Sports Random, Random

[ptmcmahon]

That was a very strange closing round for sure!

[ti-amie]

[Fastbackss]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/busi ... ating.html

Good article about a squash players questionable actions during matches

[ponchi101]

Paywall. Can you give a brief summary?

[Fastbackss]

Paywall. Can you give a brief summary?

There are some "expectations" that are implied as part of the game with regard to allowing free-flowing movement of the players since in a confined space.

He consistently impedes their movement, including with grabbing and even an alleged crotch shot.

He's now #1 in the world and seems to be generally unliked by the other players. A YouTube page has appeared that chronicles (seemingly only) his questionable actions

[ti-amie]

[ponchi101]

He is so (expletive) senile.
Why can't people see it?

[ti-amie]

He is so (expletive) senile.
Why can't people see it?

They "can't see it" because then the thorny question of who exactly is running the US government would have to be asked.

[Fastbackss]

Hey - he got Newark airport shut down for 4 hours - he better be able to lift the trophy

[ti-amie]

Hey - he got Newark airport shut down for 4 hours - he better be able to lift the trophy

People are really pissed off about that airport closing for that length of time too.

[ti-amie]

Venezuelan baseball team denied visas into US, Little League International says

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
Updated 1:11 PM EDT, July 25, 2025

A Venezuelan baseball team was denied visas into the United States and will miss this year’s Senior Baseball World Series, Little League International confirmed Friday.

The Cacique Mara team, from Maracaibo, Venezuela, was scheduled to participate in the tournament after winning the Latin American championship in Mexico.

“The Cacique Mara Little League team from Venezuela was unfortunately unable to obtain the appropriate visas to travel to the Senior League Baseball World Series,” Little League International said in a statement, adding that it is “extremely disappointing, especially to these young athletes.”

The Venezuelan team traveled to Colombia two weeks ago to apply for their visas at the U.S. embassy in Bogotá.

The embassy did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

“It is a mockery on the part of Little League to keep us here in Bogotá with the hope that our children can fulfill their dreams of participating in a world championship,” the team said in a statement. “What do we do with so much injustice, what do we do with the pain that was caused to our children?”

Venezuela is among a list of countries with restrictions for entering the U.S. or its territories. President Donald Trump has banned travel to the U.S. from 12 other countries, citing national security concerns.

Earlier in the month, the Cuban women’s volleyball team was denied visas to participate in a tournament in Puerto Rico.

“They told us that Venezuela is on a list because Trump says Venezuelans are a threat to the security of his state, of his country,” said Kendrick Gutiérrez, the league’s president in Venezuela. “It hasn’t been easy the situation; we earned the right to represent Latin America in the World Championship.”

The Senior League Baseball World Series, a tournament for players aged 13-16, is played each year in Easley, South Carolina. It begins Saturday.

The tournament organizers replaced the Venezuelans with the Santa Maria de Aguayo team from Tamaulipas, Mexico, the team that was a runner-up in the Latin American championship.

“I think this is the first time this has happened, but it shouldn’t end this way. They’re going to replace us with another team because relations have been severed; it’s not fair,” Gutiérrez added. “I don’t understand why they put Mexico in at the last minute and left Venezuela out.”

https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-li ... 1f8cd30edb

[ponchi101]

Side note.
The team was in Bogota requesting visas because the Vennie government broke diplomatic relations with the USA, and there is no functioning US embassy in the country. This happened a long time ago (I would say, at least 8 years ago).
So, these kids had to go to Bogota to apply for a visa, and stay there because the US system forces you to leave your passport at the Embassy. A considerable expense for children than I am sure are not wealthy.

Other than that, this was sick from the Tiny administration.

[ashkor87]

Not sure chess is a sport..but Divya Deshmukh, 19 year old Indian , won the Women's World Cup and simultaneously became a grand master! Now the candidates tournament, for which she gets direct entry, is next for her

[Suliso]

That's impressive. Although I'm still waiting for any female chess player to come anywhere close to Judit Polgar. Her top ELO would still be top 20 despite the recent computer analysis driven general ratings increase.

[Dale65]

Seems a little late to reply but still I think this "luxuryfootballelite.com/parlay-calculator/" would be helpful to all of you

ADMIN NOTE: Link removed due to violation of forum's rules.
Dale65: read our forum rules. This post is in violation of them.