Softball
FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden practices before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, on Oct. 30, 2016, in Cleveland. Haden has a formal NFL retirement date. The three-time Pro Bowl cornerback told The Associated Press he is planning to sign a one-day contract with Cleveland on Oct. 30 2022, so he can retire as a member of the team that drafted him in the first round in 2007. The Browns will honor the 33-year-old Haden a day later during their home game against Cincinnati on Monday Night Football. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Haden enters Florida's Hall of Fame, plans NFL retirement

By Mark Long Oct. 08, 2022 12:46 PM EDT

German beach handball player Michelle Schaffer shoots against American defender Isabelle Gosar at The World Games in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. The 11-day, Olympic-style competition is being held in the United States for only the second time, at venues throughout Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)
Column: Welcome to the Island of Misfit Sports

By Paul Newberry Jul. 15, 2022 01:30 PM EDT

O'Toole wins Athletes Unlimited AUX Softball competition

By Cliff Brunt Jun. 27, 2022 05:34 PM EDT
Pitcher Danielle O’Toole won the inaugural Athletes Unlimited AUX Softball competition, capping a comeback in which she went from nearly worst to first. ...

FILE - "LB #22," in honor of James Madison softball catcher Lauren Bernett, is written on the infield behind Liberty pitcher Emily Kirby, right, during an NCAA college softball game against Tennessee at Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., April 27, 2022. There has been a lot of talk about the mental health struggles that many young athletes face, the pressures and vulnerabilities that can seem overwhelming — especially to those who feel compelled to shield their pain from the outside world. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP, File)
Column: May deaths of Katie, Sarah and Lauren not be in vain

By Paul Newberry Apr. 30, 2022 12:40 AM EDT

American catcher Aubree Munro retires from softball

Mar. 04, 2022 03:24 PM EST
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) — Catcher Aubree Munro announced her retirement from softball on Friday after winning a silver medal with the U.S. at last summer's...

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson speaks after being presented his Hall of Fame ring during halftime of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Michigan Sports Hall inducts Calvin Johnson, Jordyn Wieber

Oct. 01, 2021 08:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 27, 2021, file photo, United States' Cat Osterman pitches during the first inning of a softball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Yokohama, Japan. Osterman is closing out a decorated career during which she won an Olympic gold medal and two silvers and last year became the first Athletes Unlimited individual softball champion. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
Osterman retiring after strong Athletes Unlimited season

By Cliff Brunt Sep. 26, 2021 12:31 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 21, 2021 file photo, Canada's Victoria Hayward holds her helmet aloft during the softball game between Mexico and Canada at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Fukushima , Japan. Hayward will be back on the field this weekend as a softball player — and as an owner. After hitting .300 at the Tokyo Olympics, the Canadian outfielder heads one of four teams that start play Saturday, Aug. 28, at Athletes Unlimited outside Chicago.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
League of their own: Softball players are part-owners

By Ronald Blum Aug. 28, 2021 11:51 AM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Aug. 19, 2021 11:43 AM EDT
Aug. 20 1921 — Molla Bjurstedt Mallory beats Mary Browne, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to win the U.S. women’s national tennis title at the Germantown...

Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura, left, bites the Olympic gold medal of Miu Goto, right, of Japan softball team who won the event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, at the city office building in Nagoya, central Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan mayor apologizes for biting athlete's gold medal

By Mari Yamaguchi Aug. 12, 2021 11:13 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 28, 2021, file photo, Daiki Hashimoto, of Japan, poses with his gold medal for the artistic gymnastics men's all-around final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Despite the pandemic, the one-year delay and the soaring costs, the Japanese public may still find a sweet spot for these Olympics, the way it did for the storied 1964 Games. Why? A historic haul of medals. Japan had its best Olympics in every category: the most gold medals (27), the most overall (58), and a third-place finish in both categories behind two much larger countries - the United States and China. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)
Japan has its best Olympic medal haul: 27 gold, 58 overall

By Stephen Wade Aug. 08, 2021 06:22 AM EDT

Japan's Munetaka Murakami celebrate after a semi-final baseball game against South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 5-2. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Japan beats US 2-0 to win 1st Olympic baseball gold medal

By Ronald Blum Aug. 07, 2021 09:21 AM EDT

United States' Amanda Chidester watches her game winning hit in the eight inning of a softball game against Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Engaged couple Chidester, Urtez on softball all-tourney team

Jul. 28, 2021 08:30 PM EDT

Canada's Danielle Lawrie reacts after a softball game against Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Canada won 3-2. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Players, coaches criticize IOC dropping softball as sexist

By Ronald Blum Jul. 28, 2021 03:04 AM EDT

Members of team Canada stand during the playing of their national anthem ahead of a softball game against Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Canada wins softball bronze, appeals to IOC to stay for '24

By Ronald Blum Jul. 27, 2021 04:57 AM EDT

Members of team United States react after a softball game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. Japan won 2-0. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Japan beats US 2-0, turns incredible DP to win softball gold

By Ronald Blum Jul. 27, 2021 02:10 AM EDT

Simone Biles, of the United States, performs on the uneven bars during the women's artistic gymnastic qualifications at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Biles tries to lead Team USA to third consecutive gold medal

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 26, 2021 12:36 PM EDT

Italy's Beatrice Ricchi, left, and Elisa Cecchetti walk off the field after Italy lost a softball game against Canada at Yokohama Baseball Stadium during the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Japan vs Chile 7/27/2021

Jul. 26, 2021 07:53 AM EDT

Canada's Danielle Lawrie pitches during a softball game against Italy at Yokohama Baseball Stadium during the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Lawrie, Regula, sisters of MLBers, pitch 4-hitter for Canada

By Ronald Blum Jul. 26, 2021 05:09 AM EDT

United States men's 4x100m freestyle relay team Bowen Beck, Blake Pieroni, and Caeleb Dressel celebrate after winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Titmus, Doncic make memorable Olympic debuts

By Josh Dubow Jul. 26, 2021 03:39 AM EDT