SPORTS digest

Little League tournament dates set

BOARDMAN

The championships for both the District 2 Little League Softball Tournaments at Fields of Dreams have been set after Friday’s results.

In the 8-10 category, Howland eliminated Poland with a 10-8 victory. Howland will play Boardman on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on S-1 and the winner will play Canfield for the district championship on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on S-2. If the “if necessary” game is needed, it will come immediately afterward on the same field.

In the 10-12 category, Boardman eliminated Poland with a 7-3 victory and will face Canfield for the district championship on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on S-2. If Boardman wins, it will force in “if necessary” that will be played immediately following the first game.

Penguins trade Kessel to Coyotes

GLENDALE, ARIZ.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded high-scoring winger Phil Kessel to the Arizona Coyotes for center Alex Galchenyuk.

Minor league defenseman Pierre-Oliver Joseph also will go to Pittsburgh in the deal announced Saturday. The Coyotes get minor league defenseman Dane Birks and a 2021 fourth-round draft pick.

The 31-year-old Kessel had 27 goals and 55 assists with the Penguins last season, his fourth with the team. He won Stanley Cup titles with Pittsburgh in 2016-17 with current Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet, then a Penguins assistant.

Kessel has scored at least 30 goals six times during a 13-year NHL career that includes stints with Boston and Toronto.

Galchenyuk had 19 goals and 22 assists with the Coyotes in 2018-19 after being acquired from Montreal.

Fan costs factored into Bills’ stadium decision

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula says he’s taking into account how much the small-market team’s fan base can bear in determining whether to build a new stadium downtown or renovate the existing suburban facility.

Pegula says whichever option the Bills choose, it will be “heavily weighted” in the fans’ best interest. His comments came during a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press before the start of the NHL draft in Vancouver.

The Bills have hired a private firm to conduct a feasibility study on determining the team’s future home. The study is due to be completed sometime this summer and lead to a decision on whether the Bills will continue playing at New Era Field in Orchard Park.

Walker to sign with Celtics

The last time Kemba Walker was playing for a team in New England, he delivered a championship.

Boston fans can only hope that repeats itself.

A person with knowledge of the situation said Saturday that Walker has told the Charlotte Hornets of his intention to sign with the Boston Celtics once the NBA’s offseason moratorium on player movement ends July 6. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither Walker nor the Hornets publicly revealed any details.

The Charlotte Observer first reported that Walker had informed the Hornets of his decision.

USA’s win against France sets TV record

The Americans’ 2-1 victory over France set a record for the most-watched Women’s World Cup quarterfinal match on U.S. English-language television.

Fox drew 6.12 million viewers for Friday’s match, and peaked at 8.24 million. The game was the most-watched English-language soccer telecast in the country since last year’s men’s World Cup final.

In addition, Sunday’s match averaged 211,000 viewers online, making it the most streamed Women’s World Cup game ever.

The U.S. 2015 quarterfinal win over Chile averaged 5.74 million, which aired in prime time.

The Americans will face England in the semifinals Tuesday.

Staff/wire report