Monthly Archives: June 2017

Adam Eaton is moving around better. He can place some weight on his left leg. Most of the time he is still using crutches to help carry the burden during his rehabilitation from ACL reconstruction surgery.

Eaton was placed on the disabled list April 29 with what was initially called a left knee strain. He actually had tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Eaton chose the patellar tendon graft to fix the injury.

Washington announced the timeline for his return to be 6-9 months. Among the early steps in the recovery process are reactivating the quadriceps muscle, re-establishing full extension of the leg or hyperextension, if it was in place prior to the injury then building quad strength and harmony for the muscle to fire when asked. After that, its a strengthening progression that allows the leg to carry more weight, move faster and, usually in what has become a commonplace surgery, return to its normal state.

Eaton said he is ahead of schedule to some degree. He already has full extension and has found it odd that he had to retrain his quad to do what was always a normal function because of muscle memory.

Ive never had an experience where Ive told my leg to lift and it doesnt lift, Eaton said Sunday. Its really a surreal feeling. I have to tell my quad to contract to hold me knee in place. Its definitely a grind.

When asked if there was damage to the knee beyond the ACL tear, Eaton declined to comment. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had said previously that surgeons repaired other ligament damage and the meniscus in addition to the ACL.

Eaton chose to do his rehabilitation work around the team. He said he watches a lot of baseball he doesnt have much of a choice, at this point and hopes his presence around the team can be beneficial.

Just in the sense that Im dedicated to them, just as theyve been dedicated to me, Eaton said. The trade this offseason probably wasnt the most popular one. I love the city. I love the people within the organization. I love everyone that was involved.

When the team goes on the road, Eaton continues his rehabilitation work. He said physical therapy and occupational therapy combine to take about 3-4 hours per day, six day per week.

I think I do a very good job of focusing every single day, Eaton said. But, at times my mind wanders about big picture. Not even just this year. Not even just next year. But, the longevity of my career and how it may be shaped with my injury.

Prior to the injury, Eaton helped create a formidable duo atop the Nationals order where he hit in front of Trea Turner. Eaton had a .393 on-base percentage when he was injured. He has been replaced by Michael A. Taylor, who hits at the bottom of the lineup.

Sitting around has been a new experience for Eaton after being a fleet athlete throughout his life.

Its been the experience of a lifetime, hopefully I dont have to go through it again, Eaton said.

Link:

Adam Eaton says he is making progress following ACL surgery - Washington Times

England have won their first major trophy since 1966, after Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Venezuela.

Three points from England's 1-0 win over Venezuela in the U20 World Cup final.

England are world champions

For the first time since 1966, England are champions of the world, albeit at youth level, after a 1-0 win over Venezuela in the Under-20 World Cup final in South Korea. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the scorer, and Freddie Woodman, the goalkeeper who saved a second-half penalty, were England's heroes in a pulsating final against an exciting Venezuelan team who have defied expectations even more than Paul Simpson's Young Lions.

This tournament has captured the imagination of the English public, and the jubilant scenes at the final whistle, when England's bench sprinted onto the pitch for a mass embrace, and the beaming trophy presentation, showed what it meant. This is not just youth football; it could prove hugely significant for English football.

England went into the game as favourites and had the best of the opening exchanges but Venezuela nearly took the lead after 25 minutes with an effort that would have gone down as one of the great World Cup final goals at any level. Mimicking a technique made famous by his namesake, Ronaldo Lucena thumped a dipping, swerving free kick against the post from a full 40 yards. Woodman was not alone in expecting a cross, but he would have struggled to save the effort even if he hadn't been 6 yards off his line.

The Venezuelan defence was having difficulty in dealing with England's two Dominics -- Solanke and Calvert-Lewin -- at the other end, and the latter opened the scoring with a goal that demonstrated England's superior strength and composure in the final third. The Everton forward won a high ball against his man and, although his first effort was saved one-handed by Wailer Farinez, he tucked in the rebound for England's first World Cup final goal since Geoff Hurst scored with "some people on the pitch."

England sensed blood before the half was finished as Calvert-Lewin got in behind again, only for Farinez to save with his legs.

On 52 minutes, Venezuela made a significant change, with Yeferson Soteldo replacing the ineffective Ronaldo Chacon, and with his very first touch, he dissected England's defence with a pass, leaving Sergio Cordova one-on-one with Woodman. His tame finish was smothered by the goalkeeper, who also held on to a header shortly afterward. The diminutive Soteldo helped put Venezuela on top and on 72 minutes came Woodman's moment, saving Adalberto Penaranda's penalty brilliantly after Jake Clarke-Salter was penalised. Venezuela pushed for a leveller, with even Farinez trying his luck in the dying seconds when up for a corner, but England held on to claim a historic victory.

VAR works

The most high-profile incident in the short history of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) trials was another positive advert for the technology. On 72 minutes and with Venezuela on top, Clarke-Salter clipped the heels of Penaranda and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. England's players implored him to consult the video assistants and he did, but replays showed it was the correct the decision. Woodman dived the wrong way but brilliantly kept out Penaranda's spot kick with a firm hand, and the Malaga forward seemed so stunned he failed to react to the rebound.

While Penaranda can hardly have savoured the extra wait, consulting the video assistants took barely a minute and ensured the correct decision at a pivotal moment in a World Cup final. There will always be detractors, people who fear further interference by a faceless official behind the scenes, and the questionable decision to uphold a red card in Italy's quarterfinal win over Zambia proves that there are still problems to be ironed out.

But this tournament has gone a long way towards suggesting that VAR works. It's time to have the conversation about introducing it to men's football -- and Serie A is leading the way by applying for FIFA approval for the start of the upcoming season.

England must translate success to senior team

This was England's first World Cup final appearance at any level since 1966 and the achievement of Paul Simpson's squad should not be underestimated. England have enjoyed relative success at youth level before, however, notably losing to Germany in the final of the European Under-21 Championship in 2009, but failed to build on these at senior level.

While Germany's youth team from that final went on to form the core of their World Cup winning team in 2014, England's stars from that tournament -- Theo Walcott, Micah Richards, Kieran Gibbs et al -- have largely failed to live up to their potential. A huge challenge for the Football Association, and English clubs, is to ensure the same fate does not befall this U20 team.

Key to that will be opportunities at club level and England's heroes will hope to use this triumph as a springboard. The closest thing to a Premier League regular in England's World Cup winning squad is captain Lewis Cook, who may have made more than six appearances for Bournemouth last season were it not for injury.

Cook's midfield partner Joshua Onomah, England's most impressive player in the final, is a good example. The Tottenham player made just four substitute appearances in the Premier League last season but this experience can only be a positive for him. He and his teammates will hope to use it and play more next term.

Dominic Solanke, who won the Golden Ball for the Player of the Tournament in South Korea, will jump ship from Chelsea due to a lack of first-team opportunities. It has to be hoped he will find more of a home when he completes his switch to Liverpool on July 1.

Dan is ESPN FC's Tottenham correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @Dan_KP.

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England's young stars rule the world, but must progress to senior team - ESPN FC (blog)

Tigers outfield prospect Cam Gibson is in his second season at Single-A West Michigan.(Photo: Robin Buckson / Detroit News)

Maybe because they had learned earlier lessons about rushing players think of big-bonus outfielder Daniel Fields the Tigers these days are taking their time with promotions and upgrades.

It might have paid off in the 2017 rise of Cam Gibson, a 23-year-old outfielder who was asked to repeat a second season at Single-A West Michigan.

Gibson is batting .275 in his last 10 games and has nine home runs for the Whitecaps. On the year he has a .331 on-base average and .786 OPS. He tracks balls in the outfield with range reminiscent of his dad, Kirk, who three decades ago was a Tigers centerpiece on some elite teams that in 1984 won Detroits last world championship.

This progress Cam Gibson has made in 2017 is not, say his bosses, the product of a one-time Michigan State baseball star overmatching his pitching competition. Its simple development that, perhaps within a month, will see Gibson heading for a stiffer challenge at Single-A Lakeland.

Gibson ripped a double and had another hard-hit out in Fridays game against a starting pitcher from Daytona, Tony Santillan, who was firing a 99-mph fastball during Fridays game at Comstock Park. He had another single and a pair of RBIs in Saturday nights Whitecaps triumph.

This can happen when swing adjustments and simple maturation move a player from so-so prospect to a youngster the Tigers could eventually see in the big leagues, even as a fourth outfielder.

Hes adjusted his stance, and his hands set-up, and hes trying to limit excess movement trying to be more direct to contact, which hes doing better, said Bruce Fields, the Tigers roving batting instructor who was taking in the Whitecaps-Dayton series this weekend, and whos been monitoring Gibson for two years.

Hes hitting the ball hard and more consistently. His swing hasnt been in and out like it was last year. Last year, hed show you a couple of good swings, then lose it for a while, then show you another good swing.

Now you see that hes hitting the ball harder. With a little air under it. Hes improved his swing greatly from last year.

Gibson was a fifth-round pick in 2015 following his junior year at East Lansing. He batted only .221 last year at West Michigan, his first full season of professional baseball. It was not the start Gibson or the Tigers had in mind.

Rather than push him reflexively to high Single-A Lakeland in 2017, the Tigers decided to cool the timetable, not only with Gibson, but with one of his old Spartan teammates, first baseman Blaise Salter, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound, right-handed batting first baseman who last season worked at Single-A Connecticut. Salter is batting .319 for the Whitecaps, with an .859 OPS, five home runs and 48 RBIs in 60 games.

Put it this way, Fields said, speaking of Gibsons follow-up at West Michigan. When you repeat a league you expect better results. What Cam has shown is what was expected. Hes given us better results, been more consistent with his swing. Hes added the bunt (for base hits) game, as have some of the other young guys there.

Numbers dont lie, Fields continued. Let me ask you this: If this were another organization, any other organization, and you had a couple of kids one hitting .325, .330, another with a league-lead in RBIs what would you say?

Fields was speaking here of Salters RBIs, as well as another of manager Mike Rabelos outfield colts, Jacob Robson, an eight-rounder (Mississippi State) from last Junes draft, who is batting .321 for the Whitecaps and alternating outfield spots with Gibson and with Danny Woodrow, a 12th-round pick (Creighton) last June.

All of the outfielders have speed. All can and do play anywhere in the outfield.

A little fireplug, Fields said of Robson, an Ontario native who grew up in London and now lives in Windsor. He gets after it. Plays hard. I just love the way he goes after it.

Woodrow after watching him last night his swing is definitely improving. You see a better plane and path. Hes hitting hard, firm ground balls and using the whole field. And hes repeating his swing. At least he did last night.

Gibson, of course, is a left-handed batter, 6-1, 195, with an arm similar to his fathers (a bit beneath average) and defensive range that could help push him to Comerica Park

The Tigers hope for obvious reasons Gibson can make the cut. A defender with his range could be of immense help in a home ballpark that has surplus acreage. He also could decongest basepaths the 2017 Tigers too often tend to clog.

Gibson had 26 steals in 2016. He has 12 swipes in 2017. The Tigers would prefer seeing 30-plus by the time he wraps up his 2017 venture. Speed and power theyre difficult to ignore in a Tigers system hurting for position options.

I would say Gibby, if you were to grade his power, probably is slightly below average but hes got pop, Fields said. Its mostly pull power, but he has hit a couple of deep balls to right-center and center, and if hes doing that, hes making progress.

Obviously, the next step is you want to see it at the next level (Single-A Lakeland). You want to see if he can repeat his swing at that level. Well see where it goes.

This is where the Tigers are perhaps taking different tacks from some older, less strategic days when the likes of Daniel Fields, who had gotten a $1.6 million bonus from the Tigers, was rushed to high Single A and never spent a day getting a base at West Michigan.

The Tigers have different approaches these days. Gibson might be an eventual salute to more prudent development and patience.

lynn.henning@detroitnews.com

twitter.com/Lynn_Henning

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Cam Gibson rewards Tigers' patience with progress - The Detroit News

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Decades-long American chestnut restoration efforts show progress Pittsburgh Post-Gazette In the late 1980s, after more than 20 years of inactivity, another wave of restoration efforts began, and a recently published paper offers positive signs on the progress. It's a cautious optimism, said co-author Sara Fitzsimmons, the director of ...

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Decades-long American chestnut restoration efforts show progress - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette