Impunity of the NFL

By SALLY JENKINS, Washington Post

(May 10) – Read the latest legal filings against the NFL and the question that comes to mind is, where are the cops when you need them? There is direct evidence that the NFL’s medical personnel knowingly engaged in illegal painkiller abuses, yet federal law enforcement and other government arms have sat conspicuously on their hands, and have yet to issue so much as slap a wrist to the league. What’s needed and deserved here is a smack with a big stick.

Five Cuban players sign with Can-Am league

Pitcher Lázaro Blanco, and infielders Yurisbel Gracial and Yordan Manduley will be representing Les Capitales de Québec; while Miguel Lahera, also a pitcher, will play alongside shortstop Alexander Ayala in the ranks of Les Aigles de Trois-Rivières | Michel Contreras

Five Cuban baseball players that will participate in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am) League, signed their respective contracts on May 5, in the protocol lounge of Havana’s Latinoamericano Stadium.

Pitcher Lázaro Blanco, and infielders Yurisbel Gracial and Yordan Manduley will be representing Les Capitales de Québec; while Miguel Lahera, also a pitcher, will play alongside shortstop Alexander Ayala in the ranks of Les Aigles de Trois-Rivières
According to Michel Laplante, Can-Am vice president, outfielder Julio Pablo Martínez will join the Quebec franchise at a later date, given delays processing his visa.

Speaking to the press gathered at the stadium, Manduley stated, “Last year I was only able to participate in two games, and now I’ll try to repay the team for the trust they have placed in me after signing me again.”

For his part, Blanco hopes that his participation in the league will help raise his level of play, “It’s a challenging league with a higher level than that of the National Series. I still don’t know if I’ll be playing as an opener or reliever.”

Finally, Gracial noted,“I played as shortstop after Manduley was injured in the previous season, but now I hope to play third-base as usual, and contribute more in the way of offence and defence.”

Meanwhile, it was also announced that another four players are set to join the ranks of Can-Am league teams, including receiver Yulexis La Rosa, shortstop Yorbis Borroto, and pitchers Ian Rendón and Noelvis Entenza.

Canada beats US sled hockey team for world title

By NICK ZACCARDI

(April 20 ) – The U.S. sled hockey team’s first loss this season came in its most pivotal game.

Canada easily dispatched the U.S. 4-1 in the world championship final, keeping the Americans from claiming back-to-back world titles en route to the Paralympics next year.

Canada scored two goals in each of the first two periods on Steve Cash, who had shut out Russia in the 2014 Paralympic final and Canada in the 2015 Worlds final.

The U.S. avoided a shutout with a Nikko Landeros goal late in the third period.

The U.S. entered the gold-medal game at the 2018 Paralympic site of Gangneung, South Korea, on a tear. They had won all 11 games this season, including six at worlds by a 38-2 margin (with a 2-1 win over Canada in group play).

The team was playing its first tournament since the death of coach Jeff Sauer on Feb. 2 due to pancreatic cancer at age 73.

In Sochi, Sauer coached the U.S. sled hockey team to a repeat Paralympic title, the start of a string of six straight international titles that was snapped Thursday.

– NBC sports (Thanks Marty for the link)

48 selections in FIFA World Cup

The Council of the International Football Federation (FIFA) has approved the proposal to increase the number of teams participating in the World Cups from 32 to 48.

Sighting. Sport and nature: a perfect combination

Enjoy some of the moments of the Titan Tropic Cuba …

Cyclists pedaling for stage four-Viñales Viñales (73 km), in Pinar del Rio, the first edition of the Titan Tropic Cuba by GAES of Mountain Bike. (Calixto Llanes / Juventud Rebelde)

O Canada, Land of the Obese?

For four years and counting, Canadian kids have received a failing grade (D-) in their overall physical activity skills, according to ParticipACTION’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Only 9% of kids (between the ages of 5 and 17) get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. 

Why it’s time to get outside