If you're not already a Denton Record-Chronicle subscriber, you can subscribe now for just $1 a month over the next six months and read all of our stories throughout high school football season. Argyle senior Jordyn Moore, Aubrey senior Kynadi Hall and Ponder junior Makaylee Ruiz were among 77 players from across Texas selected Sunday to their respective 2024 UIL Volleyball State All-Tournament teams. Moore earned the honor in 5A Division II, while Hall received it in 4A Division II and Ruiz in 3A Division I. Argyle's Jordyn Moore was among three local volleyball players selected Sunday to their respective all-state tournament teams. Moore helped lead Argyle to its first state semifinal appearance at the 5A level, where it dropped a tight five-set match to eventual 5A DII state champion Frisco Wakeland. The senior Colgate commit, who was also named District 6-5A's Co-Most Valuable Player this fall, was crucial to the Lady Eagles winning a district title and reaching their first state semifinal since 2017. Hall helped lead Aubrey to its second state semifinal in the last three years, where it fell to eventual 4A DII state runner-up Canyon Randall in a five-set bout. The senior Southeastern Oklahoma State commit was also named District 9-4A's Most Valuable Player after playing a crucial part in Aubrey's district title and deep playoff run. Aubrey's Kynadi Hall was among three local volleyball players selected Sunday to their respective all-state tournament teams. Ruiz helped lead Ponder to its first state semifinal appearance in program history, where it fell to eventual 3A DI state champion Bushland. The junior Wofford pledge was named District 10-3A's Defensive Player of the Year this fall and was at the heart of the Lady Lions' success in winning their second outright district title ever and making their deepest playoff run. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the scoop on all the thrilling victories, nail-biting games and standout performances — straight from the sidelines of Denton-area high schools. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.
Serena Williams’ incredible success was not only down to her technical prowess but also her strong mentality. Her former coach, Rennae Stubbs, can attest to it, claiming that no one holds a “grudge for revenge” more than the American star, a view Serena agrees with. In a conversation with Andrew Ross Sorkin from the New York Times, Williams reflected on Stubbs’ comments, admitting that this mindset extended beyond the tennis court. “That’s across everything that I do,” she added . The former World No.1 stated that it worked well for her because she made it a personal mission to never repeat her mistakes. Serena believes every loss has taught her a new lesson, helping her shape into the person she is today. Despite not having coached Serena for a long time, Stubbs was able to identify this trait in her pupil. Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis podcast last month, the 53-year-old Australian said that Novak Djokovic is the closest to this particular mentality in the men’s game. Stubbs, who coached Serena in her final Grand Slam (2022 US Open), covered a wide range of topics on the podcast, including the American’s standout victory over Maria Sharapova at the 2012 Olympics. The 53-year-old labeled it as the “greatest match” she had ever seen of Serena. Williams recorded one of the most dominant runs in Olympic history Williams was in the form of her life during the 2012 season, particularly on the grass court. She won Wimbledon, dropping merely two sets in the tournament. However, she found a way to elevate her game even more during the Olympics merely a month later. During the 2012 London Games, Serena dominated the competition without dropping a single set. None of the six opponents won more than three games in any set or more than five games in an entire match. She saved her best for the final, recording a 6-0, 6-1 win over Sharapova. “The greatest match I ever saw Serena Williams play, and I saw her play a lot of great tennis, was the finals of the Olympics in London against Sharapova,” Stubbs spoke about the match. Beating the five-time Grand Slam champion is no small feat, but doing so while losing only one game in the gold medal match is truly remarkable. It’s not surprising that Stubbs picked this game over all the other matches Serena has played!
Controversial billionaire Elon Musk responded to speculation that MSNBC could be put up for sale , asking on Friday how much the cable news network would set him back. The Comcast media conglomerate announced Wednesday it planned to spin some of its NBCUniversal properties — including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen and E! — into “a new publicly traded company.” The announcement prompted some social media users, including Donald Trump Jr., to suggest the world’s richest man should buy MSNBC . Many of the left-leaning network’s hosts, including Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow and Mika Brzezinski, have been critical of Musk and the MAGA movement he supports . “Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Trump Jr. posted on Friday alongside a graphic joking that MSNBC would sell for the “best offer.” “How much does it cost?” replied Musk, whose net worth was estimated to have reached a record high of $321.7 billion on Friday. Musk’s response was very similar to the one he gave in 2017 when some social media users suggested he buy Twitter. Five years later, he spent $44 billion to purchase the platform , which he renamed X and has since used to promote his right-wing ideology and conspiracy theories . “I mean it can’t be much,” Trump Jr. wrote back. “Look at the ratings.” MSNBC viewership reportedly plummeted 38% after Election Day, according to The Wrap. Musk’s banter with Trump Jr. continued, with the entrepreneur writing, “The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely.” While Comcast made no mention of selling MSNBC to Musk , the big-spending tech wiz has proven he can take over companies despite resistance from their board of directors, just as he did with Twitter. Speculation about Musk buying a progressive cable news network comes a week after satirical site The Onion announced it had purchased Alex Jones’ far-right “InfoWars” empire in a bankruptcy auction. Jones was forced to sell the disgraced brand to satisfy a judgment against him in connection with the lies and conspiracy theories he pushed about the 2012 massacre at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School . A Texas judge has delayed that acquisition while a court reviews details of the bidding process.True freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid. Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season. Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday's contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense. Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards. Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams. The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards. The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers. Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida. --Field Level MediaGeorgetown is set to play its first road game of the season while West Virginia attempts to build off its successful 2-1 trip to the Bahamas when the former conference rivals meet on Friday in Morgantown, W. Va., as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle. Picked 13th out of 16 in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, West Virginia (5-2) has been riding the hot shooting of Javon Small and Tucker DeVries. Small averages a team-high 19 points and shoots 41.3 percent on 3-pointers while DeVries adds 14.9 points per game and hits on 46.9 percent of his threes. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Stacker analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify drops in HIV-related deaths and look at the causes and impacts. Click for more. HIV isn't the death sentence it once was: How related deaths are dropping in the USA Closer Look At 5th Generation Fighter Programs: How They Stack Up
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NEW YORK — If you're planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you're not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research . “As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa. Nearly 2 in 10 will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found. But many U.S. adults will celebrate the new year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they'll make at least one resolution for 2025. There's some optimism about the year ahead, although more than half aren't expecting a positive change. About 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third don’t expect much of a difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024. Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming events for New Year's Eve. She said this year is trending toward low-key. “A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range, they want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are like a turnoff, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more interested in ringing in the new year at a bar or organized event — about 1 in 10 U.S. adults under 30 say they plan to do that. But about 3 in 10 older adults — 60 and above — say they won’t celebrate the beginning of 2025 at all. Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, doesn't usually go out to toast the arrival of the new year, but this year he's got something special cooked up: He and his wife will be traveling through Ireland. “I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.” Woods will be working New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, noncrisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues. “Holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in the family and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.” Every New Year's also triggers the eternal debate about resolutions. A majority of U.S. adults say they intend to make a New Year’s resolution of some type, but millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to be on board — about two-thirds expect to do so, compared to about half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025. Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said. Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or eating healthier. About one-quarter said they'll make a resolution involving losing weight and a similar number said they'll resolve to make changes about priorities of money or mental health. Woods' resolutions are to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows those are key to a happy 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.” Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the top resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as with regular health,” she said. She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and, this time, it's to do more traveling and see more of the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.” And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with plenty of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, maybe one of the most Chicago things you can do. This die-hard sports fan will be at Wrigley Field on Tuesday watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favorite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. ___ Sanders reported from Washington.NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin extended its streak of record highs after ticking above $99,000 for the first time. The cryptocurrency has rocketed more than 40% in just two weeks. Now, bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000, just two years after dropping below $17,000 following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX . The dramatic rally rolls on as industry players expect the incoming Trump administration to bring a more “crypto-friendly” approach toward regulating the digital currency. Bitcoin was trading at $99,526 Friday afternoon, according to CoinDesk. As with everything in the volatile crypto markets, the future is impossible to know. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Here’s what you need to know. Cryptocurrency has been around for a while now. But, chances are, you've heard about it more and more over the last few years. In basic terms, cryptocurrency is digital money. This kind of currency is designed to work through an online network without a central authority — meaning it’s typically not backed by any government or banking institution — and transactions get recorded with technology called a blockchain. Bitcoin is the largest and oldest cryptocurrency, although other assets like ethereum, tether and dogecoin have also gained popularity over the years. Some investors see cryptocurrency as a “digital alternative” to traditional money, but the large majority of daily financial transactions are still conducted using fiat currencies such as the dollar. Also, bitcoin can be very volatile, with its price reliant on larger market conditions. A lot of the recent action has to do with the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Crypto industry players have welcomed Trump’s victory, in hopes that he would be able to push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for — which, generally speaking, aim for an increased sense of legitimacy without too much red tape. Trump, who was once a crypto skeptic, recently pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. His campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency and he courted fans at a bitcoin conference in July. He also launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies. How of this will actually pan out — and whether or not Trump will successfully act quickly on these promises — has yet to be seen. “This is not necessarily a short-term story, it’s likely a much longer-term story," Citi macro strategist David Glass told The Associated Press last week. "And there is the question of how quickly can U.S. crypto policy make a serious impact on (wider adoption).” One step Trump must take in the short-term is name a new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which shares oversight of cryptocurrencies. Gary Gensler, current chair of the SEC, has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on crypto over recent years, penalizing a number of companies for violating securities laws. But he's also faced criticism from industry players in the process, like the chief legal officer of Robinhood , who described Gensler's approach toward crypto as “rigid” and "hostile.” Gensler will step down in January when Trump takes office. Adam Morgan McCarthy, a research analyst at Kaiko, thinks the industry is craving “just some sort of clarity.” Much of the approach to regulating crypto in the past has been “enforcement based,” he notes, which has been helpful in weeding out some bad actors — but legislation might fill in other key gaps. Despite crypto’s recent excitement around Trump, McCarthy said that 2024 has already been a “hugely consequential year for regulation in the U.S.” — pointing to January’s approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, for example, which mark a new way to invest in the asset. Spot ETFs have been the dominant driver of bitcoin for some time now — but, like much of the crypto’s recent momentum, saw record inflows postelection. According to Kaiko , bitcoin ETFs recorded $6 billion in trade volume for the week of the election alone. In April, bitcoin also saw its fourth “halving” — a preprogrammed event that impacts production by cutting the reward for mining, or the creation of new bitcoin, in half. In theory, if demand remains strong, some analysts say this “supply shock” can also help propel the price long term. Others note it may be too early to tell. History shows you can lose money in crypto as quickly as you’ve made it. Long-term price behavior relies on larger market conditions. Trading continues at all hours, every day. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, bitcoin stood at just over $5,000. Its price climbed to nearly $69,000 by November 2021, during high demand for technology assets, but later crashed during an aggressive series of Federal Reserve rate hikes. And the late-2022 collapse of FTX significantly undermined confidence in crypto overall, with bitcoin falling below $17,000. Investors began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool — and gains skyrocketed on the anticipation and then early success of spot ETFs. But experts still stress caution, especially for small-pocketed investors. And lighter regulation from the coming Trump administration could mean less guardrails. “I would say, keep it simple. And don’t take on more risk than you can afford to," McCarthy said — adding that there isn't a “magic eight ball” to know for certain what comes next. Assets like bitcoin are produced through a process called “mining,” which consumes a lot of energy. Operations relying on pollutive sources have drawn particular concern over the years. Recent research published by the United Nations University and Earth’s Future journal found that the carbon footprint of 2020-2021 bitcoin mining across 76 nations was equivalent to the emissions from burning 84 billion pounds of coal or running 190 natural gas-fired power plants. Coal satisfied the bulk of bitcoin’s electricity demands (45%), followed by natural gas (21%) and hydropower (16%). Environmental impacts of bitcoin mining boil largely down to the energy source used. Industry analysts have maintained that clean energy has increased in use in recent years, coinciding with rising calls for climate protections Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Over 18,000 people in Mexico have registered online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships in the country's contentious new selection process, but a random drawing in the end will determine who gets on the ballot, officials said Monday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * MEXICO CITY (AP) — Over 18,000 people in Mexico have registered online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships in the country's contentious new selection process, but a random drawing in the end will determine who gets on the ballot, officials said Monday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? MEXICO CITY (AP) — Over 18,000 people in Mexico have registered online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships in the country’s contentious new selection process, but a random drawing in the end will determine who gets on the ballot, officials said Monday. The ruling party pushed through a constitutional reform in September to make all federal judges stand for election, replacing the system where court employees and lawyers mainly move up through the ranks. Current court employees and their supporters have staged dozens of demonstrations against the reforms, calling them part of a ruling-party campaign to weaken checks and balances and eliminate independent regulatory and oversight bodies. Now, candidates for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships need only a law degree, a grade point average of 3.2, “five years of professional experience” and five letters of recommendation from neighbors or friends. That, and some luck in the final drawing. Officials rejected criticism that has called the process rushed or amateurish for the often highly technical posts that can hear cases including intellectual property, organized crime and Constitutional law. “The results have been spectacular,” said Arturo Zaldivar, a top advisor to President Claudia Sheinbaum. According to the plan, evaluation committees will have just over a month to review thousands of resumes and whittle the field to about 10 candidates or less for each for the 881 judgeships and nine seats on the Supreme Court. Then 1,793 names chosen at random from those selected will appear on the ballot on June 1. Critics warn that many who land on the ballot will be unknowns who perhaps have never argued a case in the courts they seek to run. “You don’t elect a doctor or a surgeon for an operation based on their popularity, you elect them based on their technical expertise, their ability, their knowledge,” said Sergio Méndez Silva, the legal coordinator for the civic group Foundation for Justice. “That also applies for a judge.” With candidates now having to run election campaigns, critics warn there’s a chance drug cartels or political parties could finance them to get friendly judges onto the bench. There are also concerns that the evaluation committees deciding who makes the cut for the selection to appear on ballots may not be impartial. Most committee members were appointed by the legislative or executive branches, controlled by the ruling Morena party. Some critics argue that the current justice system, which is riddled with nepotism, corruption and a lack of accountability, needs to be changed. “We need a justice system that gives results,” said Martínez Garza, an academic and former head of the human rights commission in the northern border state of Nuevo Leon who has registered to run for a Supreme Court seat. Trials in Mexico can last for years, and the ruling party has added to the growing list of crimes for which bail is not allowed, meaning that a large percentage of the prison population is people awaiting trial. AdvertisementBryce Miller was a fourth round pick by the Mariners in the 2021 MLB draft and never appeared higher than 98th on MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 prospect list. Still, he reached the major leagues after just 160 total innings in the minors and enjoyed immediate success. That success faded quickly, but he’s done an incredible job reinventing himself as a pitcher over his brief career and looks to be on the verge of stardom. Here, I’m going to talk about the adjustments he made on his way to breaking out, why they worked, and what to expect from him next season. I’m writing these break out pieces every week. Check out how Hunter Greene is on the path to becoming an ace from last week and how Tarik Skubal became the best pitcher in baseball two weeks ago. Pitching is Easy? Bryce Miller burst onto the scene in 2023 as a fastball-forward, power pitcher who wasn’t afraid to challenge hitters. Initially, that was a great plan. In his MLB debut, he took a perfect game into the sixth inning. Over his first five starts, he had a sparkling 1.15 ERA – lowest in the league – with 28 strikeouts, three walks, and completed at least six innings in each start. At the same time, Miller was throwing his fastball 70% of the time. That was more often than any other pitcher in baseball. And it worked because he came to the majors with one of the most explosive fastballs in the league. It had above average velocity, significantly above average induced vertical break, was difficult to barrel up, and hitters had no answers despite Miller filling up the zone with it. Everything was perfect! Easy, even. Show up and throw a bunch of fastballs in the strike zone. They’ll never hit it, right? This major league baseball thing is simple. Well, that turned out to not be true. The Yankees lit Miller up for eight runs in his next start and he went on to have a 5.31 ERA over his next 20 outings to end his rookie season. He began to tinker a bit during these struggles by adding a two-seam fastball and sweeper while more changeups, but couldn’t pull himself together. That gave him a new tenacity to attack the offseason with. Thomas Nestico wrote a great thread about how Miller used science to become an ace and this excerpt he used taken from an interview with Brandon Gustafson says it all. Passion, open-mindedness, creativity, desire to be great, whatever you want to call it was at the center of Miller’s breakout. Do the Splits The first step for Miller was finding a better way to attack left-handed batters. Simply put, they torched him during his rookie year. So, he went straight to the lab and was determined to develop a splitter. Here’s a video from his own Twitter account last winter showing his progress with the new pitch. Progression of the splitter continues 🧪 pic.twitter.com/crYPFdVAyK That was on December 22nd and he was already so confident in the pitch that he broadcasted it from his own social channels (shoutout B Money). He even included the pitch’s characteristics that his Trackman captured. By the time the regular season rolled around, his splitter had been featured in countless articles, videos, and even got the Pitching Ninja treatment in spring training . Clearly chomping at the bit, he threw it 20 times in his 2024 debut – 16 of which to lefties – and it forced six whiffs, earned a 40% chase rate, and allowed just one measly single. He also nabbed his first two strikeouts of the season with it as looked downright nasty in the process. Bryce Miller's 3Ks in the 1st. That new Splitter sure looks good (1st 2 Ks) pic.twitter.com/6fAXsfsCOf With the early success, the pitch was still very new and thereby inconsistent. Splitters are often inconsistent by nature, but Miller’s was extreme even by normal splitter standards. Check out the pitch movement chart for Miller’s split compared for Shota Imanaga’s from this past season. David Adler wrote a great piece about this bizarre movement pattern in May and said that Miller basically had three different splitter variations inside the one pitch. Miller told him all he was trying to really do was locate it below the zone and “if it’s moving either direction, or just straight down, that’s fine.” He also said the pitch “kind of has a mind of its own sometimes,” to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times in April. While wonky, the pitch was working. It had a 38.5% whiff rate in April and Miller had a 2.04 ERA at the end of that month. Yet, its effectiveness began to fade as the season wore on. It missed fewer bats in May than it did in April, then fewer bats in June than it did in May. Between those two months, Miller’s ERA spiked to 4.94 and he once again needed to find a new wrinkle to break out of his slump. ‘Death’ to Batters Some pitchers just have a knack for picking up new pitches. Yu Darvish and Zack Greinke seemed to pick up new ones or add variations to their existing ones whenever they felt like it. Miller’s teammates George Kirby and Logan Gilbert have picked up a few each in their short time in the majors, too. Miller is no different. He adapted with his two-seamer as a rookie, his splitter soon after, and then a curveball that would push him towards ace status. The Mariners acquired reliever Mike Baumann from the Orioles on May 22nd. He was designated for assignment on July 19th. In those 50 days, Miller was able to learn his patented ‘spike curve’. “It was like a ten second conversation,” Baumann told Lookout Landing , “and all of a sudden he was throwing it in games.” Uncanny. He debuted the new knuckle curve on June 29th and that started a string of 15 starts to end the season where he had a 1.94 ERA. Interestingly, Miller experimented with a curveball the year before, but it was a more traditional, looping curve and he scrapped it after throwing just 20 in games. Check out the different movement profiles between the old and new curveballs. The new pitch is coming in much harder and moves more straight up and down. That classifies it as a ‘death ball’ shape. Jeff Passan popularized the Death Ball trope last postseason when Jordan Montgomery rode it to World Series glory. All the death ball classification really means is that the pitch is dropping due to its gyro spin rather than falling over itself with top-spin, like most other curveballs. When you hear gyro spin, think about the way a football leaves your hand when you throw a spiral. If I can nerd out for a moment... Death balls are more so a variation of gyro sliders than actual curveballs because they share the same spin characteristics as the gyro slider, just with more drop. Also, the death ball especially kills side-to-side movement and can be thrown much harder, just like those sliders. Miller already threw a gyro slider which is why the death ball likely came easy to him. Lance Brozdowski has a great YouTube Video explaining death balls more in depth if you want to learn more. Don’t worry too much about that death ball moniker, though. It will not be the new sweeper. Just a more specific pitch classification that’s meant for players, coaches, and fellow nerds. Anyway, here’s an overlay from Thomas’ thread showing how well the death ball plays off his fastball. When working on his knuckle curveball, Bryce Miller wanted a pitch to specifically play off his fastball. “I’m hoping it looks like a fastball, and then just drops” ( @TheBGustafson ) Let’s see how this interaction worked out against NL MVP Finalist, Francisco Lindor 14/ pic.twitter.com/l7thnHiHiX Pitch shape jargon aside: this is really all that matters: the pitch looks like his fastball and then the bottom falls out. It’s exactly what Miller needed to tie his repertoire together. Results While his season took many twists and turns, it was still very good on the whole. Miller wound up with a 2.94 ERA across 180 1/3 innings with 171 strikeouts for the season. That made him the seventh most valuable starting pitcher for fantasy – better than Seth Lugo and Corbin Burnes – according to FanGraphs’ player rater . If you segment from when he first used his knuckle curve (or death ball hehe), Miller’s 1.94 ERA trailed only Blake Snell, Paul Skenes, and Chris Sale while his 0.91 WHIP trailed only Snell and teammate Logan Gilbert. He was also in the top-20 in SIERA and K-BB%. That is superstar level, SP1 quality with a clear and obvious material change that spurned his success. What’s Next? I’m incredibly bullish on Miller mostly because of how dominant he was once he had both the curveball and splitter at his disposal. Sometimes we can muddy the water looking at splits in our analysis, but Miller had true, material changes that turned him into a stud. Yet, he’s currently the SP13 – between Imanaga and Aaron Nola – in early drafts over at the NFBC. That’s surprising since he beat that price last season, got markedly better, and remains in one of the best situations for a pitcher in baseball with the friendly confines of T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Perhaps his price is relatively low because he’s outshined by teammates Gilbert ad Kirby who are each being drafted inside the top-40 picks overall. Or maybe there’s fear Miller will take another half step back as he’s done each of the first two times he vaulted himself forward. I wouldn’t let either of those dampen the shine of what Miller can do. We have a starter in one of the best pitchers’ parks in baseball with a rock-solid fastball, multiple effective secondaries, and a knack for picking up new pitches whenever the moment strikes. He is a star.
LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP) — Adam Clark had 18 points in Merrimack's 80-62 victory over Niagara on Sunday. Clark added nine assists for the Warriors (4-6, 2-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Devon Savage scored 18 points, finishing 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Sean Trumper went 6 of 7 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 16 points. Jhaylon Martinez led the way for the Purple Eagles (4-6, 1-1) with 14 points and six rebounds. Zion Russell added 13 points and six rebounds. Jaeden Marshall had 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Georgetown is set to play its first road game of the season while West Virginia attempts to build off its successful 2-1 trip to the Bahamas when the former conference rivals meet on Friday in Morgantown, W. Va., as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle. Picked 13th out of 16 in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, West Virginia (5-2) has been riding the hot shooting of Javon Small and Tucker DeVries. Small averages a team-high 19 points and shoots 41.3 percent on 3-pointers while DeVries adds 14.9 points per game and hits on 46.9 percent of his threes. Every basket was needed last week as the Mountaineers upset then-No. 3 Gonzaga and then-No. 24 Arizona with a loss to Louisville sandwiched in between. All three contests went into overtime, believed to be a first in program history. First-year coach Darian DeVries, who led Drake to three NCAA Tournaments in the last four seasons, had never seen anything like it. "I've never been a part of three games like that, especially with the quality of opponents that we went up these last three days," he said after the Arizona win. "Just incredible resolve and grit and toughness from our group all three nights." Georgetown has started 7-1 for the first time since the 2018-19 season and has done so with a completely revamped roster that includes 14 freshmen or sophomores. As a result of an inexperienced squad, coach Ed Cooley specifically delayed the Hoyas' first trip out of the nation's capital. "Obviously, the competition is going to change," Cooley said after the Hoyas defeated UMBC 86-62 on Monday. "We systematically scheduled this way to build confidence, continuity and chemistry and let our players feel what it is to win, and that's something hopefully that will have some carryover as we now get ready to head out on the road for the first time." Since losing to Notre Dame on Nov. 16, Georgetown has won five straight games by an average of 25.2 points. Thomas Sorber leads the Hoyas in scoring at 15.8 points per game and leads the conference in rebounding at 8.9 per game. Sorber was named as the Big East Freshman of the Week for the third time in four weeks. Georgetown holds the narrowest of leads in the all-time series at 27-26. The two schools met 27 times between 1995 and 2012 as league foes. The Mountaineers captured their lone Big East Championship in 2010 by defeating the Hoyas 60-58 at Madison Square Garden. --Field Level MediaRelated Articles
Christmas Books for Little KidsOpinion: Why I’m getting rid of my smartwatch
Christmas Books for Little Kids by various authors and illustrators c.2024, various publishers $14.99 to $18.99 various page counts You’d better watch out. And you know why: pretty soon, you’re going to have a visitor come down your chimney or through a window or door of your house and leave you presents, if you’ve been good. No doubt, you’re excited for that, and for the twinkly lights and the holiday music. Christmas can’t some soon enough, so why not spend your time waiting by reading these great books... For any kid who’s asked for a new pet from Santa, “A Stray Dog for Christmas: How Suzy was Adopted” by Jack Jokinen, illustrated by Wendy Tan (Sourcebooks Kids, $14.99) is the book to read. It’s the story of a puppy without a name who was accidentally locked in a house. There are people who live there. Will they like her? Will they be her friend? Will they give her a name, once and for all, of her very own? Animal-loving kids ages three to six will want to find out! Be sure to check out the afterword, too, and meet the real Suzy. You can’t go wrong with a classic Christmas tale, and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” adapted by the Poem by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Jane Chapman (Sourcebooks Kids, $18.99) is that, with a twist. Here, Pa, and Ma in her kerchief are bears, as is Santa, whose sleigh is pulled by eight kinds of dogs sporting antlers on their heads. As the story unfolds, other animals join the tale and it’s adorable on steroids. Kids ages five to eight who love Christmas won’t want you to put this book away with the decorations. They’ll want to have it read to them year ‘round. Children who are familiar with the “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” books will be happy to see “Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho” by William Boniface, illustrated by Julien Chung (Beach Lane Books / Simon & Schuster, $18.99) on the top of their Christmas book TBR pile. Here, A talks to B, and B convinces C to meet in the Christmas tree, which starts a tale of decorations and presents and “oh, no!” Kids ages two and three, those who are just learning their alphabet, will have fun with this picture book, and the shiny illustrations inside are very appealing. Older children (ages four and five) will love that the story reads so much like a jazzy, be-bop rhyme that they might even be tempted to make up a tune to go with it. And if these, and your personal favorite childhood Christmas books, aren’t enough for your youngster, be sure to check with your favorite bookseller or librarian and ask for new favorites and new traditions. Anyone at the bookstore or library can steer you toward even more picture books – literally, there are dozens of new ones for small children released ever year – and they’ll be happy to show you what’s new in holiday books for older kids and teens, and books for you, too. As for the above titles, though... you’d better watch out for them.Key Trends in the Cricket World Cup Market with Insights from Expedia Group, Hospitality Service Providers (e.g., Willow TV), Financial Institutions (e.g., Vodafone, Hotstar, Sports Marketing Agencies (e.g., Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) 12-08-2024 09:31 PM CET | Sports Press release from: STATS N DATA Cricket World Cup Market The Cricket World Cup Market is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors in the sports industry. This market encompasses a wide range of applications including broadcasting rights, sponsorship, ticket sales, merchandise, and hospitality, all revolving around the prestigious Cricket World Cup events. As the global sports landscape continues to grow, the Cricket World Cup remains a focal point, attracting millions of fans and generating substantial economic activity. Recent developments have significantly impacted the market, as technological advancements and strategic collaborations have emerged as key growth drivers. The integration of digital platforms has transformed how fans engage with the sport, while partnerships among stakeholders, including broadcasters and technology providers, are reshaping the market dynamics. This transformation is not just limited to traditional media but extends to online streaming services and social media engagement, which have become essential platforms for reaching cricket enthusiasts. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=376738 Key Growth Drivers and Trends Several factors are influencing the demand in the Cricket World Cup Market. Sustainability is at the forefront, as stakeholders are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices to appeal to a more environmentally conscious audience. The digitization of the sports experience is another critical factor, enabling fans to access content on various platforms, enhancing viewer engagement. Emerging trends are shaping the future of the Cricket World Cup Market. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for data analysis and fan engagement is revolutionizing how teams and organizations approach their strategies. Moreover, product customization and the use of emerging technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are enhancing fan experiences and creating new revenue streams. Market Segmentation The Cricket World Cup Market is segmented into various categories, each with its unique attributes and growth potential: - By Type: - Men's Cricket World Cup - Women's Cricket World Cup - Under-19 Cricket World Cup - By Application: - Broadcasting Rights - Sponsorship and Advertising - Ticket Sales - Merchandising and Licensing - Hospitality and Tourism - Media Coverage and Journalism - Digital Platforms and Streaming Services - By Media Platforms: - Television Broadcast - Online Streaming - Social Media Engagement - Radio Broadcast - Print Media Coverage Each segment demonstrates unique growth potential, influenced by changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. For instance, the increasing popularity of women's cricket and under-19 tournaments is broadening the market's scope, while digital platforms are revolutionizing how cricket is consumed globally. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=376738 Competitive Landscape The Cricket World Cup Market is characterized by a diverse competitive landscape, featuring numerous key players driving innovation and shaping trends: - Expedia Group: Enhancing travel experiences for cricket fans through strategic partnerships with hospitality providers. - Willow TV: Leading the charge in broadcasting cricket in North America, expanding the sport's reach. - Vodafone: Engaging fans through innovative sponsorship and promotional campaigns. - Hotstar: Dominating the online streaming space, offering exclusive coverage and fan engagement tools. - Cricket Australia: Focused on expanding the visibility of cricket through grassroots initiatives and international collaborations. Other notable players include Coca-Cola, Nike, Disney, and IBM, all contributing to various aspects of the market through sponsorship, technology solutions, and innovative marketing strategies. Opportunities and Challenges The Cricket World Cup Market presents numerous opportunities for stakeholders, particularly in untapped regions where cricket is gaining popularity. The rise of digital platforms offers avenues for new revenue streams and enhanced fan engagement. Moreover, evolving consumer preferences, such as the demand for customized merchandise and immersive experiences, present further opportunities for growth. However, the market also faces challenges. Regulatory constraints, particularly in broadcasting rights, can hinder market expansion. Operational inefficiencies and talent shortages may also impact the ability of organizations to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Implementing robust training programs and embracing technology can help mitigate these challenges. Technological Advancements Cutting-edge technologies are significantly impacting the Cricket World Cup Market. AI is being utilized for data analytics, improving performance predictions, and enhancing fan experiences. The Internet of Things (IoT) is enabling real-time data collection and analysis, allowing teams and organizations to make informed decisions. Virtual tools are transforming how fans interact with the sport, from virtual match experiences to enhanced merchandising options. Research Methodology and Insights At STATS N DATA, our research methodology is comprehensive and robust. We employ both top-down and bottom-up approaches, utilizing primary and secondary research to gather data from credible sources. Triangulation methods ensure that our insights are accurate and reliable, providing stakeholders with the information they need to navigate the Cricket World Cup Market effectively. In conclusion, the Cricket World Cup Market is poised for significant growth as it adapts to changing technological landscapes and consumer preferences. With the right strategies and innovations, stakeholders can capitalize on the opportunities ahead, making the most of this vibrant and exciting market. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=376738 https://www.statsndata.org/report/cricket-world-cup-market-376738 Get more information about recently published reports by STATS N DATA below: You can then follow this with links or a list of the specific reports The Ultimate Guide to Pastry Brands: Trends, Tips, and Market Insights: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/171/the-ultimate-guide-to-pastry-brands-trends-tips-and-market-insights Understanding Radioimmunoassay: Trends, Applications, and Future Impact: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/173/understanding-radioimmunoassay-trends-applications-and-future-impact Understanding Social Media Market Share: Trends, Insights, and Strategies for Success: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/174/understanding-social-media-market-share-trends-insights-and-strategies-for-success Unpacking the Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) Market: Trends, Insights, and Future Potential: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/175/unpacking-the-integration-platform-as-a-service-ipaas-market-trends-insights-and-future-potential John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. We specialize in helping organizations navigate complex markets with advanced analytics, detailed market segmentation, and strategic guidance. Our expertise spans industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, food & beverages, and more. Committed to accuracy and innovation, we provide tailored reports that empower clients to make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Our team of skilled analysts leverages cutting-edge methodologies to ensure every report addresses the unique challenges of our clients. At STATS N DATA, we transform data into knowledge and insights into success. Partner with us to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.
Unproven remedies: Tata Memorial Hospital slams Sidhu’s viral ‘diet cure’ cancer claim
A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge's order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana.
Police say they’ve arrested several people following an anti-NATO protest that included two car fires and left some businesses with smashed windows. Montreal police say they made at least three arrests following a demonstration that began late afternoon Friday. Police say that during the march, smoke bombs were deployed, metal barriers were thrown into the street and windows of businesses and at the convention centre were smashed. Delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are in Montreal this weekend to discuss issues including support for Ukraine, climate change and the future of the alliance. The protest was planned by the groups Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly condemned the protests in a Saturday morning post on social media platform X, saying that “rioting is not peaceful protest and has no place in Montreal or anywhere in Canada.” “Those who spread hate and antisemitism, use violence, loot and destroy property must be condemned and held accountable,” she added. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture says the demonstrators were completely dispersed at around 7 p.m. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024.