BGHT

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Syracuse Mets Partner with Dunkin’ to Bring Coffee and Donuts

to Workers at COVID-19 Testing Sites in Syracuse

Mets and Dunkin’ delivering coffee and donuts on Thursday morning

SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets, in a continuing community outreach campaign, are working with their partner Dunkin’ to recognize the efforts of our front-line Covid-19 workers. On Thursday morning, Dunkin’ and the Mets will deliver coffee, donuts, and Mets swag to 180 members of the Onondaga County Health Department at two different locations: The Triage Unit – testing members of our community at the Syracuse Community Health Center on South Salina Street and the County Health Department Inspectors at the Civic Center. Both groups have increased their members with the increased testing workload.

The Mets have stayed in touch with their sponsors and partners during this time, and Dunkin’ was looking to continue their support of local healthcare heroes in Central New York. The Syracuse Mets have been in touch with Onondaga County, and the County informed the team of the increased workload that these testing sites are having because of the ramped-up testing effort. The Syracuse Mets put the two groups together.

“We have the ability to bring great organizations together,” said Syracuse Mets General Manager Jason Smorol. “Dunkin’ has been looking for more people to help, and the County has just done such a great job for our public health. It feels good to be able to play matchmaker to the people who are making a difference in our community.”

“We are proud to give back to our local front-line workers as their selfless sacrifices during this crisis inspire all of us to come together to support our communities. We want people on the front lines to know that we have their backs and they can count on Dunkin’ to help keep them running,” said Eric Stensland, Dunkin’ Field Marketing Manager. “We thank our friends at the Syracuse Mets for helping to organize this special delivery and hope these donuts and coffee will help our heroes get through a busy day.”

The coffee and donuts will be brought to workers at the Civic Center at 8:45 a.m. and the Syracuse Community Health Center at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday as a thank you to those workers. Staff members from Dunkin’ will deliver the coffee and donuts while the Syracuse Mets staff will deliver hats to the workers at these locations as an additional thank you for the work they are doing.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

LPGA Tour Launches LPGA eTour Live with WGT by Topgolf

Four-week esports match-play tournament with LPGA and Symetra Tour players

to be streamed on LPGA, Topgolf digital platforms

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 12, 2020 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced today the launch of LPGA eTour Live, a match-play esports competition in an exclusive partnership with World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf. Eight LPGA and Symetra Tour players will play head-to-head in a series of seven nine-hole, online matches twice a week beginning Wednesday, May 13, culminating with a championship match on Wednesday, June 3. All matches will take place at 2 p.m. EDT and will stream live on LPGA and Topgolf digital platforms.

Below is the LPGA eTour Live on WGT schedule with the following players:

Wednesday, May 13:

Match 1 – Jessica Korda vs. Nelly Korda

Friday, May 15:

Match 2 – Angel Yin vs. Lizette Salas

Wednesday, May 20:

Match 3 – Tiffany Joh vs. Jenny Shin

Friday, May 22:

Match 4 – Jane Park vs. Lucy Li

Wednesday, May 27:

Match 5 – Semifinal: winners of Matches 1 and 2

Friday, May 29:

Match 6 – Semifinal: winners of Matches 3 and 4

Wednesday, June 3:

Match 7 – Championship: winners of Matches 5 and 6

“We are excited for this partnership with WGT and Topgolf to present an entertaining and alternative golf experience for all fans alike during a time when many are starved for competition,” said Brian Carroll, the LPGA’s Senior Vice President of Global Media Distribution. “This new endeavor is a creative way to showcase our LPGA and Symetra Tour players in an innovative online format, thanks to WGT and its incredibly realistic video game technology.”

“With a heightened focus on offering innovative, virtual entertainment and bringing people together during this time, WGT is honored to partner with the LPGA to present these live eTour events. WGT’s ability to provide the best esports golfing platform combined with the LPGA’s unique series of competitions will create a powerful experience for players all over the world who can truly immerse themselves in the competition,” said Lincoln Silver, Vice President of Business Development for Topgolf Media.

The first match between Jessica Korda and Nelly Korda will feature Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course, home to the 2022 and 2027 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Players can choose from numerous famed courses in the WGT portfolio, including the Old Course at St Andrews (host of the 2007 and 2013 AIG Women’s British Open), Oakmont Country Club (1992 and 2010 U.S. Women’s Open) and Pinehurst No. 2 (2014 U.S. Women’s Open), as well as future U.S. Women’s Open venues Erin Hills (2025), the Lake Course at The Olympic Club (2021) and Pebble Beach Golf Links (2023).

The matches will stream live on the WGT Twitch, YouTube and Facebook accounts, LPGA’s Twitter, Facebook, YouTube accounts and LPGA.com, and Discovery’s GOLFTV Twitter and Facebook accounts, and will be available via VOD on Golf Channel’s YouTube and GolfChannel.com. GOLFTV’s Henni Zuel and Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott will add commentary during the Wednesday matches, with Golf Channel’s Karen Stupples commentating on Fridays.

About Topgolf Entertainment Group

Topgolf Entertainment Group is a technology-enabled global sports and entertainment community that connects people in meaningful ways through the experiences we create, the innovation we champion and the good that we do. What started as a simple idea to enhance the game of golf has grown into a movement where people from all walks of life connect at the intersection of technology and sports entertainment. Topgolf Entertainment Group’s platforms include Topgolf venues, Topgolf Media, Topgolf International, Toptracer and Topgolf Swing Suite.

About WGT by Topgolf

WGT by Topgolf, an esports experience from Topgolf Entertainment Group and part of Topgolf Media, has become the leading online golf game designed to connect people in meaningful ways through a free, realistic, virtual golf gaming experience. Acquired by Topgolf in 2016, WGT now has more than 28 million users worldwide and brings gamers, golf enthusiasts and professional golfers together from around the world to play championship courses in photorealistic quality. To download WGT, visit m.wgt.com.

About the LPGA

The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 Members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management.

The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental, humanitarian and golf community initiatives, including LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the LPGA Women’s Network and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association.

Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram at @lpga_tour.

Friday, May 8, 2020

2020 Season On Hold Until At Least June 15^th

Binghamton, NY – In following guidance from the CDC, health officials and Minor League Baseball, the start of the 2020 Binghamton Rumble Ponies season will be postponed until at least June 15. Make up dates for impacted games will be announced at a later date.

The Rumble Ponies organization continues to develop a thorough plan to ensure a safe return to baseball. Once a start date is established a detailed plan which will allow staff, players and fans to follow health regulations will be passed along.

“We remain committed to our fans being provided the opportunity to create memories with their family and friends at NYSEG Stadium in 2020. Our staff continues to work towards a solution for reopening the ballpark this summer. When the season starts we will ensure staff, players and fans are given the opportunity to enjoy America’s past time in a safe environment”, said John “JB” Bayne.

Our staff remains working remotely, but are accessible through text at (607) 722-3866 or email. For all general inquiries, please email info@bingrp.com.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are the Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets. For more information follow along with the Ponies on Facebook facebook.com/RumblePoniesBB, or on Twitter at @RumblePoniesBB.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

DIGITAL COLLEGIATE EXPERIENCE TO CONNECT STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH COLLEGE BOWLING PROGRAMS

ARLINGTON, Texas – Selecting a college to attend can be a daunting process for anyone, and that process can be more difficult for student-athletes seeking a college that can provide the academic path and a strong athletic program to help continue their development.

Next month, International Bowling Campus Youth Development will try to help bowling student-athletes navigate the process with the Digital Collegiate Experience on BowlTV.

The Collegiate Experience, held each summer in conjunction with the Junior Gold Championships, is designed to give student-athletes the opportunity to learn more about college bowling by allowing the athletes to engage with coaches or officials of bowling programs from across the country.

The Digital Collegiate Experience will allow IBC Youth to continue its annual event though the 2020 Junior Gold Championships, along with opening ceremony and trade show, were canceled because of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day provides unique ways for people to connect and stay engaged, and the IBC Youth team believes it is important to continue this event.

With competitive bowling shut down since early March, it has made the recruiting process more arduous for both student-athletes hoping to show their skills and for the coaches hoping to watch and evaluate players at different competitions.

“The Digital Collegiate Experience will allow coaches to showcase their programs and explain to student-athletes and their parents the expectations they have for college athletes,” said IBC Youth Managing Director Gary Brown. “The Junior Gold Championships always has been a very important part of the recruiting and learning process for both student-athletes and college coaches. We want to continue to provide what we consider a valuable part of the Junior Gold Championships.”

The Digital Collegiate Experience kicks off Tuesday, June 9 on BowlTV. This will be a free event on BowlTV, but users will need to take the few minutes to create a USBC Community login to access the show.

BowlTV plans to showcase 30 colleges per day, with each college allotted up to five minutes to tell potential recruits and their parents about their program. While shows will be held on June 9 and 10, IBC Youth will add another third show if more than 60 colleges express interest.

More than 60 college organizations took part in the Collegiate Experience at the 2019 Junior Gold Championships in the metro Detroit area.

IBC Youth works with the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA), along with the coaching associations for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to provide information on bowling programs across the country.

All collegiate bowling programs will be invited to take part in the Digital Collegiate Experience.

Visit BOWL.com/Collegiate for more information about college bowling and check out BOWL.com/BowlTV to learn more about USBC’s video platform.

About International Bowling Campus
The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 69 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; IBC Youth Development; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the International Bowling Media Association; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.

USBC MODIFIES RULES TO HELP ALLOW A RETURN TO COMPETITIVE BOWLING

Changes include waiving alternating lane requirement and
approving use of isopropyl alcohol to clean bowling balls

ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors approved waivers and modifications to USBC Playing Rules to allow certified leagues and tournaments more flexibility to return to bowling while adhering to local health guidelines related to COVID-19.

The modifications allow certified competition to take place on one lane for the entirety of a game. Additionally, bowlers will be allowed to use isopropyl alcohol, more commonly known as rubbing alcohol, to clean their bowling ball during competition. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists isopropyl alcohol as an approved disinfectant for use against COVID-19.

“As bowling centers around the country are reopening, USBC intends to give operators the most flexibility possible to resume bowling within their local guidelines,” USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy said. “We have been listening to proprietors and members as they prepare to resume certified play and made these changes based on that input. Our goal is to facilitate bowling again in a way that meets the need locally and USBC is ready to quickly consider and activate additional changes based on feedback from centers and associations.”

The USBC Board has the authority to temporarily amend or suspend league and tournament rules in emergency cases. With the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, USBC reviewed its rules and policies to identify areas of concern relating to player safety and to determine how it could promote efforts while centers adjust operations to meet local guidelines.

Effective immediately, USBC has temporarily waived USBC Playing Rules 106a, 106b, 320a and 320b, which state two lanes must be used for competition and bowlers must alternate lanes – bowling five frames on each lane of the pair. It also waived the requirement that both lanes must be used for a bowler to be eligible for awards and average recognition.

The temporary waiver allows competitions to use one lane for the entirety of a game and allows recognition of scores bowled on a single lane for USBC High Score Awards and for a bowler’s official average.

USBC will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and can rescind the waiver of Rules 106a,106b, 320a and 320b at any time.

USBC also created an exception for Rule 18, which restricts the use of liquid cleaners to clean the outer surface of the bowling ball during USBC certified competition. The exception for Rule 18 applies only to isopropyl alcohol – no other USBC-approved cleaners will be allowed during competition.

The USBC Board, which has the authority over General Playing Rules, was able to make the rules waivers following the adoption of General Playing Rule 14 - Emergency Authorizations. Rule 14 states USBC may authorize temporary modifications to the General Playing Rules, Award, League and Tournament Rules in cases of emergency and that such authorizations will be for a specified period.

Visit BOWL.com/Rules for more information on USBC Rules.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body of bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). USBC conducts championship events nationwide including the largest participation sporting events in the world – the USBC Open and Women's Championships – and professional events such as the USBC Masters and USBC Queens.

Founded in 1895, today USBC and its 1,638 state and local associations proudly serve more than a million members. USBC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, working toward a future for the sport. The online home for USBC is BOWL.com.