National Sports - The Morning Sun

FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the trophy after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Why FIFA changed the format for the 2026 World Cup

The World Cup group stage format for 2026 was changed to 12 groups of four teams from 16 groups of three teams by FIFA’s Council on Tuesday, increasing the total to 104 matches from 64 in the 2022 … more

By The Associated Press | 3/14/23

FILE - Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke throws to a receiver in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. Setting up a competition at quarterback, the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with Taylor Heinicke on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

AP source: QB Heinicke returning home to sign with Falcons

A person with a knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that quarterback Taylor Heinicke has agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million. The deal cannot be signed until … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 3/14/23

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks during a media day ahead of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game between Georgia and TCU, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. Kirby Smart insists he has not lost control of a program that has produced back-to-back national championships but has been rocked by offseason arrests and a car crash that claimed the lives of a player and a recruiting staffer. “There’s no lack of control for our program,” Smart said Tuesday, March 14, before the Bulldogs' first spring practice. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Georgia's Smart insists he has not lost control of program

Georgia coach Kirby Smart insists he has not lost control of a program that has produced back-to-back national championships but has been rocked by offseason arrests and a car crash that claimed the … more

By CHARLES ODUM | 3/14/23

Scottie Scheffler hits from a bunker toward the 16th green during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Column: Scheffler's rise leads to incomplete grade on Smith

Scottie Scheffler is on a big run at the moment. His win at The Players Championship makes people forget for a moment that Jon Rahm was that player just a few weeks ago. And Rory McIlroy before that. … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/14/23

FILE - Purdue center Zach Edey (15) gets a dunk over Davidson forward David Skogman, left, and forward Sean Logan in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Purdue’s Zach Edey and Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis have given the Big Ten Conference a third straight year with multiple first-team Associated Press All-America picks. Edey was the lone unanimous pick in results released Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Edey, Jackson-Davis, Wilson headline AP All-America Team

Purdue’s Zach Edey and Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis have given the Big Ten Conference a third straight year with multiple first-team Associated Press All-America picks. Kansas had a second … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/14/23

Duke players "punch their ticket" to the NCAA Tournament after their win over Virginia in an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the men's Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Saturday, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

A bigger March Madness? Many obstacles stand in the way

For the first time in more than a decade, NCAA and college sports leaders are committed to a serious and thorough examination of expanding March Madness. The tournament generates hundreds of millions … more

By RALPH D. RUSSO | 3/14/23

United States pitcher Nick Martinez, left, exits during the third inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Mexico in Phoenix, Sunday, March 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Competition or exhibition? WBC's pitching rules loom large

Mark DeRosa said last week that one of his most important jobs as United States manager during the World Baseball Classic is making sure his players understand the tournament is a competition, not an … more

By DAVID BRANDT | 3/14/23

Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy directs his team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Analysis: Grabbing play-in spots in the West will be tough

Let’s go ahead and put Denver and Sacramento into the Western Conference playoffs. It’s hard to imagine Memphis and Phoenix falling out of the mix, even with Ja Morant away from the Grizzlies and … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 3/14/23

FILE - Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacts after sinking a three point shot against the Houston Rockets during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Houston. That aggressive style of play helped skyrocket the 23-year-old guard to a meteoric rise to NBA stardom. But his aggressive approach to basketball seemingly has spilled over into his off-court lifestyle putting him on the sidelines. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke, File)

Grizzlies stay mum on return of Morant beyond next game

The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t saying when star point guard Ja Morant will return with one game remaining in a four-game sabbatical the team said he needed to deal with personal issues. Morant's … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 3/14/23

Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, left, and Kyrie Irving look on from the sideline during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Dallas, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Doncic, Irving out again as Mavs lose rematch with Memphis

Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have missed a second consecutive loss to Memphis. Doncic had already been declared out because of a left thigh issue when Irving was ruled out … more

By SCHUYLER DIXON | 3/13/23

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 30, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. Garoppolo has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Garoppolo heads long list of QBs on move in free agency

Jimmy Garoppolo is headed to Las Vegas for a new start with the Raiders. Sam Darnold is heading West to replace Garoppolo on the San Francisco 49ers' roster. Mike White, Case Keenum and Jarrett … more

By STEVE REED | 3/13/23

Puerto Rico's Jose De Leon delivers a pitch during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Israel, Monday, March 13, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Puerto Rico pitches perfect game against Israel in WBC

José De León and three relievers combined to pitch a perfect game as Puerto Rico routed Israel 10-0 in a World Baseball Classic game called after eight innings because of the tournament’s 10-run … more

By The Associated Press | 3/13/23

FILE - Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is hit by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor (36) during an NFL football game Jan. 8, 2023, in Denver. Taylor was penalized for roughing-the-passer on the play. The NFL’s competition committee will consider making roughing-the-passer penalties and personal-foul penalties subject to video review. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)

NFL will consider reviewing roughing-the-passer penalties

The NFL’s competition committee will consider making roughing-the-passer penalties and personal-foul penalties subject to video review. The two potential rule changes were among nine the league … more

By ROB MAADDI | 3/13/23

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. Released pitcher Bauer has agreed to a contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan's Central League, in an announcment Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Trevor Bauer signs with Japan's Yokohama BayStars

Trevor Bauer has agreed to a contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Central League. The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Jan. 12, three weeks … more

By The Associated Press | 3/13/23

FILE - New York Yankees' Joe Pepitone holds a baseball bat in New York, March 10, 1962. Pepitone, a key figure on the 1960s Yankees who gained reknown for his flamboyant personality, has died at age 82. He was living with his daughter Cara Pepitone at her house in Kansas City, Mo., and was found dead Monday, March 13, 2023, according to BJ Pepitone, a son of the former player. (AP Photo/File)

Joe Pepitone, flamboyant Yankees All-Star, dead at 82

Joe Pepitone, an All-Star and Gold Glove first baseman on the 1960s New York Yankees who gained renown for his flamboyant personality, hairpieces and penchant for nightlife, has died at age 82. … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/13/23

FILE - United States head coach Gregg Berhalter gestures during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against the Netherlands at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Dec. 3, 2022. United States women’s coach Vlatko Andonovski earned 27% as much as men’s coach Berhalter in the year ending last March 31, down slightly from 28% in the previous year. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

US Soccer: Berhalter eligible to coach after investigation

The U.S. Soccer Federation says Gregg Berhalter remains a candidate to stay on as men’s national team coach after a report by a law firm concluded he did not improperly withhold information about a … more

By RONALD BLUM | 3/13/23

FILE - Boston Celtics assistant coach Damon Stoudamire, filling in for interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, draws up a play during a time out in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 27, 2022, in Boston. Stoudamire was hired Monday, March 13, 2023, as Georgia Tech's men's basketball coach. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Damon Stoudamire hired as Georgia Tech's head coach

Longtime NBA guard Damon Stoudamire has been hired as Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball coach. The 49-year-old Stoudamire comes to the Atlantic Coast Conference school from the Boston Celtics, … more

By PAUL NEWBERRY | 3/13/23

Scottie Scheffler celebrates after winning The Players Championship golf tournament, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Scheffler on another big run, this one getting attention

Scottie Scheffler is on another big run. That's how it was last year when he won four times in six starts and capped it off with the Masters. Now there seems to be a greater appreciation for what … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 3/13/23

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game on Nov. 27, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. Garoppolo has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)

AP source: Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders agree to 3-year deal

A person with knowledge of the deal says quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has agreed to a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. The person spoke to The Associated Press on … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 3/13/23

South Carolina's Aliyah Boston holds up the championship trophy after defeating Tennessee 74-58 to win the championship game of the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

South Carolina women cap wire-to-wire No. 1 run in AP Top 25

South Carolina has joined an exclusive group, going wire-to-wire as No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The undefeated Gamecocks are the defending national champions and … more

By DOUG FEINBERG | 3/13/23