Despite recent struggles, ASU baseball looks to end Men’s College World Series drought

PHOENIX – ASU has one of the more storied programs in all of college baseball, yet the Sun Devils have failed to reach the Men’s College World Series since 2010. Will that trend end this season? The Sun Devils enter Friday’s opener with optimism.

Arizona State baseball coach Willie Bloomquist sounds optimistic about the upcoming season, saying, “I’m sleeping better this time than I was last year at this time.” (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)

From Div. I to JUCO… then back to DI: Hunter Omlid, Tyson Heaton take unusual paths to GCU

PHOENIX – Hunter Omlid and Tyson Heaton have take unconventional baseball journeys. Both committed to a Division I baseball program, then found themselves at Central Arizona, a junior college program, playing baseball a year later. Now, they both find themselves at GCU playing out the rest of their collegiate careers.

Grand Canyon University senior pitcher Hunter Omlid previous played for Boise State. The program was disbanded, and he was forced to find a new place to play baseball. (Photo by Lauren Hertz/Cronkite News)

Former ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith returns to Valley in MLB Desert Invitational

PHOENIX – Former ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith returns to the Valley when his Michigan Wolverines compete in the MLB Desert Invitational baseball tournament.

Tracy Smith, right, coached seven seasons at Arizona State before he was let go. Now the head coach at Michigan, he said, “I appreciated my time,” in Tempe. (File photo by Jordan Kaye/Cronkite News)

ASU’s play ‘Safe At Home’ gives audiences unique, eye-opening theater experience

TEMPE – The unique play “Safe At Home,” an ASU production, gives viewers a chance to see behind the scenes at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Tour guides navigate the audience across nine scenes during a 90-minute interactive experience.

A major league umpire and the vice president of Major League Basketball in a scene from "Safe at Home." (Photo courtesy of Tim Trumble)

Bigger bases, no defensive shifts and a pitch clock: MLB implements rule changes for 2023 spring training and beyond

SCOTTSDALE – MLB hosted a rules demonstration at Salt River Fields Tuesday to introduce media to the way the ghost runner, banned shift, pitch clock and bigger bases will work beginning with spring training and into the 2023 regular season.

Joe Martinez, the vice president of on-field strategy at MLB, demonstrated the implementation of the pitch clock Tuesday ahead of the 2023 season. (Photo by Lauren Hertz/Cronkite News)

Arizona Diamondbacks adding new wrinkle to jerseys with Avnet patch

PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks unveiled its new jersey advertisement recently, with Avnet becoming the franchise’s new partner. The ad is a black square with the Avnet logo and text that matches some of the team’s colors. The reaction has been mixed.

The Arizona Diamondbacks' jerseys will undergo slight alterations ahead of the 2023 season and feature an Avnet-sponsored sleeve patch. (Photo by Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks/Getty Images)

Legend for Charity: Howie Long honored with prestigious Pat Summerall Award at St. Jude event

PHOENIX – More than 500 attendees gathered at the St. Jude Legends for Charity dinner during Super Bowl week, where former NFL great and Fox Sports NFL analyst Howie Long was honored with the Pat Summerall Award for his contributions to cancer research. More than $800,000 was raised for St. Jude families that will impact the lives of kids with cancer like Owen Church, who Long visited during Church’s treatments at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital years ago.

Add Pat Summerall Award recipient to Hall of Famer Howie Long's extensive list of accolades. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Valley’s latest sportsbook expected to hit TPC Scottsdale next fall

SCOTTSDALE – The DraftKings Sportsbook, located across the street from TPC Scottsdale, is expected to be completed this fall, making it the first on-site sportsbook at a PGA Tour event.

A rendering outside of the new DraftKings Sportsbook, which is located directly across from the TPC Scottsdale clubhouse. (Rendering courtesy of Allen + Philp Partners)

New Phoenix Suns Warren and Bazley have connections to Arizona

PHOENIX – A week after the NBA trade deadline, and the marquee name plastered all around the Valley is that of 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant. The former Brooklyn Net brings championship aspirations back to Phoenix, but he also brings along a familiar face. Forward T.J. Warren, who was part of the trade from Brooklyn, played his first five NBA seasons in Phoenix.

Less than a month ago, T.J. Warren, right, and Cameron Johnson wore different jerseys. A trade means Warren is back in a Suns uniform and Johnson is sporting one from the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

A dynasty is born: Kansas City Chiefs enter rare air with Super Bowl 57 win

GLENDALE – The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57 to become the NFL’s newest dynasty. Historical parallels between the Patriots’ dynasty of old and the Chiefs of today are more apparent after Sunday's comeback win over Philadelphia at State Farm Stadium.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes fought his way through a high ankle sprain to capture his second Super Bowl MVP award in Sunday's 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

WM Phoenix Open’s raucous 16th hole leaves other sports events ‘in the dirt’

SCOTTSDALE – The otherwise nondescript par-3 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open has grown from a good spot to watch golf and grab a beer to one of the most unique, iconic and raucous holes on the PGA Tour.

The 16th hole at the the WM Phoenix Open rivals some of the best-known staples in sports — and it's only growing each year in popularity. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

Above the fray: Scottie Scheffler wins back-to-back at raucous WM Phoenix Open

SCOTTSDALE – Scottie Scheffler is unflappable on the golf course, even when that course is the TPC Scottsdale with hundreds of thousands of raucous fans there to party at the WM Phoenix Open.

Phoenix Open winner Scottie Scheffler watches the trajectory of his shot Saturday. Most if his went in a positive direction and he pocketed $3.6 million. (Photo by Matt Venezia/Cronkite News)