MLB Drug Suspensions; World Games End; Squash Kit Recycling

MLB Suspends Players

Twelve players agreed to 50-game bans without the right to appeal for their role in Major League Baseball’s Biogenesis Clinic scandal, according to media reports.

Of the players, Nelson Cruz and Ryan Braun played in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Cruz represented the Dominican Republic, while Braun represented the United States. Francisco Cervelli played for Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Braun agreed to a 65-game ban on July 22nd.

MLB star Alex Rodriguez is expected to be suspended through the end of the 2014 MLB season, but is expected to appeal is suspension.

Rodriguez is accused of recruiting athletes to the clinic, obstructing evidence in MLB’s investigation, and not being truthful to MLB about his past relationship with the clinic.

All players were suspended through MLB’s drug-policy violation.

World Games End

Sunday marked the closing ceremony of the World Games in Cali, Colombia.

Competition started July 25.

At the closing ceremony, Cali mayor Rodrigo Guerrero Velasco congratulated the city for a "brilliant" Games.

"Four years ago, when we started to organize these World Games, it seemed impossible to do so much in such a short time," he said in his seven-minute speech. "But shared dreams achieve the impossible. And we did. Cali was brilliant!

In an email to Around the Rings, International World Games Association spokesman Hermann Kewitz added: "The excitement and the acceptance of the citizens of each event made this 9th edition of The World Games special."

IWGA president Ron Froelich said in his closing ceremony speech that he hoped Colombia would host the event one day in the future.

Local organizers said 520,000 tickets were sold for the World Games, nearly double the amount sold in 2009.

Wroclaw, Poland will host the 2017 World Games.

Squash Recycles Kits

More than $5 million in squash kits are being recycled to develop junior competition.

The World Squash Federation announced on Monday the program, in conjunction with LV=SOS Kit Aid to donate recycled kits around the world.

The arrangement, in partnership with Lord's Taverners, also will benefit WSF’s Rackets to Africa program.

In a statement, WSF said 130,000 young squash athletes will be touched by the program.

"Development is a priority for us," said World Squash Federation Vice President Hugo Hannes.

"To be able to offer such strong support to communities that have courts and youngsters who could use them, given the equipment and clothing, will bring long-term benefits. This channel will hopefully grow into a large, regular and valuable flow."

Squash is competing with baseball/softball and wrestling to rejoin the Olympic Program.

World Games Shows Development of Softball

The World Baseball Softball Confederation hopes sell-out crowds at the World Games will show why the two sports deserve an Olympic berth.

"These events have helped highlight the power, potential of women's sport, and especially the unique skills and excitement of bat and ball sports, which are currently not found on the Olympic Programme," said WBSC co-president, Don Porter.

"We are hoping the IOC will find a place for baseball and softball at the Olympic Games in 2020, and in doing so, send a message to girls and young women everywhere that the Olympic Games and the values of the Movement are for them, and give more girls the opportunity to strive for a place in the Olympics, the pinnacle for every young athlete."

Cuba defeated Venezuela for the gold medal on August 3.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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