birminghammail--2019-07-28--Heavy rainfall in Birmingham with risk of flooding as Met Office issues weather warnings

Heavy rainfall is set for Birmingham today (Sunday) and a chance of flooding in places with the Met Office issuing weather warnings for some parts of the UK.  There are fears that up to 100mm of rain could fall in some places in the country - leading to flash floods and travel chaos.  The Met Office has issued a weather warning for the West Midlands today and says there could be a chance of localised flooding.  Also a yellow warning has been issued for Tuesday in Birmingham with predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms.  The rain is set to stop - briefly - during Monday.  The Met Office said: "A wet day to come across central and northern parts of the region, with heavy rain bringing the risk of localised flooding. Drier towards the south, particularly through the afternoon, with some bright spells possible. Feeling cool in the rain. Maximum Temperature 20 °C."  The Midlands, East Anglia and north Wales are affected by the band of heavy rain with Southwest Scotland and northern England seeing occasional thunderstorms developing during the afternoon and evening.  But the weather is set to improve in the coming weeks with Britain set to sizzle in scorching weather as heat blows in from the Sahara.  Leon Brown, head of meteorological operations at The Weather Company's Weather Channel arm, said: "After the past week's extreme heat, three more heatwaves are forecast in Britain this summer as air from Africa arrives.  "Each spell would reach at least 28C, 5C hotter than average. Next weekend has up to 29C possible locally, then mid-August is forecast a plume with above 30C and up to five days' heat, and a longer hot spell from the second week of September has a good chance of 30C."


birminghammail--2019-07-29--Cyclone triggers Midlands weather warning as heavy storms head into Birmingham

'Cyclone' triggers Midlands weather warning as heavy storms head into Birmingham

Britain's wildly unsettled summer doesn't look like it's getting any better.  The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for parts of the UK including Birmingham on Tuesday, July 30, and Wednesday, July 31.  It said thunderstorms "bring a chance of flooding in places along with possible travel disruption" - and went on to warn:  Winds of up to 75mph, lightning and heavy rain will hit parts of the UK as the storm sweeps inland.  The Met Office said: "Thunderstorms and outbreaks of heavy rain will arrive across the far southwest early on Tuesday and then spread further northeast across England and Wales whilst also increasing in frequency during the day.  "In a few places there is the potential for 30 mm or so of rain to fall in an hour or two and 30 to 50 mm of rain to fall in 3 hours. Parts of northern and eastern Wales, the western Midlands and southern parts of northwest England are thought most likely to see the highest rainfall totals."  Cornwall Live reports that website Severe Weather Europe said a "deep cyclone central pressure this morning was around 987 mbar, July 29th) has developed over the Bay of Biscay and will bring severe winds into NW France and SW England this evening. High waves are also likely along the coastal areas of Brittany.  "The pattern over Europe indicates a ridge over the Arctic region while a deep trough / low is over the Bay of Biscay. An associated deep surface cyclone is moving towards NW France and S England."  On Twitter, MetDesk shared an image of the swirling cyclone.  It said: "A beautiful looking low pressure system sitting off the southwest corner of England at the moment! This will move across the country over the next few days bringing unusually strong winds in the south and plenty of rain elsewhere. Quite a change from last week."  A cyclone is the meteorological term for a system of winds rotating inwards to an area of low pressure, in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere, or clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.  The term can also be used to describe a hurricane or typhoon in some parts of the world.


birminghammail--2019-09-22--Birmingham set for 12 hours of rain on Monday as Met Office issue weather warnings across UK

Birmingham is braced for a staggering 12 hours of rain on Monday as The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning  Thankfully, the alert from the agency does not impact Brum - as parts of the UK are set to be hit by heavy rain and possible thunderstorms.  But Birmingham will still be met with 12 hours of rain, with everything from light showers at times to torrential downpours at others expected.  The downpour is "loosely" linked to Hurricane Humberto, which hit the edge of Bermuda and is travelling across the Atlantic towards Britain.  It was a category three storm at its peak on Wednesday and Thursday.  In Birmingham, rain will arrive in the far west in the late afternoon and spread eastwards during the evening. Maximum temperature 19 °C.  Frequent heavy showers are expected on Tuesday but Wednesday will be mainly dry and warm with sunny spells. Thursday is likely to be breezy, with further heavy showers.  The Met Office has issued the yellow weather warning for rain for Tuesday, for an area which stretches from London and the South East to the South West, southern Wales and Herefordshire.  It is set to last throughout Tuesday until 3pm.  Met Office meterologist Luke Miall said: "We could see 20mm to 40 mm of rain within nine hours and possibly the worst case scenario is of 70mm in some spots."  He said "there is the possibility of the odd rumble of thunder" in some areas on Tuesday in contrast to recent dry days and sunshine.  Travellers, particularly on Tuesday morning, should brace themselves for disruption.  Bus and train journeys could take longer, there could be flooding on roads, and homes and businesses could also be drenched in the downpour.  The weather warning says: "Spells of rain and heavy showers are expected to affect southern parts of England and Wales during Tuesday. The heaviest rainfall is likely to be during the morning.  "Around 20 mm to 40 mm of rain is expected to fall quite widely, with the potential for up to 70 mm in a few locations.  "Much of the rain will fall in a relatively short space of time, typically less than six hours.  "The location of the very heaviest rainfall is currently still somewhat uncertain."  Mr Miall said there will still be a wet start to the week on Monday, but that any pockets of sunshine over the following days could see temperatures in the low 20s which is slightly warmer than normal for the time of year.  The seasonal norm is in the mid-to-high teens.  Yellow weather warnings for rain on Sunday, which brought scattered thundery showers that moved north across parts of England and Wales, are set to expire at 8pm.  The warning covered the East Midlands, the east of England, London and the South East, the South West, Wales, and through to parts of Yorkshire and Humber.


birminghammail--2019-10-13--Met Office weather warning for Birmingham as more than two inches of rain expected in 12 hours

A weather warning has been issued for torrential rain tomorrow across much of England including Birmingham.  The Met Office says more than two inches of rain is expected to fall in just 12 hours on Monday, October 14.  The yellow weather warning has sparked fresh fears of flooding and travel disruption.  Birmingham lies at the heart of the area where severe weather is set to move in.  Met Office forecasts for Birmingham indicate a cloudy morning before the downpours sweep in around midday.  The rain will persist right through the day until midnight, giving a very wet afternoon for commuters heading home as the deluge soaks the city.  The weather warning comes just two weeks after Birmingham was lashed by heavy rain that causedsevere flooding in parts of the city  Traffic and travel chaos erupted on September 30 and October 1 with a similar yellow weather warning in place as the city was hit by a deluge of downpours.  There was flooding in areas of Birmingham including Ward End, Hodge Hill and Alum Rock as the Environment Agency issued 70 flood warnings and 181 alerts across England.  And now there are fears the floods and disruption will return.  The yellow weather warning stretches from Devon on the south coast to South Yorkshire between midday and midnight.  Cities including Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, London and Portsmouth are also within the warning area.  Forecasters explained what we can expect with the latest weather warning. • None There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings • There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life • Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures • There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads • There is a slight chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses  The Met Office said: "Rain is expected to move northwards across much of England on Monday, heavy at times, especially during the afternoon and evening.  "15 to 25 mm is likely to fall quite widely, and there is potential for 40 to 60 mm (2.3 inches) to fall in a few places.  "This brings a risk of flooding and disruption, but the situation is uncertain such that the likelihood of this across any given county is small.  "The rain is expected to clear away northeastwards during Monday evening and night."  Despite more wet weather on Monday, forecasters say there is an "improving picture" for Tuesday, with temperatures reaching up to 16C.  While there will be some rain in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, it will be "drier" for the rest of the UK.


birminghammail--2019-11-09--Yellow weather warnings and flood alerts for part of the Midlands as heavy rain sweeps in

Yellow weather warnings are in place for two areas of the UK.  Following recent flooding in parts of the country, the Met Office has warned of heavy rain coming on Saturday, November 9.  One warning is place from 11am to midnight stretching from Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, to Eastbourne and Portsmouth. The affected area appears to come as far north as Wellesbourne in south Warwickshire.  Another warning is for 5am to 8pm covering Northern Ireland from Ballycastle to Newry. Northern Ireland could see up to 50mm of rain on Saturday.  In addition, the Government's Environment Agency issued a number of flood warnings and flood alerts.  These include a flood alert for the River Leam and River Itchen in Warwickshire.  The agency said river levels were high and there was a risk of flooding, following persistent heavy rainfall.  It says flooding is affecting low-lying land and roads adjacent to the River Leam between Grandborough and Leamington including Kites Hardwick, Birdingbury, Marton, Eathorpe, Hunningham and Offchurch.  Flooding is also affecting land and roads next to the River Itchen between Southam and Marton including Long Itchington.  Further rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours. River levels are expected to remain high throughout Saturday and Sunday and agency workers are monitoring the situation, it said.  Yorkshire and the Midlands were among the areas worst affected by heavy downpours on Thursday and Friday.  Sheffield in South Yorkshire received 84mm of rain over 36 hours, which is almost the average monthly rainfall for Yorkshire, Mr Petanga said.  Gringley on the Hill in Nottinghamshire had 65mm of rain in that time.  The Environment Agency issued seven severe flood warnings on Saturday morning suggesting there is a "danger to life".  The warnings are in place for the River Don at Barnby Dun, Bently, Fishlake, Kirk Bramwith, Kirk Sandall, South Bramwith and Willow Bridge caravan site.  There are also 54 warnings telling people to take immediate action in light of expected flooding, along with 80 alerts urging residents to be prepared.  Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is due to visit flood-hit areas of South Yorkshire on Saturday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Matlock in Derbyshire on Friday.  During the visit, Mr Johnson said the widespread flooding across the UK "is not looking like something we need to escalate to the level of a national emergency".  Mr Johnson said the Government will "certainly stand by ready to help" after the country was hit by deluge of water described as "almost biblical" by residents in Toll Bar, near Doncaster.  His visit came after the death of a woman who was reportedly swept away by floodwater in Rowsley.  The body of the woman, who has not been identified, was recovered in Darley Dale, near Matlock, at about 10.40am on Friday, Derbyshire Police said.  The heavy rain forced the closure of train lines in north England on Friday with several lines still affected on Saturday.


birminghammail--2019-12-17--Birmingham hit by two-day weather warning as Met Office warns of injuries

Birmingham has been hit by a weather warning stretching across two days by the Met Office.  The forecasting agency has issued an alert over ice on Tuesday, December 17, and Wednesday, December 18.  Icy patches are expected to develop overnight, the Met Office predicts, with the yellow weather warning in full effect.  The warning comes into effect at 9pm tonight (December 17) before it expires tomorrow morning, after the morning commute.  The Met Office has warned of icy weather until 10am tomorrow (December 18).  Some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, the Met Office warns, and the agency adds: "Probably some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths."  Any patchy fog will clear through the morning on Tuesday. Otherwise it will be a dry day with some bright spells possible, especially later in the afternoon. Still cold despite the sunshine.  Maximum temperatures of 6C today give way to lows of minus two this evening. It should remain dry overnight with variable amounts of cloud. Under clear spells it will turn cold allowing for a widespread frost with patches of fog and freezing fog.  A cold and frosty start with fog clearing to sunny spells is expected on Wednesday. Turning windier during the afternoon with cloud and rain arriving overnight.  Overnight rain clearing on Thursday, but further rain later on. Scattered showers on Friday then potentially turning stormy on Saturday. Becoming milder than of late.


birminghammail--2019-12-18--Met Office issues three day weather warning for Birmingham city faces freezing fog and torrential ra

Met Office issues three day weather warning for Birmingham city faces freezing fog and torrential rain

Birmingham has been issued with two separate weather warnings spanning three days this week.  The Met Office has issued a warning of freezing fog as temperatures plummet across Birmingham on Wednesday.  And forecasters have also issued alerts of rain for Thursday and Friday in the city.  Meteorologists say to expect dense fog across the West Midlands on the third day of the working week after many woke up to a thick covering of cloud.  The alert for fog runs until 1pm on Wednesday.  It will be replaced by a yellow alert for rain across Thursday and Friday, spanning until midday on the final day of the working week.  Heavy rain leading to flooding and travel disruption in places. • Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, most likely across southwest England and south Wales. • Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures • Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, most likely across southwest England and south Wales. • Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses, most likely across southwest England and south Wales.  Into the evening, a band of heavy rain will push in from the west. The rain will continue overnight, but it will have cleared by the morning. Feeling milder. Minimum temperature 6 °C.  A cloudy start, with some heavy rain expected into the afternoon.  The winds will strengthen during the day and into the evening. Feeling mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C.  Unsettled on Friday with showers, sometimes heavy, expected through the day. Blustery scattered showers through Saturday, but clearing on Sunday bringing sunny spells. Cold throughout the period.


eveningstandard--2019-01-30--Met Office weather warnings snow alert until Friday as drivers warned of danger on roads amid apos

Met Office weather warnings: snow alert until Friday as drivers warned of danger on roads amid 'very poor visibility' caused by freezing fog

Motorists driving tonight and tomorrow have been warned of dangerous conditions on roads as freezing fog arrives across England.  Met Office forecasters have predicted a "very cold night" ahead in Britain after winter's first significant snowfall.  And further heavy snow is forecast across the country until Friday evening, with travel delays and school closures possible.  Four new weather warnings have been issued covering much of the UK from Wednesday to Friday.  A yellow severe weather warning predicting up to 10cm of snow across England and Wales is due to come into effect from 1pm tomorrow until 9pm on Friday.  Temperatures of -10C (14F) are possible in parts of the country in the early hours of Thursday, with this winter's record of -10.8C (12.6F) expected to be broken, the Met Office warned earlier.  A warning for ice and fog will come into effect at 10pm on Wednesday for central parts of England, London and the south east, the north of England and the south west.  Areas of freezing fog are likely to cause "very poor visibility" in parts, forecasters said.  While Northwest Scotland, the Northern and Western Isles, the North West and South West of England, Wales and Yorkshire have been warned of further wintry showers in two weather alerts for ice in place from this evening.  Parts of outer London saw some light snowfall overnight, while other areas suffered more severe conditions as the mercury plummeted below freezing.  Snow was coming down heavily in parts of northern England on Wednesday morning including in Manchester.  Manchester and Liverpool airports were at a standstill for much of the morning and several schools in the cities closed their doors because of the harsh conditions.  Flights have since resumed at Liverpool Airport and Manchester Airport has reopened one of its runways after the initial period of closure.  The deepest snowfall recorded by the Met Office at 9am on Wednesday was 11cm at Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire.  Depths of 9cm were also recorded in Thomastown in Co Fermanagh and Spadeadam in Cumbria.  Gritters worked to clear roads across the North West as commuters were warned over tricky conditions and long delays.  "Significant snow accumulation" caused an avalanche on Snowdon, Wales's highest mountain, on Tuesday afternoon, according to Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team.  A climbing group was caught in the snowslide and one man broke his leg.  The disruption caused by the snow is set to deepen with a weather system arriving from the South West and pushing north on Thursday.  It is forecast to bring a widespread harsh frost along with freezing fog and significant snowfall, with several centimetres possible across parts of England, said Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill.  Further warnings have been issued for most of England and Wales on Thursday and Friday, taking effect from 1pm on Thursday until 9pm on Friday.  Snow is likely to settle, meaning Friday could be a snow day for many, but some uncertainty remains, Mr Burkill said.  Areas of higher ground could get up to 10cm of snow while several centimetres are possible across lower-lying areas.  Mr Burkill said: "It's what happens on Thursday that has the potential to be more disruptive.  "It does have the potential to bring some very significant snow. We have already got a warning out in force for it.  "It's currently just a yellow warning, but it's not out of the question that will be ramped up nearer the time.  "It's looking like it will be a spell of persistent snow."  The year's record low of minus 10.8C (12.6F) recorded in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on January 18 is also likely to be beaten, most probably in the north of Scotland, but parts of England could also see negative double figures, Mr Burkill said.  Benton in Oxfordshire and Santon Downham, Suffolk, are among parts of England which could be coldest, and temperatures across southern areas are forecast to dip to around minus 8C (17.6F).  "It's worth bearing in mind there will be some disruption, particularly to travel. If you're heading out on the roads, be aware your journey will take a lot longer than normal," Mr Burkill added.  "There's an ice risk which is going to cause some problems so even if there is no snow it could be icy on the roads and pavement which people need to be aware of."  Councils have prepared for heavy snowfall, with more than 1.4 million tonnes of salt stockpiled, the Local Government Association said.


eveningstandard--2019-02-08--UK weather forecast Storm Erik to batter country with 70mph gales as Met Office issues severe weath

UK weather forecast: Storm Erik to batter country with 70mph gales as Met Office issues severe weather warnings

Storm Erik is set to batter the UK with 70mph gales with forecasters issuing severe weather warnings across a swathe of the country.  The stormy weather, which is also expected to bring heavy rain, is expected to arrive in Britain on Friday morning and will last right through until Saturday afternoon.  A man was seriously injured at about 5.30am when a tree came down on two cars in blustery conditions on the busy A384 in Devon. A woman was also injured.  The most powerful winds are forecast to hit the exposed coasts of Northern Ireland on Friday morning while heavy rain could lead to flooding in Scotland, the Met Office said.  The weather will result in some "quite nasty travelling conditions", meteorologist Sarah Kent warned.  The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for Friday for strong winds across Northern Ireland, which will last between 9am and 6pm, and for heavy rain in Scotland right through until Saturday afternoon.  A second wind warning for northern England, southern Scotland and much of northern England is in place from the early hours of Saturday until 3pm.  Elsewhere, the Welsh and Cornish coasts could see winds of 55mph, while along the coast of southern England gusts could reach 50mph, Ms Kent said.  She added: "It's going to be a noticeably windy day everywhere today.  "And that is going to be in association with outbreaks of heavy rain too, so there will be some quite nasty travelling conditions out there this morning."  Winds are expected to ease off by Sunday.  Storm Erik was named by Irish forecaster Met Eireann on Thursday and overnight brought winds of 56mph to Cork.


eveningstandard--2019-03-16--UK weather warnings Blast of snow and wind hits Britain with warning issued to drivers

UK weather warnings: Blast of snow and wind hits Britain with warning issued to drivers

A cold blast of wind and snow has prompted a series of weather safety warnings across the UK.  Snow has already started to cause issues in Scotland, with a Met Office yellow warning for snowfall in place there as well as Northern Ireland and the north east of England.  As much as 10cm of snow could fall on higher ground, with wind and rain also forecast for Wales along with high winds expected on the south coast.  On Saturday morning, Police Scotland issued a warning to motorists as road conditions worsened.  A statement said: "There is a yellow weather warning in place for many parts of the country today and many areas are waking up to wintry weather conditions.  "Take care on the roads and be prepared for your journey. Slow down and drive to the conditions."  Several cars were involved in an accident on the M77 southbound at the Maidenhill exit slip near Newton Mearns and part of the M8 was flooded at Paisley.  Met Office meteorologist Luke Miall said: "We've got quite a few weather warnings in place for today across the UK.  "In Scotland we are likely to see a good covering of snow above 200 metres or so where we could see 2cm to 6cm and perhaps as much as 10cm above 400 metres.  "It's mainly higher ground but that will affect some of the routes that travel across the Highlands and central parts of Scotland.  "The other warning we have in force is for wind and that covers pretty much everywhere from north-west England down through Wales and then southern counties of England including London.  "Here we will see some pretty strong winds through the day gusting 45mph to 55mph quite widely within that area."  Exposed and coastal areas could see gusts as high as 65mph.  He added: "The reason for all this is we have an area of low pressure which is moving its way in and that will continue crossing Northern Ireland and parts of southern Scotland."  Heavy snow also fell in parts of Northumberland overnight covering part of the A1 at Alnwick.  Temperatures will vary throughout the UK from around 12C to 13C in the south.  Some areas of Scotland will struggle to get above freezing, Mr Miall said, and the worst of the wintry weather is expected to be over by Saturday evening with a more settled picture for Sunday.


eveningstandard--2019-03-17--UK weather latest Floods hit as heavy downpours spark weather warnings

UK weather latest: Floods hit as heavy downpours spark weather warnings

Flooding is blighting the north with safety warnings issued and protective barriers put in place to stop damage to people's homes and property.  Heavy rainfall and high river levels are posing an imminent threat in some areas while in some places streets have been overflowing with water.  In London, brief hailstorms and heavy rain battered the capital.  There are 29 flood warnings and 37 flood alerts in force today.  These are across the Midlands, northern England and parts of Wales, and two alerts in the Norwich area.  The Environment Agency said crews were installing temporary defences in Shrewsbury and Bewdley, going up to Ironbridge and Wribbenhall to protect from the rising River Severn in the Midlands.  In a statement, the agency said: "We have seen localised flooding in the Calder Valley, the Greater Manchester area, York and along the River Severn.  "River levels in some areas will continue to rise over the next few days in response to recent rainfall, however the outlook is for increasingly settled and dry conditions which will allow river levels to fall quickly in all but the slowest responding rivers.  "We have officers out on the ground checking defences, clearing drainage channels and supporting affected communities."  Rainfall saw a flock of sheep have to be raced out of water which was steadily getting as deep as they were tall in Yorkshire.  While elsewhere people have seen random streams fill the paved streets in urban areas.  Testing conditions brought disruption to parts of the UK over the weekend.  Capel Curig in Caernarfonshire, Wales, has been one of the worst-hit areas and saw some 136.6mm of rain in just 24 hours - which forecasters say is the equivalent of a month's worth.  Flooding across parts of the rail network forced Northern to part-suspend services on several of its routes.  This affected people travelling in Yorkshire and the North West on Saturday.


eveningstandard--2019-10-05--UK weather forecast More heavy rain hits as Met Office issues fresh weather warning

UK weather forecast: More heavy rain hits as Met Office issues fresh weather warning

Heavy rain has hit a large swathe of the UK just days after the country was struck by extensive flooding.  The Met Office has issued an 18-hour long yellow warning, which started at midnight and which runs until 6pm on Sunday, covering Scotland and most of northern, eastern and south east England.  It has also issued an amber "danger to life" warning for heavy rain in East Anglia, warning that disruption from flooding is likely.  The weather warning was triggered shortly after 1pm on Sunday and is set to last until 4pm.  Forecasters warned that heavy rain could cause disruption on the roads, as well as to train and bus services.  Flooding is likely to affect a few homes and business, while some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, the Met Office said.  Earlier this week, heavy downpours brought flash flooding across the UK and left residents trapped in their homes on the Isle of Man.  Thunderstorms swept across London, the south of England, Wales and the Midlands on Tuesday, with some areas hit by a week's rain in just an hour.  Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said Sunday's yellow warning was triggered by rain pushing eastwards across the UK.  "It's going to stall and linger across northern and eastern parts of the UK tomorrow," he said on Saturday evening.  Mr Burkill said the highest rainfall totals were expected in Scotland and northern England, but the highest rainfall rate is likely to be seen in Lincolnshire and East Anglia.  He explained: "That's where we could see quite a lot of rain in a few hours, whereas further north it will be longer but not as intense."  By contrast, Northern Ireland, Wales and south west England are due to see sunshine on Sunday, with some heavy showers.  Beyond the weekend, further rain is forecast for Monday followed by a showery and blustery week of weather - with average to milder temperatures, Mr Burkill said.  He said the unsettled weather theme will continue into November, with temperatures dropping below average "but not extremely cold".


eveningstandard--2019-11-22--UK weather forecast: Met Office issues weather warnings with two weeks of rain set to fall in 30 hou

UK weather forecast: Met Office issues weather warnings with two weeks of rain set to fall in 30 hours

Britain is braced for a washout weekend with forecasters warning of two weeks worth of rain in the space 30 hours.  Heavy and persistent rain is expected across the country on Saturday with parts of the Midlands that have struggled with heavy flooding set to be hit by another deluge.  Yellow warnings for rain have been issued for Friday, Saturday and Sunday in southwestern England and parts of Scotland.  The rain was due to start in south-west England from 12pm on Friday and last until 6pm on Saturday - meaning a deluge for roughly 30 hours.  About 20 to 30mm of rain is expected widely in the region, though the up-slopes of Dartmoor in south Devon could see 40 to 50mm of rain.  The average rainfall for Devon and Cornwall during November is roughly 135 to 45mm.  A spokesman for the Met Office added that areas such as Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire will see persistent rain arriving from the south early on Saturday morning, which will last through most of the day.  According to the Met Office, rain will be heavy at times, especially on hills where the rainfall could also reach up to 40 to 50mm.  The region is still recovering from heavy flooding that caused devastation in many communities in the last two weeks.  Luke Miall, forecaster at the Met Office, said that although it will be a wet weekend, "temperatures will be milder".  "On Saturday we're looking at temperatures between 8C and 11C, and maximum temperatures on Sunday will be around 12C," he said.  Mr Miall said the next week is also looking unsettled and said forecasters are anticipating having to issue further warnings.  On Friday, 19 households evacuated from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire after a landslip during the floods were allowed to return home.  Some 60 residents had been forced to live with friends, family or in temporary accommodation for more than two weeks while efforts were made to stabilise the cliff face at Berry Hill Quarry site.  Met Office data up to November 17 shows that Nottinghamshire has seen the most rain of all UK counties compared with the average, having seen 189 per cent of its monthly average already.  There are currently 45 flood alerts and six flood warnings in place that have been issued by the Environment Agency. Four of the flood warnings are in the Midlands.  Wet weather is also expected to develop across north-eastern Scotland from Saturday afternoon.  The Met said that general rainfall of 20-40mm was likely through Aberdeenshire, and areas of high ground could reach 60-80 mm in addition to thawing snow.


eveningstandard--2019-11-25--Storm Sebastien: Weather warnings in place as UK braces for more flooding

More flooding is expected across the UK this week with Storm Sebastien set to bring three inches of rain and 50mph gales.  Several yellow weather warnings are in place, as Sebastien is due to hit the south on Tuesday after coming up from the Azores.  The Met Office forecast gales in the South and up to three inches of rain between Sunday and Wednesday in the South and flood-hit North-East.  This rain will travel eastwards on Tuesday as another band of rain comes into the southwest, before remnants of Tropical Storm Sebastien reach the UK.  Oli Claydon, a spokesman for the Met Office said: "A yellow rain warning is in place from 6am on Tuesday morning until 3pm Wednesday afternoon in South West England and parts of Wales, going up as to Oxford and reaching as far east as Reading.  "There is another warning for North East England from 6am Wednesday until 6am Thursday, between Newcastle and Hull."  He added that temperatures will then drop towards the end of the week, with frost in the north of the UK by Friday.  "This could spread to the rest of the UK by the weekend", he said.  "There could be snow on some of the hills in Scotland."  The Environmental Agency has issued flood warnings for parts of the UK: Barrow upon Humber; Low Barlings and the Short Ferry Area; low lying properties in the Upper Hull catchment; and Roam Drain and River Hull at Hempholme.


eveningstandard--2019-12-06--UK weather forecast: Storm Atiyah set to batter Britain with gale force winds as severe weather warn

UK weather forecast: Storm Atiyah set to batter Britain with gale force winds as severe weather warning issued

Britain is bracing for gale force winds of up to 70mph this weekend, with a ferocious storm sparking severe weather warnings.  An area of low pressure is expected to move from the West Country across to eastern regions on Sunday, battering the UK with heavy showers and storm force winds.  A yellow severe weather warning for wind has been issued for the west coast of Wales and south west England as Storm Atiyah, the first named storm of winter, tears across the country.  The Met Office warning runs from 3pm on Sunday to 9am on Monday.  Saturday will be a largely bright and dry day with low wind speeds and temperatures between 11C and 12C, the Met Office said.  But conditions will deteriorate on Sunday afternoon, with the possibility of hail storms across the south east of England.  Inland winds are expected to reach 50-60mph, while 70mph gales are set to blast shorelines, causing large coastal waves.  Storm force gales are also expected for western parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, with gusts set to reach 57mph overnight.  Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge told the Standard that the Environment Agency was “closely monitoring” the potential for “high waves going over sea defences” in coastal parts of East Anglia on Monday morning, as strong northerly winds meet a high tide.  The low-pressure is expected to move to the east coast of north England and Scotland in the early hours of Monday morning with gusts up to 55mph.  Deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wardle said: “The UK is in for an unsettled period of weather with some very strong winds, especially along the west coast.  “As well as strong winds there will be large coastal waves in the south west, so bare this in mind before heading out in these regions.  “Monday will be a much-improved day with brighter and drier conditions moving in from the west before another period of wet and windy weather on Tuesday.”


eveningstandard--2019-12-07--UK weather forecast: Brits brace for gale force winds and severe weather warnings as Storm Atiyah ba

UK weather forecast: Brits brace for gale force winds and severe weather warnings as Storm Atiyah barrels into country

Brits are bracing for 70mph winds, heavy rain and even snow as Storm Atiyah barrels into the country this weekend.  The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for severe gales for west Wales and south west England from 3pm on Sunday through to 9am on Monday.  Storm Atiyah, named by the Irish meteorological service Met Eireann, is expected to move from west to east during this period.  The first named storm of the season could bring winds of 50-60 mph inland and up to 70 mph on the coast, the Met Office said.  Areas outside the warning area could still see winds of between 40 and 50 mph.  Widespread heavy rain will sweep across the country while snow is set to fall on higher grounds in northern England, Scotland and Wales, forecasters said.  Sophie Yeomans, a Met Office meteorologist, warned that strong winds on Sunday could trigger delays on the roads and rail disruption.  She urged the public to "take care around the coast" due to large swells possibly being whipped up.  Ms Yeomans added: "Christmas markets with loose items, loose structures, it's one of those to check is everything secure - your Christmas lights, inflatable Santas."  "Make sure that you're aware of those wind warnings," she added.  She explained that the windy conditions would be worse on the Irish coast.  The Met Office previously said that strong winds are also expected for western parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, with gusts of up to 57mph overnight.  The unsettled weather is expected to move to the east coast of north England and Scotland in the early hours of Monday morning with gusts up to 55mph.  Ms Yeomans warned residents along the east coast of England to be wary of large waves on Monday.  Looking ahead, she said conditions on Monday would be dry in general, with the odd shower in places, but still cold and windy.  While it was too early to be certain, she explained Tuesday was expected to usher in another wet and windy spell mid-week.  Meanwhile, Met Office spokesman Steven Keates said there will be snow on higher grounds all the way through until Thursday.  "We are not collecting widespread snow in populated areas and it will be nothing unusual for this time of year," he said.


eveningstandard--2019-12-15--UK weather forecast: Severe weather warning for ice with heavy rain forecast amid plummeting tempera

UK weather forecast: Severe weather warning for ice with heavy rain forecast amid plummeting temperatures

Another severe weather warning for ice is in place on Sunday night after heavy rain across a large swathe of the UK.  The yellow warning has been issued by the Met Office covering northern England and southern Scotland between 3am and 10.30am on Monday.  Three similar warnings were issued on Saturday night and Sunday morning, covering Northern Ireland, the east coast from Sheffield up to Perth in central Scotland and northern Wales.  As temperatures plummeted, parts of the country woke up to a dusting of snow after flurries fell across western parts of Scotland and northern England overnight.  Showers also caused sleet to develop in the South West, the Met Office said.  Frequent rain has fallen again on Sunday in western parts of the UK, while the east experienced sunnier conditions.  It was a windy day for many, especially in the South West and south coast, where gusts were expected to reach 50mph.  Forecaster Matthew Box said showers are expected to die off overnight and Monday should be a drier day.  Speaking about Monday morning, Mr Box said: "There will be good spells of sunshine across much of the UK."  This dry spell will last until Monday afternoon when rain is forecast in the south, which should hit London in the early hours of Tuesday morning.  "We will see persistent rain overnight into Tuesday," he said.  While the forecast for Christmas is still unclear, Mr Box said a low pressure system could bring unsettled windy weather followed by "crisper" and more settled weather.  "Whether we see an unsettled windy and wet Christmas or a dry and perhaps sunny Christmas Day remains to be seen," he said.  It comes after police issued warnings to motorists in some areas of northern England on Sunday morning after a fresh covering of snow left vehicles stranded.  North Yorkshire Police said the A170 at Sutton Bank, Thirsk, was closed overnight and reported problems on the A59 Harrogate to Skipton road, in the Yorkshire Dales.  One traffic officer wrote on Twitter: "Blubberhouses is particularly treacherous with a number of vehicles stuck or stranded so please take care or use the A65."  Further south, police warned of snowy conditions on the M62 at its highest point between Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.  There were also reports of a covering of snow in Cumbria and over on the east coast near Scarborough.  New: Daily podcast from the Evening Standard  Subscribe to The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Acast or your chosen podcast provider. New episodes every weekday from 4pm.


eveningstandard--2019-12-17--What is a yellow weather warning, when does the Met Office issue them and how do they differ from re

What is a yellow weather warning, when does the Met Office issue them and how do they differ from red and amber alerts?

A yellow weather warning has been issued with gusts of up to 70mph expected to batter parts of the UK this week.  High winds are being forecast to hit Northern Ireland, Wales and western parts of Scotland and England throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday.  Exposed coastal areas will bear the brunt of the gales with inland areas "likely to see wind gusts peak between 45mph and 55mph".  Forecasters are warning of the potential for transport disruption with the winds likely to affect road, rail, air and ferry transport, and may also cause some short-term loss of power.  But what is a yellow weather warning? And how does it differ from amber and red? The Standard takes a look.  According to the Met Office, yellow warnings are issued when incoming weather is expected to cause "low level impacts", but not to the same extent of amber or red warnings.  Issued for a range of different weather situations, some travel disruption is expected and some people will be directly impacted by it. However, the Met Office says most people "may be able to continue with their daily routine" - so it's important to assess if the weather will affect you.  Sometimes, yellow warnings are issued when the weather is expected to to bring more severe impacts to most people but the likelihood of those impacts actually happening is much lower.  The Met Office adds: "It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the yellow warning."  Remember to check the content of the warning to determine what type of weather is being covered.  How does a yellow weather warning differ from amber and red?  Weather warnings are issued when bad weather is expected to impact the UK. The Met Office says the warnings are given colour from yellow to amber and red, which depends on a combination of the severity of the weather and the likelihood it is to happen.  An amber warning is a step on from yellow and means the likelihood that more severe weather is expected is higher. During an amber warning, people are advised to change their plans and take steps to protect themselves and their property.  The weather could cause travel delays, road and rail closures and power cuts. According to the Met Office, the public is advised to "consider the impact of the weather on your family and your community and whether there is anything you need to do ahead of the severe weather to minimise the impact".  A red warning is the most severe and means dangerous weather is expected. The Met Office says "you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of severe weather".  People are advised to avoid travelling at all as there is a risk to life during this kind of weather. Travel and energy supplies will face widespread disruption while there is the possibility of widespread damage to property and infrastructure.  It it recommended the public follows the advice of emergency services and local authorities.


fortune--2019-02-12--Over 100 Million Americans Are Currently Affected by Weather Warnings

Severe winter weather is spanning the width of the United States, with residents from New York to Honolulu facing extreme forecasts.  Winter weather warnings, watches, and advisories are affecting more than 100 million Americans, with 25 million more at risk of flooding. More than 1,580 flights have been canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware. That’s more flights than during the Polar Vortex of late January.  Seattle has been hit especially hard. Seattle-Tacoma international airport has seen more than 14 inches of snow in February alone. That’s twice the average for the entire year, and it makes February the snowiest month in more than 30 years.  Hawaii also saw record-breaking snow. A dusting at Polipoli Spring state recreation area is thought to be the first snow at any of Hawaii’s state parks. It’s also the lowest-elevation snow recorded in Hawaii at 6,200 feet. The storm also brought 60-foot waves to the islands.  Meanwhile, it’s so warm in Alaska that organizers have had to cancel an iconic dog sledding race. The Joe Redington Sr. Knik 200 is “the first real big race of the season,” according to Jennifer Hawks, the communications coordinator for the race. Mushers often use it to qualify for the Iditarod.


latimes--2019-11-03--Finally, some relief: Santa Ana winds weaken as fire weather warnings for L.A. area expire

Finally, there’s some relief: Dangerous fire weather conditions have expired in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as Santa Ana winds were expected to continue weakening and overnight fog along the coast was expected to return by Sunday night.  The National Weather Service office in Oxnard allowed red flag warnings — which sound the alarm for strong winds, dry air and parched vegetation that can spread wildfires rapidly — to finally end at 6 p.m. Saturday.  Dangerous fire conditions had started at 11 p.m. Tuesday, causing forecasters to issue red flag warnings for L.A. and Ventura counties for 91 hours, an unusually long duration. Red flag warnings typically last only one or two days.  Gusts from Santa Ana winds, which come from the deserts of Nevada and Utah northeast of California and head southwest toward the coast starting in the autumn, are expected to fall to 20 mph to 30 mph, focused on only some mountain and interior valleys, said David Gomberg, meteorologist with the weather service’s Oxnard office.  “The speeds are not warranted to justify the red flag warning,” he said.  Still, the weather service expected elevated fire conditions through Sunday morning and perhaps brief moments of dangerous fire weather conditions.  Humidity levels were starting to improve, although it was still dry in interior areas such as the Santa Clarita Valley.  There’s a decent chance fog could return to the coast by Sunday night and Monday morning, Gomberg said.  There continues to be no rain on the horizon through mid-November, but also, no return of dangerous Santa Ana winds for at least four to five days, Gomberg said. At the moment, forecast models suggest some return of Santa Ana winds by Friday or Saturday, but “not nearly as strong as what we saw in the last few days.”  Some areas of L.A. and Orange counties reported brief, isolated showers Saturday as a weak low-pressure system brought up some tropical moisture, Gomberg said. There were a couple of rain-producing clouds in L.A. and Orange counties, but none in Ventura or Santa Barbara counties, he said.


mercurynews--2019-01-21--Winds spur weather warnings from bay to valley

Wild late-weekend weather conditions caused by a cold front’s passage brought wind advisories to the San Francisco Bay and an afternoon tornado warning across several Central Valley counties.  The tornado warning, issued by the National Weather Service’s Sacramento bureau, centered on the town of Linden and covered northeastern San Joaquin from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Forecasters followed with an updated warning for western Calaveras County until 3:45 p.m., citing northeast-moving storms with reports of funnel clouds capable of spawning a tornado. The storms weakened soon after, causing forecasters to let the warning to expire.  The wind advisory, issued by the weather service’s San Francisco Bay Area bureau, called for strong westerly winds from 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph from 6 p.m. Sunday through 4 a.m. Monday for many coastal locations, including San Francisco.  Hazards could include downed trees or limbs loosened by recent rainy stretches, scattered power outages or gust-blown objects, the weather service warned Sunday.


sputnik--2019-09-30--Taiwan Officials Issue Weather Warning Amid Approaching Mitag Typhoon

According to the forecast, the typhoon will reach the northern and north-eastern coast of the island on Monday evening.  The storm is moving toward the northwest with an average speed of 27 kph (16 miles per hour). The approximate wind speed at the landfall may reach 162 kph.  The local authorities in the northern parts of the island including the city of Taipei issued an order to close kindergartens, schools, state and financial institutions on Monday.


thedailyecho--2019-01-21--Met Office issues ice weather warning

Met Office issues ice weather warning

THE Met Office has issued an ice warning for Southampton and Hampshire.  The warning will be in place from midnight until midday on Tuesday.  Temperatures are forecast to fall to 2C on Tuesday morning in Southampton, with a "feels like" temperature of -1C.  A Met Office statement says: "A band of rain and hill snow will move southeastwards across the UK during Monday evening and overnight.  "A brief spell of wet snow is possible on high ground of southern Scotland, northern England and north Wales, with some small accumulations possible.  "Behind this surface temperatures will rapidly fall away with some ice forming on some surfaces.  "Once the rain has cleared, some hail, sleet and snow showers will follow from the northwest, with 1-3 cm above 200 metres and some small accumulations expected at lower levels."


thedailyecho--2019-02-01--More snow to come as weather warning extended until tomorrow

SNOW could continue to fall until later tonight say weather experts.  The Met Office has warned it could snow until 7pm tonight, while its yellow weather warning has now been extended into tomorrow.  According to the Met Office's website, there is an 90 per cent chance of snow until 6pm, and a 80 per cent chance of snow until 7pm.  A yellow warning for ice remains in place until 11am tomorrow morning.  It comes as hundreds of schools across Hampshire closed this morning, due to the snow.  An amber warning was issued for parts of Hampshire yesterday, including the New Forest.  Southampton and other parts of the county had a yellow warning in place.


thedailyecho--2019-02-01--Saints fans weather warning ahead of away trip

SAINTS fans have been warned about potential travel disruption ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Burnley.  Saints travel to face Sean Dyche's side tomorrow and the Met Office have warned fans to be prepared ahead of the journey.  The Met Office confirmed that in Lancashire, the weather is cold but dry, with ice is still a risk.  A spokesperson said: "We urge everyone to be prepared and give themselves extra time for their journeys.  "The snow will have mostly cleared, but ice may still be an issue.  "Everyone should put extra jackets in their vehicles, just to be safe."  A Southampton Football Club spokesperson said: "At present, coaches will run as planned.  "Southampton FC fans are advised to keep track of the club's official social media channels, where any information would be shared in the event that circumstances change."


thedailyecho--2019-02-06--Met Offices issues wind weather warning and forecasts torrential rain

THE Met Office has issued two weather warnings for wind in Southampton and Hampshire.  The warnings are in place for the entire county from 10pm today until 9am on Thursday, and then again from midday on Friday until 6pm on Saturday.  The Met Office says: "A period of very strong and gusty winds is likely on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. "Strongest winds will be across south west England and south and west Wales late evening, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph on coasts and 50 to 60 mph inland. "Elsewhere winds will be strongest after midnight, with gusts of 60 mph on coasts and 50 mph inland before easing during Thursday morning." Torrential rain is also forecast between 3am and 6pm on Saturday.


cnn--2019-10-31--The week baseball showed us our politics

The week baseball showed us our politics -- and our power

On Sunday night, during Game 5 of the World Series between the juggernaut Houston Astros and the underdog Washington Nationals in the District, President Donald Trump received what for him has been the rarest of things: public comeuppance. When the Nationals Park videoboard showed him in his box, the crowd came together to boo him . In an ironic twist , some began chanting: "Lock him up!" Others unfurled a banner that read: "Impeach Trump."  Fast-forward to Wednesday night for an entirely different vibe. Playing at Houston's Minute Maid Park, the Nationals defeated the Astros to win Game 7 of the World Series. But it wasn't only their didn't-see-it-coming victory -- which, crucially, was also their first title in franchise history -- that was remarkable. The post-game images , too, were astonishing, capturing a moment of rapturous unity at a time that so often feels defined by the exact opposite.  Taken together, these two episodes offer a reminder of what America is capable of.  In a sense, the former was an instance of the governed refusing to bow to the government. For all the largely conservative bleating over safe spaces in recent years, Trump, since assuming office in 2017, has perhaps been the biggest exponent of them. By routinely exposing himself mostly to handpicked members of his base , the President has often spared himself the kind of rebuke that would make clear that he's hardly as admired and adored as he believes  Game 5, then, was a corrective. It became, for those few seconds of booing, its own sort of democratic reckoning -- a jumbotron-sized nod to the fact that, despite so much evidence to the contrary, it's still possible to have a voice of opposition -- literally -- heard.  The Nationals' triumph on Wednesday night was also a bracing show of American kinship. In particular, the images of the team's diverse members in the immediate aftermath of securing the championship -- ecstatic, unbridled -- felt radical. In the midst of a political season rife with division, these snapshots were a breath of fresh air. They showed that, even as Americans continue to fight for their country's future, there's enough room in the narrative for joy.  Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed that the Nationals' World Series win created a "small miracle" because "they gave us something Washington, DC, could unite around," which is "something we could use around here these days."  It's not surprising, though, that the Nationals would be the ones to evoke these emotions. After all, this is a team that seems fully aware of its own powers, that has, fascinatingly, embraced the beloved children's song "Baby Shark" as an anthem.  "It's amazing, the energy the fans bring to me and to my teammates," the Nationals' Gerardo Parra told The Washington Post . "But I think the more important (thing) is all the kids jumping, clapping, enjoy that. It's great when I see other guys do that." (In addition, the Nationals have unusually great chemistry with one another .)  Notably, these baseball highlights added soft lighting to American sports more broadly.  This week's baseball events, in their own way, came as a rejoinder, illustrating the urgency of speaking up and remaining faithful to one's convictions.  Of course, this all leads to a cliffhanger: Will Trump invite the Nationals, whom he's already congratulated on Twitter , to the White House -- and, more to the point, will the team show up? If the past few days are any indication, we already know the answer.


dailyheraldchicago--2019-06-01--Column Baseball finds itself with a real numbers problem

Column: Baseball finds itself with a real numbers problem

The official culprit last season was the weather, which Major League Baseball cited as a big reason for a 4 percent slide in attendance over the previous year.  This season? Well, attendance is down once again - only this time there are new excuses.  Commissioner Rob Manfred blames increased competition for the entertainment dollar, which he says has led to a decline in season ticket sales in some markets. The players' union, meanwhile, says fans simply won't come out to watch bad teams that aren't trying hard enough to get better.  Take your pick, but here's a third possibility: Baseball is becoming hard to watch, and fans are registering their displeasure by staying home in increasing numbers.  Attendance at major league ballparks peaked at an average of 32,785 a game in 2007, not coincidentally at the tail end of baseball's steroid era. It stood at 26,854 through midweek this season, a drop of nearly 6,000 fans a game in 12 years.  More worrying, perhaps, is that average attendance is down some 3,500 a game since the 2015 season, not coincidentally a time when advanced analytics began changing the way the game is played.  Yes, that includes the paltry turnouts in Miami and Tampa Bay, where on typical nights there are less - in some cases much less - than 10,000 fans in the ballpark. Baseball has become a tough sell in Florida, as anyone who tunes into a game can readily see.  But it goes further than that, even in markets that traditionally have supported their teams over the years.  The Giants sold out every game in San Francisco for nearly seven years running, before the streak of 530 straight was broken in July 2017. It's true the Giants are a shell of the team they were in winning three world championships, but they're down to 32,401 fans this year in a ballpark that holds more than 41,000.  In Minnesota the early turnouts were so alarming for the best team in baseball that the team began selling $5 tickets just to get people in seats. Still, the Twins are averaging just over 22,000 a game at Target Field, down more than 5,000 from 2015.  And on a beautiful night in Pittsburgh this week, only 13,059 were motivated enough to come to one of the best ballparks in baseball and watch the Pirates play the Milwaukee Brewers.  It could be that baseball is just finding its new level after new ballparks and more (steroid aided) home runs helped fuel the attendance boom that peaked in 2007, just before the great recession. Indeed, it might be unrealistic to expect that baseball would average 2.5 million fans a season again across each of its 30 teams.  Still, 6,585 for an early season game against Oakland in a Baltimore ballpark that once automatically sold out every game? Or, more recently, 8,076 on Thursday night in Tampa Bay for the first place Twins?  One theory is that baseball is losing its true fans, the ones who appreciate the game and how it unfolds over nine innings. They're increasingly frustrated watching a game that features little strategy, lots of time consuming pitching changes, and more strikeouts than hits.  They wonder what happened to the stolen base, the sacrifice and the hit-and-run. They're baffled when they see teams playing the shift with the bases loaded in the ninth inning of a tie game with a hitter who doesn't even try to beat it to win a game.  They're tired of watching everyone swing for the fences with two strikes, and weary of the game being stopped so umpires can gather with headsets to see whether someone's fingers came off a bag for a nanosecond.  Yes, the casual fans still come for family outings and the experience of a night at the ballpark. Teams like the Cardinals and Dodgers still draw big crowds, and the Phillies with Bryce Harper are packing them in.  But the trend is unmistakably downward, much like World Series television ratings that are near all-time lows.  Baseball has a numbers problem in more ways than one.  Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg@ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlberg


newsbusters--2019-01-18--Sooners BaseballFootball Star Declaring For NFL Draft NY Daily News Blames MLB Racism

Sooners' Baseball/Football Star Declaring For NFL Draft; NY Daily News Blames MLB Racism

Soon-to-be former Oklahoma University quarterback/outfielder Kyler Murray, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner, is weighing opportunities to play professional football and baseball. Instead of accepting the freedom of African-American athletes to choose the sport of their choice, New York Daily News sports columnist Carron J. Phillips sees Murray's declaring of the NFL draft as evidence of racism in Major League Baseball.  Baseball is losing the competition for black athletes to basketball and football in a big way. Just 8.4 percent of major league baseball players last year were black. The Oakland Athletics are expecting Murray at spring training camp next month, but this week he declared himself eligible for the NFL draft. For Phillips, the would-be social engineer, this is not about individual career choices; it's all about race.  The issue of race can't be ignored here, Phillips writes, because Murray was supposed to become the "new black face of baseball."  "For all that MLB has 'tried to do' in the name of diversity," Phillips writes, "the league still hasn’t fully realized that it’s viewed by many in the African-American community as a white sport that has a racist past that consistently overlooks and erases the legacies of legendary black players, and still has issues with its current ones."  Polling demonstrates that football and basketball are the most popular sports among African-Americans, but Phillips digresses to recent racial insults as evidence that baseball is striking out on diversity.  Phillips projects baseball's diversity problem, exacerbated by Murray's interest in the NFL draft, onto two incidents from the past two years. In an American League game in Boston two years ago, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones was called the N-word and had peanuts thrown at him.  A Gallup poll in 2017 found that 37 percent of Americans rate football as their favorite sport, compared to 11 percent for basketball and just nine percent for baseball. Soccer has also caught up with baseball. In 2013, the nine most-watched sporting events by black viewers were all football and basketball. The Sports Fan Journal reported that same year that "blacks watch more television than any other ethnic group in the country," but their viewership of recent World Series games was extremely low. African-Americans as a group just aren't all that interested in baseball. And for those with exceptional athletic skills, the slow rise through minor league baseball to the big leagues are easily outweighed by instant fame in the NFL or the NBA.  The cries of racism by Phillips are contradicted by what Jason Clinkscales, managing editor of The Sports Fan Journal, wrote in 2013: "The only way that young black kids – or any group of kids, for that matter – can get into baseball is if they are encouraged to watch the game. That doesn’t come from just attending games in person or even letting them play in Little League. It’s from sitting down in front of a TV with their parents and guardians, their elders passing down the love of the game with the stories from Vin Scully or the slo-mo replays of a C.C. Sabathia fastball."  Despite fan apathy and poor TV viewership, MLB programs like Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities are trying to entice more African-Americans into a pipeline to MLB. That doesn't matter to Phillips, who keeps swinging for the racism fence and missing. He says baseball never had a chance at Kyler Murray "because far too many times the sport, and the league, has ignored people who look just like him." Or attempted to straighten out their hats.


theindependent--2019-06-30--Yankees vs Red Sox MLB discovers baseball utopia in London as Aaron Judge stars in batting frenzy

Yankees vs Red Sox: MLB discovers baseball utopia in London as Aaron Judge stars in batting frenzy

The wry smile that spread across Aaron Judge’s face as the ball disappeared into the stands in the fourth innings for his home run confirmed the London Stadium’s transformation into a baseball utopia.  The handsome, muscle-bound Yankee personified a hitting feast in London’s belated, yet thrilling introduction to MLB.  Having gifted their rivals as much as a 12-year head start in the race to enchant a new audience, the NFL and NBA may finally be a little anxious after baseball’s gargantuan arrival in the capital certainly increased competition moving forward. West Ham’s home was almost indistinguishable and so was the baseball briefly.  In one of sport’s most illustrious rivalries, the Yankees and the Red Sox, in Europe’s first regular season game, immediately gifted an impressive, sold-out crowd to a first: Both starting pitchers, Boston’s Rick Porcello and New York’s Masihiro Tanaka, coughed up six runs apiece and in doing so suffered the indignation of failing to escape the first innings. This was a hitter’s paradise, yet the batters had grasped their advantage with a savage ruthlessness to the delight of the 60,000 in attendance.  A surprisingly engaged crowd, stuffed with hardcore fans, with many making the pilgrimage over the Atlantic, appeared to need little persuasion to fall for America's Game. A cacophony of noise greeted every hit, catch and doomed effort to glove the ball as the teams pushed the boundaries of their new playground.  And pushing the boundaries is just what MLB have done this weekend, perhaps providing the perfect example of modern sport and its insatiable appetite to wrestle with rivals to prove they have the superior product .  Having resisted the move for so long, this alluring, if flawed, version of the sport on show Saturday did not unfold through luck alone. The hastily assembled ball park possessed hitter-friendly conditions due to the limited dimensions—the smallest field in the league—and plentiful foul territory to multiply the number of pitches faced. That and a hitting juggernaut in the form of the Yankees combined for a slugfest: 37 hits, 30 runs, six home runs.  Judge’s brutish force while wielding his wooden weapon was complimented by the magnetic force of the freshly-selected All-Star starter DJ LeMahieu. Even Tanaka’s first inning capitulation, to hand the Red Sox a brief reprieve, could not deny the Yankees here, as their renaissance atop of the division continues. LeMahieu’s clutch hitting sent shivers down each Red Sox pitcher mercifully sent to the mound to stem the bleeding. His prowess is perhaps best quantified with baseball nerdiness as he saw his hitting average move to .486 (34-70) (almost half his plate appearances) with runners in scoring positions (RISP): a precious currency in October once the league has whittled down the teams to 10 for the enthralling post-season.  This game, or “business” as both sides unintentionally, yet appropriately, defined this two-game series all week, was not merely about the action around the diamond. At least not for MLB. Fans were presented with a slight tweak on the NFL and NBA variety they have been accustomed to in recent years. They gorged themselves on the plentiful food options, including three feet of nachos. While the sweltering conditions in the capital only encouraged a constant stream of fans to and from their seats for drinks poured in commemorative pint glasses. Harry and Megan made an appearance and there was the baffling mascot race between innings saw Freddie Mercury see off Winston Churchill, Henry VIII and the Loch Ness Monster. Really.  Two more stellar franchises follow up this successful opener, with the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs in town in 2020. Perhaps through little choice, but a quality line-up is essential: the NFL’s struggling Oakland Raiders scored less points in last year’s London appearance than both teams on Saturday.  Those in attendance endured the baking conditions of this marathon shoot-out, even belting out ”Take me out to the ball game”, confirming baseball’s ascension to sports fanatics in London and beyond.


thetorontostar--2019-08-16--In Venezuela young baseball players still have big dreams

In Venezuela, young baseball players still have big dreams

CARACAS, Venezuela - More than 100 boys train daily on a baseball field next to the biggest slum in Caracas, using old bats, balls and gloves in hopes of achieving the ultimate goal: a professional baseball career in the United States and an escape from Venezuela’s hardship.  Chances are small, and getting remoter. Major League Baseball’s teams have shut down their academies in Venezuela and no longer send scouts. Sometimes, local trainers say, a player faints on the field because he hasn’t had enough to eat, a sign of how nationwide shortages of food, medicine and other necessities inflict a heavy toll.  A junior team from Maracaibo is participating this week in the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Two Venezuelan pro players, Rougned Odor of the Texas Rangers and Ender Inciarte of the Atlanta Braves, donated funds for the trip.  Still, there is a precedent for youthful ambitions. Venezuela was an incubator of major league stars like Miguel Cabrera and Felix Hernández, and the flair is still there. Another young Venezuelan team arrived two hours before their first game at a tournament in Mexico and ended up winning the whole contest.  “My dream came true,” said Diego Gutiérrez, a 10-year-old on the Cacique Mara team that won the junior Latin America title this month. He spoke to The Associated Press by telephone from Maracaibo, a Venezuelan city hit hard by power cuts, gasoline scarcity and other problems.  The team’s victory was a bright spot for a country more accustomed to news about political conflict and economic turmoil.  The 14 players barely made it to the tournament because they didn’t have money to buy plane tickets. Daniel Gutiérrez, Diego’s father and head of the junior team, took the boys and some family members anyway on a 10-hour bus journey to Caracas in late July in hopes of securing financial support  Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez got involved with little time to spare, buying tickets after learning about the team’s plight.  “I saw it on Instagram and sent them a text and asked: ‘How can I help you guys to make the dream come true for the kids?’ They said they needed money for the flight,” Rodríguez told AP.  “I know how it is,” he said. “When I was a kid, I had a lot of invitations to play in some competitions, but I didn’t have the money to go there so I know how it feels, so that’s why I did it.”  Another Venezuelan major leaguer, Jhoulys Chacín of the Milwaukee Brewers, also donated money for the trip. Venezuela’s sports ministry and the Panamanian airline Copa then gave support.  Boys run hard, lift weights, bat and pitch in the heat on the baseball field at the Petare slum in Caracas. But strains are evident.  “It’s sad to see that the number of boys attending has dropped a lot,” said trainer Nelson Castro, who has coached for decades and shaped future stars, including Armando Galarraga.  Another coach, Pedro Quero, said players used to eat well, providing a strong base for them to hone their talents. It’s different now.  “We’re seeing a lot of food that doesn’t help with the boys’ nutrition,” Quero said. “The kids aren’t growing well.”  Poor nutrition has forced Venezuelan baseball academies with limited resources to try to provide better food, including protein, to make up for diet deficiencies, he said.  Juan José Escobar, a Caracas resident, watched as his 3-year-old son ran around cones during a speed and stamina exercise at the baseball field. Escobar said another son, 18-year-old Anthony, signed with the Minnesota Twins two years ago, just before Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis got much worse.  The older son’s good fortune “was a blessing because, the way things are in the country, you can’t even give your child a good education,” Escobar said.  Diego Gutiérrez, the young player who was on the winning team in Mexico, started playing baseball when he was 3, helped by his father. His new dream is to play for a major league team in the United States.  Right now, the 10-year-old is bursting with gratitude toward Rodríguez of the Red Sox for helping his team.  “Now he knows us,” the boy said.  Associated Press journalist Ken Powtak in Boston contributed to this report.


eveningstandard--2019-03-19--London basketball stars out to make mark on Americaaposs famous March Madness tournament

London basketball stars out to make mark on America's famous March Madness tournament

Two London-born basketball stars will be hoping to make their mark on one of America’s most popular sporting events when ‘March Madness’ kicks off this week.  The NCAA Tournament, used to decide the national college championship, is a 68-team knockout competition held in March and April every year, and is watched by millions around the world.  Six-foot-eleven-inch Kavell Bigby-Williams, born in Stratford, appears to be the best chance of British success, looking to end his college career with a national championship for the third seeded Louisiana State University.  The 23-year-old Arsenal fan grew up in London before moving to the US to play college basketball, and reached the Final Four of March Madness two years ago with the Oregon Ducks, before transferring to LSU for his senior year.  The other British representation comes from former Harrow High School student Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, who helped Bradley University to a surprise title win in the Missouri Valley Conference to secure qualification for this tournament.  The former Great Britain U20 star starts his campaign on Thursday evening, looking for a huge upset win over Michigan State, while Bigby-Williams and LSU face Yale on the same afternoon.  Away from the British interest, all eyes will be on Duke and their superstar Zion Williamson, considered the most exciting college prospect in a generation and favourite to be the first pick at this year’s NBA draft.  ESPN Player will bring fans in Europe, Middle East and Africa every game of March Madness live & on-demand, plus three simulcast channels direct from the US, and a huge catalogue of original content including ESPN Films, documentaries, series, archive content.


fortune--2019-07-29--NBA 2K League Tencent Team up to Bring the Phenomenon of e-Sports Basketball to China

NBA 2K League, Tencent Team up to Bring the Phenomenon of e-Sports Basketball to China

From the outside, the NBA 2K League studio looks like an unassuming warehouse in Long Island City. There's no big signage or pomp. But inside there are screens above the crowds, the players are in a circle focusing on their monitors, and fans are cheering for their favorite teams in the 2K League, the e-sports competition scene for the NBA 2K video game.  For those not interested in e-sports, it can be hard to grasp the atmosphere, with its bleachers of fans and the decked out red and blue walls, until you're actually immersed in its excitement and light trash talking.  But soon that experience will open up to even more people.  The NBA 2K League announced last week that it is coming to China, one of the world's largest e-sports markets, and it's doing so with the help of Tencent, a massive Chinese conglomerate and a leader in gaming.  Tencent already broadcasts NBA games, and similar to its deal with the league, it will begin showing 2K League events, too. The NBA 2K League is owned by the NBA and NBA 2K maker TakeTwo.  The 2K League is poised to score points with Chinese viewers, because there's already interest from gamers there. "In China, the more common way for players to engage in the game is actually 2K online, which is a free version of the game," Brendan Donohue, managing director of the 2K League tells Fortune. "Up until this point, we haven't been able to engage that audience. This deal, by partnering with Tencent, it allows us to unlock that audience and test that this season before doing more in the future."  Expanding 2K League to China also a natural move, considering the popularity of e-sports there. According to a 2017 report by IHS Markit, China is the largest global market for e-sports, streaming 57% of all matches last year. Between the popularity of 2K Online, growing Chinese interest in traditional basketball, and the massive appetite for e-sports, Donohue expects viewership for the league to see a substantial increase.  But the league is looking to do more than merely show its games in China. Currently, all of the 2K League teams are linked to ones in the traditional NBA, but 2K League players appear as digital avatars of themselves, and not as NBA players. For example, the Portland Trail Blazers' counterpart is Blazer5 Gaming, but no one plays as the NBA team's point guard Damian Lillard.  Donohue sees the league expanding, and China is one place they're looking to move into. How the non-NBA teams will be named or styled is still undecided, but the 2K League is willing to make the expansion happen.  "This is part of a much broader strategy here," Donohue said explaining that they want to continue finding potential e-sports players in China, reaching fans there through game streaming and live events, and eventually setting up Chinese-based teams.  "We are having active conversations with people who are interested in joining the league that are not NBA owners. It might too early to talk about a timeline, but we know in the near future there's going to be teams outside of NBA-owned teams in the league," Donohue said.  Even before that, Donohue envisions the NBA 2K League putting on events in China. For the current season, the league hosted an invitational qualifying event in Hong Kong in order to better attract non-U.S.-based talent.  "We think this is a great test for us to start to expose the league to the region," Donohue noted.  As the 2K League's Long Island City studio gets more popular, and the bleachers start to overflow with fans, moving seems like the best option.  —FaceApp’s Russia link is the latest alarm in an ongoing digital red scare  —Equifax may owe you some money. Here’s how to get it  Catch up with Data Sheet, Fortune's daily digest on the business of tech.


france24--2019-09-11--France stun title holders USA to reach basketball World Cup semis

France blew the Basketball World Cup wide open Wednesday by handing the United States their first loss in the competition in 13 years in their quarterfinal clash, powered by a double-double from big man Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz.  The historic 89-79 win for France eliminates the Americans early from the competition in China, dashing their hopes of a third straight title.  The prospect of an American exit had looked increasingly possible after the USA sent a squad of second-tier stars and the loss is likely to prompt soul-searching in USA basketball.  Gobert, the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, had three blocks, including a key rejection down the stretch to help France seal the victory in the southern Chinese city of Dongguan.  "I've been dreaming about this for a while. I was thinking we might never get the opportunity (to beat the USA) again and I told that to the guys," Gobert said.  "It doesn't mean much if you don't win the gold, but it will go down as one of the biggest wins of my career and one of the biggest wins for French basketball for sure."  In a hint of the sniping that may result in the United States over the debacle, shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who lead the Americans with 29 points, hit back at critics of the team.  "You guys are going to go on and say who we didn't have but why don't you all focus on who we do have?" he told reporters.  "We have 12 guys that want to compete for America, just like every other country. It sucks that some of our country people don't feel that way about us, but we don't care. We wanted to compete and we did."  France will play Argentina on Friday, who made it to the final four by defeating Serbia.  The USA loss sets up an enticing consolation match with Serbia on Thursday. Packed with NBA players, the two were tournament favourites and will be trying to salvage pride.  Wednesday's contest was marked by big lead changes, and Mitchell's jumpers and slashing moves to the basket helped the Americans cut down a 10-point French advantage in the third quarter to seize back the lead.  But Mitchell cooled in the fourth and the French came back, led by Gobert and sharp-shooting small forward Evan Fournier of the Orlando Magic, who led France in scoring with 22 points.  Fournier slashed to the hoop for a driving lay-up to give France the lead again at 78-76 with about three minutes remaining in the game.  With under a minute left and down by four, Mitchell squirted into the lane for a layup but Gobert smothered the shot by his Jazz teammate and the Americans were never able to get any closer.  The win raises the prospect of France adding a Basketball World Cup title to the football World Cup hardware they won in Russia last year.  They will first have to get past Argentina. In the other bracket, Spain will face the winner of Australia-Czech Republic, who tipped off later Wednesday.  The writing was on the wall for the United States which, lacking big names like LeBron James and Steph Curry, lost to Australia two weeks ago in an exhibition.  The loss in Melbourne was the first for the United States in 78 consecutive games in major competitions and exhibition games.  They also struggled to defeat Turkey in overtime earlier in the World Cup.


newsweek--2019-02-17--The NBA and Barack Obama Are Teaming up to Create a Basketball League in Africa

The NBA is partnering with international basketball organisation FIBA to create a basketball league in Africa—and former President Barack Obama is going to be involved, according to Associated Press.  The NBA announced Saturday that it plans for the 12 team league to be launched in January 2020, bringing existing teams into one pan-continental competition in a move that would raise the profile of the game in Africa and bring increased funding opportunities.  Existing teams will compete for inclusion in the league, with teams from Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia taking part, and no more than two teams per country permitted to take part in the league.  NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the plans had been welcomed by NBA team owners. "The Basketball Africa League is an important next step in our continued development of the game of basketball in Africa," Silver said in a statement Saturday. "Combined with our other programs on the continent, we are committed to using basketball as an economic engine to create new opportunities in sports, media and technology across Africa."  Former President Obama’s specific role in the project has not been made public, but he is expected to take an active role. A keen basketball fan who installed a court in the White House after taking office, on Saturday he tweeted his support for the formation of the league.  “I’ve always loved basketball because it’s about building a team that’s equal to more than the sum of its parts. Glad to see this expansion into Africa because for a rising continent, this can be about a lot more than what happens on the court,” Obama tweeted.  In a statement, FIBA Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bile hailed the move: “We’re excited to work closely with the NBA to develop and put in a place a professional league like none that we have ever seen in our region before,” he wrote. “Through the Basketball Africa League, we can provide the many great clubs and players with the best possible environment to compete for the highest stakes.”  The NBA has invested heavily in Africa in recent years, launching the Giants of Africa and Basketball without Borders programs, and an academy in Senegal, reported AP.  Plans for the league were announced at an NBA All-Star Africa luncheon Saturday, where guests included Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby, whose parents are from Nigeria, and Hornets center Bismack Biyombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.


newyorkpost--2019-05-27--Teen calls out LeBron James in epic basketball battle

It’s late May, and LeBron James is playoff-less. So this will have to suffice.  The King found himself head-to-head with a teenager in an impromptu 3-point competition over the weekend, while watching his oldest son “Bronny” take part in a Los Angeles basketball tournament.  “I got called out by my guy and in my opinion the best shooters (he can do more too) for the Class of 2023 @gcupps23 today,” James wrote on Instagram. “Told him about a certain switch I can hit when needed and he didn’t believe me. Well he found out the hard way!”  Gabe Cupps, 14 and not yet on this earth when LeBron took his NBA throne, wore a white jersey emblazoned with No. 23 and put on a show with the Lakers superstar.  They went back-and-forth for three rounds before Cupps missed, and LeBron delivered the dagger.  The tensions weren’t quite as high as his last eight straight trips to the NBA finals, but the 34-year-old James couldn’t help but beam while exiting the floor.


tass--2019-08-12--EuroLeagues best scorer Mike James joins CSKA Moscow basketball club

EuroLeague’s best scorer Mike James joins CSKA Moscow basketball club

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. US basketball player Mike James, who was named the best scorer of the EuroLeague tournament last season, has signed a contract with CSKA Moscow basketball club, the press office of the Russian club announced on Monday.  According to the club's statement, the 28-year-old US-born point guard, who is 1 meter 85 centimeters tall, signed a contract with CSKA Moscow for one year.  "Mike is a very talented player, who can create his own shots and open up situations for his teammates," CSKA Head Coach Dimitris Itoudis was quoted as saying in the statement commenting on the contract. "During all these years in the EuroLeague and on different levels, he proved that he can score, but he also needs to adjust our system."  "He already committed in our talks that he is ready to do so. We wish him to stay healthy and help our team achieve new goals," Itoudis, who led the club last season to win the 2018/2019 EuroLeague, added.  The American point guard said commenting on joining CSKA Moscow: "I’m excited to join a team with winning expectations and a winning mentality."  "I’m honored that coach Itoudis chose me and let me come and join a team that won the EuroLeague last year, and I’m ready to help the team win in any way possible," James stated.  He is now the ninth foreign player on the roster of CSKA Moscow before the upcoming season and in line with the regulations of the Russia-based VTB United League each club is allowed to have eight foreign players, plus another one, who would be eligible for playing only at the European level competitions.  "The player who will be available for EuroLeague games only will be named by the coaching staff before the start of the official season," CSKA Moscow club said in its statement.  During his seven-year professional basketball career Mike James defended various basketball clubs in Europe including in Croatia, Greece, Israel, Spain and Italy. Playing for Italy’s Olimpia Milan in the 2018-2019 season, he was awarded Alphonso Ford Trophy as the EuroLeague best scorer (19.8 points in 30 matches on average).  His contract with Olimpia Milan was signed until 2021, but as a result of reshuffles in the Italian basketball club both sides agreed earlier in the year to terminate the contract.  James also hit the courts of the US-based NBA Championship in the 2017/2018 season. Having played that season a total of 36 matches for Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans, given an average playing time of 19.1 minutes per game, he averaged 9.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists.


tass--2019-11-01--FIBA: Russian 3x3 basketball teams qualify for 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo

MOSCOW, November 1. /TASS/. The Russian national men and women teams in 3x3 basketball competitions have qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Japan’s Tokyo, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced on Friday.  The qualifying tickets for the next year’s Olympics in Japan were awarded in line with the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking.  The Russian national men’s team in 3x3 basketball was ranked 2nd, to qualify for the Games in Tokyo, while the women’s team topped the rankings to receive the pass to Japan.  "The top 4 teams in the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking in the women’s category (Russia, China, Mongolia and Romania) earned a trip to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where 3x3 will make its first appearance on July 25-29," FIBA press service said in a statement.  "The top 3 teams in the FIBA 3x3 Ranking in the men’s category (Serbia, Russia and China) together with the Japanese hosts will join them in the Aomi Urban Sports Park in the waterfront Aomi district for the much-anticipated event," the statement added.  The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo are scheduled to be held between July 24 and August 9 and the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games will run between August 25 and September 6.  According to FIBA, "3x3 Federation Ranking is calculated by adding up the FIBA 3x3 Individual World Ranking points of the Top 100 nationals. It not only rewards the elite performances of the players but also the 3x3 activity in the territory of each National Federation."  The sport of 3x3 basketball was officially included in the program of Summer Olympics on June 9, 2017 and will make its debut at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.


thedailyrecord--2019-03-24--Youngsters get a taste of wheelchair basketball in West Lothian

Youngsters were able to get a taste of wheelchair basketball in Armadale recently thanks to a link-up between basketballscotland and The Lord’s Taverners.  The two organisations joined forces to launch a new wheelchair basketball project, which comprises of a club development programme, national junior league and ‘Inclusive Zone Basketball’ schools programme, at Armadale Academy.  The children were able to learn more about the sport and take part in a number of training drills as well as practicing their skills before taking part in a series of games.  Basketballscotland’s Disability Talent and Pathways Manager, Tina Gordon, hailed the event and hopes the support of The Lord’s Taverners will lead to an increase in young players taking up the sport.  She said: “The Lord’s Taverners funding will enable basketballscotland’s wheelchair basketball clubs to grow their junior development programmes by providing more training opportunities and set up a Scottish Junior League, which we’re aiming to start in April.  “In addition to this, a new school based competition will be established ‘Inclusive Zone Basketball’ which we’ll be looking to start at the beginning of the next academic year.  “Inclusive Zone basketball is a 4v4 game combining wheelchair and running basketball on the same court, in zoned off areas, which provides opportunity for inclusion within the sport.”  She added: “I’m really excited about the support from The Lord’s Taverners as these initiatives will provide more opportunity for our players to enjoy and compete in the sport.  “It will also raise the profile of wheelchair basketball in the community attracting more young people to come and give the sport a try.”  Jan McKenzie, Regional Development Executive for The Lord’s Taverners in Scotland, commented: “The Lord’s Taverners in Scotland is pleased to continue their support for Scottish Wheelchair Basketball with this grant to assist basketball Scotland in developing its junior leagues and competitions.  “Our aim is to help disadvantaged young people achieve their full potential and we have been delighted to follow the progress of the young athletes who have benefitted from the Lord’s Taverners’ partnership with basketballscotland”.


thedenverpost--2019-04-22--Motivated by late father Charlotte Whittaker eager to play role with CU Buffs womens basketball

Motivated by late father, Charlotte Whittaker eager to play role with CU Buffs women’s basketball

Just three months after arriving in Boulder from her home in Cust, New Zealand, Charlotte Whittaker has yet to play a game for the Colorado women’s basketball team, but with a warm smile and friendly laugh, she’s already bonded with coaches, teammates, custodians and almost everyone else she’s met.  “Bottom line, Charlotte is one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “She is unbelievably selfless, she is always upbeat, always positive. She is friends with anyone that’s ever met her.”  On top of all that, the 6-foot-4 forward who can muscle up in the paint and drain a 3-pointer, has the talent to be a crucial piece to the puzzle for a Buffaloes’ program that is looking to finally get on a winning path.  “She has the potential to be special,” Payne said.  Whittaker, who was born in Banbury, England, has been on the road to stardom for years. Her late father, Mark, got her hooked on basketball at a young age, and she began traveling to international competitions at the age of 12.  Having also played volleyball and netball growing up, Whittaker starred in basketball, averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game during her international career.