Edgecombe, a 20-year-old guard from the Bahamas, dove into the first row in pursuit of a loose ball at TD Garden. The Baylor product succeeded in saving the ball, but still went crashing into a fan.

Batting average was a priority for Andrew Benintendi when he first broke into the major leagues in 2016. He batted .312 in the minors on the way to his debut.Going into his fourth season with the Chicago White Sox and 11th overall, he is more focused on his OPS and power numbers.The game kind of changes where the money is, I guess, Benintendi said. So players obviously will chase that.The significance of batting average has been in decline for years, replaced by on-base percentage and slugging percentage, along with the OPS metric that combines the two. Batting average treats all hits as the same, while OPS accounts for power and other methods of reaching base.But the diminished importance of what was once one of the majors' marquee statistics was thrown into sharp relief by the free agency of Luis Arraez over the winter. Arraez, a three-time batting champion who turns 29 in April, hit a career-low .292 with eight homers and 61 RBIs in 154 games for San Diego last season. The infielder also led the NL in hits for the second straight year. But he doesn't hit for power or walk very much, and he has defensive limitations.So, even with his .317 career batting average tops among active qualified players Arraez was on the market until right before spring training, when he agreed to a $12 million, one-year deal with San Francisco. Arraez said he had some multiyear offers, but the Giants gave him an opportunity to play second base.I don't care who (is throwing). I don't care if he's a Cy Young (Award winner), he said. I have a bat, and I want to go up there and compete.The MLB-wide batting average has remained fairly steady since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. It was .248 in 2023 marking a successful debut for a package of rule changes that included a pitch clock, bigger bases and limits on infield shifts .243 in 2024 and .245 last year, according to Sportradar.While New York Yankees star Aaron Judge won the 2025 AL batting title with a .331 average, just seven qualified big leaguers hit .300 or better, matching the previous year for the fewest since a record-low six in 1968. Philadelphias Trea Turner won the NL batting title with a record-low .304 average.We look at more of the advanced metrics and the expected outcomes based on the quality of the at-bat, the process metrics, but you can start with batting average and say this guys doing something well, said Chris Young, the president of baseball operations for the Texas Rangers.Its a preliminary indicator, but we dig pretty deep in terms of understanding the profile of a player and what we can expect and predict.Batting average is not something that we look at at the beginning of an evaluation, said Jed Hoyer, the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.I think theres a lot of things that are much more important, Hoyer said, but I do think that a guy like a Nico Hoerner or Luis Arraez, I do think in a world that values a strikeout, in a world that has so much incredible stuff, I think that the players that can truly put the ball in play at an elite level, I do think theres something to that.Hoerner hit .297 for the Cubs last year, helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He batted a team-high .371 with runners in scoring position.The 28-year-old Hoerner, who is going into the last year of his contract, said he thinks players still take some pride in their batting average.I think it's telling that if you ask the player what he hit last year, he still understands that thats batting average, right? Hoerner said. "They dont say like, oh, I hit .840 OPS. I hit .270 or whatever it is.Players are aware of whats valued and what gets them on the field and yeah, I dont think batting average is particularly high on that list. But I do think it is a reflection of quality of contact that guys make.It has changed the way players like Benintendi approach their game. From 2016-23, he hit .276 and averaged 14.1 homers per 162 games. In two years since, he is batting .234 and averaging 25.8 homers per 162 games.I think its more slug, OPS is what outweighs batting average now, Benintendi said, because say you hit .250 but you have 50 homers, would you rather have that or a guy who hits .315 with 10 homers? So I mean its kind of give and take depending on the player.The future of batting average also belongs to the game's youngest players, and it still holds some allure to them as well.Cincinnati infielder Sal Stewart, one of the preseason favorites for NL Rookie of the Year, hit .309 over two minor league stops last year before making his Reds debut in September. Stewart said batting average didn't come up very often during his development process, but it means something to him.I mean Im not like, Oh average is the king, you know, but I look into it, he said. But I really like on-base the most.___AP Baseball Writer David Brandt contributed to this report.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East.Cancellations and travel shutdowns are already affecting events since the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday. Organizers of Formula 1 and major soccer games face deciding within weeks whether they can go ahead as scheduled.Middle Eastern nations have become crucial to the world sports landscape over the last decade as event hosts, financial backers and employers for some of the world's top athletes.Key upcoming eventsThe clock is ticking for a decision on whether to cancel or move the Finalissima soccer game on March 27 between Spain and Argentina, the champions of Europe and South America. That match would offer Messi a chance to win yet another trophy in a glittering career.Qatar suspended all soccer games until further notice Sunday. Argentina was also scheduled to play Qatar in a friendly March 31.UEFA is monitoring and carefully assessing all developments of the situation in cooperation with (South American soccer body) CONMEBOL and the (local organizing committee), European soccer body UEFA told The Associated Press on Monday.Ronaldo's soccer team, Saudi club Al-Nassr, has already been affected by a wave of cancellations of Asian Champions League games. His team was scheduled to play Wednesday in Dubai.F1 has races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month. F1 and its teams typically start to fly in staff and freight weeks in advance, limiting the time to make a decision on whether to go ahead. Governing body FIA says its priority is safety and wellbeing.The men's and women's tennis tours and golf's European tour have just finished their Middle East tournament swings and aren't due back for months.Iran is set to play in US at the World CupIran is due to send its men's soccer team to the U.S. for the World Cup in just over three months, with a first game June 16 against New Zealand in Inglewood, California.There's doubt over whether Iran can or will take part in the tournament. Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj has said we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.The U.S. government has promised exemptions from its travel bans for athletes and coaches at events like the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Airspace closures leave athletes strandedEven if some events go ahead, a major concern for athletes and teams will be how they can travel in and out of the region safely.Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev is among a group of tennis players waiting in Dubai for a chance to fly out after a tournament there concluded last week. If they can't travel soon, it will affect the BNP Paribas Open starting Wednesday in Indian Wells, California.There are also travel difficulties for some athletes heading to the Winter Paralympics, which start Friday in Italy. The International Paralympic Committee says most teams are already in Europe for training and it's helping out others with travel. Iran is due to have one skier at the Paralympics.Cricket and basketball players are facing challenges, too, along with thousands of foreign tourists, while F1 personnel are seeking alternative travel to avoid the region on their way to this week's Australian Grand Prix.A key region for world sportsThe Middle East's influence on world sports has surged in recent years as countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have hosted major events and become crucial financial backers.Besides soccer and auto racing, Qatar has a World Endurance Championship sportscar race this month, a MotoGP motorcycle race, a gymnastics World Cup next month and hosts the first Diamond League track meet of the year in May. Qatar also owns Champions League-winning soccer team Paris Saint-Germain.Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, has funded the LIV Golf breakaway league and become a major player in world boxing.___AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Tyson Fury has hinted that he could walk away from boxing for a sixth time, with his comeback bout against Arslanbek Makhmudov now just weeks away.The 37-year-old former two-time unified heavyweight champion will step back into the ring on 11 April at Tottenham, with the contest broadcast live on Netflix.It will mark Fury's first appearance since suffering back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk, with the Ukrainian defeating him for a second time in December 2024.That defeat prompted the Gypsy King's fifth retirement from the sport.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayFury views the Russian powerhouse Makhmudov as a tune-up ahead of a potential third meeting with Usyk.However, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his Tottenham clash with the bear-wrestling Russian, Fury conceded he may turn down future opportunities and retire once more."I can only concentrate on who I'm fighting and that's Arslanbek Makhmudov," Fury said."And that's what I've got to do."I've got to get him out the way, beat him and then who knows?"That might be the end. I might retire again."LATEST SPORTS NEWS:10 talking points from the Premier League including Ramadan row, Arsenal art form and weird Sunday quirkPremier League sensationally forced to delete own tweet after furious complaints from TottenhamMick Schumacher crashes on first lap in nightmare return to racing as 'door closed' on F1 careerThe admission suggests the Wythenshawe fighter remains uncertain about his long-term future in the sport, despite preparations for what could prove to be his final professional contest.Should Fury follow through on retirement after defeating Makhmudov, he would be abandoning what would represent the most substantial payday of his entire career.A multi-million-pound clash with Anthony Joshua had been scheduled for September, with the two British heavyweights finally set to meet after years of failed negotiations.The bout was derailed when Joshua was involved in a devastating car accident in Nigeria last December.The crash claimed the lives of two of Joshua's close friends, Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, though the former unified champion himself escaped with only minor injuries.And the tragedy put any plans for the long-awaited all-British superfight on hold.Fury has revealed that Joshua's brush with death played a significant role in his decision to return to boxing.The Wythenshawe warrior reflected on the fragility of life when explaining his motivation."Tomorrow is not promised to anybody," Fury said. "The Bible says tomorrow is not a gift. Tomorrow ain't promised. Tomorrow is a mystery. So we have to live for today."And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I'm going to come back to boxing."Because it's something that I love and I'm passionate about. And that I've always been in love with."And there is no tomorrow to put it off to. So that's why I'm back today for this big fight."Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

The painting, created by the Dutch master in 1633, had disappeared after being sold in 1961.

Die deutsche Biathlon Mixed-Staffel hat die erste Medaille bei der Junioren-WM verpasst. Der Sieg ging berraschend an Lettland.[mehr]

ORLANDO, FL - The Orlando Pirates of the Indoor Football League have signed linebacker Khari Coleman for the 2026 season. The 6'2'' 220-pound LB achie... - IFL Orlando Pirates

DAYTON, OHIO - Single-game ticket sales for Dayton Dragons 2026 home games are now underway. The Dragons 26th Opening Night is set for Tuesday, April ... - MWL Dayton Dragons

Dans un entretien accord l'Equipe pour les 80 ans du mdia sportif, la lgende du football franais Zindine Zidane a notamment voqu son aventure en tant que joueur avec l'quipe de France. Et le prermier but de l'histoire du Stade de France inscrit face l'Espagne un soir glacial du mois de janvier 1998.

In the NCAA Tournament, overcoming the field is a title favorite's toughest task. Favorites have been having good fortune in recent years, however. Eight of the last 10 champions have been 1-seeds, one has been a 2-seed, and one has been a 4-seed. Will one of the top dogs continue the trend this year? Check out the odds for a few favorites against the field this season, at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 2. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Arizona vs. The Field Arizona: +475 (bet $10 to win $57.50 total)The Field: -750 (bet $10 to win $11.33 total) What to know: The Wildcats are 27-2 overall this season, but more impressively, Arizona is 14-2 in the Big 12, arguably the toughest conference in basketball. It has wins over Florida, UConn, Auburn, Alabama, Kansas, Houston and BYU (twice). The Big 12 is also the conference favored to win the national championship, at +160. Arizona is 13-0 in non-conference games, 9-2 against ranked opponents, and 23-2 when favored. In Mike DeCourcy's latest NCAA Tournament bracket projections, Zona is the 1-seed in the West Region. Duke vs. The Field Duke: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)The Field: -500 (bet $10 to win $12 total) What to know: Duke is the No. 1 team in the country (27-2, 15-1), and owns arguably the biggest win of the season, a 68-63 victory over Michigan on a neutral floor. Against ranked opponents, the Blue Devils are 10-2, and as the favorite, they are 25-2. Duke, however, has struggled to consistently cover spreads this season, sitting at 17-12 against the spread (ATS) and 15-12 ATS as the favorite. One thing to note is that a neutral site, Duke is 4-1. The ACC is at +340 to win the NCAA Tournament. In Mike DeCourcy's latest NCAA Tournament bracket projections, Duke is the 1-seed in the East Region. Michigan vs. The Field Michigan: +330 (bet $10 to win $43 total)The Field: -475 (bet $10 to win $12.11 total) What to know: Along with the Big 12, the Big Ten is considered the toughest conference in the nation, and Michigan (27-2) has dominated it. The Wolverines are 17-1 in-conference, with a lone 3-point loss to Wisconsin. In non-conference games, the Wolverines are 10-1 overall, and against ranked opponents, they are 7-1. The Big Ten is +170 to win that national title. In Mike DeCourcy's latest NCAA Tournament bracket projections, Michigan is the 1-seed in the Midwest Region. Houston vs. The Field Houston: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)The Field: -2500 (bet $10 to win $10.40 total) What to know: The Cougars have not appeared themselves as of late, having lost three in a row against ranked opponents. They are now 4-5 against ranked teams. Still, they are tied for second in the Big 12, and in Mike DeCourcy's latest NCAA Tournament bracket projections, Houston is the 2-seed in the South Region.