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May 4 -- May 10, 2026
Issue No. 640
| | Note: Most photos in each issue are linked to Facebook albums produced by our talented photographers. To enjoy additional photos, simply click on a photograph or on the link provided at the end of each report. New albums, contributor essays and Sports Today issues are continually posted to: www.ultimatesportsguide.net | | |
Athletics 6
Cleveland Guardians 14
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
Saturday, May 2, 2026
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San Francisco Giants 6
Miami Marlins 2
& Brandon Belt Celebration Day
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Saturday, April 25, 2026
| | The San Francisco Giants held a Brandon Belt Celebration Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Oracle Park to honor the former first baseman's legacy and retirement. Photo by Rich Yee. | |
Brandon Belt addresses fans during Brandon Belt
Celebration Day. Photo by Rich Yee.
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President of Baseball Operations, Buster Posey.
Photo by Rich Yee.
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Special Advisor to Baseball Operations, Bruce Bochy.
Photo by Rich Yee.
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President and Chief Executive Officer, Larry Baer.
Photo by Rich Yee.
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Mike Krukow (left) and Duane Kuiper, known as "Kruk and Kuip," are the premier television broadcasting team for the
San Francisco Giants. Photo by Rich Yee.
| During the 2021 MLB season, Brandon Belt self-proclaimed himself "The Captain" of the team. The joke became a major storyline during the Giants' 107-win season, with teammates and fans embracing the role-play. Photo by Rich Yee. | Brandon gives wife Haylee a hug after the ceremony. Haylee was in tears during his speech. Photo and caption by Rich Yee. | |
Casey Schmitt celebrates his sixth inning homer to center field.
Caption and photo by Rich Yee.
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Jung Hoo Lee would enjoy going 2-for-3 on the afternoon.
Caption and photo by Rich Yee.
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An added reward to Brandon Belt’s special day was a Giants victory. To view a photo album, visit our Facebook Page or visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net.
Photo by Rich Yee.
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Saint Mary's Gaels 6
Loyola Marymount Lions 1
Cottrell Field, Moraga, CA
Sunday, May 3, 2026
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San Francisco Giants Luis Arraez against the Miami Marlins,
April 26, 1926. Photo by Darren Yamashita
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How Arraez turned into a defensive asset for Giants
This story was excerpted from Maria Guardado's Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe
to get it regularly in your inbox.
By Maria Guardado
The Giants knew what they were getting at the plate when they signed Luis Arraez to a one-year, $12 million deal in February.
Arraez’s elite bat-to-ball skills have been as advertised, with the three-time batting champion hitting .303 with a .700 OPS and an MLB-low 4.5% strikeout rate through his first 31 games of the year.
The more pleasant surprise is that Arraez has been a hit with the glove, as well.
The 29-year-old entered Saturday worth +6 outs above average at second base this year, tied for fourth-best among Major League players, regardless of position. The only defenders ahead of Arraez on the OAA scoreboard are a trio of 2025 Gold Glove winners: shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (8) of the Royals, and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (8) and second baseman Nico Hoerner (7) of the Cubs.
Fielding metrics tend to fluctuate over the course of the regular season, but Arraez’s early returns are notable considering he’d previously been viewed as a defensive liability at second base, where he recorded -61 OAA from 2019-25, the worst mark in the Majors.
The Padres primarily used Arraez at first base over the last two seasons to try to mitigate his shortcomings with the glove, but he sought a return to his natural position when he hit free agency over the offseason.
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"Join us for Great Food,
Great Beer and a Great Time."
We are located one block from the Moscone Convention Center, only a short walk from many of downtown San Francisco's familiar hotels, attractions, and diverse businesses. Open Monday through Thursday 4pm. Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12pm. Come by and raise a glass with us. Sláinte!
www.thechieftain.com
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Athletics Nick Kurtz against the Cincinnati Reds, Sept. 14, 2025. Photo by Darren Yamashita
Kurtz's walk streak ends at 20 games, but on-base streak now at 27
By Theo DeRosa
WEST SACRAMENTO -- For a player of Nick Kurtz’s caliber, it was only fitting.
There was a bit of irony in the demise of Kurtz’s historic streak of 20 consecutive games with a walk, a stretch that came to an end during the Athletics’ 14-6 loss to the Guardians on Saturday at Sutter Health Park.
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Kurtz came to the plate for what was clearly going to be the final time. If he drew a walk for the 21st straight game, the A’s first baseman could have broken a tie with Barry Bonds for the second-longest streak since walks first started being tracked for individual hitters -- in the National League in 1910 and the American League in 1913.
Instead, Kurtz picked out a sweeper to his liking and punched it into right field for an RBI single.
That’s Kurtz for you.
continued....
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Chef Yia Vang has been a featured culinary vendor at
Minnesota Twins games at Target Field, bringing Hmong flavors
to the ballpark. It turns out that after the Vietnam War an ethnic group who worked for the CIA, known as Hmongs, were evacuated to the cold and windy Twin Cities of Minnesota
to avoid retaliation.
Hmong Sausage Banh Mi (or Banh Mi Brat) featuring Hmong sausage with pickled vegetables and caramelized garlic aioli, is a highlighted menu item. And when you’re satisfied with some foreign flavors, you can wash it down with a five-pound chocolate chip cookie for $70 made by T-Rex cookies.
-- Steve Chain / Innovative Food Fanatic
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Sharks alternate captain Macklin Celebrini named Ted Lindsay
Award finalist
The National Hockey League Players Association (@NHLPA) announced today (April 28, 2026) that San Jose Sharks center and alternate captain Macklin Celebrini has been named one of three finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award. The winner of the award will be revealed at a later date.
The Ted Lindsay Award is presented annually to ‘the most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA,’ and is the only NHL trophy voted on by players. Celebrini is the fourth-ever Shark to be a finalist for the award, joining Joe Thornton (2005-06), Brent Burns (2016-17) and Erik Karlsson (2022-23). Celebrini can become the second-ever teenager to win the award, potentially joining Sidney Crosby (2006-07).
Celebrini, 19, finished fourth in the NHL with 115 points, tied for fourth with 45 goals and was seventh with 70 assists in the regular season. The second-year centerman, who ranked third in the NHL in even-strength goals (37) and tied for third in even-strength points (82), set the franchise scoring record with his final point of the campaign, a goal that capped a three-point effort in the final game of the regular season. He completed the season factoring into 46.2-percent of all Sharks goals, the second-best such mark in the league this season and best ever by a league teen or any San Jose skater.
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Saturdays at Raimondi Park just got a serious upgrade and we mean that in the best possible way. We're bringing live performances to every Saturday home game this season, turning each one into something that feels less like a regular afternoon out and more like a full-on block party. Think festival energy, good people, and baseball all wrapped into one.
Here's how it works: doors open, the band takes the stage at 2:30 PM, and from that moment the whole place starts to come alive. Music spills out into the stands, the crowd slowly builds, and by the time first pitch rolls around at 4:35 PM, you're not just showing up to a game. You're already in it. Already loose. Already having a great Saturday. That's exactly the feeling we're going for, and we want it to be that way every single week.
Block Party Saturday Lineup
May 23, 2026 | Big Ave's Album Release Block Party
Oakland Ballers vs. Long Beach Coast
Get Tickets
May 30, 2026 | Chinatown Night
Oakland Ballers vs. RedPocket Mobiles
Get Tickets
June 20, 2026 | Anarchy In The
O-A-K (Punk Night)
Oakland Ballers vs. Modesto Roadsters
Get Tickets
June 27, 2026 | Oakland Stands Up
Oakland Ballers vs. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds
Get Tickets
July 11, 2026 | Enter Possum
(Metal Tribute Night)
Oakland Ballers vs. Yuba-Sutter Freebirds
Get Tickets
July 18, 2026 | Ballermania
Oakland Ballers vs. Modesto Roadsters
Get Tickets
July 25, 2026 | Night of the Living Possum
Oakland Ballers vs. Boise Hawks
Get Tickets
August 1, 2026 | Ride The Rally
(Public Transportation Night)
Oakland Ballers vs. RedPocket Mobiles
Get Tickets
August 22, 2026 | Dia De Los Ballers
Oakland Ballers vs. Modesto Roadsters
Get Tickets
August 29, 2026 | (Mystery Theme )
Oakland Ballers vs. Long Beach Coast
Get Tickets
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Before You Arrive
Quick heads up on a couple things before the season starts. We've got a free shuttle running from West Oakland BART, and a bike valet if you're riding in. If you're driving, we're offering early bird parking online up to 24 hours before first pitch.
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And one more reminder that we do not allow outside food into the Ballpark. We've got vendors inside who are part of what we're building here, and keeping it in-house helps us keep the whole thing running. The food's good and Scrappy’s test kitchen has some great eats. If you haven’t had the food at the Ballpark, we know you’ll love it.
Let’s Go Oakland,
Ballers
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MATCH RECAP:
Earthquakes 1, Toronto FC 1
Quakes extend unbeaten streak to seven league games and tie MLS record for longest unbeaten road streak to start season; San Jose also adds point to league-record
9-1-1 start to retain top spot in West; Black and Blue now return home next Saturday in colossal clash with Vancouver Whitecaps FC for Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield supremacy
TORONTO — The San Jose Earthquakes drew with Toronto FC 1-1 at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon to extend their unbeaten streak to seven league games and tie the MLS record for the longest unbeaten road streak to start a season. With the point, the Earthquakes also retained sole possession of first place in the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield tables.
The hosts opened the scoring in the second minute when Daniel Salloí took a pass in the box on the left half-space, cut back and curled a shot for the far post that found the back of the net for a 1-0 TFC lead. However, San Jose answered in minute 14 when Niko Tsakiris’ left-footed free kick was poked home by a sliding Preston Judd coming down the middle at the edge of the six-yard box for his team-leading seventh goal to tie the game 1-1.
After intermission, the Earthquakes appeared to pull ahead in the 65th minute when Jack Skahan fed Judd in the box for a tap-in, but the former was ruled offside by video review and the goal was annulled. The Reds had one last chance in the 86th minute to take the lead when Salloí had a one-on-one opportunity and chipped the ball over Quakes goalkeeper Daniel. But a hard-charging Reid Roberts anticipated the play, sprinted to the goal line and made an overhead sliding clearance to seal the point for San Jose.
Earthquakes fans can watch the "Quakes Replay” of today’s draw on KTVU Plus on Wednesday, May 6, at 8 p.m. PT. They can also watch the game highlights on the newest episode of “Quakes Exclusive,” the club’s new half-hour prime-time magazine show, on KTVU FOX 2 on Friday, May 15, at 8 p.m. PT. All episodes of “Quakes Exclusive” are available on demand on the FOX Local app.
The Black and Blue return home Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. to host Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a matchup between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Kickoff from PayPal Park is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT and will air globally on Apple TV (English/Spanish), as well as via local radio on KSFO 810 AM (English) and La Kaliente 1370 AM (Spanish).
Watch Highlights
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Roots Battle Back in Added Time to Earn 2-2 Draw at Loudoun United FC
Oakland was moments away from suffering their second loss of the 2026 season, but late heroics from Peter Wilson salvaged a point on the East Coast road trip as Roots fought to a 2-2 draw in Virginia at Loudoun United FC on Saturday afternoon.
Roots looked in control of the match from the first whistle, moving the ball smoothly and earning scoring chances with intention in the opening moments of play.
Against the run of play, however, Loudoun drew first blood in the contest in the 10th minute when a run up the right side led to a tough angle shot on goal which Raphael Spiegel deflected near the penalty spot where Richard Aman awaited to clean up the rebound into the empty net making it 1-0 Loudoun.
Despite the early goal, Roots continued to look like the more settled side, resuming their attacking pressure immediately after going down a goal.
Roots capitalized on that pressure with a leveling goal in the 18th minute on their fourth corner kick in a row without a Loudoun clearance when Jesus De Vicente curled the right side service perfectly into the box, finding a leaping Bertin Jacquesson who took a header redirecting the ball into the twine for his first goal of the season to make it 1-1.
For the remainder of the first half, Oakland continued to knock on the door for a second goal, but were unable to find one before the halftime whistle.
Coming into the second half, Loudoun looked like a different team, playing with much of the same poise and attacking prowess that Roots had displayed in the first.
In the 66th minute Loudoun regained their one goal lead after Roots’ Bobosi Byaruhanga was called for a foul inside the penalty area, earning Loudoun a penalty kick which Pedro Santos converted to make it 1-2.
Loudoun pressed for a cushion goal for much of the remainder of the match, but despite looking destined to earn their first 2026 win in league play, it was instead Oakland’s Peter Wilson playing savior.
Salvaging a point for Oakland in stoppage time, Wilson made a great run into the box to meet a curling service from Faysal Bettache with a strong header to level the match 2-2 at the death with his fourth goal in Roots’ last two USL Championship fixtures.
Roots will take the point home with them as they now look forward to hosting El Paso Locomotive FC for their next league match at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, May 9th at 7 PM PT.
Watch Highlights
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Match Recap: Bay FC Claim First Shutout of the Season and Defeat San Diego Wave FC 1-0
on the Road
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 3, 2026) – Bay FC defeated San Diego Wave FC 1-0 Sunday night at Snapdragon Stadium, claiming its first shutout of the 2025 season. A fifth-minute goal by forward Racheal Kundananji – her first of the 2026 season – stood as the winner, while a 17th minute penalty save by goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz kept the scoreline intact as Bay FC took three points to close a two-match road stretch.
Action got going quickly as San Diego generated an early chance just seconds following the opening kickoff. After an errant pass backward fell into space, speedy Wave FC forward Ludmila nearly ran onto it inside the box, but Silkowitz would win the footrace and clear the ball away.
Bay FC opened the scoring moments later to take a 1-0 advantage. A recovery by midfielder Claire Hutton got Bay FC going downhill, finding midfielder Taylor Huff in stride. Huff played through to Kundananji on the run, who put it between the keeper’s legs and over the line with a one-touch finish for her first goal of the 2026 season. The score was the fastest in club history, with the previous mark coming in 2024 when defender Abby Dahlkemper found the net for Bay FC seven minutes into a late August meeting with Portland Thorns FC.
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Natalie Nakase
Head Coach, Golden State Valkyries
Press Conference
4/27/25
Click Here
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From the slippery slope of researching a question comes this --
I was thinking about a basketball question but couldn't get over the devastating loss of the Celts in game 7 against those spunky 76ers...
The question is asked exactly as written at the site I will not divulge because of there being some interesting questions I will probably delight you with in the future.
What was specifically designed to be the size
and weight of a baseball?
Answer below...
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SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS ADD HIGHLY RATED SOUTH AFRICAN LHUAN-DRE PRETORIUS TO 2026 ROSTER
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- South African all-format international wicketkeeper-batter confirmed to join San Francisco Unicorns for the 2026 Major League Cricket season.
- 20-year-old rising star set to bring explosive top-order hitting, following a breakout year on the international and T20 franchise stage.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (APRIL 29, 2026) — The San Francisco Unicorns have recruited South African 20-year-old rising star and all-format international Lhuan-dre Pretorius to its 2026 Major League Cricket roster.
The wicketkeeper-batsman has experienced a standout professional year, which saw him become his country’s youngest test centurion when scoring 153 on his debut against Zimbabwe, as well as finishing the 2025 SA20 League as top scorer with 397 runs.
Pretorius has already made 24 appearances for his South African franchise Paarl Royals, along with making his debut in both the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals, and in England’s Vitality Blast for Hampshire Hawks, both in 2025.
Labeled as one of global cricket’s most exciting young talents, Pretorius is known for both his destructive ball-striking and robust wicketkeeping capabilities. His skillset will complement the Unicorns’ aggressive early innings approach, which has been established by the likes of Finn Allen and captain Matt Short in the last two seasons.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, San Francisco Unicorns’ new signing, said: “It’s clear The Unicorns are building something special when you look at the world-class players on their roster and the form they’ve shown at the Oakland Coliseum. I’m excited to play a key role as we push to win our first MLC Championship in July, both with the bat and behind the stumps.”
Cameron White, Head Coach of San Francisco Unicorns, said: “Lhuan-dre is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young names on the international scene. He has demonstrated an ability to perform at the highest level across all international formats, which is almost unheard of at his age. We’re confident he will slot straight into an already exciting batting attack, as well as being a safe pair of hands as wicketkeeper.”
Lhuan-dre Pretorius joins Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin and Australian pair Aaron Hardie and Oliver Peake, as well as a number of domestic retentions and draft picks, and further international retentions in the final Unicorns’ roster for the 2026 Major League Cricket season.
Tickets for the 2026 Major League Cricket season are available now at tickets.majorleaguecricket.com.
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Immediately below is a link to over 350 issues of
Sports Today! which bring to life memories of Bay Area sporting events and the stories behind them. Reclaim memories of titles won and lost and championships reclaimed and slipped away.
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Nolan Ryan -- from the
Autograph Collection of Rich Yee
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I ran across Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan at a sports collectors show and just had to get his autograph for my collection. He had some incredible photos on his display table and I chose
this one for him to sign. It shows him with a bloody lip from getting struck with a baseball. If I remember correctly, he
said he continued pitching after the injury.
Nolan has a career 5,714 strikeouts and seven no-hitters. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Rich Yee, Sports Today photographer
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Newsletter, Image, Likeness Vol. 182: The First Real Test Of Liquidated Damages In The Revenue-Sharing Era
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by Darren Heitner, Esq.
Founder of Heitnerlegal -- Sports, Entertainment, Trademarks, Copyrights, Business, Litigation, Arbitration
The Weekly Longer NIL Thought
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Brendan Sorsby, the former University of Cincinnati quarterback who transferred to Texas Tech after the 2025 season, filed a Motion to Dismiss, asking Judge Michael Barrett to throw out the University of Cincinnati's claim for $1 million in liquidated damages and its request for attorney's fees in the pending lawsuit brought by UC. This may be the first meaningful judicial test of liquidated damages provisions embedded in the school-to-player NIL agreements that have proliferated since the House v. NCAA settlement took effect.
The Agreement and Why It Matters
Before the court approved the House settlement in June 2025, schools could not pay athletes directly. The settlement changed that, authorizing NCAA member institutions to share up to $20.5 million per school in the 2025-26 academic year directly with their athletes. The mechanism the settlement preserved, and which the NCAA insisted upon, is that these payments must be characterized as compensation for the use of an athlete's name, image, and likeness. Not pay-for-play. Not employment compensation. NIL licensing fees. I'm not joking.
That has led to contracts that Sorsby's attorneys correctly identify as legal fictions. The Agreement UC entered into with Sorsby in July 2025 purports to license his NIL for promotional materials, goodwill, and brand-building purposes. But as the motion documents, the Agreement simultaneously requires Sorsby to maintain his NCAA eligibility, meet physical fitness requirements dictated by the football program, be medically cleared for athletic activities, and participate in the football program as a "material inducement" for the entire arrangement. Monthly payments approximately doubled during the football season. Payments ceased the moment Sorsby stopped playing. UC retained the right to terminate based on Sorsby's failure to meet the football program's physical requirements. This wasn't an NIL licensing deal. This was an employment contract dressed up to comply with NCAA rules.
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WeatherTech Raceway
Laguna Seca
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ALEX ZANARDI
October 23, 1966 - May 1, 2026
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At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, legends aren't just made; they are carved into the corners themselves.
Thirty years ago, at the infamous Corkscrew, Alex Zanardi delivered one of the boldest moves motorsport has ever seen. Chasing Bryan Herta in the closing laps, Zanardi saw an opportunity where none should exist.
As they crested the hill, nearly blind to what lay beyond, Zanardi committed...diving down the inside into the Corkscrew, a line few would even consider, let alone attempt. It was instinct, precision, and fearless intent, all in a single breathtaking moment.
Side by side through the drop, gravity pulling them into chaos, Zanardi merged ahead, completing a pass that defied logic and redefined what was possible on the track.
Decades later, that move still echoes through Laguna Seca, a reminder that greatness isn't just about speed, but about daring to do what no one else will.
Alex Zanardi’s impact reaches far beyond the racetrack. He inspired generations of drivers, fans, and communities around the world, and his legacy will continue to do so for years to come. Grazie Alex.
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Sonoma Raceway Announces Multi-Year Extension With Pit Boss® Grills & FoodMaxx For NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Co-Entitlement
SONOMA, Calif. – Sonoma Raceway officials today announced a two-year extension of the co-entitlement sponsorship partnership with Pit Boss® Grills and FoodMaxx for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026.
The continued partnership between Pit Boss® — a leader in outdoor cooking and premium grills — and FoodMaxx — the value-focused grocery brand from The Save Mart Companies — ensures that the race at Sonoma Raceway’s 1.99-mile road course will again carry the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx entitlement, further enhancing the fan experience and brand visibility throughout NASCAR’s return to Northern California.
The multi-year extension reinforces both brands’ commitment to Sonoma Raceway and the passionate NASCAR fan base, providing ongoing activation opportunities on-site and in-market during each race weekend.
In 2026, the event will take on even greater significance as the nation celebrates America’s 250th anniversary. In recognition of this historic milestone, the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 entitlement logo has been refreshed with patriotic red, white and blue accents, symbolizing the pride, heritage and unity that define both the sport of NASCAR and the spirit of the United States. The updated mark will be prominently featured across race branding, merchandise and promotional materials throughout the season, adding a celebratory and distinctly American flair to the race weekend.
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REGISTER BY MAY 15 FOR DISCOUNTED ENTRY IN THE 2026 ROLEX BIG BOAT SERIES
Registration Fees Increase after May 15, 2026, for West Coast’s Premier Regatta & ORC North American Championship
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA—May 15 marks four months until the first starting gun of the West Coast’s most anticipated annual regatta, Rolex Big Boat Series, scheduled for September 16–20, 2026, on San Francisco Bay. May 15 is also the early-entry deadline when skippers can enjoy a great discount on registration.
Already, 30 teams are signed up to compete in this year’s Rolex Big Boat Series, which will double as the 2026 Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) North American Championship. Early entrants include Rolex Sydney Hobart division winner Bacchanal, and a fully refitted Santa Cruz 52, Rosebud. We caught up with both skippers to learn more about their race preparations.
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| Hardly Trival Answer by T. Buff | | |
Beano T-13 Hand Grenade!
The BEANO T-13 hand grenade was an experimental grenade developed by the Office of Strategic Services (which later became the CIA), with assistance from Eastman Kodak Corporation, in the later years
of World War II.
The concept for the BEANO T-13 hand grenade was that a spherical grenade the size and weight of a common baseball would be effective in the hands of American troops. The designers believed that by emulating a baseball, any young American man should be able to properly throw the grenade with both
accuracy and distance.
~Wikipedia If you even came close to knowing this, you should get a medal of some sort. I had no idea...
Go Red Sox
Go Celtics NEXT Year
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Cal Tops Virginia Tech 9-4
Prather Homers Twice As Offense Wakes Up
BERKELEY— Fueled by a two-homer day from Hideki Prather and a quality start by Ethan Foley, the California baseball team defeated Virginia Tech 9-4 Sunday at Stu Gordon Stadium.
For the first time this weekend Cal (24-23, 8-16 ACC) jumped out to a lead with a five-spot on four hits in the second inning. After a lead-off single by Carl Schmidt and a walk by Kalen Applefield, Brady Errecart stepped to the plate with the bunt sign on. After failing to get one down the freshman pulled his bat back with two strikes and kept his career weekend going with an RBI single to drive in his first collegiate run.
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Notre Dame Completes
Sweep of Stanford
The Irish used an eight-run sixth inning to
complete a sweep of the Cardinal
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Stanford and Notre Dame combined for 31 runs on 37 hits on Sunday, but it was an eight-run sixth inning for Notre Dame that proved to be the difference as the Fighting Irish (24-20, 11-16 ACC) completed a series sweep of the Cardinal (22-22, 10-14 ACC) by way of an 18-13 victory from Frank Eck Stadium.
Teddy Tokheim was a bright spot offensively for Stanford, finishing 3-for-6 with two home runs, a double, two runs scored and three RBIs. The multi-homer game was the second of Tokheim’s career after connecting for a pair at Virginia Tech on March 27 of this season.
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Smith’s Complete Game Leads SJSU Over Grand Canyon
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Dylan Smith turned in a dominant complete-game performance, allowing just one run on seven hits over nine innings while striking out five to lead the San José State baseball team (20-25, 7-11 MW) in a 6-1 series deciding victory over Grand Canyon (17-28, 7-11 MW) Sunday afternoon from Excite Ballpark in the final game of a three game series.
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| | Saint Mary's College Gaels | |
MGOLF | Gaels End WCC Championship in 11th Place at Green Valley CC
FAIRFIELD, Calif. - The Saint Mary's men's golf team needed a big push Saturday morning to have a chance at making the match play portion of the 2026 West Coast Conference Championship but ultimately fell to 11th place with a tough 12-over final round.
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Photo: Kyle Terada
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Valdez and Pohorski Shut Out Pepperdine, San Francisco Clinches Series Win
MALIBU, Calif. – Adrian Valdez and Quentin Pohorski combined for the shutout as the University of San Francisco baseball team (22-23, 13-8) clinched the series with a 2-0 victory at Pepperdine (18-28, 12-9) Sunday afternoon at Eddy D. Field Stadium.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
-
San Francisco opened the scoring in the top of the third inning when Jared Lewis laced a single down the right-field line, scoring Jayden Garrison for a 1-0 lead.
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Baseball Blows Out
First-Place Bulldogs to Clinch
Road Series Win
SPOKANE, Wash. — Everyone got in on the action Sunday.
The Santa Clara University baseball team had one of its best offensive performances in years and the pitching shut down one of the conference's top offenses on its home field, as the Broncos dominated Gonzaga, 12-4, to clinch a West Coast Conference series victory at Patterson Baseball Complex for the first time in 16 years.
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| | University of Pacific Tigers | |
Olivia Silvestre’s Three-Run Blast Propels Pacific to Senior Day Victory
STOCKTON, Calif. – Redshirt senior Olivia Silvestre stepped up to the plate with two outs in the fourth inning and lasered a ball over the right field wall to give Pacific the lead and held on for the 4-3-win Sunday afternoon at Bill Simoni Field, ending the 2026 season with a win.
The bomb highlighted a three-hit afternoon for the redshirt senior, the third of her season and the 12th such game of her career. In her career, she finished with 14 home runs, 66 RBIs, 165 hits, and 110 runs scored. Silvestre will go down as a top-ten Tiger in career walks while ending her collegiate career a top-ten Tiger in batting average, slugging percentage, doubles, hit-by-pitches and on base percentage.
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Softball Secures Series Win At Cal Poly; Locks In No. 4 Seed At Big West Championships
Score: UC Davis 4, Cal Poly 3
Winning Pitcher: Maia Scholtens (3-2)
Losing Pitcher: Amy Ross (1-4)
Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif. (Bob Janssen Field)
Records: UC Davis 28-23 (17-10), Cal Poly 11-35 (5-22)
The short story: UC Davis softball locked up its program record 17th Big West conference win and its spot as the No. 4 seed at the Big West Championships with a series winning victory at Cal Poly in the regular season finale with the Aggies taking two out of three over the weekend.
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| | Cal State University East Bay Pioneers | |
12 combined new PRs set at CCAA Championships
SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Julia Carmona provided the first highlights on the women's side by scoring in the long jump and triple jump, Amier Hollis' effort in the triple jump placed the Pioneers on the scoreboard and Matthew Morgon capped Friday's action by finishing second in the 3000m Steeplechase, narrowly missing his personal best by two-hundredths of a second at the CCAA Track& Field Conference Championships, hosted by Cal State San Marcos from April 30-May 2 at Mangrum Track and Field in San Marcos.
continued...
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Watch any program on CCE's YouTube channel, or, for attorneys, earn MCLE credits online, economically, with "The Best in Topics and Talent."
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, May 4, through
Sunday, May 10, 2026
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Monday, May 4
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 6:45 p.m.
Athletics @ Philadelphia Phillies, 3:40 p.m.
Wednesday, May 6
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 12:45 p.m.
Athletics @ Philadelphia Phillies, 3:40 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
Athletics @ Philadelphia Phillies, 3:40 p.m.
Friday, May 8
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:15 p.m.
Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles, 4:05 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries @ Seattle Storm, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 9
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 7:30 p.m.
Oakland Roots SC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 10
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
Athletics @ Baltimore Orioles, 10:35 a.m.
Bay FC vs. Utah Royals FC, 1 p.m.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury, 5:30 p.m.
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Publisher: Christopher Weills
Associate Publisher: Ann Cooke
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Staff Photographers: Jeff Bayer, Alex Ho, Ed Jay, Ron Sellers, Darren Yamashita, Rich Yee, Kenny Karst (retired)
Advisor: Arif Khatib
Artist: Carl Macki
Website: www.UltimateSportsGuide.net
Contact us at: theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com
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FIELD OF PLAY
For the past 60 years, Michael Zagaris has taken his camera behind the scenes of the NFL, capturing the moments that define America’s game.
To order: https://www.zagarisbook.com/
| | LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? was written for sports professionals by Andy Dolich and Jack Hirschman and offers valuable takeaways for everyone chasing the fancy logo and corner office. | | The Emerald Mile: The epic and award-winning story of the fastest ride in history through the heart of the Grand Canyon, by Kevin Fedarko. A thrilling true tale during the legendary flood of 1983. | | More than a cookbook, this culinary delight was written to preserve a great chef's traditional family recipes and stories of her childhood for her far-flung grandchildren. Author Leonie Samuel-Hool recounts stories of a vanished society and legends of the gods and goddesses that protect and sometimes make mischief in Indonesian homes, fields and foods. The recipes are explicitly presented. | | The absolute greatest Yankees were the 1949-1953 pinstripers, winners of an unprecedented five consecutive World Series. "The Yankee Way," Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa writes in the book's foreword, is "full of Yankee winning keys, star-studded competition, and insights about one of baseball's historically fascinating periods." By Charlie Silvera with Dave Newhouse (Author). | | To Order: $10 hardcover, $7 paperback, plus $4.95 shipping. Send check/M.O. to Christopher Weills, P.O. Box 4515, Berkeley, CA 94704 | | | |
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle, Esq., is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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