Sports

FRESNO -  Under the new ownership of Fresno Sports and Events, Fresno Grizzlies fans will notice several capital improvements to the team’s home, Chukchansi Park, as the 2018 season progresses.  In addition to a new gathering and hospitality area in the left field portion of the stadium, the organization has announced plans to expand the protective netting behind home plate.  

By the home opener on April 10, fans sitting adjacent to either baseline will have a more enjoyable experience with increased cover from high-velocity foul balls.  Protective netting at Chukchansi Park will now extend from behind home plate to the far end of each dugout.

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA  -   More than 200 of the collector car world's finest and rarest motorcars will decorate the rolling grasses of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, as The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering returns to Monterey Car Week on Friday, August 24^th.  Now in its 16^th year, the luxury-lifestyle event will feature six international culinary pavilions, fine wines, and a family-friendly atmosphere, along with an array of classic automobiles and motorcycles from the world's most preeminent sports and racing brands.

This year's event will be highlighted by two new classes praising German innovation: "70 Years of the Iconic Porsche 356" and "The Alois Ruf Reunion." The 356 display will showcase Porsche's history and legacy in the form of the marque's first production sports car, while the ultra-rare Ruf class will showcase an exclusive collection from the legendary performance car manufacturer and tuner. Both displays will complement the 2018 event themes alongside a host of traditional classes including Pre-War Sports and Racing, Custom Coachwork, Supercars, and The Great Ferraris.

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. -  The USGA and The R&A have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented January 1, 2019. The USGA and The R&A finalized golf's new Rules this month after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. Golfers can now access the official 2019 Rules of Golf by visiting RandA.org or usga.org/rules.

The process to modernize the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers. 

FRESNO -  The ownership transfer of the Fresno Grizzlies, Triple-A Pacific Coast League affiliate of the Houston Astros, has been made official. Michael Baker, along with partners Ray Baker and Jim Coufos, have assumed the role of managing general partners (see attached bios). Derek Franks, after serving as executive vice president and general manager, will continue to lead the front office staff in day-to-day operations as the newly-appointed team president.

The new ownership group of the franchise, Fresno Sports and Events, assumes control from former managing general partner Chris Cummings and Fresno Sports Management. The incoming group has agreed to a lease at Chukchansi Park guaranteed to keep the Grizzlies in Fresno through 2036. The Fresno City Council vote on the new lease was unanimous, 7-0.