Connect with us

San Diego, CA

Padres notebook: Using or losing ABS challenges, Griffin Canning update

Published

on

Padres notebook: Using or losing ABS challenges, Griffin Canning update


Use ’em or lose ’em.

That’s not exactly an emerging strategy for the new Automated Ball-Strike system, but it’s a guideline that the Padres are wrapping their heads around as they continue to get a feel for how to deploy challenges for this new strike zone.

“I’d like to see us finish the game with no challenges left,” Padres manager Craig Stammen said, “or at least challenge a little bit more.”

Entering Tuesday, the Padres were 2-for-3 challenging calls on offense and 3-for-5 challenging calls while in the field (all by catchers). While those numbers are especially conservative on offense — only one team has fewer offensive challenges — the whole idea is to save challenges for moments that can impact a game.

Advertisement

Such a moment arrived in the top of the ninth inning on Monday after Jake Cronenworth’s leadoff walk, but Fernando Tatis Jr. did not challenge the called strike on a 2-1 slider that appeared to land above the zone as reflected in MLB’s Gameday app.

The pitch didn’t end or extend an at-bat, but counts clearly matter to hitters. This year alone, hitters in a 3-1 count have a 1.518 OPS and hitters in a 2-2 count have a .442 OPS.

Tatis foul tipped the next pitch — a slider on the outside corner — into the catcher’s glove for a strikeout. Two batters later, Jackson Merrill homered to cut the Giants’ lead to 3-2, which ended up being the final score.

“I’m sure there were other pitches we could challenge, too,” Stammen said a day later. “But just like thinking (Tatis) specifically, one of our best hitters, arguably our best hitter, in a ninth-inning game where it doesn’t matter if you don’t get to keep the challenge for tomorrow, maybe it’s something that we can have a conversation about.”

Probably a lot of conversations.

Advertisement

After all, Stammen lamented that 30 games in spring training is hardly enough time for hitters to know all the ins and outs and do’s and don’ts and percentages. Ideally, the Padres want to make sure they have a challenge in the bag for Mason Miller in the ninth inning, but the most impactful moment of a game often arrives before the final inning.

The Padres have a color-coded sheet in the dugout similar to NFL coaches’ go-for-2 sheets, but it’s still a lot for a hitter to grasp in the moment of a heated at-bat, as Tatis was in the ninth inning against Giants closer Ryan Walker.

“There’s also a piece of these guys taking an at bat and not wanting some external circumstances to be thinking about, like, should I challenge this pitch or not?” Stammen said. “It’s more like, ‘I’m going to get a hit. I got to figure out a way to get on base.’ You’re battling those two like personas in their head. You want a clear mind, simple thoughts, but then we’re also asking them like, ‘No, you need to know the strike zone. No, you got a challenge too, and you got to do it immediately.’

“So there’s a give and a take with that.”

Notable

  • RHP Griffin Canning (Achilles) threw three innings (about 50 pitches) in a simulated game on Monday in a workout at low Single-A Lake Elsinore. Canning had been scheduled to pitch this week in Tacoma for Triple-A El Paso, but inclement weather forced the shift to Lake Elsinore. His next appearance will be a rehab start on Saturday for Double-A San Antonio in Tulsa. “I feel like I just have to build up at this point,” Canning said. “I’m feeling pretty ready to go. … I think I’m probably further ahead than maybe what they first expected before I signed. Everything’s been going well.”



Source link

Advertisement

San Diego, CA

San Diego Unified leaders propose policy to limit technology in classrooms

Published

on

San Diego Unified leaders propose policy to limit technology in classrooms


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – San Diego Unified School District leaders Tuesday announced an effort to better integrate technology in classrooms and reduce excessive media consumption, to be voted upon by the school board Tuesday evening.

If the Board of Education approves the proposed resolution at Tuesday evening’s meeting, the first changes would go into effect on Aug. 10, the first day of the 2026-27 school year.

The proposed changes include:

— Prohibiting video-streaming platform use such as YouTube on individual devices;

Advertisement

— Prohibiting non-instructional gaming platform use on individual devices; and

— Removing computer carts from Transitional Kindergarten classrooms, while still allowing for access to devices for students with needed accommodations.

“Technology has expanded educational opportunities for students in ways we could not have imagined a generation ago,” Board President Richard Barrera said. “But our responsibility is to ensure technology serves students – – not the other way around. This resolution takes thoughtful, research-based steps to reduce passive screen time and create more opportunities for students to engage with their teachers, collaborate with their peers, and develop the communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills that will serve them throughout their lives.”

Other facets of the proposal, which would be phased in over the course of the next year, include:

— Developing age-appropriate device usage guidance;

Advertisement

— Limiting screen time outside established time frames;

— Expanding family resources and parent controls;

— Strengthening digital citizenship instruction;

— Reviewing instructional software annually; and

— Continuing evaluations of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Advertisement

District leaders said that while technology remains an important learning tool, excessive screen time and passive digital media consumption can “negatively impact attention, academic performance, sleep, social-emotional development, and overall student well-being.”

The impetus of the resolution is not to remove technology from classrooms, its proponents say, but to instead support diverse learning needs while “creating more opportunities for meaningful human interaction, student engagement, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.”

“One of the strengths of this resolution is that it recognizes these decisions should not be made in isolation,” Board Trustee Shana Hazan said. “Families, educators and community partners have helped elevate this conversation, and their voices will continue to guide this work. Technology remains an important educational tool, but it should never replace the relationships, creativity, collaboration, and human connection that are at the heart of a great education.

“This resolution creates a framework for bringing diverse perspectives together to determine what is best for students at every stage of their development,” Hazan added.

District leaders say if the resolution passes, staff will work with advisory groups such as the Community Advisory Committee, District Advisory Council and District English Learner Advisory Committee to further refine ideas.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

San Diego, CA

Who’s playing in the World Cup today? TV schedule for June 23

Published

on

Who’s playing in the World Cup today? TV schedule for June 23


Here’s who is playing in the 2026 men’s World Cup on Tuesday, June 23.

MORE: 2026 men’s World Cup standings, scores, brackets

World Cup TV Schedule June 23

Group Stage

Group K: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, 1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT, Houston Stadium (FOX, Telemundo, Peacock)

Advertisement

Group L: England vs. Ghana, 4 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. PT, Boston Stadium (FOX, Telemundo, Peacock)

Group L: Panama vs. Croatia, 7 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT, Toronto Stadium (FOX, Telemundo, Peacock)

Group K: Colombia vs. Congo DR, 10 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. PT, Estadio Guadalajara (FS1, Telemundo, Peacock)

Note: Matches on Telemundo and Peacock are in Spanish. 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

San Diego, CA

Los Angeles schools superintendent resigns after FBI search and months on paid leave

Published

on

Los Angeles schools superintendent resigns after FBI search and months on paid leave


By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and BIANCA VÁZQUEZ TONESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools has resigned four months after he was put on paid leave during a federal investigation, saying he wants students to learn “without distraction.”

Alberto Carvalho ‘s resignation letter dated Sunday made no direct mention of the FBI’s Feb. 25 search of his home and the LA Unified School District’s headquarters. Two days after the FBI served the search warrants, the district’s Board of Education voted unanimously to place Carvalho on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Authorities have not provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the district, which serves more than 500,000 students. The investigation appears to relate to a contract the school district had with an education technology company whose leader was later indicted for fraud. The company, AllHere, had a contract with the district to create an AI chatbot.

Advertisement

Before becoming the Los Angeles superintendent in 2022, Carvalho had spent his entire education career in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he drew national praise for improving graduation rates and academic achievement among Black and Hispanic students. While advocating for Miami’s immigrant students, he spoke openly about his own struggles as a young recent arrival from Portugal working in restaurants and construction while homeless at times.

Under Carvalho, the Los Angeles district had been making strides. Students’ academic growth has outpaced the state average in recent years and students have bounced back from pandemic learning loss. Voters overwhelmingly passed a $9 billion construction and modernization bond, the school system’s largest ever.

Carvalho has denied wrongdoing

Authorities have not accused Carvalho of any crimes. He denied any wrongdoing earlier this year and had asked to be reinstated as head of the nation’s second-largest district. On Sunday he resigned via a letter addressed to “students, families, teachers, staff, and community.”

“Placing students first has always guided my work,” Carvalho wrote. “Because I believe our schools must remain focused on students and learning without distraction, I am resigning as Superintendent of LAUSD effective today, June 21, 2026.”

In its statement released early Monday, the Board acknowledged it received the letter of resignation.

Advertisement

“The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership. Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve,” it said. in the statement.

It said that Andrés Chait, who has been acting superintendent, will remain in that position until a permanent decision is made.

The FBI investigation has been linked to the maker of a school chatbot

In February, the FBI also searched a third location near Miami. The Miami Herald reported the Florida property belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere.

In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named “Ed” designed to help students. But about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft.

At the time, Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Advertisement

“Mr. Carvalho respects the rule of law and the investigative process and has always acted in the best interests of students and within the bounds of the law,” Holland & Knight, the law firm representing him, previously said in a statement. “While the government’s investigation remains ongoing, no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law.”

Following the search of school headquarters, LA Unified said it was cooperating with investigators and had no further information.

Carvalho became superintendent of LA schools in 2022 on a four-year contract with an annual salary of $440,000. He began a new four-year contract in February, just weeks before the raid, for the same salary, according to school board meeting documents.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending