Cronkite News/Arizona PBS

Diamondbacks embrace new 2023 MLB scheduleLast week, the Diamondbacks revealed their 2023 regular season schedule and it featured an anomaly. For the first time, the major league franchise would be taking on all 29 other teams in the league.

Arizona State University athletes promote change on campus through Black Student Athlete AssociationLed by former sprinter Cortney Jones, Arizona State athletes formed the Black Student Athlete Association last January hoping to promote social justice. Now an official campus organization, the BSAA aims to provide support to athletes of color and bring social-justice changes.

Arizona Diamondbacks players excited for 2023 with MLB rule changesWith MLB approving new rule changes for the 2023 season, what are the Diamondbacks thoughts and how will these changes affect the league next season?

Drey Jameson, Ryne Nelson make MLB debuts for Diamondbacks weeks apartDiamondbacks pitchers Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson were roommates throughout their minor league careers. Now they both received a call to the show, just weeks apart from each other.

Diamondbacks' Stone Garrett realizes dreams thanks to LinkedInWhen Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Stone Garrett was released by the Miami Marlins organization in 2020 due to roster cuts, he took a job as a realtor in Houston, TX. However, Garrett knew he wasn’t done playing baseball just yet.

Vacation can wait for Diamondbacks catcher Cooper HummelThe Diamondbacks have sent utility player Cooper Hummel to the Arizona Fall League to hone his skills behind the plate with the hope that he can become a regular backup to starting catcher Carson Kelly. Hummel has played in 64 games this season in various roles, including 16 starts at catcher.

Diamondbacks High-A coach Loux turns to coaching in Fall League after injuriesShane Loux had an unconventional playing career because of two Tommy John surgeries and two major gaps during his time in Major League Baseball. Now as a High-A pitching coach and Salt River Rafters pitching coach in the Arizona Fall League, Loux inspires other pitchers to make their dreams a reality.

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jacob Gonzalez grows out of father Luis Gonzalez’s shadowThird baseman Jacob Gonzalez, son of Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez, was drafted out of high school by the San Francisco Giants in 2017. Now he's participating in the Arizona Fall League and paving his own career path.

Peoria Javelinas manager Reid Brignac turns to coaching after MLB careerBinghamton Rumble Ponies manager Reid Brignac is no stranger to the game of baseball. Now wanting to expand his wealth of knowledge to younger prospects, Brignac has brought his talents to Peoria to manage the Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League.

Mets prospect Brandon McIlwain uses Fall League to advance careerNew York Mets prospect Brandon McIlwain was a quarterback at Cal in college and also played at the University of South Carolina as a baseball player before pursuing baseball full time. While he was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2019, he opted to return to college and signed with the Mets in 2020.

Leichman’s past fuels next generation of pitchers in Arizona Fall LeagueAlon Leichman, pitching coach of the Tacoma Rainiers (Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners), has had two Tommy John Surgeries and almost needed a third during his time at UCSD. Not wanting to give up on his playing career, Leichman played for Team Israel, coaching and pitching across international competition.

Solar Sox manager Bobby Crosby rediscovers baseball passionBobby Crosby won the American League Rookie of the Year award with the Oakland Athletics in 2004, but he never had a better season in the major leagues. While his playing career didn’t go according to plan, Crosby has rediscovered his passion for the game as a coach and manager in the A’s organization.

Fall League’s BJ Murray Jr. builds career while representing BahamasBJ Murray Jr. was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and moved to the U.S. when he was 14 years old to pursue his baseball career. Murray Jr. was then drafted by the Cubs in the 15th round of the 2021 draft out of Florida Atlantic, building a friendship along the way.

A day in the life of the MLB's Arizona Fall LeagueWhile the Arizona Fall League takes place from October-November, it is considered baseball’s league of the offseason. From the communications department to the players, each person has different experiences.

2022 Arizona Fall League Fall Stars games undergoes changes to format, rulesThe Arizona Fall League hosted its 16th annual Fall Stars Game this past weekend, with the best prospects being selected to represent the National and American Leagues. While the field of competition changes every year, the event itself has also morphed over the years.

ASU women’s basketball forfeits games against Pac-12 teams Utah, ColoradoArizona State announced Wednesday that the ASU women’s basketball games against Colorado and Utah had been canceled due to student-athlete availability. The games will not be made up, and will not affect the overall records of the schools.

Brotherly love: How the McLains left lasting impact on ArizonaGrowing up in California. brothers Nick, Matt and Sean McLain played baseball in their backyard with their parents. Now, two are in major league farm systems and another at ASU. While their paths may have intertwined, these brothers are forging their own outside of each other's shadows.

Major League Baseball has diversity problem and no clear solutionWith no United States-born Black baseball players featured in the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, many felt as though baseball had taken a step away from building a diverse game. The next generation of players are growing within the youth community and the MLB DREAM Series in Tempe proved that the game still has more to learn.

Diamondbacks’ relations with Bally Sports Arizona in limboDiamond Sports Group, the ownership group of Bally Sports Networks, failed to make a $140 million interest payment Wednesday and is over $8 billion in debt. With TV rights in question, MLB is prepared to take back ownership of 14 teams rights, including the Diamondbacks.

MLB implements rule changes with 2023 spring training on the horizonMLB 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.

Arizona High School Hockey Association to host championships at Mullett ArenaThe AHSHA was started to allow high school athletes to participate in high level hockey competition across the state. However, the AIA has not sanctioned it due to equipment costs and limitations with how many schools have participated. With the league gaining traction, hockey in the desert is thriving more than ever.

Team Mexico advances to World Baseball Classic quarterfinals with win over Team CanadaThanks to a clutch offensive round by Randy Arozarena and Alexis Wilson throughout group play at the World Baseball Classic, Team Mexico cruised through and punched a ticket to the quarterfinals in MIami, Florida.

Team Canada falls short behind pitching woes at 2023 World Baseball ClassicPHOENIX – With 21 years separating the youngest and oldest pitcher on Team Canada’s pitching staff and a median age of 29, the grit and determination shown proves you don’t need years of major league experience to represent your country on an international stage.

Team USA rebounds to rout Team Canada in 2023 World Baseball ClassicAfter Monday’s victory against Team Canada, Team USA stayed alive with a 12-1 victory and sit only one win away from advancing to the next round of the World Baseball Classic.

Team USA’s Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado return to the World Baseball Classic stage hoping to 2017 titleTeam USA hoisted the World Baseball Classic trophy at Dodger Stadium in 2017. Veterans Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinal are the only returners to Team USA in 2023.

Team Canada opens World Baseball Classic bid with 18-8 mercy against Great BritainIn the first game of two on Sunday in group C, Canada took on Great Britain and mercied them 18-8 in a matchup that only lasted seven innings but almost four hours. It was a breath of fresh air for the Canadians, who didn’t make it past the group stages in 2017 but are looking to make a serious run in 2023.

Cactus League expects full capacity spring training for first time since 2019In 2018, the W.P. Carey School of Business reported that the Cactus League generated $644.2 million in economic impact for Arizona. But between the COVID-19 pandemic and MLB lockout, the economy has taken a hit. With the first normal spring training in four years beginning on Feb. 24, the Cactus League expects full crowds, and a massive turn for the better.

Pitcher Robert Gasser says ‘Confidence is key’ to success at Brewers spring trainingWith a mix of veterans and rookies filling the clubhouse at American Family Fields of Phoenix, the light at the end of the tunnel lies with the success of the pitching staff. Although spring training games start Friday, the overall message in the clubhouse is to learn from the veterans while soaking in every moment to play at the major league level.

More work can be found here: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/people/lauren-hertz/

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