First Call: Trace McSorley’s new gig; Max Scherzer’s shiner; NHL rule changes
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For Thursday’s “First Call,” Trace McSorley expands his horizons. Can the NHL do what the NFL can’t? A youth umpire brings about parental chaos. Max Scherzer’s black eye is a golden moment.
What’s next?
Penn State product Trace McSorley may be returning punts for the Ravens.
McSorley has always wanted to be a quarterback. But the Ravens are trying to figure out other ways to deploy him until — or unless — they use him under center.
Via NFL.com, “McSorley took reps returning punts over the past several weeks at Ravens OTAs and minicamp practices.”
McSorley told the Ravens “Final Drive Podcast” that, “It’s just something interesting to be able to come in and learn and try and prove myself in a different way that I can be able to get on the field and make an impact.”
With his athleticism? Yeah. That could happen. And it’s a good thing to see McSorley warming to other options besides QB.
Too bad he’s doing it for Baltimore.
So, what are we doing here?
While the NFL is trying to get its head on straight in terms of video review for pass interference, the NHL may be expanding its own use of replay.
Via Bob McKenzie of TSN:
Coaches challenge for video review would be expanded to include ability to challenge missed calls that lead to tainted goals — uncalled illegal hand pass (Meier to Karlsson); uncalled high-sticking of puck to a teammate; uncalled puck hitting the out-of-play protective netting.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 19, 2019
Referees would be permitted to check their own work by viewing monitor at penalty box after they’ve assessed a major penalty or a double minor and, if necessary, amend/rescind or uphold the call.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 19, 2019
Obviously, these are attempts to erase situations that were previously blown calls in the playoffs this past spring. So the NHL is trying to rectify a problem after the fact akin to what the NFL tried to do following the Saints-Rams pass-interference debacle in the NFC Championship game.
Similarly, the NHL is trying to put toothpaste back in the tube for a slew of fumbles in this year’s postseason. Now the board of governors has to make sure it streamlines the implementation of its rules rather than mangling them as the NFL has done the past few months.
Pretty ugly
This clip sure has made the social-media rounds.
It’s a video of a youth baseball game marred by a brawl when a 13-year-old umpire allegedly blew a call.
The fallout was, well, take a look.
Youth baseball game descends into all-out brawl with parents throwing haymakers and others cowering for cover after disagreeing with 13-year-old umpire. https://t.co/gJDXVy2ZK6 pic.twitter.com/44UOrKqkU5
— ABC News (@ABC) June 19, 2019
The only thing I can think of is that maybe the kid-ump ejected the pitcher because he took off his hat and glove.
Cashless Super Bowl
No cash at the Super Bowl? No problem!
Well, once you get in anyway.
Yes, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan, the Dolphins are considering removing any cash transactions from the Super Bowl in 2020.
Tom Garfinkel is the president and CEO of the Miami Dolphins. His club hosts the 2020 Super Bowl. He told Kaplan in an email, “Doing a lot of research now and contemplating cashless Super Bowl.”
It’s a growing trend. The Falcons are doing it. The Ravens are considering it.
So, for all of you who say that all the NFL wants to do is take your money…technically, they don’t.
They just want your debit card.
Shining with a shiner
You may have seen Washington pitcher Max Scherzer bunt a ball into his own face earlier this week.
Max Scherzer breaks his nose attempting to bunt pic.twitter.com/iUblIjHzFX
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) June 19, 2019
It left a mark. Here’s what Scherzer looked like as a result.
A broken nose and black eye weren't gonna stop Max Scherzer from taking the hill pic.twitter.com/Ba9OwxSlat
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 19, 2019
That didn’t seem to hinder Scherzer’s pitching, though.
The Broken Nose Game#Scherzday // #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/g16KEcQVSd
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 20, 2019
The Nationals beat the Phillies, 2-0.