NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball's shortened amateur draft will remain at the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, for the first round on June 10.

MLB shortened the selections to five rounds and 160 picks in response to the new coronavirus pandemic, by far the fewest since the draft started in 1965. Before the pandemic, the draft had been scheduled to take place at Omaha, Nebraska, ahead of the now-canceled College World Series.

Clubs were able to reduce the draft as part of their March 26 agreement with the players' association. The combined value of their signing bonus pools is $235,906,800 and the amount of signing bonus pool money eliminated is $29,578,100.

The first 37 picks will take place on the opening day and the remainder on June 11. The deadline for selected players to sign was pushed back from July 10 to Aug. 1.

Detroit picks first, followed by Baltimore, Miami and Kansas City.

Houston was stripped of its first- and second-round selections as part of MLB penalties for using a video camera to steal catcher's signs. Boston lost its second-round selection for improper use of video.

Baseball's draft was long held by conference call at the commissioner's office in New York. The draft was moved to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, for 2007 and 2008.

Residents of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico are subject to the draft.

As part of the agreement with the union, slot values to determine signing bonus pools will remain at 2019 levels and players passed over in the draft are limited to signing bonuses of $20,000 or less. That might cause more high school players to go to college. And because of the NCAA's limit of 11.7 baseball scholarships, the change may lead to more prospects attending junior college.

All but six of last year's sixth-round picks signed for $200,000 or more. Chicago Cubs catcher/first baseman Ethan Hearn had the highest bonus of the round at $950,000, deciding to sign rather than attend Mississippi State. San Francisco signed right-hander John McDonald, selected 326th on the 11th round, for $797,500, and Arizona gave left-hander Avery Short, picked 362nd on the 12th round, $922,500.

Among 1,082 players who were in a big league game last year after coming through the draft, 180 were first-round picks and 589 were selected during the first five rounds, according to the commissioner's office. There were 204 from rounds six to 10, 102 from rounds 11-15 and 63 from rounds 16-20. Just 74 were from rounds 21-30 and only 50 from rounds 31-50.

Once unlimited, the draft was cut to 50 rounds in 1998 and to 40 rounds in 2012.

Signing bonus pools started in 2012 and limit the amount of money teams can spend. Each slot in the first 10 rounds is a signed a value - the range last year was $8,415,300 down to $142,200 -- and each team's values are added to a form a pool. Signing bonuses in the first 10 rounds count against the pool along with the amounts above $125,000 of players selected after the 10th round or who were bypassed in the draft and then signed.

A team that exceeds its pool is taxed, and a club more than 5% above loses a first-round draft pick the next year -- a threshold never reached.

The union turned down a proposal that would have kept rounds 6-10 in exchange for cutting their slot values in half.

Teams drafted 1,217 players over 40 rounds last June.

As part of the deal with the union, teams have the right to cut the 2021 draft to as few as 20 rounds. That fits in MLB's proposal to cut their minimum minor league affiliations from 160 to 120 in 2021, allowing each organization to drop one farm team.

For both 2020 and '21, only up to $100,000 of each signing bonus is due within 30 days of approval and 50% of the remainder on July 1 in both 2020 and '21.

NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Baseball's shortened amateur draft will remain at the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, for the first round on June 10.MLB shortened the selections to five rounds and 160 picks in response to the new coronavirus pandemic, by far the fewest since the draft started in 1965. Before the pandemic, the draft had been scheduled to take place at Omaha, Nebraska, ahead of the now-canceled College World Series.Clubs were able to reduce the draft as part of their March 26 agreement with the players' association. The combined value of their signing bonus pools is $235,906,800 and the amount of signing bonus pool money eliminated is $29,578,100.The first 37 picks will take place on the opening day and the remainder on June 11. The deadline for selected players to sign was pushed back from July 10 to Aug. 1.Detroit picks first, followed by Baltimore, Miami and Kansas City.Houston was stripped of its first- and second-round selections as part of MLB penalties for using a video camera to steal catcher's signs. Boston lost its second-round selection for improper use of video.Baseball's draft was long held by conference call at the commissioner's office in New York. The draft was moved to Lake Buena Vista, Florida, for 2007 and 2008.Residents of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico are subject to the draft.As part of the agreement with the union, slot values to determine signing bonus pools will remain at 2019 levels and players passed over in the draft are limited to signing bonuses of $20,000 or less. That might cause more high school players to go to college. And because of the NCAA's limit of 11.7 baseball scholarships, the change may lead to more prospects attending junior college.All but six of last year's sixth-round picks signed for $200,000 or more. Chicago Cubs catcher/first baseman Ethan Hearn had the highest bonus of the round at $950,000, deciding to sign rather than attend Mississippi State. San Francisco signed right-hander John McDonald, selected 326th on the 11th round, for $797,500, and Arizona gave left-hander Avery Short, picked 362nd on the 12th round, $922,500.Among 1,082 players who were in a big league game last year after coming through the draft, 180 were first-round picks and 589 were selected during the first five rounds, according to the commissioner's office. There were 204 from rounds six to 10, 102 from rounds 11-15 and 63 from rounds 16-20. Just 74 were from rounds 21-30 and only 50 from rounds 31-50.Once unlimited, the draft was cut to 50 rounds in 1998 and to 40 rounds in 2012.Signing bonus pools started in 2012 and limit the amount of money teams can spend. Each slot in the first 10 rounds is a signed a value - the range last year was $8,415,300 down to $142,200 -- and each team's values are added to a form a pool. Signing bonuses in the first 10 rounds count against the pool along with the amounts above $125,000 of players selected after the 10th round or who were bypassed in the draft and then signed.A team that exceeds its pool is taxed, and a club more than 5% above loses a first-round draft pick the next year -- a threshold never reached.The union turned down a proposal that would have kept rounds 6-10 in exchange for cutting their slot values in half.Teams drafted 1,217 players over 40 rounds last June.As part of the deal with the union, teams have the right to cut the 2021 draft to as few as 20 rounds. That fits in MLB's proposal to cut their minimum minor league affiliations from 160 to 120 in 2021, allowing each organization to drop one farm team.For both 2020 and '21, only up to $100,000 of each signing bonus is due within 30 days of approval and 50% of the remainder on July 1 in both 2020 and '21.

Shortened MLB amateur draft to remain at New Jersey studio

Story by Heather Johnson,&nbsp;Area Public Information Specialist

They might not be going to nationals, but members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team still managed to make their fans proud this year.

Under normal circumstances, the team would be gearing up for a send-off celebration before heading to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. in June. Now that nationals is cancelled because of the pandemic, MPCC’s cowboys and cowgirls are left with only their memories and thoughts of what might have been.

“It’s a real shame they can’t compete in Casper,” said Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team coach. “I was really excited about this team, and I think they were ready. I think we would have finished better than how we were sitting when the season ended.”

The team only competed half a season as a result of COVID-19. In addition to the CNFR, all spring rodeos were cancelled out of concern of public safety.

Final standings for the Great Plains Region, which MPCC competes in, were based on the results after the North Dakota State University rodeo in November.

Those showed seven members of the MPCC Rodeo Team would have qualified for nationals: One of them was Danielle Wray, of Ord, who was the back-to-back regional champion in the team roping header category.

“At first, I was really upset about us not getting to go to nationals,” Wray said. “But, for everyone’s safety, it was the best choice the association could have made. People come from all over the country to attend that competition.”

Her teammates Wynn Schaack, of Wall, S.D., JD Draper, of Oakley, Kan. and Austin Madison, of Whiting, Iowa, would have been three of them. They all would have qualified in the steer wrestling.

Koby Jacobson, of Hershey, would have had enough points to represent MPCC in the bull riding, and twins Wyatt and Chance Williams would have both gone in the team roping.

“The one I feel really bad for in all of this is Chance,” Nokes said. “Last year, we could only take six and Wyatt and Chance tied for sixth. The way the rules read, I had to pick one of them, and I chose Wyatt. That was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do as a coach.”

Schaack will have another shot at nationals next year because he was the only freshman out of the group. All of the other qualifiers competed at nationals in 2019.

“Danielle will still get a regional title saddle, so that’s one positive,” Nokes said. “Another is that the team improved as a whole. Wyatt and Chance got so comfortable roping together that I could see them doing real well at nationals on a four-head average. JD and Austin have only continued to build on the experience they got last year at nationals, and Koby is a stronger competitor than he was last year at this time. He was really practicing and working hard over the winter. With Wynn, especially coming off The American, I expect big things in the future.”

The men’s team ended the season second in the region with about 3,035 points. The women’s team was third in the region with 848 total points.

Schaack finished fourth in the men’s all-around standings, and Wray was fifth in the women’s all-around standings. In addition to being the top team roping header in the region, Wray also ranked fourth in the breakaway roping.

“After my freshman year, I decided the only person who could make me better at what I do is myself, so I put in a lot of practice time,” said Wray. “That being said, Garrett also brought in a lot of high-quality athletes to the team. Men and women – we all set each other off. The event I compete in is primarily dominated by men, so it was really awesome to have guys that rope at a higher level than I do to practice with on a daily basis.”

Some of those teammates joined her on the team roping header leaderboard. Wyatt was third, Schaack was fifth, Jacobson was sixth and Caitlyn Comfort, of Elwood, was 15th. Comfort also came in 15th in the breakaway roping.

Chance was the second highest point earner in the team roping heeling followed by Marshall Still, of Oconto, in fifth and Weston Kunkee, of Lexington, 15th.

Jacobson took third in the bull riding, and Teran Sharman, of Palmer, was fourth.

Trenton Solida, of Glade, Kan., Schaack, Sterling Lee, of Rhame, N.D. and Draper were seventh, eighth, 10th and 13th respectively in the tie-down roping.

In the steer wrestling, Schaack finished second in the region. Draper was fourth, Madison was fifth and Still ended up 15th.

Story by Heather Johnson,&nbsp;Area Public Information SpecialistThey might not be going to nationals, but members of the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team still managed to make their fans proud this year.Under normal circumstances, the team would be gearing up for a send-off celebration before heading to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. in June. Now that nationals is cancelled because of the pandemic, MPCC’s cowboys and cowgirls are left with only their memories and thoughts of what might have been.“It’s a real shame they can’t compete in Casper,” said Garrett Nokes, MPCC Rodeo Team coach. “I was really excited about this team, and I think they were ready. I think we would have finished better than how we were sitting when the season ended.”The team only competed half a season as a result of COVID-19. In addition to the CNFR, all spring rodeos were cancelled out of concern of public safety.Final standings for the Great Plains Region, which MPCC competes in, were based on the results after the North Dakota State University rodeo in November.Those showed seven members of the MPCC Rodeo Team would have qualified for nationals: One of them was Danielle Wray, of Ord, who was the back-to-back regional champion in the team roping header category.“At first, I was really upset about us not getting to go to nationals,” Wray said. “But, for everyone’s safety, it was the best choice the association could have made. People come from all over the country to attend that competition.”Her teammates Wynn Schaack, of Wall, S.D., JD Draper, of Oakley, Kan. and Austin Madison, of Whiting, Iowa, would have been three of them. They all would have qualified in the steer wrestling.Koby Jacobson, of Hershey, would have had enough points to represent MPCC in the bull riding, and twins Wyatt and Chance Williams would have both gone in the team roping.“The one I feel really bad for in all of this is Chance,” Nokes said. “Last year, we could only take six and Wyatt and Chance tied for sixth. The way the rules read, I had to pick one of them, and I chose Wyatt. That was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do as a coach.”Schaack will have another shot at nationals next year because he was the only freshman out of the group. All of the other qualifiers competed at nationals in 2019.“Danielle will still get a regional title saddle, so that’s one positive,” Nokes said. “Another is that the team improved as a whole. Wyatt and Chance got so comfortable roping together that I could see them doing real well at nationals on a four-head average. JD and Austin have only continued to build on the experience they got last year at nationals, and Koby is a stronger competitor than he was last year at this time. He was really practicing and working hard over the winter. With Wynn, especially coming off The American, I expect big things in the future.”The men’s team ended the season second in the region with about 3,035 points. The women’s team was third in the region with 848 total points.Schaack finished fourth in the men’s all-around standings, and Wray was fifth in the women’s all-around standings. In addition to being the top team roping header in the region, Wray also ranked fourth in the breakaway roping.“After my freshman year, I decided the only person who could make me better at what I do is myself, so I put in a lot of practice time,” said Wray. “That being said, Garrett also brought in a lot of high-quality athletes to the team. Men and women – we all set each other off. The event I compete in is primarily dominated by men, so it was really awesome to have guys that rope at a higher level than I do to practice with on a daily basis.”Some of those teammates joined her on the team roping header leaderboard. Wyatt was third, Schaack was fifth, Jacobson was sixth and Caitlyn Comfort, of Elwood, was 15th. Comfort also came in 15th in the breakaway roping.Chance was the second highest point earner in the team roping heeling followed by Marshall Still, of Oconto, in fifth and Weston Kunkee, of Lexington, 15th.Jacobson took third in the bull riding, and Teran Sharman, of Palmer, was fourth.Trenton Solida, of Glade, Kan., Schaack, Sterling Lee, of Rhame, N.D. and Draper were seventh, eighth, 10th and 13th respectively in the tie-down roping.In the steer wrestling, Schaack finished second in the region. Draper was fourth, Madison was fifth and Still ended up 15th.

MPCC Rodeo Team finishes strong after only half a season

UNDATED (AP) - Financially challenged schools considering cutting sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are making difficult decisions of who gets to keep playing and who doesn’t.

The choices aren’t just about money when they involve women’s sports. And while Title IX doesn’t prevent women’s sports from being eliminated, the federal law is a huge part of the conversations.

“I wouldn’t say that women’s sports are more at risk,” said attorney Timothy J. O’Brien, who is based in Maine with a practice focused on employment and college sports law. “I would say that all sports in an economic downturn will be scrutinized. But it should be done in a fair and equitable manner so at the end of the day the institution is compliant with Title IX.”

The civil-rights law, which applies to each gender, is credited with expanding women’s opportunities and participation in sports.

With the shutdown of college and professional sports in March amid the pandemic, it’s unclear how many schools will be able to have sports on reopened campuses this fall. Some – including Appalachian State, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Furman and Old Dominion – have already cut non-revenue sports programs, but any move must ensure equitable treatment of remaining men’s and women’s athletics programs to comply with Title IX.

Established in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds, such as student financial aid. It applies to sports by ensuring men and women have equitable participation opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.

While schools are facing financial hardships, Boston-based attorney Janet P. Judge said that fact doesn’t nullify Title IX responsibilities.

“Title IX still applies,” said Judge, who focuses on sports and civil rights law. “It’s a federal law that still applies. It’s not suspended because there are financial challenges for the institutions.”

Schools are reviewing guidelines with college athletics facing an uncertain financial future – including big-budget programs that rely on football as the revenue driver through lucrative TV deals and the ability to fund lower-profile sports. There was also the hit from the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, which meant far less money distributed to Division I schools.

O’Brien, who joined Judge in co-authoring the NCAA gender equity manual, said schools are “keenly aware” that decisions can’t be based solely on which programs cost the most money with the least return. That’s because any decision to cut sports can affect the “delicate balancing act” in complying with Title IX when it comes to the school’s gender breakdown of athletes and sports, he said.

Still, it doesn’t mandate schools offer men’s and women’s programs that are mirror images. As an example, NCAA guidelines require Football Bowl Subdivision schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports with a minimum of six for men or mixed-gender teams, and eight for women.

O’Brien said compliance can be measured in multiple ways, including whether the overall sports program’s gender breakdown is proportionate to that of the general student body.

“That’s really the focal point of the analysis: what’s left, not what was eliminated?” O’Brien said.

Like O’Brien, Judge does not believe women’s programs are at more risk because it “would be difficult” for schools to comply with Title IX while widely cutting women’s sports. So far, they’re right; more men’s programs (16) have been cut than women’s (four) in Division I as of Tuesday, according to a count by The Associated Press.

Old Dominion said in early April it would discontinue wrestling, saving about $1 million. The school said that decision followed a six-month outside study of its athletics program that included Title IX compliance considerations, with athletics director Camden Wood Selig saying the decision to cut a sport “became even more clear” with the pandemic.

Later that month, Cincinnati eliminated a men’s soccer program in existence since 1973.

In May, Florida International dissolved its men’s indoor track and field program. Akron eliminated three sports — men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s tennis — to save $4.4 million. Bowling Green followed with the shutdown of baseball to reduce the athletics department’s operating budget by $2 million.

Last week, Furman cut baseball and men’s lacrosse, while East Carolina eliminated four sports — men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis — in a plan to save $4.9 million.

And Tuesday, Appalachian State cut men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field in a plan to reduce the budget by $5 million for the 2021 fiscal year.

There are other financial considerations, too.

Wake Forest athletics director John Currie noted that non-revenue sports frequently have athletes on partial scholarships, meaning a team roster could have the equivalent of numerous athletes paying full tuition. So cutting a sport might reduce expenses for an athletics department yet cause a net revenue loss for a school more broadly.

It’s just one example, he said, of detailed evaluations any school must make while also fulfilling its Title IX requirements.

Meeting that threshold is not optional, though Currie noted a harsh reality: “Not every school can be everything to everybody.”

“Allocation of resources is among the most difficult decisions that leaders have to make, and the prioritization of how they’re going to allocate those resources,” Currie said. “Because there’s lots of great things we could do. We can’t do everything, if we want to do things in an excellent fashion.

“Despite what people want to believe, college athletics as a whole is an enterprise with some business principles. It’s not a business, because there’s no business that operates a predominant number of its programs at a net loss.”

UNDATED (AP) - Financially challenged schools considering cutting sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are making difficult decisions of who gets to keep playing and who doesn’t.The choices aren’t just about money when they involve women’s sports. And while Title IX doesn’t prevent women’s sports from being eliminated, the federal law is a huge part of the conversations.“I wouldn’t say that women’s sports are more at risk,” said attorney Timothy J. O’Brien, who is based in Maine with a practice focused on employment and college sports law. “I would say that all sports in an economic downturn will be scrutinized. But it should be done in a fair and equitable manner so at the end of the day the institution is compliant with Title IX.”The civil-rights law, which applies to each gender, is credited with expanding women’s opportunities and participation in sports.With the shutdown of college and professional sports in March amid the pandemic, it’s unclear how many schools will be able to have sports on reopened campuses this fall. Some – including Appalachian State, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Furman and Old Dominion – have already cut non-revenue sports programs, but any move must ensure equitable treatment of remaining men’s and women’s athletics programs to comply with Title IX.Established in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds, such as student financial aid. It applies to sports by ensuring men and women have equitable participation opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.While schools are facing financial hardships, Boston-based attorney Janet P. Judge said that fact doesn’t nullify Title IX responsibilities.“Title IX still applies,” said Judge, who focuses on sports and civil rights law. “It’s a federal law that still applies. It’s not suspended because there are financial challenges for the institutions.”Schools are reviewing guidelines with college athletics facing an uncertain financial future – including big-budget programs that rely on football as the revenue driver through lucrative TV deals and the ability to fund lower-profile sports. There was also the hit from the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, which meant far less money distributed to Division I schools.O’Brien, who joined Judge in co-authoring the NCAA gender equity manual, said schools are “keenly aware” that decisions can’t be based solely on which programs cost the most money with the least return. That’s because any decision to cut sports can affect the “delicate balancing act” in complying with Title IX when it comes to the school’s gender breakdown of athletes and sports, he said.Still, it doesn’t mandate schools offer men’s and women’s programs that are mirror images. As an example, NCAA guidelines require Football Bowl Subdivision schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports with a minimum of six for men or mixed-gender teams, and eight for women.O’Brien said compliance can be measured in multiple ways, including whether the overall sports program’s gender breakdown is proportionate to that of the general student body.“That’s really the focal point of the analysis: what’s left, not what was eliminated?” O’Brien said.Like O’Brien, Judge does not believe women’s programs are at more risk because it “would be difficult” for schools to comply with Title IX while widely cutting women’s sports. So far, they’re right; more men’s programs (16) have been cut than women’s (four) in Division I as of Tuesday, according to a count by The Associated Press.Old Dominion said in early April it would discontinue wrestling, saving about $1 million. The school said that decision followed a six-month outside study of its athletics program that included Title IX compliance considerations, with athletics director Camden Wood Selig saying the decision to cut a sport “became even more clear” with the pandemic.Later that month, Cincinnati eliminated a men’s soccer program in existence since 1973.In May, Florida International dissolved its men’s indoor track and field program. Akron eliminated three sports — men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s tennis — to save $4.4 million. Bowling Green followed with the shutdown of baseball to reduce the athletics department’s operating budget by $2 million.Last week, Furman cut baseball and men’s lacrosse, while East Carolina eliminated four sports — men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis — in a plan to save $4.9 million.And Tuesday, Appalachian State cut men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field in a plan to reduce the budget by $5 million for the 2021 fiscal year.There are other financial considerations, too.Wake Forest athletics director John Currie noted that non-revenue sports frequently have athletes on partial scholarships, meaning a team roster could have the equivalent of numerous athletes paying full tuition. So cutting a sport might reduce expenses for an athletics department yet cause a net revenue loss for a school more broadly.It’s just one example, he said, of detailed evaluations any school must make while also fulfilling its Title IX requirements.Meeting that threshold is not optional, though Currie noted a harsh reality: “Not every school can be everything to everybody.”“Allocation of resources is among the most difficult decisions that leaders have to make, and the prioritization of how they’re going to allocate those resources,” Currie said. “Because there’s lots of great things we could do. We can’t do everything, if we want to do things in an excellent fashion.“Despite what people want to believe, college athletics as a whole is an enterprise with some business principles. It’s not a business, because there’s no business that operates a predominant number of its programs at a net loss.”

Title IX major factor for colleges looking at sports cuts

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players appeared likely to propose more regular-season games this year while holding to their demand for full prorated salaries, people familiar with their deliberations told The Associated Press.

Washington pitcher Max Scherzer, among eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/status/1265842546619691010/photo/1" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday night calling management’s proposal for more salary cuts a non-starter.

A day after Major League Baseball&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ea330800b6886f0396d3b000680584e">proposed a sliding scale of salary slashing</a>&nbsp;for a pandemic-delayed season with an 82-game schedule in ballparks without fans, the union held a conference call Wednesday that included its executive board, player representatives and alternate player representatives, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.

Scherzer, among the sport’s highest-paid players, confirmed the call without divulging who was on it.

“After discussing the latest developments with the rest of the players there’s no need to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter. “We have previously negotiated a pay cut in the version of prorated salaries, and there’s no justification to accept a 2nd pay cut based upon the current information the union has received.”

“I’m glad to hear other players voicing the same viewpoint,” he added, “and believe MLB’s economic strategy would completely change if all documentation were to become public information.”

It was unclear when the union will respond to MLB’s plan, the people said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/e4de6351d5546a7b0251f85c7015d700">Stars Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would lose the most</a>&nbsp;under MLB’s plan, about 77% of the $36 million each they were set to be paid this season. In all, there are 133 players whose contracts call for salaries of $10 million or more, not including shares of signing bonuses.

A big leaguer earning $1 million or less would keep at least 43% of his salary under the six-tier scale. That includes a share of $200 million earmarked for players that is contingent on the postseason being completed. About 460 of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4ec65ed068d9b636ac9c302453eac26">approximately 900 players on rosters and injured lists</a>&nbsp;when spring training was stopped in mid-March due to the new coronavirus make $1 million or less.

Trout and Cole would be cut to about $8 million each. Colorado’s Nolan Arenado would drop from $35 million to $7.84 million.

“Interesting strategy of making the best most marketable players potentially look like the bad guys,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/_BAnderson30_/status/1265378764281786368" target="_blank">Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted.</a>

The players’ association called the proposal “extremely disappointing.” The union has argued players already accepted a cut to prorated shares of their salaries in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0">March 26 agreement</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c11a2c671c69868fb11acc2b57b0fb70">should not have to bargain again.</a>

MLB would like to start the season around the Fourth of July in empty ballparks and proposed an 82-game regular season. It claims teams would lose billions of dollars by playing with no ticket money and gate-related revenue.

“This season is not looking promising,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/STR0/status/1265390446668324876" target="_blank">New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman tweeted</a>. “Keeping the mind and body ready regardless.”

Union head Tony Clark has not commented publicly on MLB’s proposal and has said very little publicly since late March. Agent Scott Boras has repeatedly criticized MLB for proposing more salary reductions and has questioned the accuracy of management’s financial claims.

“Hearing a LOT of rumors about a certain player agent meddling in MLBPA affairs,” Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted Wednesday. “If true — and at this point, these are only rumors — I have one thing to say... Scott Boras, rep your clients however you want to, but keep your damn personal agenda out of union business.”

Boras declined to comment on Bauer’s remarks.

“Working together to manage the public health issue has brought great solidarity among the players,” Boras said earlier in the day. “They are a strong united front and resolute in their support of the MLBPA.”

A season with more than 82 games would lead to players earning a higher percentage of their original salaries. MLB says that without fans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">each additional game would result in a $640,000 loss.</a>

Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio told the Greater Milwaukee Committee on Tuesday “the be-careful-what-you-wish-for part is hours every day.”

“It’s got to come together very quickly or we won’t be able to, we will just run out of time,” he said. “To pay players at a full contract rate, pretty much 90% of that would go to pay them and wouldn’t cover any other costs.”

Details of the plan have been disclosed to the AP by several people familiar with the proposal. They spoke on condition of anonymity because details had not been announced.

MLB’s proposal says that within 48 hours of the ratification of an agreement for player compensation terms and health and safety protocols, the commissioner’s office would announce a proposed timeline for the resumption of the season.

The resumption would include a training period of at least 21 days, and each team would be allowed a maximum of three exhibition games, all in the final seven days of the training period.

Opening day would be in early July, and the final scheduled regular-season game would be no later than Sept. 27 — the same as in the original 2020 schedule.

Issues such as roster size, trade deadlines, series length and treatment of the luxury tax would be delegated to a subcommittee.

AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players appeared likely to propose more regular-season games this year while holding to their demand for full prorated salaries, people familiar with their deliberations told The Associated Press.Washington pitcher Max Scherzer, among eight players on the union’s executive subcommittee,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/status/1265842546619691010/photo/1" target="_blank">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday night calling management’s proposal for more salary cuts a non-starter.A day after Major League Baseball&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ea330800b6886f0396d3b000680584e">proposed a sliding scale of salary slashing</a>&nbsp;for a pandemic-delayed season with an 82-game schedule in ballparks without fans, the union held a conference call Wednesday that included its executive board, player representatives and alternate player representatives, the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.Scherzer, among the sport’s highest-paid players, confirmed the call without divulging who was on it.“After discussing the latest developments with the rest of the players there’s no need to engage with MLB in any further compensation reductions,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter. “We have previously negotiated a pay cut in the version of prorated salaries, and there’s no justification to accept a 2nd pay cut based upon the current information the union has received.”“I’m glad to hear other players voicing the same viewpoint,” he added, “and believe MLB’s economic strategy would completely change if all documentation were to become public information.”It was unclear when the union will respond to MLB’s plan, the people said.<a href="https://apnews.com/e4de6351d5546a7b0251f85c7015d700">Stars Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would lose the most</a>&nbsp;under MLB’s plan, about 77% of the $36 million each they were set to be paid this season. In all, there are 133 players whose contracts call for salaries of $10 million or more, not including shares of signing bonuses.A big leaguer earning $1 million or less would keep at least 43% of his salary under the six-tier scale. That includes a share of $200 million earmarked for players that is contingent on the postseason being completed. About 460 of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4ec65ed068d9b636ac9c302453eac26">approximately 900 players on rosters and injured lists</a>&nbsp;when spring training was stopped in mid-March due to the new coronavirus make $1 million or less.Trout and Cole would be cut to about $8 million each. Colorado’s Nolan Arenado would drop from $35 million to $7.84 million.“Interesting strategy of making the best most marketable players potentially look like the bad guys,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/_BAnderson30_/status/1265378764281786368" target="_blank">Milwaukee pitcher Brett Anderson tweeted.</a>The players’ association called the proposal “extremely disappointing.” The union has argued players already accepted a cut to prorated shares of their salaries in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dd87bcc774d608e53624594fe56fab0">March 26 agreement</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c11a2c671c69868fb11acc2b57b0fb70">should not have to bargain again.</a>MLB would like to start the season around the Fourth of July in empty ballparks and proposed an 82-game regular season. It claims teams would lose billions of dollars by playing with no ticket money and gate-related revenue.“This season is not looking promising,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/STR0/status/1265390446668324876" target="_blank">New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman tweeted</a>. “Keeping the mind and body ready regardless.”Union head Tony Clark has not commented publicly on MLB’s proposal and has said very little publicly since late March. Agent Scott Boras has repeatedly criticized MLB for proposing more salary reductions and has questioned the accuracy of management’s financial claims.“Hearing a LOT of rumors about a certain player agent meddling in MLBPA affairs,” Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer tweeted Wednesday. “If true — and at this point, these are only rumors — I have one thing to say... Scott Boras, rep your clients however you want to, but keep your damn personal agenda out of union business.”Boras declined to comment on Bauer’s remarks.“Working together to manage the public health issue has brought great solidarity among the players,” Boras said earlier in the day. “They are a strong united front and resolute in their support of the MLBPA.”A season with more than 82 games would lead to players earning a higher percentage of their original salaries. MLB says that without fans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/75087708a030c20637c5ea25b5c99c40">each additional game would result in a $640,000 loss.</a>Brewers chairman Mark Attanasio told the Greater Milwaukee Committee on Tuesday “the be-careful-what-you-wish-for part is hours every day.”“It’s got to come together very quickly or we won’t be able to, we will just run out of time,” he said. “To pay players at a full contract rate, pretty much 90% of that would go to pay them and wouldn’t cover any other costs.”Details of the plan have been disclosed to the AP by several people familiar with the proposal. They spoke on condition of anonymity because details had not been announced.MLB’s proposal says that within 48 hours of the ratification of an agreement for player compensation terms and health and safety protocols, the commissioner’s office would announce a proposed timeline for the resumption of the season.The resumption would include a training period of at least 21 days, and each team would be allowed a maximum of three exhibition games, all in the final seven days of the training period.Opening day would be in early July, and the final scheduled regular-season game would be no later than Sept. 27 — the same as in the original 2020 schedule.Issues such as roster size, trade deadlines, series length and treatment of the luxury tax would be delegated to a subcommittee.___AP Sports Writer Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

MLB players want more games, no more salary cuts

There's a new sheriff in town for North Platte FNBO Nationals and its local teacher Andy Butler.&nbsp;

Had a chance to chat with Butler, that interview is below:&nbsp;

The Nationals also have a new assistant coach, NPHS Alumni Kade Wroot.&nbsp;

Wroot graduated NPHS in 2018. While he was here in North Platte he played five years in the NP Legion program. Wroot is currently an outfielder for McCook Community College and in his second year. Wroot plans to go back for another year at McCook Community College (his eligibility was reset thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak). After his stint at community college is over he hopes to move on and play two more years of baseball at a four year university.&nbsp;

We hope to catch Wroot for an interview soon.&nbsp;

Legion Baseball tryouts are June 1st and 2nd. The season starts on June 18th.&nbsp;

There's a new sheriff in town for North Platte FNBO Nationals and its local teacher Andy Butler.&nbsp;Had a chance to chat with Butler, that interview is below:&nbsp;<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/829114786&color=%232a1bd9&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1" title="eagleradio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">eagleradio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1/intro-to-coach-butler" title="Intro To Coach Butler" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Intro To Coach Butler</a></div></div>The Nationals also have a new assistant coach, NPHS Alumni Kade Wroot.&nbsp;Wroot graduated NPHS in 2018. While he was here in North Platte he played five years in the NP Legion program. Wroot is currently an outfielder for McCook Community College and in his second year. Wroot plans to go back for another year at McCook Community College (his eligibility was reset thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak). After his stint at community college is over he hopes to move on and play two more years of baseball at a four year university.&nbsp;We hope to catch Wroot for an interview soon.&nbsp;Legion Baseball tryouts are June 1st and 2nd. The season starts on June 18th.&nbsp;

Legion baseball: Meeting the new coaches

Legion Baseball is close to returning on June 1st and the Legion program here in North Platte has a new skipper at the helm.&nbsp; Andy Butler the new head coach of the Legion Baseball here in North Platte. Butler coached the NP Juniors back in 2017 and works at NPHS as a coach in various sports.&nbsp;

Butler and the board made it formal after on May 26th.&nbsp;

Also joining the program as an assistant coach is NPHS Alumni and McCook Community College outfielder Kade Wroot. Wroot played two years for McCook as an outfielder. His sophomore season he played 16 games with a .288 batting avg.&nbsp;

Butler and Wroot look to get started immediately, they have little time to become acclimated. Tryouts are scheduled for June 1st and 2nd with games starting on June 18th.&nbsp;

The full season schedule is as follows (all games doubleheaders unless noted):&nbsp;

June 24th: @ Grand Island 5pm / 7:30pm&nbsp;

June 26-28: Mike Peterson Tournament in Lincoln

July 1st: Home vs Lexington 5:30pm / 8:00pm

July 3rd: Home vs Broken Bow 4pm / 6:30pm

July 11th: @Millard North (played in Kearney) 4pm

July 12th: Home vs Kearney (B) 2pm / 4:30pm

July 15th: Home vs Grand Island 5pm / 7:30pm

July 25th: Home vs Scottsbluff 1pm / 3:30pm

July 31st: @ Scottsbluff/Cheyenne 2pm / 4:30pm MT

Legion Baseball is close to returning on June 1st and the Legion program here in North Platte has a new skipper at the helm.&nbsp; Andy Butler the new head coach of the Legion Baseball here in North Platte. Butler coached the NP Juniors back in 2017 and works at NPHS as a coach in various sports.&nbsp;Butler and the board made it formal after on May 26th.&nbsp;Also joining the program as an assistant coach is NPHS Alumni and McCook Community College outfielder Kade Wroot. Wroot played two years for McCook as an outfielder. His sophomore season he played 16 games with a .288 batting avg.&nbsp;Butler and Wroot look to get started immediately, they have little time to become acclimated. Tryouts are scheduled for June 1st and 2nd with games starting on June 18th.&nbsp;The full season schedule is as follows (all games doubleheaders unless noted):&nbsp;June 18th: @ Alliance 5pm / 7:30 pm MTJune 19th: @ Gering 3pm / 5pm CTJune 21st: Home vs Ft. Morgan&nbsp; TBAJune 24th: @ Grand Island 5pm / 7:30pm&nbsp;June 26-28: Mike Peterson Tournament in LincolnJune 30th: Home vs Kearney 5pm / 7:30pmJuly 1st: Home vs Lexington 5:30pm / 8:00pmJuly 3rd: Home vs Broken Bow 4pm / 6:30pmJuly 5th: Home vs Columbus 1pm / 3:30pmJuly 6th: Home vs Alliance 5pm / 7:30pmJuly 8th: @ Hastings 5pm / 7:30pmJuly 11th: @Millard North (played in Kearney) 4pmJuly 12th: Home vs Kearney (B) 2pm / 4:30pmJuly 14th: Home vs Hastings 5pm / 7:30pmJuly 15th: Home vs Grand Island 5pm / 7:30pmJuly 17th: Home vs Gering 3pm / 5pmJuly 19th: Home vs Norfolk 1pm / 3:30pmJuly 22nd: @ Lexington 5:30pm / 8pmJuly 23rd: @ Kearney 5pm / 7:30pmJuly 25th: Home vs Scottsbluff 1pm / 3:30pmJuly 31st: @ Scottsbluff/Cheyenne 2pm / 4:30pm MT

Legion Baseball: NP First Nationals hire new head coach, schedule finalized

Jocylin Sellers will play basketball for Coach Jeff Thurman at North Platte Community college

Kinsey Skillstad is headed to Norfolk to play Volleyball for the Northeastern Hawks

Jocylin Sellers will play basketball for Coach Jeff Thurman at North Platte Community college<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/829017310&color=%232a1bd9&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1" title="eagleradio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">eagleradio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1/joclyn-sellers-signing" title="Joclyn Sellers Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Joclyn Sellers Signing</a></div></div>Kinsey Skillstad is headed to Norfolk to play Volleyball for the Northeastern Hawks<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/829017271&color=%232a1bd9&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1" title="eagleradio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">eagleradio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1/kinsey-skillstad-volleyball-ne" title="Kinsey Skillstad Signing" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Kinsey Skillstad Signing</a></div></div>

Pair of St. Pats ladies sign letters of intent

Beginning June 1st&nbsp;NSAA member schools are permitted to conduct voluntary strength and conditioning sessions.

While permitting school-sponsored summertime conditioning programs, prioritizing the health and safety of all students and staff must remain the focus of each NSAA member school.

Additionally, NSAA member school-sponsored camps and clinics are prohibited in any sport at this time.

Pursuant to the Governor’s DHM, the following activities are prohibited: basketball, cheerleading, football, soccer, and wrestling (“Prohibited Sports”).

NSAA member schools may have open gyms where sport-specific drills are permitted, and sport-specific equipment may be used by individuals except in the Prohibited Sports.

It is the responsibility of each NSAA member school to comply with:

Should the Governor issue further DHMs that would modify the foregoing provisions or other conditions warrant, these requirements will be adjusted.

Any further official updates will be posted on the NSAA website and the NSAA social media platforms.

Beginning June 1st&nbsp;NSAA member schools are permitted to conduct voluntary strength and conditioning sessions.While permitting school-sponsored summertime conditioning programs, prioritizing the health and safety of all students and staff must remain the focus of each NSAA member school.These requirements must be followed:<ol>
 <li>Maintain social distance by being 6 feet apart at all times.</li><li>Groups of&nbsp;a maximum 25 persons (students) or less&nbsp;must be pre-determined50% of rated occupancy does not apply to high school weight rooms per the express directive of the Governor’s office.Member schools located in Hall, Hamilton, Merrick and Dakota counties are limited to groups of 10 students per local directed health measures (DHMs).</li><li>50% of rated occupancy does not apply to high school weight rooms per the express directive of the Governor’s office.</li><li>Member schools located in Hall, Hamilton, Merrick and Dakota counties are limited to groups of 10 students per local directed health measures (DHMs).</li><li>Once groups are determined, students may not switch from one group to another.</li><li>Interaction between groups shall be avoided.</li><li>Sessions can only include weightlifting, running, and exercises designed to promote physical fitness.</li><li>Sport-specific drills are not permitted, and sport-specific equipment may not be used as part of school-sponsored summer conditioning.</li><li>Implement diligent and effective cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched objects and surfaces following the guidance of the CDC.</li>
 </ol>Additionally, NSAA member school-sponsored camps and clinics are prohibited in any sport at this time.Pursuant to the Governor’s DHM, the following activities are prohibited: basketball, cheerleading, football, soccer, and wrestling (“Prohibited Sports”).NSAA member schools may have open gyms where sport-specific drills are permitted, and sport-specific equipment may be used by individuals except in the Prohibited Sports.It is the responsibility of each NSAA member school to comply with:<ol>
 <li>The above requirements; and,</li><li>The NSAA Summer Activities Bylaws.</li>
 </ol>Should the Governor issue further DHMs that would modify the foregoing provisions or other conditions warrant, these requirements will be adjusted.Any further official updates will be posted on the NSAA website and the NSAA social media platforms.

NSAA COVID-19 Update – May 26, 2020

Story by Philip Senff, NPCC Sports Information Coord.&nbsp;

Dehje Belmore, a 5’10” forward for the North Platte Community College Knights, has accepted an offer to continue her basketball and academic collegiate career at McMurry University in Abilene, TX. Belmore, of Denver, CO., graduated with her Associates Degree from Mid-Plains Community College while carrying a 3.55 Cumulative GPA.

Belmore played in 28 games for the Knights this past season while starting in 11. She averaged 3.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while also serving as a team captain. Belmore helped lead the Knights to a 10-21 record during the 2019-20 season along with a Region IX and District F championship.

“We are excited and proud of Dehje on continuing her education and athletic career at McMurry University,” said NPCC Head Coach Jeff Thurman. “She has worked extremely hard in the classroom and on the basketball court to achieve an opportunity like this. Dehje has done so much for our program for the last two years and she deserves this. McMurry is getting a great individual that will make an immediate impact within their program.”

Story by Philip Senff, NPCC Sports Information Coord.&nbsp;Dehje Belmore, a 5’10” forward for the North Platte Community College Knights, has accepted an offer to continue her basketball and academic collegiate career at McMurry University in Abilene, TX. Belmore, of Denver, CO., graduated with her Associates Degree from Mid-Plains Community College while carrying a 3.55 Cumulative GPA.Belmore played in 28 games for the Knights this past season while starting in 11. She averaged 3.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while also serving as a team captain. Belmore helped lead the Knights to a 10-21 record during the 2019-20 season along with a Region IX and District F championship.“We are excited and proud of Dehje on continuing her education and athletic career at McMurry University,” said NPCC Head Coach Jeff Thurman. “She has worked extremely hard in the classroom and on the basketball court to achieve an opportunity like this. Dehje has done so much for our program for the last two years and she deserves this. McMurry is getting a great individual that will make an immediate impact within their program.”

NPCC Knight continuing career at McMurry University

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska State College System will pay $900,000 to settle two lawsuits alleging Chadron State College failed to prevent dating violence that led to a softball player's 2015 suicide.

Chadron State also will conduct suicide training, review its policies, establish a scholarship in honor of Fatima Lissette Larios and maintain a memorial on campus commemorating her life, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/chadron-state-to-pay-900-000-in-settlement-of-title-ix-lawsuit/article_c41b20d0-bfd3-5b5a-88b4-a8d692fc4df3.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1" target="_blank">reported</a>.

According to the lawsuits, Larios was beaten and emotionally abused by her then-boyfriend for months, including during violent arguments in an on-campus dorm room that could be heard by others. The lawsuit said Larios' coaches also observed "suspicious bruising" and informed Chadron State's athletic director, who notified the campus Title IX office responsible for investigating instances of sexual and dating violence.

While the Title IX coordinator emailed Larios a copy of the college's policy on sexual violence and harassment and Larios discussed the situation with coaches, her parents' complaint alleged the college failed "to respond to reports of sexual violence or sexual harassment and attend to the needs of the student involved."

An attorney for the state college system, George Martin, said the school was confident that no wrongdoing would be proven in court but wanted to avoid costly attorneys' fees and court courts. He said another goal was to "bring closure to the family, employees of Chadron State College, and her classmates."

Larios' parents said in a statement that the memorial was "a fitting tribute to someone who lived life with passion, purpose and unyielding faith in the power of every person to have a positive impact on those around them."

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska State College System will pay $900,000 to settle two lawsuits alleging Chadron State College failed to prevent dating violence that led to a softball player's 2015 suicide.Chadron State also will conduct suicide training, review its policies, establish a scholarship in honor of Fatima Lissette Larios and maintain a memorial on campus commemorating her life, the Lincoln Journal Star&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/chadron-state-to-pay-900-000-in-settlement-of-title-ix-lawsuit/article_c41b20d0-bfd3-5b5a-88b4-a8d692fc4df3.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1" target="_blank">reported</a>.According to the lawsuits, Larios was beaten and emotionally abused by her then-boyfriend for months, including during violent arguments in an on-campus dorm room that could be heard by others. The lawsuit said Larios' coaches also observed "suspicious bruising" and informed Chadron State's athletic director, who notified the campus Title IX office responsible for investigating instances of sexual and dating violence.While the Title IX coordinator emailed Larios a copy of the college's policy on sexual violence and harassment and Larios discussed the situation with coaches, her parents' complaint alleged the college failed "to respond to reports of sexual violence or sexual harassment and attend to the needs of the student involved."An attorney for the state college system, George Martin, said the school was confident that no wrongdoing would be proven in court but wanted to avoid costly attorneys' fees and court courts. He said another goal was to "bring closure to the family, employees of Chadron State College, and her classmates."Larios' parents said in a statement that the memorial was "a fitting tribute to someone who lived life with passion, purpose and unyielding faith in the power of every person to have a positive impact on those around them."

Chadron State to pay $900K in settlement of Title IX lawsuit

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group of Power Five coaches led by Michigan’s Erik Bakich is proposing a later start to the college baseball season to trim expenses in the post-coronavirus era, make the game more fan friendly and reduce injury risk to players.

Under the&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/eolson/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/M3KFP24J/College%20Baseball%20Model%20-%20UPDATED.pdf" target="_blank">35-page proposal</a>&nbsp;titled “New Baseball Model,” there would be nine weeks of preseason practice instead of five, the regular season would run from the third week of March to the third week of June and the College World Series would wrap up the last week of July. The regular season currently begins the third week of February and the CWS runs into the last week of June.

Past efforts to push back the season were rooted in cold-weather schools’ concerns about competitive equity because they had to travel to warmer climates in the South or West to play games the first month of the season.

The impetus this time is budget management.

“We operate at a significant financial net loss among almost all teams,” Bakich said Friday. “There are only a few that operate where they are actually making a profit or covering their costs. The majority of college baseball is a drain on athletic departments, and in the post-COVID era that is not a good combination when universities are looking to improve their fiscal bottom lines.”

Bowling Green and Furman recently announced they’ve dropped their baseball programs to save money.

Bakich said he, Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, Louisville’s Dan McDonnell, TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle and UCLA’s John Savage began looking at changes to help the sport shortly after the college season was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak in March.

The core group held Zoom calls with coaches from top baseball schools from all regions, and the discussions resulted in the proposal.

Bakich said the next step is to recruit athletic directors who will take up the cause, bring it to faculty athletic representatives and presidents, and get it entered into the NCAA legislative process. The hope is the new schedule would be in place in 2022.

Bakich said five-year attendance trends show college teams draw bigger crowds in April and May than they do in February and March, and the potential is there for even bigger turnouts in June.

“We looked at why that is,” Bakich said, “and even in warm-weather places it’s still cold in March. But it’s also basketball season. A collegiate fan can only invest their energy in so many places.”

The proposal said northern teams could save about $200,000 in travel costs by not having to go South and West early in the season and there would be more regional scheduling.

A 17-year Major League Baseball study showed the majority of arm injuries happen in spring training or shortly after the season starts. Bakich said there are no comparable studies for college baseball injuries because of privacy laws.

“The typical spring training for a professional team is six to seven weeks,” Bakich said. “We as amateurs get less ramp-up time than professional players, and that’s a problem. What we’re doing is flat-out dumb.”

Bakich said players miss one or two days of class each week they travel by airplane for games, and schools on a semester schedule would play about four weeks without academic conflicts if the season started later.

Opponents argue pushing back the season would harm summer leagues like the Cape Cod League. Bakich pointed out that players from about 235 Division I teams — ones that don’t make the NCAA Tournament — will be able to report to their summer teams by late June or early July. Non-Division I players will have opportunities to fill out summer rosters.

There also would be costs to keeping players housed and fed on campuses a month longer.

A later start probably won’t interfere with the MLB draft. College coaches believe MLB is leaning toward holding the draft in July instead of June going forward, and the possibility of minor leagues being contracted could impact the structure for rookie development.

Bakich said the proposal, first reported by D1Baseball.com, has received widespread approval from coaches.

“It is not a one-size-fits-all model,” he said, “but it is a one-size-fits-most. It’s the best thing for our sport and the for the growth of college baseball.”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group of Power Five coaches led by Michigan’s Erik Bakich is proposing a later start to the college baseball season to trim expenses in the post-coronavirus era, make the game more fan friendly and reduce injury risk to players.Under the&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/eolson/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/M3KFP24J/College%20Baseball%20Model%20-%20UPDATED.pdf" target="_blank">35-page proposal</a>&nbsp;titled “New Baseball Model,” there would be nine weeks of preseason practice instead of five, the regular season would run from the third week of March to the third week of June and the College World Series would wrap up the last week of July. The regular season currently begins the third week of February and the CWS runs into the last week of June.Past efforts to push back the season were rooted in cold-weather schools’ concerns about competitive equity because they had to travel to warmer climates in the South or West to play games the first month of the season.The impetus this time is budget management.“We operate at a significant financial net loss among almost all teams,” Bakich said Friday. “There are only a few that operate where they are actually making a profit or covering their costs. The majority of college baseball is a drain on athletic departments, and in the post-COVID era that is not a good combination when universities are looking to improve their fiscal bottom lines.”Bowling Green and Furman recently announced they’ve dropped their baseball programs to save money.Bakich said he, Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, Louisville’s Dan McDonnell, TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle and UCLA’s John Savage began looking at changes to help the sport shortly after the college season was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak in March.The core group held Zoom calls with coaches from top baseball schools from all regions, and the discussions resulted in the proposal.Bakich said the next step is to recruit athletic directors who will take up the cause, bring it to faculty athletic representatives and presidents, and get it entered into the NCAA legislative process. The hope is the new schedule would be in place in 2022.Bakich said five-year attendance trends show college teams draw bigger crowds in April and May than they do in February and March, and the potential is there for even bigger turnouts in June.“We looked at why that is,” Bakich said, “and even in warm-weather places it’s still cold in March. But it’s also basketball season. A collegiate fan can only invest their energy in so many places.”The proposal said northern teams could save about $200,000 in travel costs by not having to go South and West early in the season and there would be more regional scheduling.A 17-year Major League Baseball study showed the majority of arm injuries happen in spring training or shortly after the season starts. Bakich said there are no comparable studies for college baseball injuries because of privacy laws.“The typical spring training for a professional team is six to seven weeks,” Bakich said. “We as amateurs get less ramp-up time than professional players, and that’s a problem. What we’re doing is flat-out dumb.”Bakich said players miss one or two days of class each week they travel by airplane for games, and schools on a semester schedule would play about four weeks without academic conflicts if the season started later.Opponents argue pushing back the season would harm summer leagues like the Cape Cod League. Bakich pointed out that players from about 235 Division I teams — ones that don’t make the NCAA Tournament — will be able to report to their summer teams by late June or early July. Non-Division I players will have opportunities to fill out summer rosters.There also would be costs to keeping players housed and fed on campuses a month longer.A later start probably won’t interfere with the MLB draft. College coaches believe MLB is leaning toward holding the draft in July instead of June going forward, and the possibility of minor leagues being contracted could impact the structure for rookie development.Bakich said the proposal, first reported by D1Baseball.com, has received widespread approval from coaches.“It is not a one-size-fits-all model,” he said, “but it is a one-size-fits-most. It’s the best thing for our sport and the for the growth of college baseball.”

College baseball into July? Coaches say it would save money

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Construction on a new home for the University of Nebraska's football program has been delayed in part because of the potential financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the school's athletic director said Friday.

Design work for the $155 million facility is continuing but construction is in "pause mode," Athletic Director Bill Moos said.

Construction was scheduled to begin in June with an expected completion date of June 2022.

The delay comes as college athletic departments await decisions on how, or if, sports seasons will resume in response to the coronavirus.

"Because among other things, we have tremendous budget woes we're looking at,"Moos told&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/construction-on-nus-155-million-football-training-facility-to-be-delayed/article_800cd23a-97af-5585-82cb-6f9741d3d613.html#tracking-source=home-just-in" target="_blank">The Lincoln Journal-Star.&nbsp;</a>"You start taking a couple of those (home football games) away, and then you start saying, 'Hey, the stadium can only be 30% full.' You're talking about huge, huge numbers in terms of ... revenue streams."

The 350,000-square-foot facility will provide the football program with a new locker room, strength and conditioning center, athletic medicine facility, equipment room, meeting rooms, coaches' offices and an additional outdoor practice facility. It also will include the training table and academic support facilities for all of the university's student athletes.

The project included building a new track for Nebraska's outdoor track and field program but that project also will be delayed.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Construction on a new home for the University of Nebraska's football program has been delayed in part because of the potential financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the school's athletic director said Friday.Design work for the $155 million facility is continuing but construction is in "pause mode," Athletic Director Bill Moos said.Construction was scheduled to begin in June with an expected completion date of June 2022.The delay comes as college athletic departments await decisions on how, or if, sports seasons will resume in response to the coronavirus."Because among other things, we have tremendous budget woes we're looking at,"Moos told&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/football/construction-on-nus-155-million-football-training-facility-to-be-delayed/article_800cd23a-97af-5585-82cb-6f9741d3d613.html#tracking-source=home-just-in" target="_blank">The Lincoln Journal-Star.&nbsp;</a>"You start taking a couple of those (home football games) away, and then you start saying, 'Hey, the stadium can only be 30% full.' You're talking about huge, huge numbers in terms of ... revenue streams."The 350,000-square-foot facility will provide the football program with a new locker room, strength and conditioning center, athletic medicine facility, equipment room, meeting rooms, coaches' offices and an additional outdoor practice facility. It also will include the training table and academic support facilities for all of the university's student athletes.The project included building a new track for Nebraska's outdoor track and field program but that project also will be delayed.

Construction on Nebraska's football training center delayed

<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/825748894&color=%232a1bd9&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1" title="eagleradio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">eagleradio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/eagleradio-1/521-marshall-robinson-for-youth-baseball" title="5.21 Marshall Robinson For Youth Baseball" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">5.21 Marshall Robinson For Youth Baseball</a></div></div>

Post Podcast: Marshall Robinson says "Lets play" for youth baseball NP

Girls wrestling has faced adversary the past few years in Nebraska. There has been a growing movement to sanction it as a sport and give the girls their own classes and tournament.&nbsp;

The NSAA board of Directors heard that movement and voted to put it to an assembly vote. There they would decide if the sport becomes sanctioned in the state of Nebraska.&nbsp;

Unfortunately for Girls wrestling the assembly did not agree with the board of directors.&nbsp;

51 members of the assembly gathered, meaning 31 yea votes would be needed to sanction girls wrestling. The final tally was 28 - 23 against.&nbsp;

Nebraska will however see a new sport emerge as the assembly decided to sanction Bowling as a sport, although just barely 31-20 for.&nbsp;

The entire results can be found below:&nbsp;

Girls wrestling has faced adversary the past few years in Nebraska. There has been a growing movement to sanction it as a sport and give the girls their own classes and tournament.&nbsp;The NSAA board of Directors heard that movement and voted to put it to an assembly vote. There they would decide if the sport becomes sanctioned in the state of Nebraska.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The NSAA Board of Directors voted 7-1 to add Girls Wrestling as an emerging sport. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nebpreps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nebpreps</a>&mdash; NSAA (@nsaahome) <a href="https://twitter.com/nsaahome/status/1263521154934996993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Unfortunately for Girls wrestling the assembly did not agree with the board of directors.&nbsp;51 members of the assembly gathered, meaning 31 yea votes would be needed to sanction girls wrestling. The final tally was 28 - 23 against.&nbsp;Nebraska will however see a new sport emerge as the assembly decided to sanction Bowling as a sport, although just barely 31-20 for.&nbsp; The entire results can be found below:&nbsp;<div><iframe src="https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/sportspdf/NSAA vote may 2020.pdf" width="100%" height="500px">
 </iframe></div>

Girls Wrestling just misses cut again, Bowling sanctioned per NSAA

That was a tweet sent out by Jody Moeller, the Chairman, Nebraska American Legion Baseball after a short session by the board deciding to move forward with American Legion baseball in Nebraska this season.&nbsp;

The Legion will adhere to all the guidelines put forth by Governor Ricketts and plans to open their season on June 18th.&nbsp;

Below is the announcement from NE Legion baseball:&nbsp;

The Nebraska American Legion will host baseball for a regular season only

All items that were previously paid for on the National online registration system will be automatically refunded, you do not need to request it.

There will not be a fee for registration for Nebraska American Legion baseball for 2020. By registering for Nebraska American Legion baseball, you agree to follow all rules, regulations and policies of the organization.

The previously posted 2020 rule book is no longer valid, there will be a revised edition posted when completed and approved. Updated rule book will be online only.

Teams who do not register&nbsp;are not authorized to wear or display either the American Legion emblem or the American Legion baseball patch.

To register for participation in Nebraska American Legion baseball, teams will need to:

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Nebraska American Legion Baseball regular season moving forward after approval by the Dept. Executive Committee tonight.&mdash; Jody Moeller (@JoMoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoMoe/status/1263262833057378305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>That was a tweet sent out by Jody Moeller, the Chairman, Nebraska American Legion Baseball after a short session by the board deciding to move forward with American Legion baseball in Nebraska this season.&nbsp;The Legion will adhere to all the guidelines put forth by Governor Ricketts and plans to open their season on June 18th.&nbsp;Below is the announcement from NE Legion baseball:&nbsp;The Nebraska American Legion will host baseball for a regular season onlyAll items that were previously paid for on the National online registration system will be automatically refunded, you do not need to request it.There will not be a fee for registration for Nebraska American Legion baseball for 2020. By registering for Nebraska American Legion baseball, you agree to follow all rules, regulations and policies of the organization.The previously posted 2020 rule book is no longer valid, there will be a revised edition posted when completed and approved. Updated rule book will be online only.Teams who do not register&nbsp;are not authorized to wear or display either the American Legion emblem or the American Legion baseball patch.To register for participation in Nebraska American Legion baseball, teams will need to:- Required: before any practice or play: insurance that includes the following:&nbsp;accidental medical, general liability and&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;exclude sexual abuse/molestation and lists the “The American Legion Department of Nebraska” as an additional insured.If your insurance does not have sexual abuse/molestation, then you cannot register a team. The Department of Nebraska recommends the use of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandkinsurance.com/" target="_blank">www.kandkinsurance.com</a>; go to the tabs on the left hand side of the screen; click on “sports”; there will be a pop out and you would need to choose “amateur teams leagues and associations” (be sure you chose to add the optional sexual abuse &amp; molestation). The same requirements are required if you choose some other insurance.&nbsp;- Required before June 18:&nbsp;a copy of your insurance must be sent to the Department no later than June 18.- Required: fill out and send in the Nebraska registration and roster form no later than June 18&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/f772-2167100/2020_NALB_RegistrationandRoster_2020__final_for_web_.pdf#_ga=2.106438532.685429419.1590000567-575766806.1590000567" target="_blank">(2020 Registration&amp;Roster form)</a>Registration form and copy of insurance can be sent, via email, fax (402) 464-6330, or mail to; PO Box 5205, Lincoln, NE 68505- the National form 2 is not to be used, the use of the&nbsp;Nebraska Indemnification form is required&nbsp;for all players and must be on hand at all practices and games. The indemnification from should be retained at the team level for up to 4 years.&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/document/ece0-2167101/2020_NALB_Player_Agreement__final_for_web_.pdf#_ga=2.106438532.685429419.1590000567-575766806.1590000567" target="_blank">(NALB Player Agreement)</a>- background checks are required before coaches can participate&nbsp;<a href="https://opportunities.averity.com/Application.aspx?oid=14260" target="_blank">https://opportunities.averity.com/Application.aspx?oid=14260</a>- Required before coaches can participate: abuse awareness and concussion certificate of training (these are State and Federal Law for youth sports) h<a href="http://www.usabdevelops.com/Legion" target="_blank">ttp://www.usabdevelops.com/Legion</a><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html</a>- a copy of the most current Nebraska Youth Sports DHS covid-19 guidelines is required to be on hand at practices and games. Check for updates, May 5th guidelines&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/d1d9-2167103/Youth_Sports_Guidelines_5.11.20.pdf#_ga=2.106438532.685429419.1590000567-575766806.1590000567" target="_blank">(Guidelines)</a>Items that will be further&nbsp;defined once the rule book is completed- Form 76 is still required but it will be kept at the team level, should there be a conflict between teams on the player, the form 76 will be requested and reviewed by the Athletic Committee for assessment.&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/document/333b-2167123/form_76.pdf#_ga=2.101733510.685429419.1590000567-575766806.1590000567" target="_blank">(Form 76)</a>- Since there is no Post-season playoff system for 2020, high school enrollment is mute, however, the total enrollment of all schools remains at the cap of 6000- pitching rules will remain the same is previously indicated and will be in the new rule book- re-entry and courtesy runner for regular season will remain the same- roster size will increase to 24 for 2020 (that will go back to 18 for future seasons unless the National office changes it)- the use of sunflower seeds and the control of spitting will be left up to the host team, coaches and umpires- the ejection protocol remains the same.Recommendations but not requirements- a covd-19 release form is recommended but not required and kept at team level&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/document/1aa0-2167135/additional_waiver_2020.pdf#_ga=2.6257588.685429419.1590000567-575766806.1590000567" target="_blank">(team waiver for your use)</a>- birth cards are optional but the request form should still be submitted this year as the cards are valid for the entire time a player is eligible, so can be used for following seasons.- Masks worn by players coaches and umpires is recommended but are per the most current government guidelines.