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A32 sports
Diasabra 14 augustus 2021

Youth movement for Little League World Series broadcasters

broadcast will complement Hampton University.
the main feed on ESPN. “I know the team has a lot of
fun things planned for the
Two nights later, one of the broadcasts that will be of in-
Little League World Series terest to kids and MLB fans
games will serve as the stand- of all ages. Since 2019 I’ve
alone telecast on ESPN at had some practice and feel
7:30 p.m. EDT. more prepared than ever. I
can’t wait to work with some
This is the second time the new people and get back at it
network has done a KidsCast in Williamsport,” Davis said
from the Little League World in a statement.
Series. A 2019 game win-
ner’s bracket game between Play-by-play announcer Ian
Hawaii and Virginia aired on Nichols, analyst Zoe Alter
ESPN2 alongside the tradi- and reporter Hayley Galindo
tional broadcast on ESPN. were selected from the Bruce
Beck Sports Broadcasting
Last year’s LLWS and MLB Camp. Alter was a reporter
Little League Classic were during the 2019 game and
canceled because of the pan- said in a statement she is hop-
demic. ing that her experience from
two years ago will help with
Mo’ne Davis, the celebrated calling a game in the booth.
pitcher for Pennsylvania in
the Little League World Se- Alter will also serve as the re-
(AP) - ESPN will be us- port, Pennsylvania. MLB Little League Clas- ries in 2014, will be an analyst porter for the Little League
ing young broadcasters as sic between the Los Angeles for the second time. Davis Home Run Derby, which
part of the Little League The first of two KidsCast Angels and Cleveland Indi- was in the booth in 2019 and will air Aug. 29 before the
World Series in Williams- presentations will be the ans on Aug. 22. The ESPN2 is a communications major at LLWS title game.

Joe Thornton, 42 and eyeing Stanley Cup, signs with Panthers

(AP) — Joe Thornton’s season. decide if it was right to re- season behind Zdeno Chara
pursuit of an elusive Stan- “With more than 1,600 games turn. He said in June, after — decide that it wasn’t time
ley Cup is bringing him played in the NHL, Joe will He was the No. 1 pick in the Toronto’s season ended, that to retire quite yet. He’s been
to the Florida Panthers at bring a wealth of experience 1997 draft and started his he hadn’t made up his mind going through two-a-day
age 42. to our locker room and line- career playing parts of eight and wanted to focus on being workouts for much of the
up,” Panthers general man- seasons with Boston. He a father before settling on any summer and is convinced
He signed a one-year deal ager Bill Zito said. “His drive then went on to a 15-year run plans. he can still contribute at the
Friday, making Florida his to succeed is unmistakable with the Sharks and spent last NHL level.
fourth franchise in a now and we are thrilled that he season with Toronto — scor- “We’ll see,” Thornton said at
24-year NHL career. He has chose to sign with our club ing five goals in 44 games. the time. “The body feels good, the
more points than any other and that he believes in what mind feels good and I knew
active NHL player and is we are building here in South Thornton has been playing And then the Panthers called, pretty much after the season,
14th all-time on that list with Florida.” on essentially a year-to-year with the offer that helped I started training right away
1,529. basis for the last few seasons, Thornton — the second- and I felt good,” Thornton
Conversations with the Pan- taking time each summer to oldest skater in the NHL last said. “Here we go again.”
The 13 players ahead of him thers’ braintrust — includ-
in points are in the Hall of ing Zito, head coach Joel
Fame. Quenneville and his former
Team Canada teammate Ro-
“I see their team on paper, I berto Luongo — helped con-
watched their team last year, I vince Thornton this was the
love their team and that’s it,” right move, he said.
Thornton said. “I love what
they’re building and I’m ex- “The energy these guys bring
cited to be part of it. But ev- every day, they want to work
erything is about ultimately every day, they want to get
winning the Stanley Cup and better every day,” Thornton
the Panthers are right there in said. “I’m just really looking
my opinion.” forward to joining them on
the journey.”
Thornton said he watched
Florida’s playoff series with Thornton has done about all
Tampa Bay last spring and there is in hockey, except win
was impressed by what he a Stanley Cup. He went to
saw from the Panthers. The the final once, with San Jose
Lightning went on to win the in 2016 when the Sharks lost
Stanley Cup, their second in six games to the Pittsburgh
consecutive title. The Pan- Penguins.
thers have spent a summer
making moves to get closer He’s won an Olympic gold
to that level, and Thornton medal with Canada in 2010,
was contacted by the Pan- the Hart Trophy as the
thers weeks ago in an effort league’s MVP in 2005-06 and
to make him part of the mix. the scoring title that same