SPORTS DIGEST || McDonald/Springfield tickets available

McDonald/Springfield tickets available

Tickets for tonight’s McDonald at Springfield football game are available in both school’s athletic departments.

Overflow parking will be available at the vacant Sparkle Market on Main Street with shuttle service to the stadium from 5:45-7 p.m.

YSU women’s tennis team to host clinic

Youngstown

Members of the Youngstown State women’s tennis team will host a “Development Clinic” for children and adults on Sept. 29 at the YSU Outdoor Tennis Courts. The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

The clinic is open to general public as well as children of YSU students, faculty and staff.

Sessions are available for one, two or three hours. The cost is $30 per hour and all proceeds raised will benefit the YSU women’s tennis program.

The session will focus on skill development while emphasis will be put into tactics, strategy and match play.

Participants need to bring their own racquets and tennis shoes.

For more information contact head coach Mickael Sopel at msopel@ysu.edu.

Pirates’ Kuhl has elbow surgery, out for 2019

PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and will miss the entire 2019 season.

The team says Kuhl had the surgery Wednesday in New York. Kuhl went 5-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 16 starts for Pittsburgh this season. The Pirates initially placed him on the disabled list because of right forearm soreness following a loss to the New York Mets on June 26.

Kuhl took a month off hoping to avoid surgery. But he recently endured a setback when the pain resurfaced.

Kuhl is 18-20 with a 4.27 ERA in three seasons with the Pirates.

WADA reinstates Russia after suspension

VICTORIA, Seychelles

The World Anti-Doping Agency has reinstated Russia, ending a nearly three-year suspension caused by state-sponsored doping.

WADA says its 12-member executive committee voted to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency “subject to strict conditions.”

WADA’s move came despite a wave of fierce criticism from anti-doping figures — some within WADA itself — and from athletes around the world opposed to Russia being reinstated without taking full responsibility for what has been labeled systematic doping.

Russia still hasn’t admitted state involvement or given access to evidence at its discredited Moscow laboratory — two key conditions for reinstatement set by WADA but eased in recent months.

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency was suspended in November 2015 after it was revealed there was a government-backed scheme of doping and cover-ups that helped Russian athletes win Olympic medals.

NASCAR names Steve Phelps president

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.

NASCAR has promoted Steve Phelps to president, the latest leadership change for the slumping motorsports series.

Phelps will replace Brent Dewar on Oct. 1. Dewar is stepping down and transitioning to an advisory role next year.

Phelps will oversee all competition and business operations and report to Chairman and CEO Jim France, who replaced his nephew in August following Brian France’s arrest for driving under the influence.

Phelps has been a NASCAR executive since 2005 and steps up as NASCAR tries to steady itself during a prolonged downturn. Attendance and television ratings have dropped, and teams are struggling to find high-dollar sponsorship.

NASCAR’s playoffs continue Saturday night in Richmond, Virginia. Brad Keselowski has won three consecutive races to ignite excitement as NASCAR hits its final stretch of the year.

Staff/wire report