Daily Archives: March 4, 2017

Tyler Collins has not played the outfield while recovering from a lat strain.(Photo: Robin Buckson, Detroit News)

Port Charlotte, Fla. It must be driving you loco not being able to participate on defense for two weeks while youre trying to win the center-field job, right Tyler Collins? The waiting, the anxiety, that must be the hardest part.

No, Collins said with a chuckle. The hard part is answering questions from people wanting me to be antsy and me not being antsy.

Two years ago, maybe this mild lat strain would have stressed him. Maybe he would have tried to bull his way through it. Collins isnt that guy anymore.

It is what it is, he said. Theres no point in running around going crazy and then maybe pulling something again trying to get back too soon. Its like, Dude, you can play defense, so just get your at-bats. Youll get back. Youll be fine.

Collins has gotten his at-bats from pinch-hit and designated hitter appearances. He went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts Friday in the Tigers 5-2 loss to the Rays. Hes gotten two hits and knocked in three runs in nine spring at-bats.

And on Thursday he began his throwing program. He has thrown out to 90 feet and on Sunday he is expected to extend as far as 150 feet. If all goes well, he could be reinserted into the center-field mix sometime next week.

Tigers' Boyd pays price for 'nibbling too much'

It feels fine, Collins said. Honestly, I dont even notice it during the day. Its just a precautionary throwing program right now. I have full confidence in my ability to play the field. Its all about getting at-bats right now.

Confidence aside, he hasnt played a lot of center field at the major-league level (30 games) and, while manager Brad Ausmus believes Collins has the speed and athleticism to play out there, he needs tangible proof.

We havent had a chance to see him play center field, he said. Im not worried about him being in shape, but I still want to see him play. There is plenty of time. Were not going to rush him and risk long-term injury.

The projection is for Collins, a left-handed hitter, and Mikie Mahtook, a right-handed hitter, to platoon in center field. Left-handed hitters Anthony Gose (hitting .200 this spring) and Alex Presley (.400), and right-handed hitter JaCoby Jones (.333) plus super utility man Andrew Romine (.231) are also getting reps in center.

Theres been so many guys out there, nothings really jelled yet, Ausmus said of the competition. One of the reasons its disjointed is because Tyler hasnt been out there.

Collins, who has toned up his body dramatically from last year and improved his quickness and agility, has come to camp with laser focus. Hes not allowing himself to be distracted by the injury or by the intrigue over the center-field job.

Its spring training, he said. The decisions you guys want me to speak on are not my decisions. So, I am just going to get ready for the season. Ive got games to play and theyve got decisions to make.

Let them deal with their problems; Ill just go play.

Tigers' Infante hopes this isn't his last dance

During TigerFest he said he was faster and stronger than he was last year, and he wasnt joking. While doing his normal weight training in the offseason, he also worked with a sports chiropractor on increasing his range of motion and overall mobility.

But the body-toning thats all nutrition.

I started eating better, he said. Ive got a girlfriend who cooks and shes all organic everything and its the best. I dont have to do anything now. She says, You hungry? And Im like, Yeah, Ill eat it.

Because whatever is coming my way is what I need to be eating any way. Shes great.

Ausmus was asked if Collins seemed more calm, perhaps more mature than the past couple of springs.

Yeah, he does, for sure, he said. But I have the right to reserve judgment until we get into the regular season.

With Tyler Collins, the Tigers are taking a Missourian stance show me.

Twitter @cmccosky

See more here:

Lat strain abates, Collins to rejoin CF fight soon - Detroit News - The Detroit News

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under the auspices of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA), published a white paper on Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) earlier this week. The report, written by Vladimir Ivanov and Anzhela Knyazeva, is basically a point in time update on the first few months of issuers using the new securities exemption created by the JOBS Act of 2012. Businesses began using Reg CF in May of 2016 and the report quantified utilization from that date until December 31, 2016.

Under Reg CF, companies may crowdfund up to $1 million from both accredited and non-accredited investors. Reg CF joins the other current crowdfunding exemptions: Reg A+ (up to $50 million) and Reg D 506c (accredited crowdfunding). Reg CF is also in competition, to some degree, with the growing number of intrastate exemptions. Reg CF is viewed as a first step in the capital ladder for early stage companies. The intent was to create a low barrier to capital formation thus empowering businesses to raise sufficient money to get their company off the ground. These same companies frequently are boxed out by banks and may not be sexy enough for traditional VCs.

So what did DERA uncover? The highlights are below:

It should be noted that a single platform, uFundingportal, was yanked from the approved list of intermediaries by FINRA as allegations of bogus offers came to light. Honestly, it was a bit surprising that uFundingportal was ever approved, but that is a discussion for another day. The net effect is that FINRA did the right thing and shut down the platform and not a single investor backed a fraudulent campaign. In fact, there has not been any fraud in the Reg CF space in juxtaposition to what some detractors predicted.

The DERA authors understand that early Reg CF utilization is not necessarily indicative of future results;

These initial results may not be representative of future crowdfunding activity for several reasons. In particular, the early adopters that sought to issue securities in the newly formed crowdfunding market as observed during our sample period may not be representative of the subsequent crowdfunding market entrants. As the market matures, issuers, investors, and portals are likely to gain experience that shapes and potentially changes behaviors in ways that the evidence from this short sample period may not capture. Moreover, potential future changes in the crowdfunding market, such as the entry of new intermediaries, adoption of alternative funding methods by issuers (e.g., intrastate and regional crowdfunding), industry shocks, or changes in aggregate market conditions may cause crowdfunding activity to vary significantly in future periods.

There is plenty more in the DERA white paper (embedded below) but what does this all mean?

The UK is the best market for comparison, and it would be interesting for someone to do a quantifiable comparison on growth trajectory. In many ways, the UK has a far better regulatory regime aligned with a generally supportive government, but this is balanced by a far smaller economy. The UK sector finance has emerged as a robust capital formation ecosystem. Crowdfunding has evolved into a true alternative to both early and later stage funding for companies thus challenging traditional VCs.

The DERA authors are spot on in stating the US industry is still very much evolving and todays activity is probably not wholly indicative of future outcomes. Both issuers and platforms are learning quickly what they can and cannot do. New programs are being tested. The ones that work are kept the ones that dont are quickly jettisoned. Crowdfunding success is never a given and securities crowdfunding is a lot of work.

Additionally, Congress is pushing forward with an update to Reg CF (something attempted last year by Congressman McHenry) that may provide the fuel the exemption needs to drive utilization to a truly meaningful level.

If Congress gets it right, Reg CF may evolve into powerful job creation and innovation catalyst for the economy. Raising the exemption cap to a more realistic level will certainly attract more quality issuers. Allowing special purpose vehicles (SPVs) will make it easier for issuers to manage shareholders and align interests with both big money and small. By now, hopefully, there are no more obstacles for Congress to take the action and do what is necessary to get the job done.

What we do know is that companies that have a strong, committed community perform better and this may be the key to success. Crowdfund Capital Advisors did do some quantifiable work on this highlighting the fact that a bigger social network = more money raised crowdfunding. So build your crowd first before you launch a Reg CF crowdfunding offer otherwise, you may regret it.

In the overall scheme of things, Reg CF is tiny. Reg D, the most popular path to raise private capital is huge at around $1 trillion a year. The incorporation of general solicitation, or allowing an issuer to crowdfund their offer, will keep Reg D at the forefront for most companies raising private capital. But Reg CF has potential as the first step in the capital ladder. One prominent Reg CF platform predicted that $100 million would be raised under this exemption during 2017. If policymakers act and fix Reg CF this number may end up being far larger.

. Bookmark the

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Read more:

SEC Report on Reg CF Crowdfunding: What Does it Mean? - Crowdfund Insider

By: Will Burchfield @burchie_kid

Draw a line between Mikie Mahtooks two MLB seasons, and youll find two different players.

There was the rookie in 2015 who posted a .295 average, .970 OPS and popped nine home runs in41 games. And there was the sophomore in 2016 who, hampered by injuries, slumped to a .195 average and .523 OPS over 65 games.

After an offseason trade from the Rays to the Tigers, Mahtook is fully healthy and confident in the player he can be.

The 2015 version is definitely more me than the 2016 version, Mahtook told the Jamie and Stoney Show on 97.1 The Ticket. I had a really good camp in 2016, I started the season off playing well and then obviously all the injuries hit. But the 2015 version is way, way closer to me than 2016 so expect that one.

Acquired by the Tigers in January, Mahtook is part of a four-horse race for the starting job in center field. His competition consists of Tyler Collins, JaCoby Jones and Anthony Gose. Mahtook, given his terrific defense and offensive upside, feels like the early favorite.

We really like Mikie Mathook, said GM Al Avila heading into spring training. We feel like he still has a lot of potential in his game.

Still indicates promise, but it also suggests something has been lost. A first-team All-American out of LSU, Mahtookwas one of the highest-regarded outfielders in the 2011 draft. The Rays selected him in the first round, 31st overall.

He steadily ascended the minor league ranks and made his big-league debut in 2015. After a couple demotions to Triple-A, he was called up for good in September and hit .353 over the Rays final 27 games. Mahtook, who LSU coach PaulMainieri considersmaybe the most electric player hes ever had in Baton Rouge, was living up to the hype.

Then 2016 struck.

Mahtook began the season in Triple-A, hitting well, before an oblique injury in mid-April sidelined him for about a month.

And I probably should have been out a little longer, he admitted. But obviously as an athlete, you want to recover and play as soon as you can.

So he rushed back into action, figuring he could fight through the pain and find his groove. He never did.

What it led to was me overcompensating and getting into some bad habits and basically having to rework my swing to get out of those habits, Mahtook explained, because I was trying to baby my oblique.

Then, a month later, he broke his hand when he was hit by a pitch versus the Indians. He was shelved until August. When Mahtook returned, both he and the last-place Rays were playing out the string.

So it was a very weird year for me, he said. Ive never been hurt playing baseball, but its something that Ill learn from and something that Ill grow from. Obviously baseballs a mental battle throughout the course of the year, and I had never faced as much mental adversity as I did last year.

But the storm has passed. With a fresh start ona new ballclub, Mahtook has a sunny outlook.

Everythings great, I love the guys on the team, love the vibe that everybody is giving out, he said. Its obviously a veteran-laden team but theres also a bunch of young guys that are filling in the gaps. Its a great group of guys and everybody has the same mindset and the same goals and its just an exciting clubhouse to be in right now.

He has enjoyed getting toknow the Tigers many star players, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander in particular. Coming from a team comprised mainly of no-names and cast-offs quick, list three Tampa Bay Rays Mahtook admits Detroits star-studded clubhouse has made fora fun changeof scenery.

Sometimes you kind of take a step back and think, Wow, its pretty cool to play with guys that I grew up watching. I think the coolest part about being around those guys, especially if you dont know them, is just to see their personalities and see what theyre like off the field, Mahtook said. You know how good of athletes and how good of baseball players they are, but you dont really know how they are as people because youre never around them.

So for me, to see how down-to-earth and approachable they all are has been awesome.

But Mahtook isnt one to be awed hes used to awing others. Likewise, he isnt one to back down from a challenge hed just as soon conquer it. So the idea of manning the vast outfield at Comerica Park certainly isnt something he finds daunting.

I think its exciting, to be honest with you. Growing up, every time weve played on a bigger field bigger dimensions, bigger gaps Ive been more excited just because you have more room to run around and you dont have to worry about running into the wall or running into the left fielder or the right fielder, Mahtook said.

Im not intimidated by the big center field in Comerica. Im excited for it.

Read more:

Tigers CF Mikie Mahtook: Expect The 2015 Version Of Me - CBS Detroit

CF Sports Information

The College of Central Florida mens and womens basketball teams have officially locked their spots in the upcoming 2017 FCSAA State Basketball Championships taking place March 8-11 in Ocala. CF is set to host the tournament for the fourth consecutive year at Patriot Gym.

The women will begin quarterfinal action on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against defending state and national champions Gulf Coast State College from Panama City. If the Patriots women win, they would advance to the semifinals on Friday at 3.p.m.

The men will tip off on Thursday against Eastern Florida State College at 8 p.m. If the Patriots advance to the semis, they would face the winner of Northwest Florida/Florida Southwestern on Friday at 8 p.m.

Tournament tickets will be available for pre-sale starting Monday in the athletic office on the CF campus in Building 6.

All-tournament passes, which includes all mens and womens games for the duration of the tournament, will be $25 for adults and $15 for students.

Individual day tickets will be sold in sessions, two games per session, with Session I including games at 1 and 3 p.m. and Session II including games at 6 and 8 p.m.

Session passes will be $10 per session for adults and $6 per session for students. Kids 3 and younger will be admitted free.

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JUCO BASKETBALL

FCSAA State Basketball Championships

At The College of Central Florida

Mens tournament

Thursdays games

Broward vs. Daytona St., 1 p.m.

St. Petersburg vs. Tallahassee, 3 p.m.

Northwest Florida vs. Florida Southwestern, 6 p.m.

Eastern Florida vs. Central Florida, 8 p.m.

Fridays games

Semifinals: Broward/Daytona St. winner vs. St. Pete/Tallahassee winner, 6 p.m.

Northwest Florida/Florida Southwestern vs. Eastern Florida/Central Florida, 8 p.m.

Saturdays game

Championship game, 7:30 p.m.

Womens tournament

Mondays game

FSC-Jacksonville vs. Broward, 6 p.m.

Wednesdays games

Santa Fe vs. TBD, 1 p.m.

Chipola vs. Florida Southwestern, 3 p.m.

Gulf Coast St. vs. Central Florida, 6 p.m.

Palm Beach St. vs. TBD, 8 p.m.

Fridays games

Semifinals, 1 p.m.

Semifinals, 3 p.m.

Saturdays game

Championship game, 5 p.m.

Originally posted here:

CF to host men's and women's state hoops tournaments - Ocala