Softball rules changes focus on intentional walks, equipment
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee recently approved an addition to Rule 2 about intentional walks and equipment. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
In Rule 2-65-2, the committee added language to include intentional walks into the fast-pitch game. The rule states that a request for an intentional walk can now be made prior to or during the at-bat by the defensive coach or catcher.
In another change, equipment no longer has to be inspected by the umpire or placed outside the dugout/bench prior to the start of the game. The rules committee agreed that the responsibility for ensuring that players are legally and properly equipped rests with the head coach and school administration.
Royals golf fundraiser set for August
The Eastern Hancock baseball and softball golf outing will be Aug. 26 at Hawk’s Tail of Greenfield.
The Florida Scramble event will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Registration is at 7 a.m. The cost is $60 per person and $240 per team (four players per team).
Prizes will be awarded to the first- and last-place teams along with other prizes. A portion of the proceeds will support the Eastern Hancock baseball and softball programs.
The deadline to register is Aug. 18.
Information: Royals athletics website; 260-410-2604.
Basketball Hall of Famer Kundla dies at 101
MINNEAPOLIS — John Kundla, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships, died Sunday. He was 101.
Son Tom Kundla said his father died at an assisted living facility in Northeast Minneapolis that he called home for years, according to The Associated Press.
With George Mikan in the middle and Kundla the calm, steady hand directing the team, the Lakers won the 1949 championship in the BAA – the league that preceded the NBA – and NBA titles in 1950 and 1952-54, cementing the franchise’s place as the league’s first true dynasty.
The Lakers also won an NBL title in 1948, but the NBL marks are not included in the NBA’s records.
Byron wins historic race at Lilly Diabetes 250
INDIANAPOLIS — Teenager William Byron held off veterans Paul Menard and Joey Logano to become the youngest winner of a major race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, capturing a thrilling Lilly Diabetes 250 NASCAR Series race on Saturday.
Byron, 19 years, 7 months, from Charlotte, N.C., edged Menard by .108 of a second.
Matheus Leist was the previous youngest winner of a premier or major support series race on the oval at IMS when he won the Freedom 100 Indy Lights event at age 19 years, 8 months in May 2017.
Marco Andretti won an Indy Lights race in 2005 and Marc Marquez won a Moto2 motorcycle race in 2011 at IMS both at age 18, but those events were on the road course.
