Connect with us

Published

on

LOS ANGELES — In the wake of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal, Alabama has taken extra precautions to avoid any potential intrusions by changing the way its players watch practice film in advance of the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

“We’re just trying to secure our stuff,” Alabama running back Jase McClellan said. “[The coaches] didn’t do much explaining. They just did it, told us and we adjusted to it.”

According to several players who spoke Thursday, while they typically had been able to have film on their iPads and take it home to watch it on their own time, players have no longer been able to do that as they prepare for the playoff game.

“I think they said Michigan was stealing signs the first eight weeks or something like that,” wide receiver Isaiah Bond said of the allegations. “So we’re just watching film with the team, because we’re not allowed to watch film on our own; we don’t want any stuff like that happening again.”

As Michigan has been accused of stealing opponents’ signals this season, opponents have changed their in-game signs and the way they communicate them as well.

Not only does Alabama appear to have instructed its players to avoid using their iPads for film study but, as McClellan explained, the team isn’t uploading practice film to players’ devices anymore, instead keeping it in the main computer system for players to watch with their position groups while at the practice facility.

“We just have to go to a different location to watch film, but we’re all watching the film as we normally would for a normal game,” offensive lineman Tyler Booker said. “It could be a connection because the way the film is set up with the server. All that we know is that we have to go out and treat the preparation like any other game.”

“We get used to it; we watch film on a daily basis, but on our own time we don’t get to watch it on our own now,” McClellan said. “We just come all together to watch it. I don’t see it as a disadvantage; we have had a couple of weeks to watch film.”

Although several Alabama players acknowledged the technical changes in film consumption, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees refused to answer any questions regarding the subject.

“I’m not going to get into the whole film thing like that,” Rees said. “I’m not talking about it. Like I said, our job is to give our players the best chance to have success on the field. We’re focused on what we’re trying to do, and that’s really it.”

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe also brushed aside the notion of not being able to watch film individually and whether that’s affecting the team’s preparation.

“Well, I watch film all day,” Milroe said. “That’s something that I’ve done because the biggest thing was try to be most prepared for all situations in the game. And so I’m watching the film as much as possible and I can’t really speak on that, but for me, I’m preparing as much as possible.”

Offensive tackle JC Latham said that on any given week he would use any free time during recovery or eating at home to watch film, but given the changes, it has altered the way he has had to consume tape.

“I definitely watch it more in-depth now because I can’t do it at home,” Latham said.

As for whether the extra care will factor in when an undefeated Michigan team faces the Tide, Bond said he believes the difference is negligible, especially once the game begins.

“It honestly doesn’t even matter to me because at end of the day they still got to go on the field to play us,” Bond said. “You can know my route, but they still got to guard me at the end of the day.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

Published

on

By

Hard-throwing rookie Misiorowski going to ASG

Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.

Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.

The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.

If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.

Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.

“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”

Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.

“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”

Carlos Rodón, Carlos Estévez and Casey Mize were named replacement pitchers on the AL roster.

The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.

In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.

“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”

The Kansas City Royals‘ Estévez replaces Texas’ Jacob deGrom, who is scheduled to start at Houston on Saturday night. Estévez was a 2023 All-Star when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.

Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.

Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.

The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”

Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.

Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.

San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.

Continue Reading

Sports

Twins SS Correa helped off with sprained ankle

Published

on

By

Twins SS Correa helped off with sprained ankle

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa had to be helped off the field after injuring his right ankle when Pittsburgh‘s Tommy Pham slid into him at second base.

Pham was trying to get to second on his liner off the wall in right field in the seventh inning of the Twins’ 2-1 victory Friday night. Right fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s throw beat Pham, whose batting helmet made contact with Correa’s lower leg.

Correa rolled over and stayed on the ground before leaving the game. Brooks Lee moved from second base to shortstop to replace Correa. The team said Correa had a mild ankle sprain.

Correa said X-rays were negative and that he expects to sit out Saturday’s game, adding that he “hopefully” can play on Sunday, according to MLB.com.

The 30-year-old Correa is already in his 11th big league season and has been a mainstay at shortstop for the Twins since signing as a free agent in 2022. He missed about half of last season with a concussion and a plantar fascia injury, the latter of which kept him from playing in the All-Star Game after he was chosen for the third time.

Continue Reading

Sports

Acuña replaced in HR Derby by teammate Olson

Published

on

By

Acuña replaced in HR Derby by teammate Olson

ATLANTA — Ronald Acuña Jr. won’t participate in the Home Run Derby, replaced Friday by Atlanta teammate and fellow All-Star Matt Olson.

Acuña is a starting outfielder for the National League and still is expected to play in the All-Star Game on his home field. Olson is a reserve infielder.

Instead of Acuña, Olson will try to become the first Atlanta player to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night. He could become the fourth to win at home. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night.

Olson competed in the 2021 Derby while with the Athletics. He was eliminated in the first round. The 31-year-old entered the weekend with 17 homers this season.

The other scheduled participants are Brent Rooker, the first for the Athletics since Olson, along with Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Yankees, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and James Wood of Washington.

Continue Reading

Trending