Williamsport, Pa., becomes the epicenter of the baseball world for 10 days in August when the best youth baseball teams converge for the 2019 Little League World Series. Sixteen teams – eight from the United States and eight International squads – of 11- and 12-year-olds will play in the 73rd iteration of the tournament, which has featured several numerous future major leaguers over the year. Honolulu, Hawaii’s Little League team won the 2018 World Series, although a different city – Wailuku – will be looking to keep the title in the state in 2019. Taiwan has won more championships (17) than any other international team, but Japan has five titles…

Matt Nagy is sticking by his decision to bring multiple kickers to rookie minicamp in May on a tryout basis. Nagy received criticism for the way the Bears handled the offseason kicker search specifically from the players who left without a contract. “I understand – we brought in a lot of kickers that came in here,” Nagy said Wednesday, via ESPN. “To me, I look at it as a positive, in the fact that we said we’re going to turn over every stone to find whoever’s out there. We felt like we, at that point in time, when we brought in a bunch of kickers, we’re going to test them…

Green Bay’s first-round pick is dealing with a bit of a scary injury. Rashan Gary, the No. 12 pick in the 2019 draft, was carted to the locker room after suffering what appeared to be a head/neck injury during Green Bay’s matchup with Oakland on Thursday. Gary, 21, stayed down off the field after making a tackle from behind, but was able to walk off on his own power. Soon after though the team carted him to the locker room. This may have just been a precaution, but either way, it’s usually not a good sign when a player has to take the cart to the locker room. Gary’s agency…

A Kandersteg in Svizzera Robert Jasper e Wolfram Liebich hanno effettuato la prima salita della nuova via di ghiaccio e misto The Black Death (WI7/M8, E5, 250m). L’11 dicembre l’alpinista tedesco Robert Jasper ha aperto, assieme a Wolfram Liebich, una difficile e pericolosa via di ghiaccio e misto sopra Kandersteg in Svizzera. La linea, da lungo adocchiata da Jasper e salita al secondo tentativo, si snoda per 250 metri all’entra del Ueschenental, sulla parete NE del Gällihorns (2284m) e circa 800m a destra della via Walliser Cheeri. Jasper e Liebich hanno tentato la via la prima volta il 6 dicembre e, arrampicando tutto a vista, sono riusciti a salire fino…

Maurizio Sarri will miss Juventus’ first two Serie A matches as he recovers from pneumonia. The former Chelsea manager underwent further tests on Thursday which showed his condition had improved over the last couple of days. However, although the 60-year-old subsequently visited the training ground to speak to his staff he will not be on the bench when Juve kick-off the defence of their league title. “To completely recover from the pneumonia that hit him over the course of the past few days, the coach will not sit on the bench for the first two Serie A matches against Parma and Napoli,” said a statement from the club. “The decision…

Celtic have announced the return of goalkeeper Fraser Forster on loan from Southampton for the rest of the season. The former England international made 193 appearances for the Hoops, winning three league titles and two Scottish Cups, before joining Saints in 2014. Forster has returned to Scotland in a bid to secure regular first-team football after falling out of favour at St Mary’s. Forster told Celtic’s official website: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here, it feels like I’m coming home and I’m buzzing to be back at this great club. Now, I just want to get back training and get back playing. “The gaffer has always been brilliant with me,…

Steve Bruce has called for calm amid rising discontent over Newcastle’s winless start to the new Premier League season. A home defeat by Arsenal during the opening weekend of the campaign was followed by a comprehensive 3-1 reverse at promoted Norwich last weekend, prompting an angry reaction from fans already disenchanted by Rafael Benitez’s departure and Bruce’s appointment. And while not wanting to comment too much on those criticising him, Bruce used his pre-Tottenham press conference to highlight the fact he’s been in charge of the Magpies for just two games. The under-fire boss also discussed various other topics in his press conference, including the latest team news, Sean Longstaff,…

Liverpool are reportedly ‘on the verge’ of signing a record-breaking kit deal with Nike. The Reds’ current kit deal with New Balance expires at the end of the season and Anfield chiefs have been exploring their options as they seek to capitalise on their growth on and off the pitch. The club’s recent triumph in Europe and progression into Premier League title contenders makes them an exciting proposition for potential suitors. The deal with New Balance is believed to be £45m-a-year but Liverpool are aiming to secure a deal worth at least £75m-a-year, surpassing Man United‘s current sponsorship deal with Adidas. In March it was reported Liverpool were in ‘advanced…

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new contract with Liverpool. The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is now tied to the Merseyside club until 2023. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who moved to Anfield from Arsenal in the summer of 2017 for £35million, missed the majority of last season through injury but has returned to full fitness this term. “I feel like I missed out on a year, which I obviously did, so it’s really exciting for me to be able to sign,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told liverpoolfc.com. “It’s something that I feel is an opportunity to give that year back and make up for lost time – and hopefully put in some good performances to make amends for…

talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Friday’s papers and online… Manchester United are facing a £12m bill for Alexis Sanchez’s wages this season – even if the Chilean forward moves on loan to Inter Milan before next week’s European transfer deadline. (ESPN) Sanchez missed first-team training on Thursday – to make a trip to the US Embassy in London. (The Sun) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be able to use the £75m raised from Romelu Lukaku’s transfer to Inter Milan in January – FULL STORY United are close to agreeing a deal to sign former Tottenham and Spain forward Fernando Llorente on a free transfer. (Gazzetta dello Sport) Arsenal made approaches for two defenders…