Wildcats letdown: UCLA knocks Arizona out of Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament

LAS VEGAS - After a competitive first half between the fourth-seeded University of Arizona and fifth-seeded UCLA, the Bruins pulled away in the second half to beat the Wildcats 73-59 in the quarterfinal of the Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament.


Is it the shoes? Brandon Crawford’s effortless style a hit among San Francisco Giants fans, teammates

PHOENIX – Brandon Crawford has been described as having some of the best style in the clubhouse by his teammates. On and off the field, the Giants shortstop always has something flashy to wear.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford says his Lou Seal headband is a fan favorite. (Photo by Kade Cameron/Cronkite News)

Catching on: William Contreras settles in as long-term solution to Brewers’ backstop issues

PHOENIX – The Brewers have had problems at the catching position since Jonathan Lucroy departed in 2016. This offseason, the Brewers acquired 25-year-old All-Star catcher William Contreras from the Atlanta Braves. Five years left on his contract, he seems to be the long-term answer.

New Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras, who fills a long-standing void at the position, became a first-time All-Star in 2022. (Photo by Paul Schulz/Cronkite News)

Getting into the swing of things: Arizona Diamondback players talk pregame routines

SCOTTSDALE – Arizona Diamondbacks players have different routines as they prepare for games. Six players share what they do, and a look at some of the strangest superstitions around the league.

Most Arizona Diamondbacks players maintain the same routines in preparation for each game. The pregame rituals range from light work in the batting cage to visualizations and taking naps. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Second home? White Sox players say Camelback Ranch has feel of Chicago’s South Side

GLENDALE – Camelback Ranch, the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, feels like a second home to many White Sox players, as two of the practice fields have the same dimensions as their home base, Guaranteed Rate Field on Chicago’s South Side.

Pitchers Matthew Thompson, left, and Davis Martin build camaraderie with teammates, mangers and coaches in the White Sox clubhouse at Camelback Ranch. (Photo by Lauren Hertz/Cronkite News)

ASU’s resilience in Pac-12 women’s tournament exemplifies response from season-long adversity

LAS VEGAS – Though Arizona State was knocked out of the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament in the first round Wednesday, the team displayed the resilience it had all season long.


George ‘The Sodfather’ Toma sheds light on Super Bowl 57 field issues

GLENDALE – Weeks following the confetti raining down on the Super Bowl 57 champions Kansas City Chiefs, the answer to what caused poor field conditions remained at large. The man who has worked on all 57 Super Bowl fields, ‘The Sodather’ George Toma, stepped out of the shadows to spill on what caused the slippery playing surface.

The State Farm Stadium field for Super Bowl 57 caused slick conditions for the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles and forced players to change their cleats mid-game. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

Time for change: MLB players, managers offer first impressions of pitch clock, new rules

SURPRISE – Several days into spring training, players and managers alike are forced to adjust to the pitch timer introduced for the 2023 MLB season. Key stakeholders in the change share their thoughts in this adjustment period.

MLB will officially introduce a pitch clock on Opening Day as part of the league's rule changes aimed at improving pace of play. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Gavin Lux’s injury ignites more questions about Dodgers’ stranglehold on NL West

GLENDALE – Gavin Lux, like many young baseball players, dreamed of playing shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With that goal within his grasp, it was taken from him in an instant Monday when he tore his ACL and learned he was out for the season. The Dodgers now have a huge role to fill.

Gavin Lux speaks to the media after his ACL tear.

12-year drought: Yavapai College basketball teams finish first seasons since programs cut

PHOENIX – For the first time in over a decade, basketball has returned to Yavapai Community College in Prescott. Although both the men’s and women's teams posted losing records, the programs are hopeful for the future and happy to have basketball back on campus.

Keyla Cervantes, a freshman on the Yavapai Community College women’s basketball team, runs onto the court before a recent game. (Photo courtesy of Chris Henstra/Yavapai Athletics)

‘Are the KD jerseys here yet?’ Valley businesses excited about possible economic boost from Kevin Durant

PHOENIX – Local bars, restaurants, and sports memorabilia shops have felt the residual effects of Kevin Durant’s arrival in the Valley. Ahead of his Suns debut, downtown is prepared for an increase in foot traffic and sales.

The Kevin Durant era is underway in Phoenix after the Suns pulled off a blockbuster trade last month to land the 13-time All-Star. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Perry High School splits 6A soccer state championships

​​MESA – Perry High School fielded two teams in the 6A state championships in soccer on Saturday, but Xavier Prep High School stood in the way of a sweep.

In his fifth season as Perry boys soccer coach, Jason Berg earned his first state championship and celebrated the victory with family. (Photo by Haley Smilow/Cronkite News)