Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

BASEBALL Empire Baseball League: The six-team independent Empire League started its 2021 season this week with only four participating teams that include the New Hampshire Rhinos (Concord) and three upper New York teams called the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds, Saranac Lake Surge and Tupper Lake Riverpigs. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, the 2021 schedule will not include the league's Georgia Rhinos (Conyers) and Puerto Rico Islanders and all games will be played in New York and New ... Full Story

The Canadian Football League Returns August 5th

TORONTO - The Canadian Football League's (CFL) comeback season is a "go". The league's Board of Governors today voted unanimously on a 14-game regular season for its' teams that will kick off August 5 and lead to the 108th Grey Cup on December 12 in Hamilton, Ontario. "This is an exciting day for Canadian football and for Canada itself," said Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner of the CFL. "I want to thank our fans, players, coaches, and partners for their incredible support and patience as we've worked together towards this day. This is great news for everyone who loves our game and our cou... Full Story

Thunder, Komets Play Deciding Game 5 Tonight in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, IN - Wichita and Fort Wayne will collide tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Game 5 of their first round playoff series with the winner moving on to the Western Conference Finals to face Allen. The Thunder evened up the series on Saturday night with a 4-2 win at Memorial Coliseum. Matteo Gennaro had two goals while Brayden Watts had two helpers. Evan Buitenhuis stopped 23 of 25 shots to claim his second win of the postseason. Wichita improved to 69-65 all-time in the playoffs and 29-41 on the road. In a Game 5 situation, the Thunder are 5-12 all-time and 17-21 when facing elimination. Wi... Full Story

Felix Valerio Named Low-A East Player of the Week

ZEBULON - The Carolina Mudcats, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, are thrilled to announce that infielder Felix Valerio has been named the Low-A East Player of the Week for the week ending on June 13. Valerio led Low-A East with a 1.594 OPS, .690 on-base percentage, .905 slugging percentage and a league high 12 hits during the last week of games. In all, Valerio hit .571/.690/.905 with a 1.594 OPS, 12 hits, two doubles, one triple, one home run, six RBI, seven walks and only one strikeout over six games during the week of June 7 through June 13. He also totaled a Low-A East best 19... Full Story

• Colorado Inks Forward Benjamin Tardif to Two-Year Deal - Colorado Eagles (AHL)
• Know Your Opponent: FC Cincinnati - Colorado Rapids (MLS)
• Brandon Howlett Named High-A Player of the Week for June 7-13 - Greenville Drive (High-A East)
• Minnesota Lynx Injury Updates - Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
• San Jose Giants Sweep Low-A West Weekly Awards - San Jose Giants (Low-A West)
• Monarchs Add MLB Experience to Pitching Staff - Kansas City Monarchs (AA)
• Pioneer Baseball League Announces Post-MLB Draft Tryout Camp  - Boise Hawks (PL)
• Charles to Miss June 17 Game vs. Atlanta - Washington Mystics (WNBA)
• Increased Seating Capacity and Updated Health & Safety Guidelines Announced - Tampa Tarpons (Low-A Southeast)
• Williamson and Llewellyn Receive WCL's Moss Adams Weekly Accolades - (WCL)
• All Today's Minor League News
  

• WNBA All-Star Game returns to Las Vegas - WNBA Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Star striker Jozy Altidore remains in limbo as Toronto FC returns to action - MLS Toronto Star
• Analysis: Three things going right during Mud Hens' win streak - AAA East Toledo Blade
• Roughriders, CFL to return to the field in August - CFL Regina Leader-Post
• Bombers will finally have chance to defend Grey Cup as CFL board of governors approves 2021 season - CFL Winnipeg Sun
• Three keys to hot start for first-place Dayton Dragons - High-A Central Dayton Daily News
• Full circle: E.P. Reese finds his surroundings as the newest member of the Dash very familiar - High-A East Winston-Salem Journal
• Rochester Red Wings start homestand on hot streak: Keys to improvement - AAA East Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
• 'Pittsburgh breathes, lives and dies football': Former players hope Maulers get second chance - USFL Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• PHOTOS: Scenes from RedHawks homestand that ended with 4 consecutive victories - AA Fargo Forum
• All Today's Minor League Headlines

• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Baseball Mexico by Bruce Baskin
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger
• Last Week around the Leagues by Fran Stuchbury
• Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report by Dan Krieger

Dayton Dragons pitcher Carson Spiers

See All Today's Images The following minor league and alternative professional sports teams on OurSports Central have been viewed the most over the last seven days:

1. Gastonia Honey Hunters - Atlantic League (AtL)
2. B.C. Lions - Canadian Football League (CFL)
3. Kansas City Monarchs - American Association (AA)
4. Sioux City Explorers - American Association (AA)
5. Jacksonville Sharks - National Arena League (NAL)
6. High Point Rockers - Atlantic League (AtL)
7. Columbia Fireflies - Low-A East League (Low-A East)
8. Idaho Falls Chukars - Pioneer League (PL)
9. St. Paul Saints - Triple-A East League (AAA East)
10. West Virginia Power - Atlantic League (AtL)

The most recent minor league and alternative professional sports teams added to OurSports Central:

• San Diego - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
• Las Vegas - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
• Amarillo Wranglers - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
• Lake Country DockHounds - American Association (AA)
• Binghamton Black Bears - Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
• Las Vegas - Indoor Football League (IFL)
• Abbotsford - American Hockey League (AHL)
• Billings - Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
• Team Quebec - Frontier League (FL)
• NJ/NY Gotham FC - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)

OurSports Central provides coverage of select alternative and minor league professional sports leagues in addition to the top junior hockey leagues and college wood bat baseball leagues:

BASEBALL
Affiliated Minor League Baseball
AA Central, AA Northeast, AA South, AAA East, AAA West, AzFL, AzL, GCL, High-A Central, High-A East, High-A West, Low-A East, Low-A Southeast, Low-A West, ML, MLBDL
College Wood Bat Baseball
ApL, Northwoods
Independent Minor League Baseball
AA, AtL, FL, Mavericks, PA, Pecos, PL

BASKETBALL
Men's Minor League Basketball
BIG3, CEBL, G League, NBL Canada
Women's Basketball
WNBA

FOOTBALL
Indoor/Arena Football
CIF, IFL, NAL
Outdoor Football
CFL, USFL, XFL

HOCKEY
Junior Hockey
NAHL, OHL, QMJHL, USHL, WHL
Minor League Hockey
AHL, ECHL, FPHL, SPHL
Women's Hockey
NWHL

LACROSSE
Indoor Lacrosse
NLL
Outdoor Lacrosse
PLL

OTHER
Other Sports
MLR, NARL
Other Women's
NPF, WTT

SOCCER
Indoor Soccer
MASL
Outdoor Soccer
CPL, MLS, USL, USL1
Women's Soccer
NWSL