said. “We’ve been putting in the work, and now we get to compete for something real. I’m proud to be a part of this program — especially for this being my first year playing.”

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Clarence Hicks Complex grand opening set for Aug. 30

Abreanna Blose  |  Reporter assisted by AI Grand opening plans for the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex have shifted, affecting local youth sports schedules and community celebrations. The outdoor grand opening event for the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex is now scheduled for Aug. 30 after being postponed due to recent unpredictable weather that impacted infrastructure setup, […]

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Grand opening plans for the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex have shifted, affecting local youth sports schedules and community celebrations.

The outdoor grand opening event for the Clarence Hicks Sports Complex is now scheduled for Aug. 30 after being postponed due to recent unpredictable weather that impacted infrastructure setup, according to a community announcement.

Organizers said the event is expected to unveil Phase 1 improvements at the Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Complex and mark a significant milestone for the Rockford Park District.

Phase 1 improvements are planned to include an artificial turf field and stadium with an eight-lane running track, a throw and jump event area, a spectator area with bleacher seating for 1,000 people, a parking lot with solar lights and landscape upgrades, according to the announcement.

The Chicago Bears donated turf from the Walter Payton Center at Halas Hall to create a warm-up area. The total project cost for Phase 1 improvements is $7,564,313.53.

The Clarence Hicks Sports Complex is set to be the home for Rockford Park District Youth Sports Programs, including NFL Flag Football, NFL Cheer, Rockford F.I.R.E. Track & Field, Youth Sports Outreach, Rockford Wolves Youth Football, Chicago Bears Outreach Camp, AAU Northern Cross Country National Championship and AAU Cross Country District Qualifier. The 77-acre park has seen upgrades such as new scoreboards, fencing, bleachers, a turf playground surface, an asphalt path and a large shade structure.

For more information, visit the Rockford Park District’s official website.

This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. 



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EPA cancels Michigan’s ‘Solar for All’ program

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is terminating funding for Michigan’s Solar for All program, which was designed to bring renewable and affordable energy to low-income communities. The EPA recently announced plans to cancel its $7 billion grant program aimed at helping low and moderate-income households access solar energy. Michigan had […]

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LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is terminating funding for Michigan’s Solar for All program, which was designed to bring renewable and affordable energy to low-income communities.

The EPA recently announced plans to cancel its $7 billion grant program aimed at helping low and moderate-income households access solar energy.

Michigan had been awarded $165.1 million in federal funds to support investments in rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage, workforce development, community education, and technical assistance.

In response, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director Phil Roos issued the following statement:

“The state’s MI Solar for All Program would significantly reduce energy costs for thousands of Michigan residents, providing an average savings of $400 per family per year while creating approximately 700 high-quality local jobs, boosting the state’s economy, and supporting American businesses. By increasing Michigan’s energy independence, the program also builds resilience against power outages and extreme weather events. Regrettably, the EPA wants to retroactively cut funding for this vital program at a time when such initiatives should be prioritized. We are currently working with Michigan’s Attorney General to determine our next steps.”

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Headed to Williamsport: ESPN Begins Exclusive Coverage of 2025 Little League Baseball World Series Presented by T-Mobile

Date Time (ET) Game Commentators Platform Wed, Aug. 13 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 1: Puerto Rico (away) vs. Latin America (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 2: Mountain (away) vs. Great Lakes (home) Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 […]

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Date Time (ET) Game Commentators Platform Wed, Aug. 13 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 1: Puerto Rico (away) vs. Latin America (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 2: Mountain (away) vs. Great Lakes (home) Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 3: Panama (away) vs. Australia (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 4: Metro (away) vs. Southwest (home) Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Thu, Aug. 14 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 5: Europe & Africa (away) vs. Japan (home) Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 6: New England (away) vs. Southeast (home) Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 7: Asia-Pacific (away) vs. Mexico (home) Mike Monaco, Tim Kurkjian, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 8: Midwest (away) vs. Mid-Atlantic (home) Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Fri, Aug. 15 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 9 Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 10 Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 11 Mike Monaco, Eduardo Pérez, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 12 Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Sat, Aug. 16 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 13: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 5 Loser Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 14: Game 4 Loser vs. Game 6 Loser Karl Ravech, Todd Frazier, Chris Burke, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 15: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 7 Loser Mike Monaco, Eduardo Pérez, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 16: Game 2 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN2 Sun, Aug. 17 9 a.m. Little League World Series Game 17: Game 10 Loser vs. Game 14 Winner Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, Jess Sims ESPN 11 a.m. Little League World Series Game 18: Game 9 Loser vs. Game 13 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 19: Game 12 Loser vs. Game 16 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ABC 2 p.m. Little League World Series Game 20: Game 11 Loser vs. Game 15 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. MLB Little League Classic Presented by New York Life: New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, Buster Olney ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes Mon, Aug. 18 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 21: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner Mike Monaco, Todd Frazier, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 22: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, Xavier Scruggs, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 23: Game 11 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner Mike Monaco, Chris Burke, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 24: Game 12 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Tue, Aug. 19 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 25: Game 21 Loser vs. Game 19 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 26: Game 22 Loser vs. Game 20 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 27: Game 23 Loser vs. Game 17 Winner Mike Monaco, Eduardo Pérez, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 28: Game 24 Loser vs. Game 18 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Wed, Aug. 20 1 p.m. Little League World Series Game 29: Game 21 Winner vs. Game 23 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 30: Game 22 Winner vs. Game 24 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Jessica Mendoza, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. Little League World Series Game 31: Game 27 Winner vs. Game 25 Winner Mike Monaco, Xavier Scruggs, Sebastian Salazar ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 32: Game 28 Winner vs. Game 26 Winner Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Thu, Aug. 21 3 p.m. Little League World Series Game 33: Game 29 Loser vs. Game 31 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN 5 p.m. T-Mobile Little League Home Run Derby Mike Monaco, Jessica Mendoza, Xavier Scruggs ESPN 7 p.m. Little League World Series Game 34: Game 30 Loser vs. Game 32 Winner Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ESPN Sat, Aug. 23 12:30 p.m. International Championship Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Sebastian Salazar ABC 3:30 p.m. United States Championship Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims ABC Sun, Aug. 24 10 a.m. Consolation Game / Third Place Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims, Sebastian Salazar ESPN2 3 p.m. World Series Championship Game Karl Ravech, Jessica Mendoza, Todd Frazier, Jess Sims, Sebastian Salazar ABC



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