A player looks on from the dugout during a baseball game at Kentlake High School in Kent, Wash., on May 4, 2025. According to a survey by the Aspen Institute, 11.4% of parents believe their children can play professionally. (Grant Hindsley/The New York Times) By Ken Belson Like many mothers in Southern California, Paula Gartin put her twin son and daughter, Mikey and Maddy, into youth sports leagues as soon as they were old enough. For years, they loved playing soccer, baseba

The fourth set was a defensive display by Corozal as the Plataneros built a wall with two consecutive blocks to take a 19-17 lead, and later closed out the set with four straight blocks. By THE STAR STAFF The battle for a spot in the finals of the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM by its initials in Spanish) is more alive than ever with the B Semifinal Series now tied at one win apiece after the Plataneros of Corozal fiercely defended their home court, Carmen Z. Figueroa

A solo shot to right field in the seventh inning by MJ Meléndez (14) made it 4-0 Caguas. By THE STAR STAFF The Caguas Criollos secured the fourth and final spot in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPRC by its initials in Spanish) semifinals on Monday evening after defeating the Mayagüez Indians 4-0 at Yldefonso Solá Morales Stadium in Caguas. With the win, the Criollos eliminated the Indians (Indios), ending their bid to repeat as champions and tie the Crio

Paolo Banchero has heard the chatter that the Orlando Magic play more smoothly and more effectively when he and Franz Wagner are on the court separately instead of together. (Facebook via Orlando Magic) By JOSH ROBBINS / THE ATHLETIC This was supposed to be the season when star forward Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic improved hand in hand. That has not happened. At least not yet. One-third of the way through their season, despite injuries to key players and one of the le

Anthony Calarco delivered the walk-off heroics, singling in the 10th inning to lift the Lions to a 2–1 win over the Mayagüez Indians at Francisco “Paquito” Montaner Stadium. By THE STAR STAFF The Carolina Giants, Ponce Lions and Santurce Crabbers all closed Saturday with victories as the 2025–26 Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPRC) regular season heads down the stretch. A five-run outburst in the third inning po wered the Carolina Giants to a 6–2 victory over

COLICEBA President Sandrelly Córdova presented the championship trophy to Guapos owner Joey Solá, manager Nelson Molina, and Dorado Mayor Aníbal José Torres. By THE STAR STAFF Los Guapos de Dorado were crowned champions of the Confederation of the Central Amateur Baseball League (COLICEBA) on Saturday after defeating the Arroyo Buccaneers 7–2 at Perucho Cepeda Stadium in Cataño. Dorado closed out the championship series in six games, marking the first title for the Guapos in

Then-New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz, on the mound at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., Aug. 13, 2022. Díaz agreed to a three-year, $69 million free-agent deal with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Dec. 8. (Michelle Farsi/The New York Times) By BRITTANY GHIROLI / THE ATHLETIC While Kyle Schwarber (five years, $150 million) and Edwin Díaz (three years, $69 million) agreed to record-breaking free-agent deals a few minutes apart Dec. 8, agent Scott Boras held court wit

Nashaly Rivera of the Artesanas of Las Piedras. The Artesanas, after sweeping Santa Isabel in the semifinals, will face the Taínas of Utuado in the Women’s Baseball League finals, which open next Sunday. By THE STAR STAFF The Artesanas of Las Piedras secured their place in the final series of the Puerto Rico Women’s Baseball League championship after defeating the Ponys of Santa Isabel 14-7 at Luis “Tony” Martínez Park in the Felicia neighborhood of Las Piedras on Sunday. Wit