Sports

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — MLB has clarified its new rules to allow umpires to delay the start of the pitch clock after swings in which a hitter loses footing or when a pitcher covers first base, third or home. The commissioner’s office also said in a memo Wednesday that

ZURICH (AP) — Russia and Belarus teams have been excluded by the International Ice Hockey Federation from all its world championships next season. The decision includes the 2024 women’s event being hosted in the United States. The IIHF cites security concerns for players, competition staff and fans because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It will

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — In a season that saw Texas fire head coach Chris Beard after a felony domestic violence arrest, it has allowed Longhorns freshman reserve guard Arterio Morris to play while awaiting trial on a misdemeanor charge of assaulting an ex-girlfriend. Texas and interim coach Rodney Terry

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer Wichita State hired Paul Mills away from Oral Roberts to turn around its languishing men’s basketball program. The Shockers landed what has been one of the hottest names among mid-major coaches. Mills led the the Golden Eagles to two of the past thre NCAA Tournaments. He engineered upsets of

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Defending champion Iga Swiatek has pulled out of the Miami Open because of a rib injury. The No. 1-ranked Swiatek was supposed to face Claire Liu in the second round on Thursday. Instead, Liu’s opponent will be 94th-ranked Julia Grabher. As a seeded player, Swiatek received a first-round bye in

ISTANBUL (AP) — Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil has retired from soccer at the age of 34. The 2014 World Cup winner says injuries made it “more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.” His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer Aliyah Boston recalls her parents prodding her to be more active on social media, to extend her brand as her basketball prowess began to draw national attention. She said she would be more active — and then post just one photo in two months, which is no way for

By The Associated Press Sports on TV for Thursday, March 23

The Associated Press Sports on TV for March 27-April 2

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple TV+ will begin its second season of “Friday Night Baseball” on April 7. The Chicago Cubs will host the Texas Rangers in a day game, followed by the San Diego Padres facing the Atlanta Braves. Apple will carry twin bills over 25 weeks with no local blackout restrictions. In a

BONIFAY, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say suspended Alabama freshman defensive back Tony Mitchell drove over 141 mph while trying to evade deputies before his arrest on drug charges in the Florida Panhandle last week. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office says Mitchell and his passenger were arrested last Wednesday and charged with possession of marijuana with

LYON, France (AP) — French soccer club Lyon has condemned the online racist abuse suffered by midfielder Houssem Aouar after he chose to represent Algeria despite previously playing for France’s national team. The 24-year-old Aouar has French and Algerian nationality. He decided to make the switch to play for Algeria last week and posted a

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Ivan Toney has been racially abused and faces a potential ban for allegedly breaking gambling rules. Yet only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more Premier League goals than him this season. Toney faces an uncertain future but his form made it impossible for

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer MIAMI (AP) — This year’s World Baseball Classic left lasting memories, 47 games over two weeks that restored Japan’s supremacy and reinforced Shohei Ohtani’s unmatched ability while expanding the sport’s global footprint. While not a global fixation like soccer’s World Cup, the event has grown though its five editions

LONDON (AP) — The proposed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since 2000 is on shaky ground with the boxers seemingly unable to agree to rematch terms. Usyk promoter Alex Krassyuk says the Ukrainian’s team ended negotiations because Fury was “putting so many obstacles in front

ISTANBUL (AP) — Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil has retired from soccer at the age of 34. The 2014 World Cup winner says injuries made it “more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.” His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir.