06222017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

NBA

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

Overdrive, Page 17

Get your tickets for Commonwealth Youth Games BAHAMAS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

icket sales were officially launched yesterday for the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Local Organising Committee looks to galvanise support in its final month of preparation.

During yesterday’s press conference at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, Bahamas Olympic Committee President Wellington Miller received the first official ticket of the event presented by CYG Bahamas 2017 mascot “Chickee.”

CYG Bahamas 2017 will be the largest international sporting event ever to be hosted in The Bahamas, and the largest-ever edition of the Youth Games, with up to 1,300 athletes aged 14-18 set to make the

T

most of an inspiring and immersive mix of impactful sporting competition, personal development and new Commonwealth friendships.

Miller, who also serves as chairman of the CYG Association Committee, said the months of work behind the scenes will all culminate when the games are hosted July 18-23 in New Providence.

“The team has worked so hard in bringing this to reality. Our local team, the Commonwealth Youth Games Federation, the students

MILLER

from Brock University, the stakeholders, everyone who has played a role in this event getting to this point, we are grateful,” he said.

“It has been a pleasure going overseas to promote the games and now see it coming to fruition. The people working behind the scenes are who really drive the games.

We are going to see what we have done, we will show that we are very competent and we can host world-class events on the world stage.”

Tickets will be available online at

http://www.bahamas2017cyg.org/ and onsite provided by “ETix.” The “Season Pass” of $100 comes with access to all sporting events every day over the course of the six-day event.

Senior citizens package receive a 50 per cent discount on season passes and come at a price of $50.

“All Day Passes” gives access to all of the events purchased on a given day and come at a price of $35 with gold seating where seating is available at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium and Beach Soccer Facility.

General admission for boxing, judo, tennis come at a cost of $15 while swimming is priced at $20 and rugby is free of charge.

Access to all venues will also be free to every student under age 18.

SEE PAGE 17

MARKING 65 YEARS: THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) is celebrating its 65th Anniversary as the organisation prepares to host the Senior National Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama, June 23-24.

‘The Crowning of Champions’ BAHAMAS ASSOCIATION OF ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS CELEBRATING ITS 65TH ANNIVERSARY THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) is pleased, in its 65th Anniversary celebrations, to host the Senior National Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The meet is being held under the theme, “The Crowning of Champions” and is scheduled for Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, according to a press release.

“This Nationals promises to be the best ever with the cadre of athletes coming for the meet, a lot of whom are Grand Bahama grown.

Collegiate and elite athletes, all vying for a spot on Team Bahamas at the World Championships in London, England, August 5-13.

“We are most pleased to partner with the Grand Bahama Port Authority. The visionary leadership of the Port sees the economic benefits and the global recognition these athletes bring to our country.

Their sponsorship allows us to put

SEE PAGE 17

ORGANISERS of the Senior Nationals and a few of our top athletes who are expected to compete this weekend.

BOWL HOSTS ITS ANNUAL SUMMER SUMMIT

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Bowl hosted its annual summer summit in preparation for the December matchup and it is expected that the fourth edition will continue the trend of creating an impact on the NCAA bowl season.

Various stakeholders of the event, including the Bowl Committee, ESPN Events, The Ministry of Tourism, the National Sports and Authority, delivered their reports on the previous matchup and expectations for the upcoming year at the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Summit.

Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager of ESPN Events, said his organisation has sought to create a symbiotic relationship between local and international stakeholders.

“The Bahamas Bowl gives a chance to host two teams in a world-class destination, in a world-class resort, with world-class hospitality that is second nature to the Bahamian people.

With the improvements we have experienced with the new field, the feedback from the teams last year was just tremendous.

“The local team has done a wonderful job in really fulfilling fantasy. The Atlantis is second to none and we always see a ‘wow’ factor look on the faces of the students, coaches, parents and support staff that comes.

This would not be possible without the key stakeholders, to stage a game of this magnitude.

“The Ministry of Tourism has been a tremendous part of what we have done in crafting it and really opening it up to the schools in the United States. These types of events aren’t possible if it is not a fair value exchange. Those dollars get ploughed right back into this economy and that is something that is very important to us. At ESPN, we televise it nationally, in millions of households and it also goes internationally to 40-50 countries. We have created a great platform here for a lot of people to benefit and those that participate benefit the most because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. “ ESPN is in year three of a six-year commitment since they added the bowl to its staple of events in 2015.

The bowl was acquired from Bahamas Bowl, LLC, which owned the inaugural

SEE PAGE 17

Byron Murray has been a force at the plate for the Volcanoes

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN minor league baseball standout Byron Murray is healthy this year and is off to a productive start to the Class A Short Season.

Murray, in his second stint with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the San Francisco Giants organisation, has been a force at the plate early on.

Through five games, the 21-year-old third baseman is hitting .333 with three RBI, one home run and a .935 OPS. He opened his season on June 15 with a double in the first of a four-game series against the TriCity Dust Devils.

In game two, Murray hit a tworun home run in the sixth inning to lead the Volcanoes to an 8-6 win over the Devils.

The home run by Murray gave the Volcanoes a 7-5 lead and capped a four-run inning for Salem-Keizer.

He went 1-4 in each of the two following games to close out the series against the Dust Devils.

The Volcanoes went on to drop the opening game of a four-game road trip with a 7-6 loss to the Hillsboro Hops in a mammoth four-hour nine-minute game.

Murray continued his production and finished 2-5 with one RBI on a single to left field giving Salem-Keizer a commanding sixrun lead in the fourth inning.

Murray, was selected by the Giants in the 2014 draft in the 25th round with the 748th pick.

A versatile right-handed power hitter at 5’10” 195 pounds, he was drafted as an outfielder but has spent this season thus far at third base.

As a rookie in August 2014,

BAHAMIAN minor league baseball standout Byron Murray is off to a healthy, productive start to the Class A Short Season.

he was assigned to the Arizona League Giants and in 19 games, he hit .279 with 12 RBI, five doubles, two triples and a .758 OPS. The following September, he was assigned to the Volcanoes for the first time and spent six games with the club.

Hos combined totals in 2015 across the Northwest League and Rookie League (53 games total) included an average .251 with 28 RBI, three home runs, nine stolen bases and a .723 OPS. He was called up to Class A Advanced with the San Jose Giants, but his 2016 season was cut short due to injury and he was sent back to the AZL on a rehab assignment, where he appeared in just four games.

Out of Trinity Christian in Lake Worth, Florida, Murray was a 2014 Florida All-Region and was an Underclass High Honourable Mention in both 2013 and 2012.

PAGE 16, Thursday, June 22, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

CARRASCO STRIKES OUT 10 AS INDIANS BEAT SKIDDING ORIOLES 5-1 SANTANA’S

By DAVID GINSBURG Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — The Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles can smash the ball. Both teams play sound defence, and each has a veteran manager in the dugout.

So, when it comes down to explaining why the Indians lead the AL Central and the Orioles are sinking toward the bottom of the AL East, only one word is necessary: pitching.

Carlos Carrasco struck out 10 , Francisco Lindor homered and the Indians defeated the skidding Orioles 5-1 last night for their seventh win in eight games.

Carrasco (8-3) allowed seven hits and walked none over six-plus innings to win

his third straight start. The right-hander struck out every Baltimore starter except Trey Mancini to reach double figures for the 11th time in his career.

Cleveland held a 3-0 lead when Carrasco yielded three straight singles to open the seventh. Andrew Miller entered and got a force at the plate before striking out Caleb Joseph and Ruben Tejada.

“That’s the ballgame,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

“That’s pretty impressive. For them to get nothing? That certainly carried the heavy lifting.”

Miller said his goal was simply to “just limit the damage.”

If only it was that easy for Baltimore. Not only

CLEVELAND Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco throws to the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning last night. (AP) did the Orioles lose for the 10th time in 14 games, but they have allowed at least five runs in 18 consecutive games — two short of the

major league record set by the 1924 Philadelphia Phillies.

Once the Indians took control with a three-run

fifth, Baltimore was all but finished.

Dan Otero gave up an RBI double to Jonathan Schoop in the ninth, ending Cleveland’s bid for its major league-leading ninth shutout.

After Baltimore put runners on the corners with two outs, Bryan Shaw retired Tejada for his second save .

Kevin Gausman (3-7) gave up three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts for the Orioles.

Gausman was cruising until the fifth, when the Indians peeled off four straight hits to go up 3-0. After Roberto Perez doubled in a run, Lindor followed with a two-run homer.

BERRIOS GOES 8, SANO HITS 18TH AS TWINS BEAT WHITE SOX 4-2

By DAVE CAMPBELL Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins struggled so badly last season that even the elite talents of Jose Berrios and Miguel Sano were swallowed up by a clubrecord 103 losses.

Their skills have sure been shining through this year.

Berrios finished eight innings for a second straight start and Sano homered for the second consecutive game as the Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 4-2 last night behind two of their brightest young stars.

After going 3-7 with an unsightly 8.02 ERA in 14 turns as a rookie, Berrios (7-1) has a sparkling 2.67 ERA in eight starts since being recalled from Triple-A. “There’s a lot to be said about the path that he’s been on. He’s gone deep now a couple times when we’ve really needed it,”

Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

Berrios struck out eight with just four hits and one walk against him.

“This year, he’s got a different mentality,” Sano said. “I know he’s working really hard, all season. He comes here to pitch.”

The White Sox had one single over their last 18 at-bats against the 22-year-old right-hander.

“I’m trying to stay humble, stay down to earth, keep enjoying the moment and help the team keep competitive,” Berrios said.

Sano hit his 18th home run, tying the game to start a three-run third inning off a 3-0 fastball from David Holmberg (1-1) with an opposite-field drive to the second deck in right-centre.

The 24-year-old Sano, on a break from third base to serve as the designated hitter, is third in the AL with 52 RBIs. He hit 25 homers in 116 games last season, but an ill-fated tryout in right field set a discouraging

TWINS Miguel Sano celebrates his solo home run last night. (AP)

tone and he batted just .236. This year, he’s up to .291 with a .973 onbase-plus-slugging percentage.

Brandon Kintzler pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the second straight night, notching his 19th save in 22 opportunities. The Twins (36-33) improved to 7-3 against the White Sox this season, using their last-place rival for a much-needed lift following a fourgame sweep here over the weekend by division-leading Cleveland.

AL batting leader Avisail Garcia put the White Sox in front with an RBI single in the first inning, and Adam Engel came home during a groundball double play in the third inning after a leadoff double.

But Berrios was in command the whole time with a lively two-seam fastball doing most of the damage.

“Last year, I gave a lot of credit to the hitter,” Berrios said. “This year, I don’t care who is hitting. So I’m trying to think about my pitches and make them.”

LATE HOME RUN LIFTS BREWERS OVER PIRATES 4-3

By ANDREW GRUMAN Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Domingo Santana delivered the blow that put the Milwaukee Brewers ahead on the scoreboard. Orlando Arcia came up with the play that saved the game.

With the tying run on second and two outs in the ninth, Arcia ranged to his left, spun around and delivered a strike to first base to secure a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last night.

“It is a really tough play in that situation,” Arcia said through a translator.

“You just try to make a perfect throw. You don’t want the ball to get away and have the run score. You just try to make as perfect of a throw as you can. Thankfully, I was able to do that.”

Pirates left fielder Adam Frazier was rounding third base when Arcia threw the ball and likely would have scored if first baseman Eric Thames had not made a difficult pick.

“I was yelling, ‘Don’t throw it,’” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.

“To myself, that’s what I was thinking. That’s his play, for sure. It took a great play on Thames’ end too. It is a special play in a big moment.”

Thames cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 3-2 with a run-scoring groundout in the seventh.

Two batters later, Santana kept a 2-0 offering from Hudson (1-3) just fair down the right-field line to give the Brewers the lead.

BASEBALL CAPSULES MARLINS 2, NATIONALS 1 MIAMI (AP) — Max Scherzer’s bid for the third no-hitter of his big league career ended with one out in the eighth inning, and he then gave up two unearned runs and the Miami Marlins rallied to beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 Wednesday.

After backup catcher A.J. Ellis reached on an infield single for Miami’s first hit, an error by first baseman Adam Lind and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Scherzer threw a wild pitch that scored the tying run, and Giancarlo Stanton lined an RBI single — the Marlins’ only other

hit — to put them ahead.

Scherzer (8-5) threw nohitters against the Pirates and Mets in 2015, and he seemed on his way to another when he began the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead.

He retired 18 in a row before Ellis hit a chopper that bounced in front of the plate and glanced off the tip of Scherzer’s glove as he reached overhead for it.

The ball rolled to shortstop Trea Turner, who failed in his attempt to make a barehanded pickup and rush a throw.

Official scorer Ron Jernick immediately ruled the play a hit, and Scherzer knew it. He picked up the ball and angrily flung it to

the dugout — not as a souvenir.

Washington totaled five hits against Dan Straily and three relievers. Kyle Barraclough (3-1) pitched the eighth, and A.J. Ramos worked around a two-out single in the ninth for his 10th save.

ies before hitting his 15th home run of the season.

Jorge Soria (3-2) worked a spotless eighth. Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his 17th save.

Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts homered in the fourth off Ian Kennedy.

CARDINALS 7, PHILLIES 6 10 INNINGS PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tommy Pham’s second solo homer off Hector Neris in the ninth inning tied it and St. Louis rallied from a 5-0 deficit to beat Philadelphia in 10 innings.

Jedd Gyorko hit a tworun homer and pinch-hitter Jose Martinez also connected for St. Louis.

The game went to extra innings after Freddy Galvis lined a double down the left-field line with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Odubel Herrera ran through a stop sign, around third-base coach Juan Samuel and was thrown out by 10 feet. He didn’t even attempt to slide and was pulled from the game in a double switch.

Martinez led off the 10th with a double to right off Edubray Ramos (0-6). He advanced to third on a balk and scored when Ramos made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt at first base after Dexter Fowler was intentionally walked. Yadier Molina added an RBI single. Phillies starter Nick Pivetta had a career-high 10 strikeouts and allowed three runs and four hits in six innings.

YANKEES 8, ANGELS 4 NEW YORK (AP) — Didi Gregorius and Matt Holliday each hit a goahead homer and New York piled on from there, lifting the Yankees over Los Angeles to snap a season-high seven-game losing streak.

New York’s skid was its longest since 2007. The Yankees haven’t lost eight straight since August 1995.

They moved back ahead of Boston for first place in the AL East a night after losing the division lead for the first time since mid-May. Jordan Montgomery (54) pitched two-run ball over 5 2/3 innings. Relievers Chad Green and Dellin Betances got the ball to Tyler Clippard in the ninth, but Clippard allowed a tworun homer to Martin Maldonado, his second of the game. Aroldis Chapman came on to close out.

Ricky Nolasco (2-9) lost his seventh consecutive start to match George Brunet’s franchise record from 1967.

ROYALS 6, RED SOX 4 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Salvador Perez hit his first career grand slam, connecting in the eighth inning to rally Kansas City over Boston.

The Royals have won nine of 11 and moved within a game of .500.

Perez homered over the Kansas City bullpen in left field on the ninth pitch from Robby Scott (0-1). With Boston leading 4-2, reliever Matt Barnes started the inning by walking Jorge Bonifacio and Lorenzo Cain on 12 pitches.

Scott was summoned to face Eric Hosmer, but walked him on four pitches to load the bases for Perez.

The All-Star catcher fouled off three full-count deliver-

PADRES 3, CUBS 2 CHICAGO (AP) — Erick Aybar hit a tying home run in the sixth inning, Luis Torrens walked with the bases loaded against Koji Uehara in the eighth and San Diego stopped a threegame losing streak by beating Chicago.

Chicago rookie Ian Happ hit a two-run homer in the fourth against reliever Craig Stammen, going deep for the second straight game and third time in four.

Uehara (2-4), the fifth of six Cubs relievers, replaced Pedro Strop starting the eighth and allowed singles to Wil Myers leading off and Cory Spangenberg with one out. Aybar was intentionally walked, loading the bases, Matt Szczur fouled out and Torrens took a 3-1 fastball that sailed inside.

Phil Maton (1-0), the third of five Padres relievers, pitched a scoreless seventh for his first major league win, and Brandon

Maurer got two outs for his 13th save.

RAYS 8, REDS 3 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay left fielder Mallex Smith rushed in to tag out speedy Billy Hamilton after a lengthy rundown, highlighting the Rays win over Cincinnati.

Hamilton stole his major league-leading 31st base in the fourth inning. But he later got trapped when he thought about scoring from second base on a two-out grounder by Eugenio Suarez that shortstop Daniel Robertson bobbled.

It took five throws to nab Hamilton between home

and third, with six Rays lined up ready to take part in the rundown. Smith dashed from the outfield and was stationed at third to take a throw and tag Hamilton. Trevor Plouffe homered for his new team and Taylor Featherston also connected for Tampa Bay. Erasmo Ramirez (4-2), who was 0-2 with a 10.06 ERA over his previous four starts, held the Reds hitless until Scott Schebler hit his 20th home run leading off the fifth.

Chase Whitley earned his second save. Plouffe hit a solo homer in a two-run fourth off Tim Adleman (44) that put Tampa Bay up 3-0.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 22, 2017, PAGE 17

WHAT OFFSEASON? A WEEK AFTER FINALS, THE NBA IN OVERDRIVE

By TIM REYNOLDS Associated Press DWIGHT Howard and Brook Lopez are on the move. Dwyane Wade is opting in. Pau Gasol is opting out. The Los Angeles Lakers provided the clearest indication yet that Lonzo Ball is their guy.

The NBA offseason is already in overdrive.

A dizzying series of moves came on Tuesday.

Howard got traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the Charlotte Hornets, who acquired the eight-time All-Star centre for a package that included Miles Plumlee and Marco Belinelli.

And Lopez — another centre — is leaving Brooklyn and headed to the Lakers, part of a deal that has D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov going to the Nets.

That leaves the Lakers with a clear need at point guard, a problem they will likely rectify tonight when

they presumably will take Ball with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. It was a big move for the Lakers in another way; Mozgov is still owed $48 million over the next three seasons, while Lopez’s contract will expire after next season.

Howard will be playing for his third team in three seasons following a disappointing homecoming in Atlanta. He signed a threeyear, $70.5 million deal with Atlanta and then sat out the fourth quarter in two of six playoff games in the Hawks’ first-round loss to Washington.

“Let the madness begin,” Portland guard CJ McCollum said. “Draft week is always the most interesting time of the year.”

Madness is right.

Barely a week after the Golden State Warriors won their second NBA championship in three years, the rest of the league is manoeuvring like mad.

Along with the trades,

FORMER Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups acknowledges the crowd before a game against the Denver Nuggets in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on February 10, 2016. (AP) confirmed by people with direct knowledge who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither deal was formally announced, Gasol opted out of his $16 million deal for next season with San Antonio — but intends to sign a new multiyear deal with the Spurs that will reduce his annual salary but give him more security, and presumably

give his team a chance to add a big-time free agent this summer. Wade told the Bulls he will take his $23.8 million deal for next season, a decision he had until next week to make.

And Minnesota parted ways with Nikola Pekovic, waiving him in what could be the last act of a career that was derailed by foot and ankle problems over the past three seasons.

Pekovic missed all of last season and played only 12 games the previous season.

All this comes with Paul George’s status in Indiana most uncertain and with many trade rumours swirling there, the belief by many across the league that Jerry West joining the Clippers’ front office could help their pursuit of LeBron James in the summer of 2018, and the ongoing watch in New York of what the Knicks will do — if anything — with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

It’s not like Monday was a slow day, either.

That was when Philadelphia and Boston completed the deal that sent the No. 1 overall pick to the 76ers — giving them the chance to take Markelle Fultz, and allowing the Celtics to choose likely either Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson at No. 3, which they got in the swap.

The Celtics said they think the player they take at No. 3 would likely have been

the player they used the No. 1 pick on anyway, so they called it a win-win move.

Then came Monday night’s news that the Cleveland Cavaliers were parting ways with general manager David Griffin after three straight trips to the NBA Finals, a move that James clearly was not happy about. Cleveland then talked with former All-Star guard Chauncey Billups on Tuesday about a job in the front office.

To think, summer didn’t even start until yesterday.

The draft is today.

The league’s inaugural after-the-season awards show is Monday.

Free agency and the new collective bargaining agreement start on July 1.

“Wow,” Phoenix guard Devin Booker said on Twitter.

It wasn’t clear what Booker was exactly referring to, though he probably said it a few times Tuesday.

Wow, indeed.

‘The Crowning of Champions’

WORLD EVENT: Shown (l-r) are Richard Giannini, Bahamas Bowl executive director, Joy Jibrilu - MOT director general, Pete Derzis, ESPN Events and Jeffrey Beckles - NSA general manager.

BAHAMAS BOWL from PAGE 15

game in 2014.

This year, the game is scheduled for 12:30pm on Friday, December 22, in an effort to take full advantage of the long holiday weekend.

“We are three years through our original sixyear commitment as it relates to the bowl game and we are really looking forward to this being a longterm proposition, not just a six year one,” Derzis said.

“From an economic standpoint we have been really pleased with our growth year after year - a $3.5 million direct impact in the Bahamas, about 2,300 hotel rooms, during the course of the bowl so we are making a lot of progress and meeting a lot of the guidelines that we have planned.”

Howard Karawan, president and managing director of Atlantis Paradise Island, said the event serves multiple purposes, including creating business opportunities and exposure for the Bahamas.

“Exposure for a sporting event needs to be the icing on the cake and we

get great exposure internationally. As important as exposure, or even more so, primarily is bringing thousands of visitors to the island and to Atlantis.

Those visitors go back and tell their friends and family and that is really our objective and I think we share that objective with the Ministry of Tourism, that is to do events that brings business here because in the end it’s dollars spent in the islands and getting people to experience our wonderful culture because word of mouth really is what drives tourism,” he said.

“That is why we have made a commitment to the Bahamas Bowl moving forward because we see this as a long-term solid foundation at a time of the year that is not very busy. During the game and the week before is a slow time so it’s a perfect time for us to bring people here. But it’s not just about experiencing the Atlantis, but experiencing the Bahamas, integrating the cultural offerings in food, art and music because people aren’t coming here for an American experience.”

Joy Jibrilu, director general of the Ministry of Tourism, said the game is transitioning into a staple of the Bahamian Christmas season.

“One of the things I enjoy is listening to the players at the press conferences when they come down because they always mention that ‘It’s a dream come true, it’s a dream destination’ and that is the type of energy we want to hear and we want repeated.

“We reached 91 million households in the Untied States and the event has created great excitement because of the things that happen so we look forward to more of that taking place. We have had highly successful games in the past three years and we expect nothing less this year,” she said.

“It is interesting to me to think that American football is becoming a part of the Bahamian Christmas and so in addition to Junkanoo and Christmas shopping, everyone is adding college football to it.”

Jeffrey Beckles, NSA general manager, said the fourth edition of the Bahamas Bowl will come on the heels of a busy 2017 for sports tourism and the NSA will be ready with further improvements to infrastructure.

“By the time the Bahamas Bowl comes around in December we would have hosted three regional events and three world

events. That would have given us a tremendous head start on the improvements we have committed to when we host this football game. We are happy to announce that we have just completed our brand new 6.5-acre open field in addition to the TAR. The original stadium has undergone a complete rehab so the team will have full access to all fields. Every time you come to the Bahamas you will see some expression of our commitment to hosting these events.”

Crowds of over 13,000 each year in Nassau have watched the only current bowl game played outside of the United States.

The inaugural game in 2014 saw WKU beat Central Michigan 49-48 in a memorable offensive shootout. In 2015, Western Michigan beat Middle Tennessee 45-31 and last year, Old Dominion held off Eastern Michigan 24-20.

As with the first three editions, the 2017 Bahamas Bowl will feature teams from Conference USA and the Mid-American Conference. For more information on the Bowl, visit BahamasBowl.com. The game is one of 13 postseason bowl games owned and operated

by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.

Get your Commonwealth Youth Games tickets FROM PAGE 15 Corporate “Season Pass” packages are also available at various intervals. Companies featuring 10-20 employees can receive passes at $90 per employee; 21-50 employees at $80 per employee and 51+ employees at $70 per employee.

Romell Knowles, managing director of the CYG Association and BOC secretary general, said further support from both the general public and corporate Bahamas will ensure the game’s success.

“We need the support of Team Bahamas. With 180 athletes and team officials comprise our team. While we have corporate sponsor of BTC, really we need the participation of the general public. We invite you to join us to make sure we have the stadium full beginning as

early as the opening ceremony which will be a treat,” he said. “This edition of Team Bahamas is the largest, youngest most dynamic team ever assembled in our country’s history. With respect to our facilities, we are 90 per cent completed with finishing touches on the tennis centre and some remedial work at the beach soccer stadium.”

The nation’s first-ever international multi-sport event will see 94 medals contested across athletics, aquatics (swimming), beach soccer, boxing, cycling (road), judo, rugby sevens, tennis and (subject to final confirmation) beach volleyball. It will be the first time judo, beach soccer and beach volleyball have been presented at a Commonwealth Youth Games.

As part of the federa-

tion’s commitment to partner and support peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Commonwealth communities, it will be the second edition of the Youth Games to be held on a small island developing state, following the hugely successful Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in September last year. It will also be the first Commonwealth Games event to be held in the Caribbean for over 50 years, with Commonwealth athletes last participating in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Also among the list of “firsts” for the Bahamas at this year’s event will be the addition of the cultural village and international television broadcasts.

“We are excited about the presentation of events.

We think the Bahamian

athletes will do very will with the exposure to be able to compete at home.

We expect their friends, families and loved ones to be able to support. We want these young athletes to share in the cultural experience, so we have added a special dynamic feature, the cultural village that I think we will all enjoy with special performances from Dyson Knight and Wendy,” Knowles said.

“Over 18 months of work will be culminating in just under 35 days to pull off these events. For the first time in these games, there will be an international broadcast company doing distribution. This is new for the CYG. We are going to package a good product for television as for the first time the games will be carried live on television and distributed internationally.

FROM PAGE 15 this prestigous meet on at a very high level before the spectators of Grand Bahama, better known as track country. The federation is grateful for your kind donations and willingness to partner with us.

It speaks volumes to the faith and trust that you have in the federation.

“In our deliberations and discussions, it was evident that the Port was passionate about advancing youth and local activities that would have an impact on local industries. Further we are entrusting you, through our partnership, with our primary customers - our athletes. We look forward to continued synergy and symbiotic rela-

tionship with the Port.

“The Nationals were last held in Grand Bahama in 2013. Four years later we are back with a healthy and quality stable of athletes.

In excess of 139 athletes are scheduled to compete in some 32 events. We have all of our participants from the April World Relays who will be competing facing off with each other in some events. Our golden mixed relay team (members) are here in town or on their way today. Our finest collegiate athletes are home or in transit. The stadium is being well manicured and branded to set the atmosphere right. This meeting promises to be excitement at epic proportions.

BAAA NATIONALS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

PAGE 18, Thursday, June 22, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

BORIS BECKER DECLARED BANKRUPT BY BRITISH COURT

FANS IN PAKISTAN CELEBRATE MEMORABLE WIN OVER INDIA

By RIZWAN ALI Associated Press ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan celebrated one of its biggest cricket victories on Sunday, defeating archrival India in the Champions Trophy final in London.

Back home, streets were deserted in the federal capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi — and in big cities across the country — as fans watched Pakistan thrash defending champion India by 180 runs at The Oval.

“Congratulations to Team Pakistan on their great performance in winning #CT17 And how wonderful to watch Fakhar’s raw talent in action,” Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan tweeted.

Left-hander Fakhar Zaman, playing in only his fourth ODI, smashed 114 off 106 balls and top-scored in Pakistan’s 338-4, before India crumbled to 158 all out.

The last time Pakistan

won a major 50-over ICC tournament was also during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, when Khan led his team over England in the 1992 final at Melbourne, Australia.

Wasim Akram and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were among the players from that famous win 25 years ago.

“Wow wow wow unbelievable performance by team green. It feels like deja’vu after winning the 1992 WCup. I am over the moon,” Akram tweeted.

Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir’s threewicket burst reminded him of his own playing days, Akram said, adding: “So proud. Pakistan played like winners and now are champions of the world.

“Tonight belongs to the heroes in the Green and white.”

Inzamam was equally happy.

“This is my team. This is my Pakistan. Pakistan all the way .... Congratulations! :),” he tweeted.

LONDON (AP) — Boris Becker was declared bankrupt by a British court yesterday after the former tennis player failed to pay a long-standing debt.

A lawyer for the six-time Grand Slam champion pleaded with a Bankruptcy Court registrar in London for a last chance to pay a debt that Becker has owed to private bankers Arbuthnot Latham & Co. since 2015.

The registrar, Christine Derrett, said there was a lack of credible evidence that his debt would be paid soon. She refused to adjourn the case for another 28 days and announced a bankruptcy order.

“One has the impression of a man with his head in the sand,” said the registrar, who said she watched Becker play on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

The 49-year-old Becker, who was born in Germany and lives in London, recently coached Novak Djokovic and has been a TV commentator.

Becker took to Twitter later Wednesday, saying he was “surprised and disappointed” that proceedings had been brought against him and that it was “disappointing” that his request for a postponement had been refused. He said that he intends to challenge the ruling “immediately.”

His lawyer, John Briggs, had argued there was sufficient evidence to show

By PAT EATON-ROBB Associated Press

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 72° F/22° C

TAMPA

that Becker would be able to pay the debt through a refinancing arrangement, involving remortgaging a property in Mallorca, which was expected to raise six million euros ($6.7 million). Briggs said it was expected the deal would be approved by a Spanish bank in about one month.

Briggs also said Becker was “not a sophisticated individual when it comes to finances,” and that bankruptcy was likely to have an adverse effect on Becker’s image. “He should have thought about that a long time ago,” the registrar said.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Sunshine and breezy

Mainly clear and breezy

Sunshine and patchy clouds

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Some sun with a shower in the area

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

High: 93°

Low: 79°

High: 92° Low: 79°

High: 93° Low: 78°

High: 92° Low: 79°

High: 92° Low: 78°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

100° F

83° F

102°-88° F

101°-86° F

103°-84° F

104°-87° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

7-14 knots

S

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

7-14 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C

MIAMI

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

8-16 knots

KEY WEST

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 90° F/32° C Low .................................................... 80° F/27° C Normal high ....................................... 87° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 74° F/23° C Last year’s high ................................. 89° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 73° F/23° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.01” Year to date ................................................. 5.43” Normal year to date ................................... 11.99”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 79° F/26° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

S

E

W

7-14 knots

S

8-16 knots

ANDROS

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

6:37 a.m.

7:14 p.m.

2.8 3.6

12:46 a.m. -0.2 12:48 p.m. -0.7

Friday

7:33 a.m.

8:08 p.m.

2.8 3.7

1:42 a.m. -0.4 1:43 p.m. -0.8

Saturday

8:29 a.m.

9:01 p.m.

2.9 3.7

2:37 a.m. -0.6 2:37 p.m. -0.9

Sunday

9:24 a.m.

9:54 p.m.

2.9 3.7

3:30 a.m. -0.6 3:32 p.m. -0.8

Monday

10:19 a.m.

10:46 p.m.

2.9 3.5

4:23 a.m. -0.6 4:26 p.m. -0.6

Tuesday

11:15 a.m.

11:39 p.m.

2.8 3.3

5:16 a.m. -0.5 5:22 p.m. -0.3

Wednesday 12:12 p.m.

-----

2.8 -----

6:09 a.m. -0.3 6:19 p.m. 0.0

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:21 a.m.

8:03 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

4:58 a.m.

6:36 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Jun. 23

Jun. 30

Jul. 8

Jul. 16

CAT ISLAND

E

W

CROMWELL, Conn.

(AP) — Some of the biggest names in golf are giving up what for many is normally a week off after a major championship to play at the Travelers Championship.

Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson are among those in Connecticut this week, giving the tournament an unusually strong field.

“I just haven’t played the week after the US Open, and thought, why don’t I?” said Spieth, who along with McIlroy is playing at TPC River Highlands for the first time. “You play a US Open and any course you play right after should seem a bit easier and should be fun because of that. Then what put me over the edge was other players’ recommendations.”

BORIS BECKER at Wimbledon in London on June 29, 2016. (AP)

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

DAY, WATSON AND MCILROY ALL SET FOR TRAVELERS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

H

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

10-20 knots

10-20 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday:

WINDS SE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots

WAVES 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-8 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 82° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 83° F 81° F 81° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 83° F 83° F

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 22, 2017, PAGE 19

TSONGA LATEST STAR ATTRACTION ELIMINATED AT QUEEN’S KVITOVA PUTS ON CONFIDENT DISPLAY IN BIRMINGHAM LONDON (AP) — Another star attraction was eliminated from the Queen’s grass-court tournament when fifth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga lost to Gilles Muller 6-4, 6-4 yesterday in the second round.

With Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic — the top three seeded players — exiting in first-round play on Tuesday, the leading warmup event for Wimbledon looks wide open.

Muller, who won the Ricoh Open on grass in the Netherlands last week, won 86 per cent of points on his big first serve and saved all three break points against an overpowered Tsonga.

“Sometimes you cannot do anything because the guy in front of you is playing well and he’s doing the right

things to make you play in a bad way,” said Tsonga, who was the runner-up at Queen’s in 2011. “That’s it.”

Sixth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov avoided becoming another high-profile departure when he bounced back from committing three double-faults in the opening game and losing the first set to beat Julien Benneteau 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Marin Cilic, who plays Stefan Kozlov today, is the only player left in the tournament that is seeded higher than Dimitrov, the 2014 champion at Queen’s.

Three double-faults cost Dimitrov the opening game but his serve improved, as he sent down 15 aces on Centre Court. He also saved five of six break points to move into the quarter-finals, where he will

DIMITROV (AP) play either Daniil Medvedev or Thanasi Kokkinakis, the winner against Raonic.

Seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych also avoided an upset, breaking serve for the first time in the final game of the match in beating 18-year-old Canadian lefthander Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 7-5.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova produced her most encouraging result since returning from a knife attack to advance to the quarter-finals of the Aegon Classic, a Wimbledon warmup tournament.

The left-handed Czech hit 25 winners with 11 unforced errors as she easily beat fellow wild card Naomi Broady of Britain 6-2, 6-2 yesterday.

Kvitova only recently re-

8 2 4

HAASE UPSETS THIEM, ZVEREV ADVANCES HALLE, Germany (AP) — Robin Haase upset second-seeded Dominic Thiem 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the second round of the Gerry Weber Open yesterday.

The 42nd-ranked Haase saved four of five break points as he advanced to the quarter-finals at the

grass-court tournament.

The Dutchman next faces Richard Gasquet of France, who defeated Australia’s Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-3.

Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev maintained his good form with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of German compatriot and 2011 champion

Philipp Kohlschreiber.

The 20-year-old Zverev, who opened with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Paolo Lorenzi on Tuesday, firaed 10 aces and didn’t face a break point.

Zverev next plays seventh-seeded Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated German wild card Dustin Brown 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (6).

VALUE LOVER’S 99 ONE-TOPPING $ LARGE PIZZA DEAL

11

(INCL. VAT)

SAUNDERS BEACH & PRINCE CHARLES SHOPPING CENTRE

TEL: 603-3333 | www.pizzahutnassau.com

NEW FRUITED ICED TEAS A refreshing burst of real fruit

MANGO PINEAPPLE

Starting at

2 29

$

BLACKBERRY

www.dunkinbahamas.com @dunkinbahamas

(INCL. VAT)

•Prices vary by location

turned to action after suffering a serious injury to her left hand — when she was stabbed by an intruder last year at her home in the Czech Republic — playing two matches on clay at the French Open.

“I have a little bit different view for tennis right now and for matches,” Kvitova said. “When I’m playing, I’m just a little bit more relaxed, I think, and I’m not as nervous as I was before.”

There were few signs of obvious discomfort in the

1

25

$

INCL. VAT

hour-long match for Kvitova. “When I started playing (again) we had a discussion with the coach as to whether I should change something - a bigger grip, or a softer grip. But I decided I don’t want to change anything,” the seventh-seeded Kvitova said. “I kept the same grip. I am glad I made that decision. If I had changed anything, even small, in the hand or in the racket, it might bring injuries. With different techniques it becomes tough.

PIECES OF CHICKEN

(2 THIGHS, 2 RIBS, 2 LEGS & 2 WINGS)

Large sides biscuits 2 Litre Pepsi