Northeast

Massachusetts HS field hockey team refuses to play against school that has 'members of the opposite sex'

Published

2 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Massachusetts HS field hockey team refuses to play against school that has 'members of the opposite sex'

A Massachusetts high school is refusing to play another school’s girls’ field hockey team due to biological male players on its roster.

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District released a statement to media members on Tuesday saying that they’re forfeiting the girls’ field hockey game against Somerset Berkley Regional High School.

The decision to forfeit, which came after coaches and team captains convened on the matter, comes after a new policy that was put in place allowing players and/or coaches to opt out of any games or competitions against an opposing team that “includes a member of the opposite sex.”

“In accordance with School Committee Police JJIB – Interscholastic Athletics, whose updates were approved by the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee on June 25, 2024, the District has notified Somerset Berkley Regional High School that we will be forfeiting the Field Hockey contest scheduled for September 17,” the school district’s statement read.

An NCAA field hockey match between Iowa and Boston University, Sept. 2, 2022, at Grant Field in Iowa City, Iowa. (IMAGN)

“Our Field Hockey coaches and captains made this decision, and we notified our opponent accordingly,” the statement continued. “The District supports this decision as there are times where we have to place a higher value on safety than on victory. We understand this forfeit will impact our chances for a league championship and possibly playoff eligibility, but we remain hopeful that other schools consider following suit to achieve safety and promote fair competition for female athletes.”

This decision by the coaches and captains is also impacted by what occurred last year during a game between Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and Swampscott High School.

HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY CAPTAIN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST RULE ALLOWING BOYS ON GIRLS TEAMS AFTER HORRIFIC INJURY

A girl on Dighton-Rehoboth suffered “significant facial and dental injuries” that “required hospitalization” after being hit in the face by a shot from a biological male from Swampscott.

It led field hockey captain Kelsey Bain to write a letter to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), calling on the organization to change its policy in the wake of the incident.

“There is likely more interest, but the stigma of boys playing on a girl’s team is probably a deterrent,” Bain wrote in the letter after previously writing the MIAA “needs to do better.”

“I am sure school districts can institute co-op teams to create further opportunities for males to play in their own division, which I assume you are already aware of because, under rule 34 of the MIAA handbook, there is a division for boys’ field hockey listed under the Fall Sports category.

“You have a chance to change the negative publicity the MIAA has been receiving due to the incident that happened on Thursday night by moving forward with the proposal for a seven versus seven boys league.”

Bain also cited an article from the New Boston Post, which reported 41 boys playing on girls’ field hockey teams during the 2019-20 school year.

“Following the injury, my teammates were sobbing not only in fear for their teammate but also in fear that they had to go back out onto the field and continue a game, playing against a male athlete who hospitalized one of our own. The traumatic event sheds light on the rules and regulations of male athletes participating in women’s sports.”

The MIAA released a statement at the time saying it does “understand” safety concerns, but inclusion trumps them.

“We respect and understand the complexity and concerns that exist regarding student safety. However, student safety has not been a successful defense to excluding students of one gender from participating on teams of the opposite gender,” the MIAA said in a statement. “The arguments generally fail due to the lack of correlation between injuries and mixed-gender teams.”

Bain had a response to the MIAA’s statement.

The MIAA said it does “understand” safety concerns, but inclusion trumps them. (IMAGN)

“We all witnessed the substantial damage that a male has the ability to cause against a female during a game,” Bain wrote. “How much longer does the MIAA plan on using girls as statistical data points before they realize that boys do not belong in girls’ sports? Twenty injuries? One hundred? Death?”

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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Boston, MA

Massive Lynnfield strip mall fire destroys multiple businesses

Published

4 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Press Room

Massive Lynnfield strip mall fire destroys multiple businesses

Multiple businesses destroyed by fire at Massachusetts strip mall

01:58

BOSTON – Multiple businesses in Lynnfield were destroyed Tuesday night when intense flames tore through a strip mall.

The fire happened around 9 p.m. at the strip mall on Post Office Square.

Fire destroys a strip mall in Lynnfield.

CBS Boston

Lynnfield strip mall fire

Daylight revealed significant damage to multiple businesses. Lynnfield Fire Chief Glenn Davis said most of the businesses will likely be a total loss.

No injuries have been reported following the fire, which happened while the businesses were closed.

Lynnfield strip mall had no sprinklers

Initial reported indicated that the fire may have started somewhere near Old Towne Market, which is in the middle of the strip mall. Flames then spread to nearby businesses, including a Dunkin’.

Davis said it is an old building with no sprinklers. There’s a common attic space that runs the whole length of the strip mall, allowing the fire to spread very quickly.

Multiple fire departments were required to put out the flames.

Local businesses destroyed by flames

Taylor Jenkins lives in the area. He said it is a major loss for the community.

That Dunks is full of locals every morning. My daughter did karate right at the Cervizzi’s on the corner, so it’s going to be pretty tough. And the little mart there, every time you go in you see somebody local, so it’s too bad,” he said.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The Massachusetts fire marshal will be at the strip mall Wednesday morning as the investigation continues.

Matt Schooley

Matt Schooley is a digital producer at CBS Boston. He has been a member of the WBZ news team for the last decade.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pirates’ Termarr Johnson Discusses Minor League Season

Published

4 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Press Room

Pirates’ Termarr Johnson Discusses Minor League Season

PITTSBURGH — During the Pittsburgh Pirates’ win over the Miami Marlins on Monday night, top prospect Termarr Johnson sat down with SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Hannah Mears and discussed his rise through the team’s minor league system.

The Altoona Curve, Pittsburgh’s Double-A affiliate, was in town for the game, allowing Johnson to capture a closer look at his future stomping grounds.

The 20-year-old infielder is currently ranked as the organization’s No. 3 prospect and the No. 80 farmhand across the league by MLB Pipeline.

Johnson began the year in High-A Greensboro, where he hit .238/.372/.385 with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs and 20 stolen bases over 110 games. He was promoted to Double-A on Aug. 27 and has slashed .184/.273/.368 in 11 contests with the Curve.

When asked what the transition between the two levels has been like for him, Johnson praised the nature of Altoona’s clubhouse and how that’s impacted him as he’s settled in.

“It’s been great,” Johnson said. “Just having these guys, this clubhouse is great. All these guys are amazing and it’s just cool having them here, and having them throughout the season. I’m excited just to continue to play with them and finish out the season strong with them.”

The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Johnson is heralded as a potential building block within the Pirates’ future core. He’s struggled at times throughout the year, but he possesses an abundance of raw power and strong plate discipline that could help him develop into a true difference-maker at the major league level should his hit tool continue to progress.

Johnson stated that his biggest step forward this season has come with adapting his mindset, ensuring that he’s always prepared and available no matter the situation throughout the course of a game.

“Just being able to be available every day,” Johnson said. “Having that mindset that I’m going out there to play, even on the days off. Having that mindset even when the game is late, just to go in and try to help the team win late in the game.”

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates

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Connecticut

Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony to be held at Connecticut Fire Academy

Published

5 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Press Room

Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony to be held at Connecticut Fire Academy

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT (WFSB) – Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the deadliest terror attack in the United States.

On that day, many people lost their friends, family, and loved ones.

More than 3,000 people were killed, and more than 6,000 others were injured in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York, Washington DC, and Shanksville, PA.

Thousands of first responders bravely rushed to help the innocent victims.

Over 161 people killed on 9/11 had ties to Connecticut. Memorials were scheduled across the state on Wednesday to honor them.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection planned to host a memorial service at the Connecticut Fire Academy at 9 a.m. in Windsor Locks.

Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement earlier this week.

“That day 23 years ago was one of the darkest in our nation’s history, and we must use this anniversary to reflect,” Lamont said.

Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins and representatives from the Connecticut Fire Academy and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control are expected to be in attendance.

Other memorials and ceremonies happening in Connecticut:

Avon – Volunteer Fire Department Headquarters – 25 Darling Dr., Avon – 7:45 a.m.
Bethel – Blood drive – Bethel Volunteer Fire Department from noon to 5 p.m.
Cromwell – Frisbee Landing – 8:46 a.m.
Derby – Derby Green at 6 p.m.
East Hartford – Goodwin University – 10 .m.
Groton – Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum at 8:30 a.m.
Meriden – outside of City Hall – 8:30 a.m.
Waterbury – Holy Cross High School – Reception at 6:30 p.m., tribute at 7 p.m.
West Haven – Bradley Point Park flag raising at 6:30 p.m. Then, Candlelight vigil at the 9/11 Memorial at 6 Rock St. at 7 p.m.