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MLB’s Bigger Bases Could Lead To More Steals, Fewer Injuries

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MLB

— PEORIA, Ariz. MLB Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres immediately noticed a difference, like a violin virtuoso using a new music stand.

The bases are not only larger, but they also feel different.

“It’s different,” Machado, a two-time Gold Glove winner, said. “They appear to be better. I just had to keep playing and stepping on it to get a feel. But it’s unmistakably different.”

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) decision to increase the size of the bases from 15 to 18 inches squares is part of a flurry of changes aimed at bringing more action and athleticism back into the game and making it more appealing to a younger generation of potential fans.

When baseball’s 11-person competition committee approved the new rules in September, the four players on the panel voted in favor of larger bases but opposed using a pitch clock and limits on defensive shifts MLB.

The new bases, which “look like a pizza box,” joked Red Sox manager Alex Cora, reduced the distance between the bases by 4 1/2 inches. The distance between third and home and home and first was reduced by three inches.

MLB

MLB Says It may not appear much, but the impact could be significant.

Rather than waiting for a three-run homer, major league teams could take a more aggressive approach on the basepaths. With new restrictions on what MLB refers to as disengagements — pickoff attempts or steps off the rubber — it’s more important than ever for pitchers to be quick to the plate and strong-armed catchers to stay alert with runners on.

“The run game, preventing the run game, is something that we’ve talked about, and we’ll continue to talk about MLB,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

According to Sportradar, major league teams finished with 2,486 steals in 3,297 attempts last year, up from 2,214 steals and 2,926 attempts in 2021 but significantly lower than 3,229 steals in 4,365 attempts a decade ago in 2012.

In minor league testing, two Triple-A leagues used the larger bases for half of the 2021 season. One saw a 2.2% increase in successful steals, while the other saw a 0.7% increase.

The last time the major leagues surpassed 3,000 steals, and 4,000 attempts was in 2012 when Mike Trout led the majors with 49 stolen bases.

“I’ve been thrown out by less than (4 1/2) inches… so maybe that starts factoring into results,” said Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, who stole 20 bases in 22 attempts last year, a career-high.

MLB

The last time the major leagues surpassed 3,000 steals

Of course, it also gives the major league’s best defensive first basemen a better chance of keeping runners off base entirely.

“I believe it could be beneficial. “It’ll give me an extra inch or so of reach on a throw that wants to pull me off the base,” Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, who won his first Gold Glove MLB last year, said.

Aside from increased basepath activity, Major League Baseball hopes that the change will help reduce injuries. From 2021 to 2022, there was a 13% decrease in what the league calls “injury events near the bases” while testing the bigger bases in the minors.

First basemen have more room to avoid being stepped on or to pull their arm away in time to avoid a batter hustling up the line. It should also help to avoid collisions all over the diamond.

“When you walk on the field, you don’t notice it, but as you get closer to the bag, you notice it,” said four-time Gold Glove winner Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer. “It also appears to be a little flatter. Not only are they bigger and longer, but they are also flatter.

“But yeah, it’s going to prevent some injuries, so it’s well worth it if you can even knock that number down one or two guys.

MLB

SOURCE – (AP)

 

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Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns

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Trudeau, Montreal

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.

Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”

The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.

On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”

Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.

Pro-Palestinian protests

Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.

Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.

Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.

On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.

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Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla

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Baby Gorilla, Calgary Zoo
The zookeeper's negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla

The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.

The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.

The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.

“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”

According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.

Calgary Zoo Questioned

It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.

An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.

Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.

“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.

The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.

“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.

“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.

While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”

Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.

The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.

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Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M

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lotto max, Canada

Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.

Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.

The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.

According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.

While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.

Lotto Max History

Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.

The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.

Let’s have a look at the rules:

  1. Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
  2. Numbers cannot be repeated
  3. Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
  4. Each play buys 3 lines
  5. Each play costs $5

Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)

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