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Wollitz: A day of fishing over 30 years in the making

More than 30 years after a Poland Middle School student penned a letter describing his great interest in fishing, we finally made good on a suggestion about getting out on the lake together. Kevin Schaffert’s heartfelt letter to me struck a nerve. That a seventh grader would take the time to so earnestly express his love for fishing made a big impression. I replied with encouragement for his fishing. Kevin, his father, Eric, and I soon bumped into each other in town. A youngster as smitten by fishing as Kevin deserved an invitation to hit the lake. But as often happens, lots of ...

Warren native, Harding alum Korey Stringer’s legacy lives on

EAGAN, Minn. — The memory of losing her husband is so hauntingly clear 25 years later that Kelci Stringer could still draw a detailed picture of her hurried path to the hospital room where Korey Stringer died from exertional heat stroke. Having arrived in the middle of the night, she ...

NFL learned valuable lessons from Korey Stringer’s death

EAGAN, Minn. — Korey Stringer’s death from heat stroke in 2001 after he collapsed at practice with the Minnesota Vikings prompted many changes to safety protocols across all levels of sports. There’s no lesson learned more vital than this: Cool first, transport second. Almost an hour and a half passed from when Stringer exited a blocking drill during training camp and arrived by ambulance at a hospital with a core body temperature of 108.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Though he was moved to an air-conditioned trailer by the practice field that morning in Mankato, Minnesota, the lack ...

Scrappers walk-off 2nd night in a row

NILES — For a second straight night, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers sent out a starting pitcher with an 8.10 ERA against the best team in the MLB Draft League. For a second straight night, the Scrappers starter responded like he was the ace of the pitching staff through five innings. On Thursday, Scrappers starter Alexander Llinas worked five-plus innings, giving up just one run on five hits with six strikeouts in a Scrappers win over Williamsport. Llinas held Williamsport scoreless through five innings but gave up the run without retiring a batter in the sixth. On Friday, Blake ...

Jayden Hylton learning, competing with Scrappers

Mahoning Valley Scrappers infielder Jayden Hylton has a message for young baseball players who are just beginning their journey into organized sports. “Listen to your coaches, ask questions, pay attention and learn the game,” Hylton said. “I know when you’re a kid you don’t really understand, or you don’t really see what they’re trying to sell you, but trust the process. “Looking back, all the coaches I had over the years were very influential in my life. That includes right up to the coaches I have here today. You don’t always understand their message in the ...

Browns’ Jimmy Haslam: ‘I’ll take the over’ on 5½ wins

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns made the postseason the last time they had a first-year head coach on the sidelines. If Jimmy Haslam has the same thing in mind for Todd Monken, he’s not saying it publicly. The Browns owner said after Friday’s practice he has “improved expectations” ...