The Banana Ball Championship League will bring its 2027 World Tour to five New York locations, including Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, where the Savannah Bananas will play two games.
The organization announced the schedule for its 2027 tour on Thursday, Oct. 15, during the Banana Ball City Selection Show. The tour will span 23 Major League Baseball stadiums, 10 football stadiums and 33 minor league baseball stadiums.
Although the Savannah Bananas will make just one stop in New York, other teams in the league will play in Cooperstown, Buffalo, Rochester and Brooklyn.
"Rochester has been clamoring for the opportunity to see the outstanding Banana Ball performers, and we have worked for some time to bring them to ESL Ballpark," Rochester Red Wings President, CEO and COO Naomi Silver said. "We are excited to make this happen and know it will be a huge hit for all."
Here's what to know about the 2027 tour's New York stops, which teams will play at each venue and how to enter the ticket lottery.

#rochester #tour #savannah #bananas

Gluckstadt is now less than two months away from welcoming its first multimillion-dollar sports venue.
The TD Select Baseball facility appears to be opening within six weeks, with the state-of-the-art $10 million baseball and soccer complex at 589 Stout Road set to be finished by late November.
Both TD Select owner Ty Dean and commercial estate developer Lee Sahler confirmed the November timeline after installing and watering the grass at the venue's outdoor baseball fields.
"The grass is down already and now we're just looking to get the lights and fence up so weather permitting we should be open within six weeks," Sahler told the Clarion Ledger.
Conceptualized as a youth development complex, TD Select Baseball will feature a 10,000-square-foot training indoor facility equipped with 10 batting cages.

#sahler #complex #gluckstadt

MONDAY
BASEBALL: ALCS
5p Game 6: Cleveland at Tampa Bay TBS TruTV
COLLEGE GOLF
1p

#alcs #college

Laurence Leavy, known as Marlins Man, coincidentally sat next to Dua Lipa and Callum Turner at the Yankees-Rays game on Oct. 7
The sports fan shared his experience with the power couple on social media, noting that he initially did not recognize the newlyweds
Tampa Bay beat New York 4-3 to complete an American League Division Series sweep
Imagine being seated next to Dua Lipa and Callum Turner at a baseball game?
That's exactly what happened to Laurence Leavy, better known online as "Marlins Man," who documented his experience sitting with the power couple at the New York Yankees' playoff game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

#rays

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — President Donald Trump, facing protesters and a poor political climate, fought to rally Texas voters behind Senate candidate Ken Paxton on Wednesday night in a bid to stave off sweeping Democratic victories in the nation's most populous red state.
But Trump's remarks were not focused solely on Paxton.
Speaking to a packed Freeman Coliseum, Trump also pledged to award retired baseball star Roger Clemens the Presidential Medal of Freedom, restated his support for the death penalty for drug dealers and clarified recent comments in which he talked about the possibility of Iran bombing American cities as part of a recurring riff about how high fuel costs are "a small price to pay" for the war.
"You want to see problems? Let them hit San Diego, let them hit Los Angeles," Trump said. "We're not going to let that happen. We protect our cities. We protect our country."
The president's message was interrupted repeatedly by protesters, including by one who appeared to be close to the stage. In all, at least a dozen demonstrators interrupted the president. Some were led away by police.

#president #cities #antonio

Roger Clemens is not in the National Baseball Hall of Fame but he will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
Clemens introduced Trump at a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday, with Trump dropping the announcement as the former pitcher stood nearby. During the announcement, Trump said he had played golf with Clemens earlier this year, which prompted him to call MLB commissioner Rob Manfred about his Hall of Fame case:
"We had a great time, he's an amazing guy. I said, 'I'm going to call the commissioner of baseball.' It's a ridiculous thing that you're not in the Hall of Fame with that kind of record. He won seven Cy Youngs!"
It's worth noting the MLB commissioner has no power over who gets into the Hall of Fame. That is determined first by voters from the Baseball Writers ******* ociation of America (BBWAA), then a committee of voters determined by the Hall of Fame itself.
Trump did successfully intervene on the part of the late Pete Rose last year, pushing Manfred to remove the league's all-time hits leader from the ineligible list. Clemens is not on that list, nor will Rose reach the Hall of Fame without a successful vote.

#Trump

At the end of 2025, Warren Buffett stepped down from his longtime position as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA)(NYSE: BRKB). Over the 61 years he ran the company, the stock produced incredible returns for shareholders, rising by more than six million percent. Over the same span, the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) gained 46,000%.
Clearly, Buffett earned the nickname the "Oracle of Omaha." But can you still benefit from his investment wisdom now that the 96-year-old investor is no longer with Berkshire Hathaway? You sure can!
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 14x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ******* ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
Buffett's investment approach is deceptively simple to explain. He liked to buy well-run businesses while they were attractively priced. Then he liked to hold for the long term, so he could benefit from the growth of the businesses in which he invested. That's something that any investor can do. And while all investment approaches go in and out of favor over time, this one has clearly proven itself to be a long-term winner.
That said, Buffett was also highly selective. He once described investing as a baseball game where they don't call ******* and strikes. His point was that you don't have to swing at every pitch, even though you should have a diversified portfolio. The Motley Fool recommends 50 stocks as a good portfolio size, but there are thousands of investments you could choose from. Once again, Buffett's advice is very good: Be selective.

#hathaway #once #investor

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's friend has reportedly suggested that the couple's recent romantic photos from their UK outing may carry a deeper meaning. The Duke and ***** ss of Sussex were recently photographed holding hands during a lunch date at a Cotswold pub. Notably, the outing marked the couple's first public appearance together since reportedly relocating back to the UK on August 26.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's friend told Rob Shuter that the photos from the couple's recent UK outing were taken with intention and purpose. For those unfamiliar, The Sun published exclusive images of the Sussexes on October 2, showing Harry and Meghan holding hands as they arrived at The Falkland Arms pub in the Cotswolds on October 1.
The couple opted for subtly coordinated dark-toned outfits, and both wore sunglasses during the outing. The "Suits" star wore an all-black ensemble with her hair loose, while the Duke of Sussex sported an olive-green fall jacket and a baseball cap.
The friend claimed, "This has Meghan's fingerprints all over it." The source explained that Markle is highly familiar with the worlds of media, photography, and publicity. According to the friend, she understood that the timing was right to send a pointed message to their critics and naysayers through the loved-up images.
A media insider also weighed in on the couple's recent UK outing, arguing that the paparazzi did not simply happen to capture the pair. Instead, the insider claimed that Harry and Meghan provided ample opportunities to be photographed.

#outing #duke

Justin and Hailey Bieber's toddler son, Jack Blues, made a cameo in his father's pictures from the family's recent outing at a zoo. On October 3, the Canadian musician took to his official Instagram page to share a glimpse into his family life with his fans. This included pictures from his roaring-good adventures with his son.
Justin Bieber posted a new carousel of photos, bringing fans along for his adventures with son Jack Blues and their furry friends at the zoo. The cover photo captured Jack holding his dad's hand while they hung out with kangaroos. The Company crooner fed a baby kangaroo out of the palm of his other hand.
Bieber wore an off-white tee and white shorts, paired with a camouflage bucket hat and sporty sunglasses. Meanwhile, his son sported a ribbed white tank top and green shorts. The 12th slide showed Hailey Bieber holding her son in her arms as they fed a leaf to a giraffe. The Rhode founder wore a red baseball hat with her loose hair falling down her back. He captioned the photo dump with a single lip emoji.
In September, the 32-year-old shared adorable father-son moments on Instagram as the little one held onto his father's hand. He was wearing a green hoodie with relaxed trousers, while Jack Blues was dressed in a blue tee, denim, and a cerulean blue hat. In the caption, there was a single red heart.
The couple celebrated their son's second birthday on August 22. To celebrate the milestone, the runway star shared a carousel of photos featuring many sweet moments from the life of the family of three. She also included a clip of Jack Blues playing golf. He was wearing graphic-printed trousers and a matching full-sleeved tee as he swung the little golf club.

#jack #bieber #white #family

Meghann Fahy soaked up the sunshine with boyfriend Leo Woodall in holiday photographs shared on Instagram, posing in a red micro bikini during their tropical getaway.
The White Lotus actress, 36, reclined on a sunlounger wearing a textured triangle top with delicate straps, accessorising with oval sunglasses, small hoop earrings and slim bracelets.
Leo also appeared in the collection, floating on his back in turquoise water wearing bright blue swimming shorts. Behind him, a white sandy beach was lined with palm trees and villas. Meghann's blonde hair was swept back as she relaxed against a pale blue towel, with cream parasols providing shade nearby.
Meghann showcased her toned physique in a micro bikini (@ Instagram)
Another photograph showed her kneeling on a bright blue paddleboard, pairing her red bikini top with magenta bottoms and an orange baseball cap as she explored the water.

#meghann #micro #back

Originally appeared on E! Online
Ciara is 1,2 Step-ping down the runway.
The "Goodies" singer—who is expecting her fifth baby, her fourth with husband Russell Wilson—showed off her growing baby ****** p while walking the runway at the Junya Watanabe show as part of Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on Oct. 3.
Ciara—mom to Sienna, 9, Win, 6, and Amora, 2, with Russell, along with Future, 12, with ex Future—had the crowd saying "Oh" as she stepped out wearing a body-hugging plum crop top and matching legging set, which revealed a glimpse of her bare belly.
Over the dark purple ensemble, which also featured bright, pink-colored panel accents, the 40-year-old sported a khaki cape-style trench coat, and rocked a black baseball hat, studded statement belt and shiny red heels for accessories.

#future #baby #step

While the Los Angeles Dodgers are on the quest to three-peat by opening the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, the wives have stolen show.
Tanner Scott's wife, Maddie Scott, posted a series of photos on Instagram showing off her belly ***** p, alongside Tyler Glasnow's wife, Meghan Glasnow, and Will Smith's wife, Cara Martinell Smith, who are also pregnant.
Maddie Scott shows off her baby ***** p with her son Bo. Instagram / Maddieeescott
Maddie Scott posted a series of photos on her Instagram, with the caption, "it's time for October baseball
."

#posted #angeles #Dodgers

A quiet pub lunch for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has created considerably more noise online. The Duke and ****** ss of Sussex were photographed holding hands while walking to a historic Cotswolds pub during their latest stay in Britain. Although the couple reportedly behaved like ordinary customers once inside, their photographed arrival quickly became the focus of a heated debate. Critics accused the Sussexes of importing a "Hollywood circus" into the picturesque English countryside, while others questioned why two private citizens grabbing lunch had become news at all.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Harry and Meghan were photographed heading to The Falkland Arms in Great Tew, Oxfordshire, on October 1, marking their first joint public outing in Britain since returning to the country. According to The Sun, the couple held hands as they approached the traditional 16th-century pub. Meghan wore an all-black ensemble with contrasting white shoes, while Harry dressed casually in jeans and a jacket. He completed his outfit with a Santa Barbara Fire Department baseball cap. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were reportedly at school during the outing. The couple apparently opted for hearty British dishes once inside. Meghan reportedly ordered gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce, while Harry selected chicken, ham and leek pie served with mashed potatoes, greens and gravy.
MEGA
The cozy outing drew a considerably less welcoming response from some social-media users.

#reportedly

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are settling into their life in the U.K.
In photos shared and published by The Sun, Harry, 42, and Meghan, 45, were seen holding hands as they made their way to lunch at a pub in the Cotswolds called The Falkland Arms.
The Sussexes were dressed down for the occasion, with Meghan opting for an all-black look in a sweater and jeans, which she paired with white sneakers. Harry, meanwhile, wore a light puffer jacket, gray T-shirt and jeans, completing the outfit with a pair of sneakers and a Santa Barbara fire department baseball cap, a nod to their former U.S. home.
The pair each sported sunglasses, keeping a relatively low profile as they were seen looking at a menu board outside the 16th-century pub in Great Tew, Oxfordshire.
According to the outlet, Meghan ate gluten-free beer-battered haddock and chips with mushy peas and tartar sauce, while Harry enjoyed a chicken, ham and leek pie with seasonal greens, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.

#meghan #pair #markle #cotswolds

Paul Skenes honored his girlfriend Olivia "Livvy" Dunne's birthday with some adorable photos!
On Thursday, October 1, the retired gymnast turned 24, and the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, also 24, posted an Instagram carousel filled with photos of them to mark the occasion.
The cover shot is a snap of the couple smiling on a rooftop. Skenes wore a striped **** on-down shirt, dark pants and sneakers, while Dunne donned a matching red top-and-skirt set with flip-flops.
Instagram / paulskenes
Next, the MLB star included a candid shot of him and the influencer, both dressed up for the New York Baseball Writers' Gala in January — with Skenes sporting a bow tie and **** on-down and Dunne wearing a strapless red dress — looking at each other.

#dunne

Major League Baseball (MLB) leadership is no longer considering holding a game inside a national park, according to a letter commissioner Robert Manfred sent to officials in Teton county, Wyoming, on Thursday in what could be the league's biggest swing-and-a-miss off the diamond.
On 26 September, the Washington Post reported that MLB had reached out to the White House about staging a one-day game at Grand Teton national park in Wyoming. Teton county describes itself as a "a year-round resort community" and sits within the Jackson Hole valley. It's also a habitat for grizzly bears, osprey, bison and more.
News of MLB's outreach to the federal government quickly sparked concern about the impact that erecting a field and the infrastructure to hold spectators could have on the natural landscape and habitat of scores of wildlife that call the 310,000-acre (125,500-hectare) park home.
In the letter, Manfred noted that MLB had held games at places like the Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina and the nation's oldest Negro Leagues stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. He added that MLB staff had been doing their due diligence to see whether a game at Grand Teton was possible and to evaluate the potential environmental impact.
"Since the story was reported, it has become clear that the local community does not want us to continue Grand Teton national park as a potential site," Manfred wrote.

#park #national

Meghan Markle is giving fans a casual glimpse behind the scenes as she rolls out her latest holiday project, and her fresh-faced appearance is getting almost as much attention as what she has been working on. The ******* ss of Sussex appeared makeup-free in an Instagram Story shared on October 1, offering a relaxed look at preparations for the first-ever Advent calendar from her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
The short video showed Meghan riding in a golf cart alongside Jonathan Grahm, creative director and chief chocolatier of Compartés. According to InStyle, the footage appears to have been filmed around Meghan and Prince Harry's Montecito property in California.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Montecito estate (@ Grosby Group)
Meghan kept things casual. She appeared fresh-faced in a baseball cap and sweatshirt while smiling for the camera, creating a candid contrast to the more glamorous promotional images accompanying the new holiday release.
Meghan Markle fresh-faced appearance (@ Meghan Markle)

#holiday #appearance

Catherine Zeta-Jones described what a perfect day off looks like for her and husband Michael Douglas in a new interview
Zeta-Jones and Douglas met in 1998 and married in 2000; they share son Dylan, 26, and daughter Carys, 23
Zeta-Jones will next appear on the big screen in December's The Gallerist, on top of her new AMC+ series Kill Jackie
Catherine Zeta-Jones is sharing what her ideal day with her husband of nearly 26 years, Michael Douglas, looks like.
"Well, we always say we should get out more. We've been historic homebodies," Zeta-Jones, 57, told AARP Movies for Grownups in a new interview published Wednesday, Sept. 30, when asked what an ideal date night for her and Douglas, 82, looks like. "We're big sports fans. So if there's a game on, we're watching it. I mean, every sport. I only follow baseball when the World Series starts to get going. I get really into it."

#catherine #michael #series

Meghan Markle shared an Instagram Story on October 1 where she appeared to be makeup-free.
Wearing a baseball cap from her recent visit to Australia alongside her husband, Prince Harry, the As Ever founder is seen riding around what looks to be their Montecito, California, estate.
She was joined in the clip by Jonathan Grahm of Compartés, which As Ever is collaborating with on a new product.
Meghan Markle and her family now call the U.K. home again, but it seems that their Montecito, California estate—and Christmas—are on her mind.
On October 1, the As Ever founder posted an Instagram Story where she appeared to be makeup-free as she rode around in a golf cart with Jonathan Grahm, creative director and chief chocolatier of Compartés. The two drove around what looks to be the grounds of Meghan and Prince Harry's Montecito home, which they still own despite relocating to the United Kingdom in late August.

#montecito #markle #story

Ben Affleck once escaped a terrifying teenage mugging after recognizing the boys holding him at knifepoint. Years later, he learned one of those boys had killed someone and served 20 years in prison.
The actor recently revisited the encounter while reflecting on his childhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. What began as a frightening walk home eventually became a memory that followed him into parenthood.
Affleck shared the story during an interview with Kerry Washington on her Street You Grew Up On podcast. He recalled walking home from high school at around 15 when two boys in hoods crossed the street toward him. Affleck initially considered running but decided against it. "They pass me, grab me, take a knife out: 'Gimme your money,'" he recalled. "And I was like, 'Oh!' I was scared."
The situation changed when Affleck recognized the teenagers from playing baseball. The boys also recognized him, turning the encounter from a mugging into a strange neighborhood exchange. "So I was like, 'I guess I'm off the hook?'" he remembered. Affleck later discovered that one of the boys had taken a much darker path. "That kid who robbed me ended up three or four years later killing somebody with a knife and going to prison for 20 years," he said.
He also admitted that he never told his mother about the incident. Affleck said he avoided worrying her and now regretted keeping difficult experiences to himself. "I didn't wanna worry her. I didn't wanna scare her," he explained. That silence became especially meaningful after Affleck became a father. "You guys know you can tell me anything. Anything! I'm so cool with anything you have to say," he recalled telling his children.

#mugging #prison

The San Francisco Giants have endured the bad, the worse and the ugly throughout a 2026 campaign that started with high hopes and landed with bleak realities.
The Giants have been among the most disappointing teams in Major League Baseball this season. There was optimism in San Francisco when the team brought in first-year manager Tony Vitello from the college ranks with no previous MLB experience. Many experts predicted that the Giants would win 82 games and maybe even sneak into a wild-card berth. It would have been the most success the team has seen in nearly a half decade.
Then the season began and things shifted immediately. San Francisco isn't anywhere near discussions of making a postseason appearance. Instead, the Giants have the second-worst record in the National League (only the division-rival Colorado Rockies have a worse record).
The Giants haven't had the play they were expecting on the diamond. The Giants lacked depth in the bullpen, dealt with a series of injuries which contorted lineups, and key players just looked like a shell of themselves through large parts of the season. Vitello has been ejected from multiple games this season. Frustration has settled in San Francisco like fog covering the Golden Gate Bridge.
It's since seemed like a salvageable season after seeing younger prospects such as Bryce Eldridge see the field more. After a sluggish start, Rafael Devers found his bat as of late and is nearing a 40-homer season. There are few positive takeaways from the Giants this year, which leaves a little excitement for the next season.

#team

One of the longest-tenured members of the Houston Astros leadership will be taking his talents to the East Coast to try out a new professional sport.
On Monday afternoon, the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins announced the appointment of Marcel Braithwaite as the team's new President of Business Operations.
Braithwaite has been promoted to the new role after 14 years with the Houston Astros. He notably served as the Senior Vice President of Business Operations and was one of the initial hires under the Jim Crane-led baseball organization.
"It's an honor to join the Penguins at such an exciting time under new ownership," said Braithwaite. "I am grateful to the Astros and look forward to serving the employees, fans and city of Pittsburgh by bringing a winning culture to this franchise alongside Geoff, Kyle and the rest of this talented Front Office."
As a member of the Astros' Executive leadership team, Braithwaite guided the franchise through several ballpark renovations, security upgrades and naming rights negotiations, ensuring the business maximized revenue opportunities while providing a best-in-class fan experience.

#astros #braithwaite #houston

The Arizona Diamondbacks are trying to clinch a postseason spot in the final two weeks of the regular season and are adding some help.
The Diamondbacks claimed outfielder Jesús Sánchez off waivers after he was designated for **** ignment by the Toronto Blue Jays. Sánchez is not having the worst season, but the Blue Jays designated him for **** ignment to call up Rudy Martin Jr.
Sánchez has a .734 OPS this season, but has hit much better against righties. The Diamondbacks will likely use him in a platoon role, hoping he can help them out the rest of the way. They are picking up the remainder of his salary for this season, and he is under club control for next season.
The Diamondbacks are 2 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres for a wild card spot, so they have some ground to cover the rest of the way. They finish the season with a three-game series against the Padres, which could decide who makes the postseason.
Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand-new baseball lifestyle brand!

#season #diamondbacks #spot #Help

Since his debut in 2018, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been one of baseball's most exciting players. His power-speed combo has made him one of the sport's best players. In 2019, Acuña fell just short of the elusive 40/40 club. In 156 games, he tallied 41 home runs and 37 stolen bases, which led the National League.
He was on an MVP trajectory in 2021. In 82 games that season, Acuña had a .990 OPS with 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases. Unfortunately, everything changed on July 10 when he tore his ACL attempting to make a leaping catch at the wall down in Miami. During his first three and a half seasons, Acuña was on the fast track to the Hall of Fame. His injury not only slowed that down, but it also raised questions about whether he'd ever be the same again.
The Braves eventually won the World Series, but Acuña was sidelined and could only celebrate from the dugout. Still, though, he received a World Series ring on Opening Day in 2022. He would return to action on April 28 against the Chicago Cubs. However, it was clear that Acuña wasn't the same player. In 119 games, he only hit 15 home runs, and his OPS dropped to .764—the worst mark of his career. It seemed he would never be the same again, but Acuña quieted the doubters with one of the greatest individual seasons in MLB history.
Acuña didn't just make history; the Braves did, too. In 2023, Atlanta finished with the best record in MLB (104-58). That year, they tied the MLB record for home runs in a season (307). Three players, including Acuña (41), hit at least 40 home runs that season. In 2023, MLB also made a slew of rule changes, including making the bases 18 inches. The extra three inches, along with the new pickoff rule, were meant to influence more action on the base paths.
Acuña took full advantage by stealing 73 bases that season. In the process, he became the first, and only, player to hit at least 40 home runs and steal at least 70 bases. Along the way, he also became the first and only player to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 60 bases.

#home #least

The Milwaukee Brewers' magic number is down to two. That means two Milwaukee wins + Chicago Cubs losses and the Brewers will officially clinch the National League Central division ****** le. The team has already clinched a playoff spot and postseason tickets are available now.
This is the second consecutive year that Brewers fans have enjoyed such impressive play from Milwaukee. In 2025, the Brewers finished with a 97-65 record, the best in baseball. The team currently has 93 wins with 12 games to go, and a real shot at hitting 100 wins for the first time in franchise history.
SHOP: Milwaukee Brewers 2026 MLB postseason tickets
The Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS in 2025, before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. If there's a rematch, there's a grudge and I know I'm not alone in hoping for a different outcome this time around.
Below, we'll breakdown everything you need to know about the Milwaukee Brewers postseason scenarios—including how to buy Brewers playoff tickets:

#wins

It's once again clinching season in Major League Baseball.
The postseason is rapidly approaching, and the field for this year's World Series race is starting to take shape. While much of the National League picture appears close to being settled, several American League races remain wide open, with division **** les, wild-card spots and postseason seeding still up for grabs.
Here's a look at every team that has clinched a playoff berth, which clubs are closing in and what the postseason bracket would look like if the season ended today.
MLB POWER RANKINGS: Can Vlad Jr., Blue Jays wake up in time for playoffs?

#league

Eli Willits has made his primary goal crystal clear ever since he joined the Nationals organization. He wants to be a big leaguer by the time he is 20 years old. For most players, that is a pipe dream. However, Eli Willits is not most players and he made that very obvious this season.
The 18 year old just finished his first professional season in style. Willits got promoted to Double-A for the last week of the season. While he only got to play three games, the last one was legendary. Willits had a four hit game which included his first AA home run and two stolen bases. It was an amazing final act to a wonderful season.
With Willits finishing the season in AA, he is putting himself in position to make a debut late in 2027. Despite being such a young player, Willits is remarkably polished. This comes from being the son of a big leaguer and being obsessed with the game ever since he could walk.
When I talked to Willits earlier this season, it was very clear that three things truly mattered to him. Eli Willits is all about family, faith and baseball. You will be hard pressed to find a more business-like 18 year old out there. As Willits put it, he grew up in an MLB clubhouse and it is easy to see that.
That baseball IQ manifests itself on the field. When I watched Willits for the first time in Low-A, the thing that stuck out to me most was how natural he looked. Willits looked like a big league caliber defender at shortstop already. While many young shortstops, even the defensively gifted ones make a lot of errors, Willits is already so secure. He only made 8 errors all season as an 18 year old.

#season #year

Savannah Bananas TV schedule 2026: Dates, times, channels, live streams to watch Banana Ball games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Banana Ball is back for 2026, and bigger than ever.
The baseball-adjacent traveling roadshow has added two additional teams for this season in the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns, a resurrected Negro Leagues brand.
That makes six teams, led by the flagship Savannah Bananas, set to crisscross the country from February through October in appearances at MLB venues including Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field, plus NFL, college football and minor league baseball stadiums.
While tickets see the Bananas in person have become increasingly difficult to acquire, Banana Ball has expanded its broadcast schedule for 2026, allowing fans everywhere to watch the show from the comfort of their homes.

#banana #watch

Sep. 14—The term sabermetrics was first coined by Bill James in 1980. It took quite a bit longer, however, for the idea to catch on with the baseball populace, but eventually acronyms like WAR, VORP and UZR caught on as a way to ****** yze the sport.
Analytics are equally as important these days in college basketball. It's why you hear Illinois coach Brad Underwood constantly referencing his team's adjusted offensive efficiency and offensive rebounding rate. Paid services like Synergy give coaching staffs an ****** ytical breakdown of their team to the finest detail.
Publicly available sites like , and , however, have broadened the usage and acceptance of a different way to follow and break down the sport. (KenPom and CBBAnalytics do have a subscription piece but are drastically cheaper than Synergy).
It's through those sites Illinois fans could track one of the most efficient offenses in the modern era during the 2025-26 season. The Illini eventually finished second in adjusted offensive efficiency behind Purdue last season. That particular metric was helped by the Illini not turning the ball over (eighth in turnover rate) and dominating the offensive glass (third in offensive rebounding rate).
One particular metric Illinois tracks is shot volume.

#like #rate #synergy

SUNDAY
BASEBALL
10:30a
Houston at Tampa Bay MLB Net
1p

#sunday #Baseball #houston