What do MLB scouts look for at the Under Armour All-America Game?

By Ben Friedl
Medill Reports

Major League Baseball scouts armed with clipboards, tripods, and cameras comprised a majority of the crowd at Curtis Granderson Stadium at UIC on Sunday, as almost every top high school baseball prospect in the country took the field for the Under Armour All-America Game scouting showcase.

“Events like this are awesome,” Cleveland Indians assistant scout Matt Czechanski said. “You have really good arms against really good bats, and guys have the chance to prove themselves against the best competition.”
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Chicago News Report – July 18

By Nicole Croteau, Max Goodman, Tim Hackett, Shannon Longworth and Karleigh Stone
Medill Reports

On this episode of Chicago News Report:

An update on the continuing saga of R. Kelly. Multiple stabbings at a popular Red Line stop. The new and exclusive way to get into Wrigley Field. And, how to prepare for the heat wave sweeping the city.

Photo at top: Millenium Park visitors cooling down under the fountain. (Max Goodman/MEDILL)

Palatine artist channels her trauma through the ‘Art of Weeping’

By Andy Graham
Medill Reports

Palestinian artist Mary Hazboun, 32, fled to the United States with her family in 2004 to escape the conflict her community faced in Bethlehem.  The violence she witnessed had a traumatic impact, which she now channels through her art.

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Chicago News Report, July 15

By Karleigh Stone, Nicole Croteau, Max Goodman, Tim Hackett, Nicole Croteau, and Shannon Longworth
Medill Reports

Alligators in the lake. Protests in the city.  Kittens in a cafe. On this episode of Chicago News Report, we cover all of that and more.

Photo at top: Chicagoans staged a protest in support of equal pay for women soccer players on Tuesday, July 16, following the success of the U.S. Women’s National Team in the FIFA World Cup this year. (Nicole Croteau/Medill)

How the Cubs impact Chicago high school baseball

By John Alfes
Medill Reports

From yearly scholarships to inner city leagues to Kerry Wood Cubs Field, the Cubs’ contributions to Chicago high school baseball are widespread. In this edition of Medill Newsmakers, America’s pastime takes a trip beyond the ivy walls of Wrigley Field.

Photo at top: The Lake View High School Wildcats baseball team is one of many programs that benefit from the Chicago Cubs’ contributions. (John Alfes/Medill)

 

Young female soccer journalists chase dreams through Football for Friendship program

By Drake Hills
Medill Reports

MADRID — More than 14 million people in the United States watched this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup final in France, beating the total for the men’s World Cup final one year ago and the previous Women’s World Cup title match in 2015. As the growth of country participants and its viewers continue, so may the total number of women capturing its moments.

USA Today, ESPN, The Athletic and the Los Angeles Times were just some of the media outlets represented by women covering the World Cup. Nancy Armour, Alyssa Roenigk, Meg Linehan and Helene Elliott, respectively, proved that women are emerging in sports press boxes around the globe.

Just a week before the tournament began, a series of youth soccer events were held at the Dehesa de Navalcarbón Sports Complex, found in the western limits of the Spanish capital. Nearly 100 12-year-olds representing 57 nations sported their ocean blue, green and white Football for Friendship jerseys, blending in as one soccer contingent. On the sideline closest to the stands were youth journalist participants. Since the Football for Friendship’s birth in 2013, a growing number of those aspiring storytellers have been girls. Continue reading →

GEICO City Series hopes to increase media exposure for high school baseball

By Ben Friedl
Medill Reports

High school baseball in urban-areas often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. The GEICO Baseball City Series, a new all-star baseball tournament held in Chicago, Illinois with teams representing Chicago, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, is on a mission to change that.

“We want to give inner-cities a chance to showcase themselves, have a chance to be on television, and give them a sense of pride that they’re playing for their city,” said GEICO City Series executive director Rashid Ghazi.

Ghazi has experience with broadcasting high school sports showcases. He was heavily involved with televising LeBron’s first ever game on ESPN, and hopes this event, which was broadcast live on ESPNU, can spark popularity for nationally televised high school baseball.

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Chicago enforces stricter driving while texting laws

By Nicole Croteau                                                                                                    Medill Reports                                                                                                           

Starting in July of 2019 drivers using an electronic device, even just holding it, will be issued a moving violation rather than a ticket.

The moving violation will be placed on the driver’s record and a fine will also be issued. Infractions that are made following the initial time will result in increased fines, which can result in a driver’s license suspension.

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Chicago News Report

By Nicole Croteau, Max Goodman, Tim Hackett, Shannon Longworth and Karleigh Stone

Medill Reports

This week on Chicago News Report, we discuss the Jewish community rallying to end ICE, the gun violence surrounding Independence Day weekend and the CTA finalizing plans for baby-on-board buttons that they hope to be adding to the L.

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Gender identity and drag performance: A personal video essay

By Thomas Ilalaole
Medill Reports

For each queer person, our experiences and identities are as different and unique as we are. And each of us has a story about how we came to be who we are.

Abby Parmelee, Maxine Herndon and I all discovered our gender identities through the power and art of drag performance.

In this video essay, we discuss how we stand in solidarity with each other, and also with the many others who encompass the LGBTQ+ community.

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