BASEBALL
Taiwan obliterate Japan
Taiwan took full advantage of a home field on Sunday to take a 13-3 win over Japan at the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) Under-12 Baseball World Championships in Taipei. Taiwan’s lineup battered Japan’s ace pitcher in front of more than 4,100 fans, making it the second win for Taiwan in the tournament. Local favorite Chu Mai-ke hit a Grand Slam to left field in the third inning, followed by another seven runs from his teammates during the next two innings. Taiwan starter Chen Tzu-yang allowed only three runs in the fourth inning to take the win. Chen also contributed a solo homer in the bottom of the third. Taiwan manager Wu Ying-tzu said he was satisfied with his team’s performance, adding that the team was looking for a top-four finish.
BASEBALL
All-Star no-shows mount
Major League Baseball’s All-Star game has been hit with a mass exodus of players as two more players pulled out on Sunday, bringing the no-shows to 16 so far. Eight players bowed out on Sunday after six pitchers were declared ineligible because they played in games on Sunday. Philadelphia infielder Placido Polanco withdrew because of a bad back and Tampa pitcher David Price pulled out because he is suffering from turf toe. Former MLB player John Kruk said some players have a legitimate reasons for not playing in the Summer Classic, but others might be skipping the game for the wrong reasons. “The guys elected by fans should be at the All-Star game whether they can play or not,” Kruk said. “If you were one of the most popular players in the vote, you should be there at the All-Star game.” Sixteen All-Stars won’t appear in today’s game, including 13 of the 68 originally chosen. The missing is a who’s who of MLB, including the Yankees’ trio of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera.
BASEBALL
A-Rod goes under the knife
New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez was to undergo knee surgery yesterday and could be out for up to six weeks while he recovers, the Major League Baseball team said on Sunday. The 36-year-old Rodriguez was to undergo an operation to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee. The surgery was to take place at the University of Miami. The club announced the injury on Saturday, saying it is located in the same leg Rodriguez uses to push off while swinging. An MRI on Friday showed a slight tear in the cartilage.
SUMO
Japan resumes tournaments
Sumo held its first full tournament in six months on Sunday following a hugely damaging bout--fixing scandal that infuriated the public and forced the resignations of 22 wrestlers and one stablemaster. The 15-day showpiece comes after the Japan Sumo Association had to cancel a a tournament in March following revelations that some wrestlers exchanged mobile text messages to fix bouts in the ancient national sport. The biggest scandal to ever face the sport saw a May tournament become a “forum to evaluate the skills” of wrestlers and fans were invited to watch for free. “We apologize for the troubles and worries we have caused,” Hanaregoma, chairman of the association, said in an address to hundreds of fans at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya. “During this tournament, wrestlers will give all their strength and skills to stage exciting sumo. I am sure this will meet your expectations.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and