July 31, 2021 Issue, Page 20 of 32

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July 31, 2021 Will softball ever get back on the Olympics roster? ‘We've shown that, globally, it’s a competitive sport.’ Now it’s up to the IOC. Stacy St. Clair, Chicago Tri- It's possible Los Angeles softball to the world as a major IOC's favor. The 2005 vote to a lot of interest in Europe. It’s an American sport.” bune 2028 and Brisbane 2032 or- sport.” eliminate softball and baseball a smaller following than in the Softball’s bid to sell itself at ganizers will bring softball And the silver: was held in secret and an exact United States, of course, but these Games took a significant YOKOHAMA, Japan — The and baseball back, giving both “Obviously we've shown reason for the beheading was it’s getting bigger. And the only hit when organizers banned Japanese softball team won its sports an extended opportu- that, globally, it’s a competi- never given. Some said it was way to get it to grow is to give fans from attending events second gold medal in Olym- nity to argue for their perma- tive sport,” American pitcher to shame baseball for its many it more exposure.” as part of COVID-19 precau- pic history Tuesday, toppling nent inclusion. If not, it’s hard Monica Abbott said. “There steroid scandals, while others Filler, who now lives in Buf- tions. Instead of playing before a favored American squad in to envision them ever return- are other sports that aren't as suggested it was to punish U.S. falo Grove, Ill., and serves as 35,000 fans at Yokohama Base- a fairy-tale finish for the host ing to the Olympics. competitive and other coun- baseball for sending college ball Stadium, they competed NU’s director of softball and in country. ‘This is why instead of seeing tries run the table, but they’re field hockey operations, played front of a couple dozen volun- kids and minor leaguers to the Except no one — not the the top three teams celebrat- not kicked out.” second base for Italy’s Olym- teers scattered throughout the Games instead of its biggest winner, nor the losers — ing their medals, the world ‘And finally the bronze: stars. pic team in Tokyo. (She is an cavernous ballpark. wants the story to end there. watched them begging the In- “This sport is so special to so Softball also paid the price Italian citizen through a great- “Not having fans hurt,” Fill- Softball made a one-off ap- ternational Olympic Commit- many people,” Canada’s Kelsey for being a so-called American grandparent.) The team went er said. “It would have been a pearance at these Games, a tee for their game’s survival. Harshman said. “It is such an sport, even though Japan has winless throughout the six- great way to grow the sport.” discretionary pick by a base- From the gold medalists: honor and privilege to be out won the past two gold medals team tournament, but Filler And if this is indeed soft- ball-loving host country. It “There will be no softball at here in this uniform and play awarded. It’s popularity has and other players described a ball’s final Olympic chapter, definitely won't be on the pro- the next Games, so this com- the sport we all love. I hope grown in Canada, Mexico, Aus- greater parity at these Games Filler believes the athletes can gram at the 2024 Games in petition means a lot,” Japa- that we were able to show a tralia and parts ofAsia, but de- than any in the past. be proud of the story they Paris, where breakdancing will nese slugger Eri Yamada said. glimpse of that to the world. tractors long have argued that So much parity that the wrote and the contributions make its debut as an Olympic “'m not only thinking about T hope the IOC takes into ac- the sport couldn’t draw inter- Americans had to settle for sil- they made in trying to save the (maybe, kinda) sport. winning but looking to spread count how many eyes are est in Europe. ver. Again. sport for future generations. watching.” “That's not true,” said for- “The competition speaks for “We'll be remembered as It’s difficult, however, for mer Northwestern softball itself” Filler said. “The compe- trailblazers,” she said. “We'll ESPN releases the athletes to know what ex- star Andrea Filler, who played tition was tough, a lot of the be remembered as a group that actly they need to do to win the professionally in Italy. “There's games were close. It’s not just went throughalot to get here.” statement in response Will the Thunder make a draft-night to Big 12’s cease and trade? It’s a safe bet desist letter Joe Mussatto, The Oklaho- (Craig Brackins), 26th pick Here's a look back at the (Daniel Hamilton) Jason Elmquist, Stillwater man (Quincy Pondexter) draft-night trades Presti has 2019 nouncing their intent to leave the league. Hornets trade: 11th pick made. There's been at least one Thunder trades: 21st pick NewsPress ‘The news broke at 4:23 p.m. (Cole Aldrich), Morris Peterson in nine of his 14 seasons as (Brandon Clarke) According to a report by The 2020 NBA Draft was still general manager. TRADE3 Grizzlies trade: 23rd_pick According to Pete Thamel of Ryan Black of the Manhattan three hours away, but Thunder 2007 ‘Thunder trades: 2011 sec- (Darius Bazley), 2024 second- Yahoo! Sports, the Big 12 Con- (Kansas) Mercury, he cited general manager Sam Presti TRADE 1 ond-round pick (Milan Mac- round pick ference has sent a “cease and sources that said “the letter is ad already made a trade. SuperSonics trade: Ray Al- van) 2020 desist” letter to ESPN amid the based on evidence the Big 12 As ESPN's Adrian Wojn- Jen, 35th pick Glen Davis) Heat trade: 48th pick (Lata- TRADE1 growing shift in conference re- gathered that ESPN executives arowski first reported, the Celtics trade: 5th pick (Jeff vious Williams) Thunder trades: 53rd pick alignment. Thunder dealt Danny Green Green), Wally _ Szczerbiak, (Cassius Winston), 2024 sec- Per Thamel, “The letter de- orchestrated the shakeup of and Terrance Ferguson to the Delonte West, 2008 second- Thunder trades: Sist pick ond-round pick the Big 12.” His report claims ‘76ers for Al Horford, the rights round pick (Trent Plaisted) (Magnum Rolle) Wizards trade: Admiral mands ESPN end ‘all actions the letter included ESPN had to Serbian guard Vasilije Micic TRADE2 Pacers trade: 57th pick (Ryan Schofield, 37th pick (Vit Kre- that may harm the conference “the intention of dissolving and two picks: the 34th pick SuperSonics trade: 31st pick Reid), cash jci) and its members and that it the league entirely.” in the 2020 draft (Theo Male- (Carl Landry) 2013 TRADE 2 not communicate with the Oklahoma State alumnus don), and a top-six protected Rockets trade: 2008 second- TRADE 1 ‘Thunder receives: 17th pick Big 12 Conference's existing Brett McMurphy of Stadium 2025 first-round pick. round pick (Sasha Kaun), cash Thunder trades: 29th pick (Aleksej Pokusevski), James members or an NCAA confer- Presti then made another 2008 (Archie Goodwin), cash Johnson, 2024 second-round reported sources who had trade, moving up to No. 17 to SuperSonics trade: 32nd Warriors trade: 26th pick pick ence regarding the Big 12 Con- similar sentiments about the ference’s members, possible situation. select Alekse} Pokusevski. ck (Walter Sharpe), 46th pick Knicks receive: 25th pick Phaisted) (Andre Roberson) conference realignment and Horford has since been TRADE 2 (Immanuel Quickley), Mathias potential financial incentive or McMurphy tweeted out his flipped to Boston for Kemba Pistons trade: 29th pick (D.J. ‘Thunder trades: cash Lessort, 2023 second-round source claims ESPN “contacted Walker and another pick — White) Trail Blazers trade: 40th pick pick outcomes related to possible other conferences ‘encourag- the 16th in the 2021 NBA 2009 (Grant Jerrett) Timberwolves receive: Ricky conference realignment.” ing’ them to take Big 12 schools Draft, which tips off at 7 p.m. Thunder trades: 25th pick 2015 Rubio, 23rd pick (Leandro Bol- Chuck Carlton of the Dal- ‘Thursday at Barclays Center in (Rodrigue Beaubois), 2010 Thunder trades: Jeremy maro), 28th pick (Jaden Mc- las Morning News confirmed so Big 12 dissolves, eliminat- Brooklyn. second-round pick (Solomon Lamb Daniels) ‘Thamel’s initial report regard- ing grant of rights.” Per Mc- ‘The Thunder is entering the Alabi Hornets trade: Luke Rid- TRADE 3 ing the letter, including “this Murphy, if the the league does draft with three first-round Mavericks trade: 24th pick nour, 2016 second-round pick Thunder trades: Terrance doesn't have anything to do dissolve, ESPN would not be picks (Nos. 6, 16 and 18) and (Byron Mullens) (Petr Cornelie) Ferguson, Danny Green, Vin- with derailing Texas/OU vote responsible for the final four three second-round picks (Nos. 2010 2016 cent Poirier tomorrow by the SEC. Told it’s years of the media rights deal 34, 36 and 55). TRADE 1 TRADE1 ‘76ers trade: Al Horford, 34th about ESPN ceasing and de- that is worth $1.06 billion. Odds are that at least one of ‘Thunder trades: 18th pick ‘Thunder trades: Serge Ibaka pick (Theo Maledon), Vasilije ‘The Big 12 appears to believe those picks will be traded. (Eric Bledsoe) Magic trades: Victor Ola- Micic, 2025 first-round pick sisting their actions regarding It wouldn't be a shock to see Clippers trade: 2012 first- dipo, Ersan Ilyasova, 11th pick NBA Draft all Big 12 members.” it has the evidence to back up the Thunder put together a round pick (later traded from (Domantas Sabonis) When: 7 p.m. Thursday ‘The letter is significant con- its claim, as well. package to move up a spot or OKC to Boston) TRADE2 Where: Barclays Center, sidering ESPN, “The World- Ina statement to the Associ- two into the top four or five TRADE2 ‘Thunder trades: Cash Brooklyn wide Leader in Sports,” has ated Press, Big 12 Conference — when Jalen S or Scot- Thunder trades: 21st pick Nuggets trade: 56th pick TV: ABC and ESPN interests in college athletics commissioner Bob Bowlsby tie Barnes could still be on the with TV deals with major con- stated, “I have absolute cer- board, Or maybe picks 16 and ferences, as well as the College tainty they (ESPN) have been 18 could be bundled for an- Football Playoff. involved in manipulating oth- other lottery pick in the 10-14 Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life chotces ESPN owns the SEC Net- er conferences to go after our range. And then there are the sec- work and Longhorn Network, members.” ond-round picks, which could and is partnered with the Big In an interview with CBS go in any number of directions. Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- 12 Conference in its stream- Sports, Bowlsby went as far Walker could also be dealt. sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer ing venture of Big 12 Now on as claiming ESPN was giving ‘The Thunder has more draft or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical ESPN+, which was part of its another conference incentives flexibility than any team be- most recent media rights deal to pluck programs from the cause it has (much) more fu- details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. between ESPN and the Big 12 Big 12 in an attempt to dis- ture draft picks than any team. Not only that, but the rebuild- that was signed in 2019 and solve the league. He specifi- ing Thunder also has plenty of For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: runs through 2025. cally identified the American salary cap space to house ex- It’s expected that with Okla- Athletic Conference as hav- homa and Texas applying for ing been approached by ESPN pensive contracts contending teams might want to dump. Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrat membership to the SEC ear- to get “3-5” Big 12 programs That kind of salary shed- lier this week, that ESPN could to join their league, with CBS roll the Longhorn Network — Sports stating Bowlsby sug- ding of course comes at a price, whether it’s a young player or Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care which the cable provider pays gest ESPN would reward the a pick attached as a sweetener roughly $10-15 million per AAC with “future television for the Thunder. With only seven guaranteed Some of the most common conditions are: year to Texas — into the SEC proceeds.” * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Dis se (CHF) Network. contracts on the books for next All of this comes on the heals Inan official statement from ESPN regarding the letter, the season, the Thunder has room to add six players with its six * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic of the SEC severing ties with cable provider stated, “The picks. But that would require Lateral Sclero: ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) CBS in December — which is Presti to stand pat, which is ¢ reportedly when OU and Texas in the letter have no hardly ever a safe bet. ¢ End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV were beginning discussions to End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer’s leave the Big 12 — and signed a $3 billion deal with Disney, real estate auction ESPN’s parent company, to carrle have exclusive rights to all SEC Perry RN Professional, Passionate games starting in 2024, WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS. It has also been reported worldwide real estate auction Advance, Attentive... that Oklahoma and Texas, if accepted into the SEC, would Our Difference Is Our Care buy out of their final few years 1 with the Big 12 Conference in order to start playing in the SEC in 2024. Have you ever considered becoming While everything is cen- tered around OU, Texas and a hospice volunteer? the SEC at the moment, the cease and desist would en- 40-Suit A fulfilling experience in the spirit compass the remaining eight Open Public Inspections 11-2pm Fri Aug 6 of giving and receiving. members of the league that ELK CITY, OK * 1030 W 7th St might be looking to part from 7,876+/- sf former Bed & Breakfast on 0.48+/- ac. Could be repurposed for the conference in its time of medical or treatment center, restaurant/coffee house, professional offices, boutique assisted living, wedding/event facility and more! weakness. A report earlier this week Auctions 9am Wed August 18 claimed Kansas and Iowa State Bid on location or ve online at @) auctionnetworkcom had “madea run” at joining the Big Ten in the wake of the Big 12's football blue bloods an- 1EY 0 ry neniceR REC 12972. BUYERS PEM MAY APPLY