thedenverpost--2020-05-16--New MLB rules: shower at home, don’t spit, Dinger stay away

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will look somewhat like high school ball this year under protocols to deal with the new coronavirus , with showers at ballparks discouraged and players possibly arriving in uniform , like they did when they were teenagers .
Team personnel will be banned from eating at restaurants on road trips .
Even the Phillie Phantic and Mr. Met will be missing , banned from the field along with all other team mascots .
The traditional exchange of lineup cards would be eliminated , along with high-fives , fist bumps , and bat boys and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Major League Baseball ’ s proposed 2020 Operations Manual .
A copy was sent to teams Friday and obtained by The Associated Press .
The guidelines , first reported by The Athletic , are subject to negotiation with the players ’ association .
Teams will be allowed to have 50 players each under the plan , with the number active for each game still be negotiated .
Spitting is prohibited along with water jugs and the use of saunas , steam rooms , pools and cryotherapy chambers .
Hitting in indoor cages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Batting practice pitchers are to wear masks , dugout telephones disinfected after each use .
Players may not touch their face to give signs , and they ’ re not allowed to lick their fingers .
Teams are encouraged to hold meetings outdoors , players spread apart .
Protocols include details on testing for team staff , who are divided into three tiers .
All others may not enter clubhouses , dugouts and the field .
Seats in the empty stands near the dugout should be used to maintain distance , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next day ’ s starting pitcher can ’ t sit in the dugout .
Everyone must keep their distance during “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” and “ God Bless America , ” Fielders are “ encouraged to retreat several steps away from the baserunner ” between pitches .
First and third base coaches are not to approach baserunners or umpires , and players should not socialize with opponents .
Managers and coaches must wear masks while in the dugouts .
The entire traveling party — including players — must wear personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are off limits on the road , including the ones in hotels , as are hotel fitness centers .
“ We emphasize that this is a first draft , and will undergo several rounds of changes as we collect comments and suggestions from the clubs , the players ’ association , players , and government officials , ” deputy commissioner Dan Halem wrote in an email to owners , team presidents and CEOs , and general managers that accompanied the protocols .
“ The document is designed to set minimum standards and identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide clubs with enough flexibility to achieve the desired health and safety objectives in a manner that is tailored to their particular circumstances , including ballpark configuration , location , and the nature of any local governmental regulations or restrictions , ” Halem wrote .
Scoreboard video is prohibited but music allowed .
While there won ’ t be fans , at least not at the start , it will provide a familiar background audio for the telecasts critical to MLB ’ s bottom line .
A ball will be thrown away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and throwing the ball around the infield will be discouraged .
Personnel who rub baseballs with mud for the umpires must use gloves .
“ Individuals must avoid any physical interactions ( such as high-fives , fist bumps , or hugs ) while at club facilities , ” the manual says .
Tier 1 people in the plan include players , managers and coaches plus two each from among physicians , athletics trainers and bullpen catchers plus one strength and conditioning coach .
Tier 2 includes clubhouse staff , additional coaches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owners , front office , translators , communications staff , video personnel , the head groundskeeper and security plus players ’ union and MLB staff along with contractors .
Players must wear masks while in restricted areas “ except while on the field or engaging in other strenuous activities ” and lockers must have at least 6 feet between them .
If needed , temporary clubhouse space will be added , preferably outdoors or areas with better ventilation .
“ Showering in club facilities should be discouraged , ” the plan says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , clubs should explore modifications to facilities to allow for physical distancing and hygiene ” such as installing partitions and limiting the number of players using the showers at the same time .
Teams “ should consider requiring ( on-field staff ) to arrive at club facilities dressed for the day ’ s activities in order to limit time spent in the clubhouse or locker room.
” There will be staggered reporting dates for the resumption of spring training .
When pitchers and catchers arrive , only five players may work out at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workouts , with small groups encouraged but not required , followed by exhibition games .
There will be intake screening upon arrival followed a self-quarantine for 24-48 hours until results are available .
Players not assigned to big league team when the season starts will remain at spring training or another separate facility .
All games at spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona , whether exhibition or regular season , must be scheduled for 7-9 p.m. local time unless MLB gives specific consent .
A fifth umpire would be allowed when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for rotation , including sharing of plate umpire duties , Teams should take batting practice on back fields .
Among the road trip changes : –Use of Uber , subways and public buses is banned .
–Private airports encouraged and if not available , teams are to use private aviation facilities to board and exit .
–Transportation Security Administration screen should take place at ballparks if it can be arranged .
–Lower floors are to be used if possible at hotels , so stairs can be used instead of elevators , and private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check-in .
–Six staggered bus trips will be scheduled to and from the ballpark .
Team staff , including players , will be given thermometers for self screening and are to take two tests in quick succession each morning .
At the ballpark , people will be given temperature checks twice a day and multiple fluid swabs each week .
Comprehensive Drug Testing will collect samples and Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City is to provide results within 24 hours .
Family members of players , umpires and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be offered access to testing and PPE .
The individuals are encouraged to avoid crowd when away from ballpark .
Anyone with a temperature of 100 or higher or who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has come in contact with someone confirmed to be infected will be subject to rapid testing at a nearby site .
A person can not rejoin the team until testing negative twice in tests taken at least 24 hours apart .
The person also must not exhibit symptoms or COVID-19 , and the team physician and MLB medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
If an individual is exposed to a person with an infection , that person must show no signs of disease , be tested daily for at least seven consecutive days and undergo more frequent temperature checks .
The person also must wear a mask at all times except while on the field .
Each spring training and regular season ballpark must have dedicated testing and isolation areas .
MLB also will offer testing of people who live in same household as covered individuals and to health care workers/first responders in big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saliva but there may be oral or nasal swabs .
Blood samples will be collected less frequently for serology testing used to detect antibodies .

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will look somewhat like high school ball this year under protocols to deal with the new coronavirus, with showers at ballparks discouraged and players possibly arriving in uniform, like they did when they were teenagers.
Team personnel will be banned from eating at restaurants on road trips.
Even the Phillie Phantic and Mr. Met will be missing, banned from the field along with all other team mascots.
The traditional exchange of lineup cards would be eliminated, along with high-fives, fist bumps, and bat boys and girls, according to a 67-page draft of Major League Baseball’s proposed 2020 Operations Manual. A copy was sent to teams Friday and obtained by The Associated Press. The guidelines, first reported by The Athletic, are subject to negotiation with the players’ association.
Teams will be allowed to have 50 players each under the plan, with the number active for each game still be negotiated.
Spitting is prohibited along with water jugs and the use of saunas, steam rooms, pools and cryotherapy chambers. Hitting in indoor cages is discouraged, batting gloves encouraged.
Batting practice pitchers are to wear masks, dugout telephones disinfected after each use. Players may not touch their face to give signs, and they’re not allowed to lick their fingers. Teams are encouraged to hold meetings outdoors, players spread apart.
Protocols include details on testing for team staff, who are divided into three tiers. All others may not enter clubhouses, dugouts and the field.
Seats in the empty stands near the dugout should be used to maintain distance, according to diagrams in the manual, and the next day’s starting pitcher can’t sit in the dugout. Everyone must keep their distance during “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America,”
Fielders are “encouraged to retreat several steps away from the baserunner” between pitches. First and third base coaches are not to approach baserunners or umpires, and players should not socialize with opponents.
Managers and coaches must wear masks while in the dugouts. The entire traveling party — including players — must wear personal protective equipment while on buses and flights. Restaurants are off limits on the road, including the ones in hotels, as are hotel fitness centers.
“We emphasize that this is a first draft, and will undergo several rounds of changes as we collect comments and suggestions from the clubs, the players’ association, players, and government officials,” deputy commissioner Dan Halem wrote in an email to owners, team presidents and CEOs, and general managers that accompanied the protocols.
“The document is designed to set minimum standards and identify best practices, but we have attempted to provide clubs with enough flexibility to achieve the desired health and safety objectives in a manner that is tailored to their particular circumstances, including ballpark configuration, location, and the nature of any local governmental regulations or restrictions,” Halem wrote.
Scoreboard video is prohibited but music allowed. While there won’t be fans, at least not at the start, it will provide a familiar background audio for the telecasts critical to MLB’s bottom line.
A ball will be thrown away after it is touched by multiple players, and throwing the ball around the infield will be discouraged. Personnel who rub baseballs with mud for the umpires must use gloves.
“Individuals must avoid any physical interactions (such as high-fives, fist bumps, or hugs) while at club facilities,” the manual says.
Tier 1 people in the plan include players, managers and coaches plus two each from among physicians, athletics trainers and bullpen catchers plus one strength and conditioning coach.
Tier 2 includes clubhouse staff, additional coaches, medical and training staff, traveling staff, owners, front office, translators, communications staff, video personnel, the head groundskeeper and security plus players’ union and MLB staff along with contractors.
Tier 3 covers broadcast personnel and other event services.
Players must wear masks while in restricted areas “except while on the field or engaging in other strenuous activities” and lockers must have at least 6 feet between them. If needed, temporary clubhouse space will be added, preferably outdoors or areas with better ventilation.
“Showering in club facilities should be discouraged,” the plan says. “To the extent showering occurs, clubs should explore modifications to facilities to allow for physical distancing and hygiene” such as installing partitions and limiting the number of players using the showers at the same time.
Teams “should consider requiring (on-field staff) to arrive at club facilities dressed for the day’s activities in order to limit time spent in the clubhouse or locker room.”
Only medical personnel allowed near injured players.
There will be staggered reporting dates for the resumption of spring training. When pitchers and catchers arrive, only five players may work out at a time. Then come full team workouts, with small groups encouraged but not required, followed by exhibition games. There will be intake screening upon arrival followed a self-quarantine for 24-48 hours until results are available. Players not assigned to big league team when the season starts will remain at spring training or another separate facility.
All games at spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona, whether exhibition or regular season, must be scheduled for 7-9 p.m. local time unless MLB gives specific consent.
A fifth umpire would be allowed when the temperature reaches a certain level, allowing for rotation, including sharing of plate umpire duties, Teams should take batting practice on back fields.
Among the road trip changes:
–Use of Uber, subways and public buses is banned.
–Private airports encouraged and if not available, teams are to use private aviation facilities to board and exit.
–Transportation Security Administration screen should take place at ballparks if it can be arranged.
–In-flight catering is limited.
–Lower floors are to be used if possible at hotels, so stairs can be used instead of elevators, and private areas arranged for entrances, exits and check-in.
–Six staggered bus trips will be scheduled to and from the ballpark.
Team staff, including players, will be given thermometers for self screening and are to take two tests in quick succession each morning.
At the ballpark, people will be given temperature checks twice a day and multiple fluid swabs each week. Comprehensive Drug Testing will collect samples and Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory in Salt Lake City is to provide results within 24 hours.
Family members of players, umpires and the households of anyone covered under the plan will be offered access to testing and PPE. The individuals are encouraged to avoid crowd when away from ballpark.
Anyone with a temperature of 100 or higher or who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or has come in contact with someone confirmed to be infected will be subject to rapid testing at a nearby site. A person cannot rejoin the team until testing negative twice in tests taken at least 24 hours apart. The person also must not exhibit symptoms or COVID-19, and the team physician and MLB medical staff must determine the person not at risk.
If an individual is exposed to a person with an infection, that person must show no signs of disease, be tested daily for at least seven consecutive days and undergo more frequent temperature checks. The person also must wear a mask at all times except while on the field.
Each spring training and regular season ballpark must have dedicated testing and isolation areas. MLB also will offer testing of people who live in same household as covered individuals and to health care workers/first responders in big league cities.
Most tests will take saliva but there may be oral or nasal swabs. Blood samples will be collected less frequently for serology testing used to detect antibodies.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--MLB projects $640K per game loss with no fans

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball told players their prorated salaries would contribute to an average loss of $ 640,000 for each game over an 82-game season in empty ballparks , according to a presentation from the commissioner ’ s office to the union that was obtained by The Associated Press .
Painting a picture of a $ 10 billion industry shuttered by the contagion , the 12-page document titled “ Economics of Playing Without Fans in Attendance ” and dated May 12 was an initial step in negotiations aimed at starting the delayed season around the Fourth of July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvaging a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic would still cause a $ 4 billion loss and would give major league players 89 % of revenue .
They contend they lose more money with each additional game played .
The players ’ union , however , believes clubs would lose less money with more games .
In addition , many teams and/or their owners have stakes in their regional sports network that would benefit from additional games .
Owners voted Monday to propose salaries be based on a 50-50 split of revenue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of salary cap they will never accept .
Teams gave the players ’ association their virus-testing plan Friday and have waited to make their economic proposal .
The New York Yankees alone would have $ 312 million in local losses when calculating their earnings before interest , taxes , depreciation and amortization .
New York ’ s figure includes about $ 100 million in payments toward the bonds that financed new Yankee Stadium .
The Los Angeles Dodgers were at $ 232 million in local losses , followed by the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Cubs at $ 199 million and Boston Red Sox at $ 188 million .
Detroit would have the lowest negative EBIDTA — an accounting measure used to assess profitability — at $ 84 million , with Baltimore at $ 90 million , and Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay at $ 91 million each .
Figures exclude distributions from the central office , which projects to collect $ 1.34 billion in media revenue .
The figures were calculated by MLB and its clubs , and the frequently skeptical union already has requested a slew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 revenue was 39 % local gate and other in-park sources , followed by 25 % central revenue , 22 % local media , 11 % sponsorship and 4 % other .
Teams fear a second wave of the coronavirus would devastate finances if renewed government restrictions cause cancellation of the postseason , which brings in $ 787 million in media money .
The document details who pays what : $ 370 million by Fox , $ 310 million by Turner , $ 27 million by ESPN , $ 30 million by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international and other .
Teams project to increase their debt from $ 5.2 billion last year to $ 7.3 billion in 2020 , leaving most clubs out of compliance with the labor contract ’ s debt service rule .
MLB ’ s central office increased debt by $ 550 million to support clubs and is seeking $ 650 million more credit .
MLB said many teams do not have the capacity to add more debt to fund losses in 2021 .
MLB and the union agreed to a March 26 deal in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their salaries during a shortened season .
As part of the agreement , $ 170 million in salaries are being advanced through May 24 .
If the season is scrapped , players are guaranteed service time equal to what they accrued in 2019 , a key to gaining eligibility for salary arbitration and free agency .
Now that plans have been formulated to possibly start the season in early July in disinfected stadiums with no gate revenue , at least at the start , MLB says the current economics are not feasible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal and see no need for change .
But that deal is contingent on playing in front of fans at regular-season ballparks .
The agreement committed both sides to “ discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate neutral sites.
” Players traditionally have questioned team accounting on what counts as a baseball revenue or expense .
Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer speculated this week over whether an owner could increase prices of a parking garage near the ballpark the owner also controls and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the club accounts .
Since the start of revenue sharing 25 years ago , MLB repeatedly has said team accounting is monitored and follows strict rules .
Still , for all the questions , the presentation does detail the pandemic ’ s financial destruction .
Revenue from regional sports networks drops in proportion to the lost games , from $ 2.3 billion to $ 1.2 billion and an average of $ 980,000 per game for both teams , according to the projection .
Teams fear some additional losses because the regional networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox and ESPN to fulfill national contracts .
MLB said rights holders have already reserved rights to stop payments or demand refunds if agreed to inventory is not delivered .
Player salaries under the March 26 deal average $ 1.67 million per game for both clubs .
MLB projects overall local revenue at $ 1.23 million a game for both teams and cost at $ 1.87 million .
MLB headed into the season projecting $ 9.967 billion in revenue , including $ 7.548 billion at the local level , according to the presentation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 4.366 billion for major league player compensation , $ 198 million for pensions and benefits , $ 537 million to sign amateurs , $ 4.73 billion in local expenses and $ 403 million for the central office .
That left MLB with a projected EBIDTA of $ 143 million after stadium depreciation and noncash add backs .
Free cash flow was predicted at negative $ 95 million after interest expenses , mandatory principal payments and non-baseball income and losses , but excluding capital improvements .
MLB says EBIDTA has been within $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the newly developed plan , MLB projects revenue at $ 2.87 billion , including $ 1.522 billion at the local level .
Expenses drop to $ 6.819 billion : $ 2.36 billion for major league player compensation , including salaries , prorated shares of signing bonuses , termination pay and buyouts of declined options .
Pension and benefits stay the same , and money to sign amateurs decreases to $ 440 million as part of changes that cut the amateur draft from 40 rounds to five , caps the bonuses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the money to be deferred through July 2022.. Local expenses drop to $ 3.46 billion and central office expenses to $ 360 million .
That leaves a $ 3.58 billion EBIDTA loss and negative $ 4.016 billion in free cash flow .
If fans could be in ballparks , MLB projects a $ 1.626 billion EBIDTA loss and negative $ 2.076 billion in free cash flow .
MLB anticipates $ 1.788 billion central office revenue for an 82-game schedule with empty ballparks and a $ 1.345 billion net after expenses for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Properties .
Revenue includes $ 155 million from sponsors ( excluding the MLB Network ) ; $ 112 million from consumer products , $ 93 million from digital such as MLB.tv and At Bat and $ 89 million in non-media revenue .

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball told players their prorated salaries would contribute to an average loss of $640,000 for each game over an 82-game season in empty ballparks, according to a presentation from the commissioner’s office to the union that was obtained by The Associated Press.
Painting a picture of a $10 billion industry shuttered by the contagion, the 12-page document titled “Economics of Playing Without Fans in Attendance” and dated May 12 was an initial step in negotiations aimed at starting the delayed season around the Fourth of July.
Teams say the proposed method of salvaging a season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic would still cause a $4 billion loss and would give major league players 89% of revenue.
They contend they lose more money with each additional game played. The players’ union, however, believes clubs would lose less money with more games. In addition, many teams and/or their owners have stakes in their regional sports network that would benefit from additional games.
Owners voted Monday to propose salaries be based on a 50-50 split of revenue, a framework players say is tantamount to the kind of salary cap they will never accept. Teams gave the players’ association their virus-testing plan Friday and have waited to make their economic proposal.
The New York Yankees alone would have $312 million in local losses when calculating their earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. New York’s figure includes about $100 million in payments toward the bonds that financed new Yankee Stadium.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were at $232 million in local losses, followed by the New York Mets at $214 million, Chicago Cubs at $199 million and Boston Red Sox at $188 million.
Detroit would have the lowest negative EBIDTA — an accounting measure used to assess profitability — at $84 million, with Baltimore at $90 million, and Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay at $91 million each. Figures exclude distributions from the central office, which projects to collect $1.34 billion in media revenue.
The figures were calculated by MLB and its clubs, and the frequently skeptical union already has requested a slew of documents from MLB.
MLB said 2019 revenue was 39% local gate and other in-park sources, followed by 25% central revenue, 22% local media, 11% sponsorship and 4% other.
Teams fear a second wave of the coronavirus would devastate finances if renewed government restrictions cause cancellation of the postseason, which brings in $787 million in media money. The document details who pays what: $370 million by Fox, $310 million by Turner, $27 million by ESPN, $30 million by the MLB Network and $50 million from international and other.
Teams project to increase their debt from $5.2 billion last year to $7.3 billion in 2020, leaving most clubs out of compliance with the labor contract’s debt service rule. MLB’s central office increased debt by $550 million to support clubs and is seeking $650 million more credit. MLB said many teams do not have the capacity to add more debt to fund losses in 2021.
MLB and the union agreed to a March 26 deal in which players would get a prorated share of their salaries during a shortened season. As part of the agreement, $170 million in salaries are being advanced through May 24. If the season is scrapped, players are guaranteed service time equal to what they accrued in 2019, a key to gaining eligibility for salary arbitration and free agency.
Now that plans have been formulated to possibly start the season in early July in disinfected stadiums with no gate revenue, at least at the start, MLB says the current economics are not feasible. Players have said they already made a deal and see no need for change.
But that deal is contingent on playing in front of fans at regular-season ballparks. The agreement committed both sides to “discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate neutral sites.”
Players traditionally have questioned team accounting on what counts as a baseball revenue or expense. Cincinnati pitcher Trevor Bauer speculated this week over whether an owner could increase prices of a parking garage near the ballpark the owner also controls and generate money that would not be included in the club accounts.
Since the start of revenue sharing 25 years ago, MLB repeatedly has said team accounting is monitored and follows strict rules.
Still, for all the questions, the presentation does detail the pandemic’s financial destruction.
Revenue from regional sports networks drops in proportion to the lost games, from $2.3 billion to $1.2 billion and an average of $980,000 per game for both teams, according to the projection. Teams fear some additional losses because the regional networks will have to give up games to Fox and ESPN to fulfill national contracts. MLB said rights holders have already reserved rights to stop payments or demand refunds if agreed to inventory is not delivered.
Player salaries under the March 26 deal average $1.67 million per game for both clubs. MLB projects overall local revenue at $1.23 million a game for both teams and cost at $1.87 million.
MLB headed into the season projecting $9.967 billion in revenue, including $7.548 billion at the local level, according to the presentation.
Expenses totaled $10.234 billion: $4.366 billion for major league player compensation, $198 million for pensions and benefits, $537 million to sign amateurs, $4.73 billion in local expenses and $403 million for the central office.
That left MLB with a projected EBIDTA of $143 million after stadium depreciation and noncash add backs. Free cash flow was predicted at negative $95 million after interest expenses, mandatory principal payments and non-baseball income and losses, but excluding capital improvements. MLB says EBIDTA has been within $250 million of break-even annually since 2010.
Under the newly developed plan, MLB projects revenue at $2.87 billion, including $1.522 billion at the local level.
Expenses drop to $6.819 billion: $2.36 billion for major league player compensation, including salaries, prorated shares of signing bonuses, termination pay and buyouts of declined options.
Pension and benefits stay the same, and money to sign amateurs decreases to $440 million as part of changes that cut the amateur draft from 40 rounds to five, caps the bonuses of undrafted players at $20,000 and allows most of the money to be deferred through July 2022.. Local expenses drop to $3.46 billion and central office expenses to $360 million.
That leaves a $3.58 billion EBIDTA loss and negative $4.016 billion in free cash flow. If fans could be in ballparks, MLB projects a $1.626 billion EBIDTA loss and negative $2.076 billion in free cash flow.
MLB anticipates $1.788 billion central office revenue for an 82-game schedule with empty ballparks and a $1.345 billion net after expenses for MLB Advanced Media and Major League Baseball Properties.
Revenue includes $155 million from sponsors (excluding the MLB Network); $112 million from consumer products, $93 million from digital such as MLB.tv and At Bat and $89 million in non-media revenue.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--Nearly 1,200 people in Colorado have died with COVID-19 in their systems, health officials say

Colorado health officials on Saturday reported 1,192 people have died with COVID-19 in their systems , and that death-certificate data shows 878 deaths were due to the virus .
On Friday , the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment revamped the way they report deaths related to the new coronavirus , listing the total number of fatalities in which the person had contracted the virus as well as the number of deaths that can be attributed directly to COVID-19 .
There have been 3,866 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state in early March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms of the illness as of Saturday afternoon , state data shows .
That number is slightly higher than Friday ’ s total showing 497 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 , though it ’ s still significantly lower than April ’ s peak in the mid 800s .
At least 36 people since Friday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care , like a rehabilitation facility .
Additionally , as of Saturday , there were 363 critical care ventilators being used across the state , down from 463 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data .
More than 21,600 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19 , the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus , though health officials have said the true number is likely far higher .
Officials recorded 4,471 tests on Friday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus .
The testing rate — 78.5 tests per 100,000 people per day — has improved drastically since the beginning of the pandemic but remains roughly half of the 152-per-100,000 daily number that health experts say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Much of the testing has been focused on senior living facilities and other care homes .
Officials have confirmed outbreaks at 222 facilities across the state , nine more than the previous day .
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what ’ s reported up from Colorado ’ s counties ; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day , they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to @ @ @

Colorado health officials on Saturday reported 1,192 people have died with COVID-19 in their systems, and that death-certificate data shows 878 deaths were due to the virus.
On Friday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment revamped the way they report deaths related to the new coronavirus, listing the total number of fatalities in which the person had contracted the virus as well as the number of deaths that can be attributed directly to COVID-19.
There have been 3,866 people hospitalized since the outbreak was first confirmed in the state in early March, though only 517 people were hospitalized with symptoms of the illness as of Saturday afternoon, state data shows. That number is slightly higher than Friday’s total showing 497 people were hospitalized for COVID-19, though it’s still significantly lower than April’s peak in the mid 800s.
At least 36 people since Friday either went home or were transferred to a lower level of care, like a rehabilitation facility.
Additionally, as of Saturday, there were 363 critical care ventilators being used across the state, down from 463 a month ago, according to state data.
More than 21,600 people have tested positive for or are believed to have COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory illness causes by the virus, though health officials have said the true number is likely far higher.
Officials recorded 4,471 tests on Friday as the state ramps up its capabilities to better track the virus. The testing rate — 78.5 tests per 100,000 people per day — has improved drastically since the beginning of the pandemic but remains roughly half of the 152-per-100,000 daily number that health experts say is necessary to safely monitor the outbreak.
Much of the testing has been focused on senior living facilities and other care homes. Officials have confirmed outbreaks at 222 facilities across the state, nine more than the previous day.
The state health department announces new totals daily of coronavirus deaths and confirmed cases based on what’s reported up from Colorado’s counties; though the deaths and positive test results may be announced on a particular day, they may have occurred any time in the past and are just now being reported to the state.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--Kiszla: Making every inning count. Cancer-stricken coach Gail Klock writes playbook on squeezing joy

Kiszla: Making every inning count. Cancer-stricken coach Gail Klock writes playbook on squeezing joy from end of life.

Determined to make every last inning count , Gail Klock coaches softball while in hospice .
The Colorado Peaches need Klock too much for their coach to hide under the covers , waiting for cancer take her away .
Death can wait , while the Peaches hone their swings at batting practice .
“ I don ’ t think I ’ m doing a very good job with this dying business and being at peace with it , ” said Klock , writing the playbook on how to squeeze joy from the end of life .
From the time she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young girl in the 1950s , spring has smelled like sweet anticipation , even now , with the air heavy from sad farewells .
At a ballpark near her Lakewood home , the outfield grass turns green as unbridled hope , while the infield dirt begs a shortstop to stab a ground ball in the hole .
The Peaches , a women ’ s softball team with 50-year-old rookies and seasoned veterans closing in on 90 , take the field for practice , anxious as Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado or any major-leaguer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of coronavirus .
One of the great sports truths has been reinforced by this pandemic : When the sun is shining , none of us has time to waste .
So as the sarcoma that began festering in Klock ’ s hip has spread to her lungs and lymph nodes , recent words from her psychologist made perfect sense : “ You don ’ t have to be at peace with dying , Gail .
You ’ ve been a fighter all your life .
Of course you ’ re fighting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks that not only will protect them from the dangers of COVID-19 but also seem destined to absorb heartfelt tears , the Peaches will gather at Addenbrooke Park in suburban Denver , as Klock is presented a special lifetime achievement award from Sportswomen of Colorado .
“ We don ’ t know how much time Gail has left , ” said Fran Simon , the youngest player in the Peaches lineup .
“ We hear her tell us , ‘ Look , I ’ m not going to be ( alive ) for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s really hard .
But she also talks about going to batting practice next week , because she is a teacher and a coach to her core.
” During my lifetime covering sports , benefiting from a never-ending seminar taught by Hall of Fame coaches , I ’ ve been blessed to sit at the knee of the late John Wooden at the Final Four .
I ’ ve been squeezed by a warm bear hug from NHL legend Scotty Bowman , far from a hockey rink , at a storied golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to me Klock has also mastered the best magic trick performed by Wooden and Bowman .
To become a truly great leader , a coach must first be a selfless servant , because all those victories ring hollow unless love for player development is devoid of ego and offered as a humble gift .
“ I fell in love with sports as a kid , because I was good at them , even though a girl playing sports was so frowned upon at the time I sometimes felt a sense of shame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Klock , born on August 30 , 1947 , in Pueblo .
Klock is too humble to say , so I will shout it from Mount Evans : She was born with a pioneer spirit as indomitable as the Rocky Mountains .
Wanting the game in her hands , Klock gravitated to the pitcher ’ s mound as a child , striking out boys on the playground .
Undaunted by the prejudicial , restrictive social mores of the 1960s , she organized pick-up basketball games against girls from a cross-town school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-school principal who acted as if sweating was against state law for teenage girls .
Upon graduation from Colorado State , Klock fought for female sports equality on the front line of Title IX battles , as a coach at Wake Forest , Brown and Colorado School of Mines , where she simultaneously led the volleyball , softball and basketball programs .
Decades before “ Modern Family ” became a popular TV show , Klock and her longtime partner raised two beautiful daughters , conceived through artificial insemination .
After doctors discovered sarcoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 , she not only beat the snot out of the disease , but triumphantly laced up her sneakers again on the basketball court .
“ When I got the little pin that declared I was cancer free for five years , ” Klock said , “ it meant more to me than any sports trophy I ’ d ever won.
” The cancer , however , returned with a vengeance a year ago , refusing to be stopped this time .
But quit ?
No way .
In June 2019 , confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-hour surgery , Klock coached the Peaches over her cell phone , as they played at a tournament in New Mexico , with the coach making a savvy pitching change via Facetime .
The team brought Klock home a silver medal from the National Senior Games .
“ I can ’ t stand the sight of a hospital room anymore , ” Klock told me last week .
“ But I do want to have one more birthday , just to say I did … and because I can.
” A competitor forever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her most-cherished satisfaction is to share the fleeting perfection a player feels when a well-swung bat puts a jolt in a softball .
So it ’ s maybe no surprise Klock selflessly took the time during one of her last spring days on Earth to teach me a new definition of playing to win .
A champion savors every inning , grateful for every moment of joy , until the final out .

Determined to make every last inning count, Gail Klock coaches softball while in hospice. The Colorado Peaches need Klock too much for their coach to hide under the covers, waiting for cancer take her away. Death can wait, while the Peaches hone their swings at batting practice.
“I don’t think I’m doing a very good job with this dying business and being at peace with it,” said Klock, writing the playbook on how to squeeze joy from the end of life.
From the time she fell in love with sports as a young girl in the 1950s, spring has smelled like sweet anticipation, even now, with the air heavy from sad farewells.
At a ballpark near her Lakewood home, the outfield grass turns green as unbridled hope, while the infield dirt begs a shortstop to stab a ground ball in the hole. The Peaches, a women’s softball team with 50-year-old rookies and seasoned veterans closing in on 90, take the field for practice, anxious as Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado or any major-leaguer itching to play ball again in the age of coronavirus.
One of the great sports truths has been reinforced by this pandemic: When the sun is shining, none of us has time to waste.
So as the sarcoma that began festering in Klock’s hip has spread to her lungs and lymph nodes, recent words from her psychologist made perfect sense: “You don’t have to be at peace with dying, Gail. You’ve been a fighter all your life. Of course you’re fighting it now.”
On May 31, donning masks that not only will protect them from the dangers of COVID-19 but also seem destined to absorb heartfelt tears, the Peaches will gather at Addenbrooke Park in suburban Denver, as Klock is presented a special lifetime achievement award from Sportswomen of Colorado.
“We don’t know how much time Gail has left,” said Fran Simon, the youngest player in the Peaches lineup. “We hear her tell us, ‘Look, I’m not going to be (alive) for a tournament in October.’ And that’s really hard. But she also talks about going to batting practice next week, because she is a teacher and a coach to her core.”
During my lifetime covering sports, benefiting from a never-ending seminar taught by Hall of Fame coaches, I’ve been blessed to sit at the knee of the late John Wooden at the Final Four. I’ve been squeezed by a warm bear hug from NHL legend Scotty Bowman, far from a hockey rink, at a storied golf course in Scotland.
Well, it seems to me Klock has also mastered the best magic trick performed by Wooden and Bowman. To become a truly great leader, a coach must first be a selfless servant, because all those victories ring hollow unless love for player development is devoid of ego and offered as a humble gift.
“I fell in love with sports as a kid, because I was good at them, even though a girl playing sports was so frowned upon at the time I sometimes felt a sense of shame, like it was inappropriate,” said Klock, born on August 30, 1947, in Pueblo.
Klock is too humble to say, so I will shout it from Mount Evans: She was born with a pioneer spirit as indomitable as the Rocky Mountains.
Wanting the game in her hands, Klock gravitated to the pitcher’s mound as a child, striking out boys on the playground. Undaunted by the prejudicial, restrictive social mores of the 1960s, she organized pick-up basketball games against girls from a cross-town school, despite being threatened with expulsion by a high-school principal who acted as if sweating was against state law for teenage girls.
Upon graduation from Colorado State, Klock fought for female sports equality on the front line of Title IX battles, as a coach at Wake Forest, Brown and Colorado School of Mines, where she simultaneously led the volleyball, softball and basketball programs. Decades before “Modern Family” became a popular TV show, Klock and her longtime partner raised two beautiful daughters, conceived through artificial insemination.
Get the picture? Challenges make Klock feel alive.
After doctors discovered sarcoma in her hip during the summer of 2011, she not only beat the snot out of the disease, but triumphantly laced up her sneakers again on the basketball court. “When I got the little pin that declared I was cancer free for five years,” Klock said, “it meant more to me than any sports trophy I’d ever won.”
The cancer, however, returned with a vengeance a year ago, refusing to be stopped this time. But quit? No way.
In June 2019, confined to a local hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery, Klock coached the Peaches over her cell phone, as they played at a tournament in New Mexico, with the coach making a savvy pitching change via Facetime. The team brought Klock home a silver medal from the National Senior Games.
“I can’t stand the sight of a hospital room anymore,” Klock told me last week. “But I do want to have one more birthday, just to say I did … and because I can.”
A competitor forever keeps score. As a coach, her most-cherished satisfaction is to share the fleeting perfection a player feels when a well-swung bat puts a jolt in a softball. So it’s maybe no surprise Klock selflessly took the time during one of her last spring days on Earth to teach me a new definition of playing to win.
A champion savors every inning, grateful for every moment of joy, until the final out.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--Barack Obama criticizes coronavirus response in online graduation speech

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama on Saturday criticized U.S. leaders overseeing the nation ’ s response to the coronavirus , telling college graduates in an online commencement address that the pandemic shows many officials “ aren ’ t even pretending to be in charge.
” Obama spoke on “ Show Me Your Walk , HBCU Edition , ” a two-hour event for students graduating from historically black colleges and universities broadcast on YouTube , Facebook and Twitter .
His remarks were unexpectedly political , given the venue , and touched on current events beyond the virus and its social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , this pandemic has fully , finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they ’ re doing , ” Obama said .
“ A lot them aren ’ t even pretending to be in charge.
” Obama did not name President Donald Trump or any other federal or state officials in his comments .
But last Friday , he harshly criticized Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic as an “ absolute chaotic disaster ” in a call with 3,000 members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The commencement remarks were the latest sign that Obama intends to play an increasingly active role in the coming election .
He has generally kept a low profile in the years since he left office , even as Trump has disparaged him .
Obama told supporters on the call that he would be “ spending as much time as necessary and campaigning as hard as I can ” for Joe Biden , who served as his vice president .
As he congratulated the graduates Saturday and commiserated over the enormous challenges they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has wrought , the former president noted the February shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery , 25 , who was killed while jogging on a residential street in Georgia .
“ Let ’ s be honest : A disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country , ” Obama said .
“ We see it in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities , just as we see it when a black man goes for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn ’ t submit to their questioning.
” “ Injustice like this isn ’ t new , ” Obama went on to say .
“ What is new is that so much of your generation has woken up to the fact that the status quo needs fixing , that the old ways of doing things don ’ t work.
” In the face of a void in leadership , he said , it would be up to the graduates to shape the future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get better , it ’ s going to be up to you , ” he said .
It is a perilous time for the nation ’ s historically black colleges and universities , which have long struggled with less funding and smaller endowments than their predominantly white peers and are now dealing with the financial challenges of the coronavirus .
Even at the better-endowed HBCUs , officials are bracing for a tough few years .
Obama will also deliver a televised prime-time commencement address later Saturday for the high school Class of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James , Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt , among others .

WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama on Saturday criticized U.S. leaders overseeing the nation’s response to the coronavirus, telling college graduates in an online commencement address that the pandemic shows many officials “aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”
Obama spoke on “Show Me Your Walk, HBCU Edition,” a two-hour event for students graduating from historically black colleges and universities broadcast on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. His remarks were unexpectedly political, given the venue, and touched on current events beyond the virus and its social and economic impacts.
“More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” Obama said. “A lot them aren’t even pretending to be in charge.”
Obama did not name President Donald Trump or any other federal or state officials in his comments. But last Friday, he harshly criticized Trump’s handling of the pandemic as an “absolute chaotic disaster” in a call with 3,000 members of his administrations obtained by Yahoo News.
The commencement remarks were the latest sign that Obama intends to play an increasingly active role in the coming election. He has generally kept a low profile in the years since he left office, even as Trump has disparaged him. Obama told supporters on the call that he would be “spending as much time as necessary and campaigning as hard as I can” for Joe Biden, who served as his vice president.
As he congratulated the graduates Saturday and commiserated over the enormous challenges they face given the devastation and economic turmoil the virus has wrought, the former president noted the February shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, 25, who was killed while jogging on a residential street in Georgia.
“Let’s be honest: A disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country,” Obama said. “We see it in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on our communities, just as we see it when a black man goes for a jog and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him if he doesn’t submit to their questioning.”
“Injustice like this isn’t new,” Obama went on to say. “What is new is that so much of your generation has woken up to the fact that the status quo needs fixing, that the old ways of doing things don’t work.” In the face of a void in leadership, he said, it would be up to the graduates to shape the future.
“If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you,” he said.
It is a perilous time for the nation’s historically black colleges and universities, which have long struggled with less funding and smaller endowments than their predominantly white peers and are now dealing with the financial challenges of the coronavirus. Even at the better-endowed HBCUs, officials are bracing for a tough few years.
Obama will also deliver a televised prime-time commencement address later Saturday for the high school Class of 2020 during an hour-long event with LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, among others.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--Fred Willard, the comedic improv-style actor, has died at 86

LOS ANGELES — Fred Willard , the comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like “ This Is Spinal Tap , ” “ Best In Show ” and “ Anchorman , ” has died .
He was 86 .
Willard ’ s daughter , Hope Mulbarger , said in a statement Saturday that her father died peacefully Friday night .
The cause of his death has not been released .
“ He kept moving , working and making us happy until the very end , ” Mulbarger said .
“ We loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss him forever.
” Willard was rarely a leading man or even a major supporting character .
He specialized in small , scene-stealing appearances .
As an arrogantly clueless sports announcer on “ Best In Show , ” his character seemed to clearly know nothing about the dogs he ’ s supposed to talk about and asks his partner on-air : “ How much do you think I can bench ?
” Willard was a four-time Emmy nominee for his roles in “ What ’ s Hot , What ’ s Not , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Modern Family ” and “ The Bold and the Beautiful.
” “ How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard ’ s gifts , ” said actress Jamie Lee Curtis on Twitter .
She was married to Christopher Guest who directed “ Best in Show ” and “ Waiting for Guffman.
” “ Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard , ” she continued .
Willard ’ s death comes nearly two years after his wife Mary Willard died at the age of 71 .
She was a playwright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominations .
After his wife died , Willard questioned whether he would work again .
But the beloved actor was brought on “ Jimmy Kimmel Live !
” to mock President Donald Trump ’ s “ space force.
” It was a reprise role of the 1978 NBC show “ Space Force.
” “ There was no man sweeter or funnier , ” Kimmel said on Twitter .
“ We were so lucky to know Fred Willard and will miss his many visits.
” In 2012 , Willard had a brush with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being suspected of committing a lewd act at a Hollywood adult theater .
Willard was fired from a narrating job and had to complete a diversion program .
He called the arrest “ very embarrassing ” but insisted he did nothing wrong .
“ It ’ s the last time I ’ m going to listen to my wife when she says , ` Why don ’ t you go and see a movie ?
’ ” Willard said during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon ’ s NBC show “ Late Night .
@

LOS ANGELES — Fred Willard, the comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best In Show” and “Anchorman,” has died. He was 86.
Willard’s daughter, Hope Mulbarger, said in a statement Saturday that her father died peacefully Friday night. The cause of his death has not been released.
“He kept moving, working and making us happy until the very end,” Mulbarger said. “We loved him so very much! We will miss him forever.”
Willard was rarely a leading man or even a major supporting character. He specialized in small, scene-stealing appearances.
As an arrogantly clueless sports announcer on “Best In Show,” his character seemed to clearly know nothing about the dogs he’s supposed to talk about and asks his partner on-air: “How much do you think I can bench?”
Willard was a four-time Emmy nominee for his roles in “What’s Hot, What’s Not,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Modern Family” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.”
“How lucky that we all got to enjoy Fred Willard’s gifts,” said actress Jamie Lee Curtis on Twitter. She was married to Christopher Guest who directed “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman.”
“Thanks for the deep belly laughs Mr. Willard,” she continued.
Willard’s death comes nearly two years after his wife Mary Willard died at the age of 71. She was a playwright and TV writer, earning four Emmy nominations.
After his wife died, Willard questioned whether he would work again. But the beloved actor was brought on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to mock President Donald Trump’s “space force.” It was a reprise role of the 1978 NBC show “Space Force.”
“There was no man sweeter or funnier,” Kimmel said on Twitter. “We were so lucky to know Fred Willard and will miss his many visits.”
In 2012, Willard had a brush with the law. The actor was arrested after being suspected of committing a lewd act at a Hollywood adult theater.
Willard was fired from a narrating job and had to complete a diversion program. He called the arrest “very embarrassing” but insisted he did nothing wrong.
“It’s the last time I’m going to listen to my wife when she says, `Why don’t you go and see a movie?’” Willard said during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s NBC show “Late Night.”


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--Shooters Grill in Rifle has food license suspended, owner says

The owner of Shooters Grill in Rifle — who opened her restaurant in defiance of Gov .
Jared Polis ’ s safer-at-home order and continued to operate after her own county ’ s cease-and-desist order — says Garfield County has now suspended her food license .
In a Friday night Facebook video , owner Lauren Boebert — who ’ s also a Republican congressional candidate — said she was notified by county health officials shortly after 5 p.m. that her license had been suspended .
“ We are not serving food until I meet with them Monday morning at 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-second video , holding up papers from the Garfield County Public Health Department as she spoke .
County health officials could not immediately be reached for comment .
Boebert made waves when she opened her restaurant last week to dine-in customers despite a statewide mandate that allows only pickup and delivery .
On Tuesday , county officials served her with a cease-and-desist order , but Boebert continued to serve customers inside her restaurant , which is known for encouraging staff members to be armed as they work .
When the restaurant continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a temporary restraining order .
Boebert then assembled tables and chairs outside to continue serving customers .
“ Governor Polis , your policies are literally bankrupting small businesses like mine that are trying their very best to responsibly stay afloat , ” she wrote Friday on Facebook .
“ This has to stop.
” Shooters Grill is one of a small handful of Colorado restaurants that have disobeyed the statewide order , prompting clashes with local health departments .
C & C Coffee and Kitchen in Castle Rock was shuttered after the restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing large Mother ’ s Day crowds and a lack of social distancing .

The owner of Shooters Grill in Rifle — who opened her restaurant in defiance of Gov. Jared Polis’s safer-at-home order and continued to operate after her own county’s cease-and-desist order — says Garfield County has now suspended her food license.
In a Friday night Facebook video, owner Lauren Boebert — who’s also a Republican congressional candidate — said she was notified by county health officials shortly after 5 p.m. that her license had been suspended.
“We are not serving food until I meet with them Monday morning at 9 a.m.,” Boebert said in the 30-second video, holding up papers from the Garfield County Public Health Department as she spoke.
County health officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Boebert made waves when she opened her restaurant last week to dine-in customers despite a statewide mandate that allows only pickup and delivery. On Tuesday, county officials served her with a cease-and-desist order, but Boebert continued to serve customers inside her restaurant, which is known for encouraging staff members to be armed as they work.
When the restaurant continued to operate, Garfield County served her with a temporary restraining order. Boebert then assembled tables and chairs outside to continue serving customers.
“Governor Polis, your policies are literally bankrupting small businesses like mine that are trying their very best to responsibly stay afloat,” she wrote Friday on Facebook. “This has to stop.”
Shooters Grill is one of a small handful of Colorado restaurants that have disobeyed the statewide order, prompting clashes with local health departments.
C&C Coffee and Kitchen in Castle Rock was shuttered after the restaurant drew national attention over a viral video showing large Mother’s Day crowds and a lack of social distancing.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--Guest Commentary: Explaining the Western Slope mountain lion plan

Since 1897 when the first Colorado Game , Fish and Forestry Department was established , now under the flag of Colorado Parks and Wildlife , our agency has accepted the challenge of preserving wildlife alongside a growing human population .
Never in our 123-year history has it been more difficult .
Colorado ’ s exploding population — driven in part by the desire to live among our growing population of wild creatures — is putting intense pressure on our wildlife populations and bringing them into daily , and sometimes deadly , conflict with humans .
We gladly accept the challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety , but sometimes we are unfairly criticized for our policies by groups or individuals who mischaracterize our work .
When this happens , we feel the need to speak up and set the record straight before such sensationalism becomes dogma to some .
That ’ s what happened in The Denver Post in the story “ Colorado mountain lions hit with new hunting plan as people spread.
” The piece misleads readers with the suggestion that mountain lions are in jeopardy in Colorado due to a new CPW management plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can trace CPW ’ s commitment to preserve mountain lions back to 1965 when we enacted protections from poisons and bounties .
Those actions — and decades of other reforms and research — have led to the robust lion populations we enjoy today .
Our biologists have worked for decades studying and maintaining lion populations to make sure this animal remains on the landscape forever .
We employ cutting-edge science to manage lions .
But it ’ s a balancing act .
And when humans are at risk due to a locally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to employ more strict and lethal techniques .
The piece chose to largely ignore volumes of research data we provided and , instead , embraced the opinions of anti-hunting organizations and environmental groups who attack a small aspect of our plans to manage lions in four “ game management units ” near Glenwood Springs .
It was never mentioned to readers that our harshest critics , who philosophically oppose hunting , support the broader framework of that management plan .
They “ support CPW ’ s effort to improve management of mountain lions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ density and population estimates for mountain lions , as well as implementing mortality thresholds , including a 17 % human-caused mortality limit and 22 % adult female mortality limit.
” The proposed Lion Plan provides a science-based framework for maintaining lion numbers stable across the entire West Slope .
The plan lays out rigorous safeguards on harvest levels , enacts annual evaluations of independent metrics to make sure mortality levels are acceptable , has a new commitment to measuring lion population sizes in survey areas , and includes flexibility with a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human-lion conflicts .
The article was a disservice to Post readers who expect a more thorough and balanced vetting of important and complex issues such as how best to preserve mountain lions in Glenwood Springs , and Colorado as a whole , while protecting people living here .
Dan Prenzlow is the director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Since 1897 when the first Colorado Game, Fish and Forestry Department was established, now under the flag of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, our agency has accepted the challenge of preserving wildlife alongside a growing human population.
Never in our 123-year history has it been more difficult. Colorado’s exploding population — driven in part by the desire to live among our growing population of wild creatures — is putting intense pressure on our wildlife populations and bringing them into daily, and sometimes deadly, conflict with humans.
We gladly accept the challenge of preserving wildlife while protecting human health and safety, but sometimes we are unfairly criticized for our policies by groups or individuals who mischaracterize our work. When this happens, we feel the need to speak up and set the record straight before such sensationalism becomes dogma to some.
That’s what happened in The Denver Post in the story “Colorado mountain lions hit with new hunting plan as people spread.” The piece misleads readers with the suggestion that mountain lions are in jeopardy in Colorado due to a new CPW management plan.
This just isn’t true. You can trace CPW’s commitment to preserve mountain lions back to 1965 when we enacted protections from poisons and bounties. Those actions — and decades of other reforms and research — have led to the robust lion populations we enjoy today.
Our biologists have worked for decades studying and maintaining lion populations to make sure this animal remains on the landscape forever. We employ cutting-edge science to manage lions. But it’s a balancing act. And when humans are at risk due to a locally isolated lion population, sometimes we have to employ more strict and lethal techniques.
The piece chose to largely ignore volumes of research data we provided and, instead, embraced the opinions of anti-hunting organizations and environmental groups who attack a small aspect of our plans to manage lions in four “game management units” near Glenwood Springs.
It was never mentioned to readers that our harshest critics, who philosophically oppose hunting, support the broader framework of that management plan. They “support CPW’s effort to improve management of mountain lions through this plan, such as establishing density and population estimates for mountain lions, as well as implementing mortality thresholds, including a 17% human-caused mortality limit and 22% adult female mortality limit.”
The proposed Lion Plan provides a science-based framework for maintaining lion numbers stable across the entire West Slope. The plan lays out rigorous safeguards on harvest levels, enacts annual evaluations of independent metrics to make sure mortality levels are acceptable, has a new commitment to measuring lion population sizes in survey areas, and includes flexibility with a series of management tools around Glenwood Springs to address human-lion conflicts.
The article was a disservice to Post readers who expect a more thorough and balanced vetting of important and complex issues such as how best to preserve mountain lions in Glenwood Springs, and Colorado as a whole, while protecting people living here.
Dan Prenzlow is the director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-05-16--LA Rams re-sign former CSU-Pueblo defensive end Morgan Fox, release Tanzel Smart

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have re-signed defensive end Morgan Fox , and released defensive tackle Tanzel Smart @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t disclose the terms of its new deal with Fox , who has @ @ @ @ @ the Rams ’ defensive line since 2016 .
He signed with Los Angeles as an @ @ @ @ @ Colorado State-Pueblo .
Fox tore a ligament in his knee in May 2018 and missed @ @ @ @ @ including the Rams ’ playoff run to the Super Bowl .
He returned last season @ @ @ @ @ tackles while starting three of the Rams ’ 16 games .
Fox was a restricted @ @ @ @ @ offseason , but he became an unrestricted free agent when the Rams didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ He ended up re-signing with the Rams anyway .
Smart was the Rams ’ sixth-round @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
He had seven tackles while playing in 13 games last season .

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams have re-signed defensive end Morgan Fox, and released defensive tackle Tanzel Smart on Saturday.
The team didn’t disclose the terms of its new deal with Fox, who has been a depth contributor on the Rams’ defensive line since 2016. He signed with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado State-Pueblo.
Fox tore a ligament in his knee in May 2018 and missed the entire ensuing season, including the Rams’ playoff run to the Super Bowl. He returned last season with two sacks and 18 tackles while starting three of the Rams’ 16 games.
Fox was a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, but he became an unrestricted free agent when the Rams didn’t tender a contract offer. He ended up re-signing with the Rams anyway.
Smart was the Rams’ sixth-round pick out of Tulane in 2017. He had seven tackles while playing in 13 games last season.


thedenverpost--2020-05-17--DJ Johnson’s improbable baseball journey continues in Japan, where right-hander’s vying to close for

DJ Johnson’s improbable baseball journey continues in Japan, where right-hander’s vying to close for Hiroshima Toyo Carp

DJ Johnson ’ s long , improbable road to the majors — eight seasons in the minors across five organizations , a career-threatening shoulder injury and various independent league stints — culminated with the right-hander finally making his debut with Colorado on Sept. 9 , 2018 .
Johnson then made the opening day roster in 2019 , but was up-and-down from Triple-A Albuquerque all summer .
So when the offseason rolled around and the 30-year-old had serious interest from Nippon Professional Baseball clubs in Japan for the third consecutive fall , he knew the timing was right .
“ My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at my age , the way my career was going , how much time I would have to be in the major leagues to get what I ’ d be making over here , ” Johnson said from Hiroshima .
“ It came down to , I had realized my dream of making the major leagues after all those years of grinding and sacrifice .
Now , it ’ s time to start taking care of my family.
” Johnson , who as recently as 2016 was working in a lumber yard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot in the Rockies ’ organization , signed a three-year deal with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in October after Colorado granted him an unconditional release waiver .
The deal ’ s salary plus incentives could pay Johnson around $ 1 million annually , a major league source said , with the first year guaranteed , a second-year team option and a third-year mutual option .
Last season with the Rockies , Johnson made $ 233,610 in adjusted salary , per Spotrac .
But money , and end-of-career security , aren ’ t the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journeyman who didn ’ t pitch at all in college at Western Oregon before starting his career as an undrafted free agent in the Rays ’ organization .
“ I want to win here , ” Johnson said .
“ I don ’ t know how much longer I ’ m going to be playing , so a championship somewhere would be nice .
And ever since I was young , I ’ ve wanted to see what baseball was like in a different part of the world .
I ’ m taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , and putting my focus on being a good teammate and being respected over here.
” Johnson is competing for the closer job for Hiroshima , which finished 70-70 and fourth in the NPB ’ s Central League last year .
If he doesn ’ t win that , he ’ ll be the team ’ s primary set-up man .
NPB announced this week that the league is aiming to begin a second spring training June 2 , with June 19 targeted as revised opening day .
The right-hander ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a low-80s curveball , as well as a mid-80s changeup that the Beaverton , Ore. , native ’ s been mastering since his arrival in Japan .
“ I ’ ve been trying to do that for over 10 years , and somehow figured it out in Japan , ” Johnson said .
“ I ’ ve tried every changeup grip there is and finally found one that works .
I think it ’ s going to be a big part ( of my arsenal ) this year.
” While NPB aims for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Korea Baseball Organization has been underway for a couple weeks now , and there are a few notable ex-Rockies across both leagues .
Besides Johnson , outfielder Gerardo Parra plays for the Yomiuri Giants in the NPB , where each team is limited to four foreign players on the active roster .
In the KBO , Roberto Ramos ( a former top first base prospect for Colorado ) has three homers in his last four games for the LG Twins , while ex-Colorado right-hander Seunghwan Oh is back with his longtime team @ @ @ @ @

DJ Johnson’s long, improbable road to the majors — eight seasons in the minors across five organizations, a career-threatening shoulder injury and various independent league stints — culminated with the right-hander finally making his debut with Colorado on Sept. 9, 2018.
Johnson then made the opening day roster in 2019, but was up-and-down from Triple-A Albuquerque all summer. So when the offseason rolled around and the 30-year-old had serious interest from Nippon Professional Baseball clubs in Japan for the third consecutive fall, he knew the timing was right.
“My agent and I sat down and looked at my age, the way my career was going, how much time I would have to be in the major leagues to get what I’d be making over here,” Johnson said from Hiroshima. “It came down to, I had realized my dream of making the major leagues after all those years of grinding and sacrifice. Now, it’s time to start taking care of my family.”
Johnson, who as recently as 2016 was working in a lumber yard in Portsmouth, Ohio, before getting his shot in the Rockies’ organization, signed a three-year deal with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in October after Colorado granted him an unconditional release waiver.
The deal’s salary plus incentives could pay Johnson around $1 million annually, a major league source said, with the first year guaranteed, a second-year team option and a third-year mutual option. Last season with the Rockies, Johnson made $233,610 in adjusted salary, per Spotrac.
But money, and end-of-career security, aren’t the only motivators for the 6-foot-4, 235-pound journeyman who didn’t pitch at all in college at Western Oregon before starting his career as an undrafted free agent in the Rays’ organization.
“I want to win here,” Johnson said. “I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be playing, so a championship somewhere would be nice. And ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to see what baseball was like in a different part of the world. I’m taking it all in, embracing the culture change, and putting my focus on being a good teammate and being respected over here.”
Johnson is competing for the closer job for Hiroshima, which finished 70-70 and fourth in the NPB’s Central League last year. If he doesn’t win that, he’ll be the team’s primary set-up man. NPB announced this week that the league is aiming to begin a second spring training June 2, with June 19 targeted as revised opening day.
The right-hander’s arsenal features a mid-90s mph fastball, a low-80s curveball, as well as a mid-80s changeup that the Beaverton, Ore., native’s been mastering since his arrival in Japan.
“I’ve been trying to do that for over 10 years, and somehow figured it out in Japan,” Johnson said. “I’ve tried every changeup grip there is and finally found one that works. I think it’s going to be a big part (of my arsenal) this year.”
While NPB aims for its opener in about a month, the Korea Baseball Organization has been underway for a couple weeks now, and there are a few notable ex-Rockies across both leagues.
Besides Johnson, outfielder Gerardo Parra plays for the Yomiuri Giants in the NPB, where each team is limited to four foreign players on the active roster. In the KBO, Roberto Ramos (a former top first base prospect for Colorado) has three homers in his last four games for the LG Twins, while ex-Colorado right-hander Seunghwan Oh is back with his longtime team, the Samsung Lions.


thedenverpost--2020-05-17--“Unfinished business”: Why Nuggets great Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf left teammates, coaches wanting more

Editor ’ s note : Second in a series about basketball icons in Colorado .
Profiled last week was Alex English .
In another era of NBA basketball , former Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf could ’ ve been a star .
A quick-trigger shooter , slippery ball handler , deft outside scorer — there ’ s a reason Phil Jackson once called him a precursor to Steph Curry .
Instead , Abdul-Rauf ’ s 1996 national anthem protest hastened his departure from the NBA .
There was a swift and lopsided trade out of Denver that summer followed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time the Nuggets traded up to draft Abdul-Rauf ( then Chris Jackson ) in 1990 , to the moment he was unceremoniously sent to the Sacramento Kings in 1996 , he was a polarizing phenomenon .
To those around the team , his talent was uncanny .
“ He could do whatever he wanted on the floor , ” said fellow guard Robert Pack , a teammate for three seasons in Denver who had the unenviable task of checking him in practices .
“ If the 3-point line had been stressed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have even shot more .
We used to get on him all the time about shooting the long twos , but he never thought about the line like that .
… His pull-up was crazy , the quickness he did it with , the ball-handling that allowed him to create space .
… It was challenging every day .
I loved it.
” A game tailor-made for today ’ s NBA , it ’ s impossible not to wonder whether his activism would ’ ve been similarly embraced .
“ It seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest has become fashionable , ” Abdul-Rauf told The Washington Post in 2017 .
( Multiple messages sent by The Denver Post to Abdul-Rauf went unanswered . )
Who knows what would ’ ve come of his career had it not been short-circuited during his time in Denver ?
At best , he was traded because he was a slight defender who needed a change of scenery after the 1995-96 season .
At worst , he was blackballed by the league for his polarizing views .
“ It ’ s definitely fair to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ whiteballed ’ because , in theory , for us , it ’ s like , the white person is the one who had the power , the opportunity and kept them out of the league , ” said former Nugget Jalen Rose , who was a teammate of Abdul-Rauf ’ s for two seasons .
“ As a basketball player , there ’ s no question he deserved an opportunity to play in the NBA , and had he not taken the stance that he took , of course he would ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA , and anybody that says otherwise is flat-out lying and they know it.
” Abdul-Rauf , who formally converted to Islam soon after he was drafted and officially changed his name by 1993 , flourished on the court under then-Nuggets coach Dan Issel .
He was voted the NBA ’ s most improved player during the 1992-93 season , pouring in 19.2 points per game on 35 % 3-point shooting and 93 % from the free-throw line .
In addition to embracing his new faith , Abdul-Rauf coped with the Tourette ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mundane activities , like tying his shoes , were taxing .
He ’ d joke with teammates that he was exhausted before practices had even started .
Even shooting became laborious .
His shots had to rotate correctly .
The ball had to glance through the net perfectly .
If one attempt even so much as felt off , he ’ d have to start the process over again .
“ You saw nothing wrong with the shot , saw nothing wrong with his release , but for him , it didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ It didn ’ t leave his hand right , it didn ’ t hit the net right .
People who were there , we know why he was such an amazing player because obviously the disease he had , he never used it as a crutch , he only used it to make him better.
” At the same time , Abdul-Rauf started to become more outspoken in his faith .
“ I ’ m a Christian , and I wish I was as diligent in my faith as Mahmoud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still is , in his , ” Issel said .
Issel said he was one of the first people in the organization to begin calling Abdul-Rauf by his preferred name .
That , he believed , earned him some goodwill .
Though Nuggets forward LaPhonso Ellis had a healthy respect for Abdul-Rauf and a good relationship , he said that , at times , his faith was overwhelming .
“ I think , any time , whether Christian , Muslim… you ’ re so excited about your faith and what you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do one of two things and sometimes both , ” Ellis said .
“ You can alienate people because you ’ re coming at them , consistently and hard about what you ’ ve learned and behavior and things of that nature .
Early on , I think people were just taken aback because he ’ s coming on a little strong.
” Issel said multiple times he didn ’ t have a problem with Abdul-Rauf ’ s faith .
But he believed that some of the practices , including staying up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detrimental to his game .
During the 1994-95 season , Abdul-Rauf began protesting the national anthem .
He ’ d either stay in the locker room or make an effort to stretch during it , doing his best not to draw any extra attention to himself .
“ It wasn ’ t a thing that I felt that he was doing for anyone , not that what Kaepernick was doing was , I ’ m not judging him for the way he did it , ” Pack said .
“ I just think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned and he believed in .
… He just chose to do it .
No one knew.
” In 1996 , his protest reached a fever-pitch and drew national attention .
He claimed the flag stood for a “ symbol of oppression , of tyranny … You can ’ t be for God and be for oppression.
” He was suspended one game before reaching a compromise with the NBA : Abdul-Rauf would stand in a “ dignified posture , ” as the NBA stipulates , but with his eyes closed and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prayer position .
It became the defining moment of his career .
“ I think he got some bad advice , ” Issel said .
“ He could ’ ve been a Muslim and still stood for the national anthem .
That was his decision and that was his choice and we all know where it went from there .
… When he made the decision not to stand for the national anthem , I think that was the genesis of the trade talks .
When I heard that that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t surprised that that was the outcome.
” Abdul-Rauf , who at 19.2 points per game was easily the leading scorer on that year ’ s Nuggets team , was traded for aging guard Sarunas Marciulionis .
Two years later he was out of the NBA , save for a brief stint in Vancouver to end his career .
“ I don ’ t know what the pressure was from the organization or the city or what it was to make that trade , ” Pack said .
“ I guess , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how many people make that trade now.
” Knowing the talent Abdul-Rauf had , it ’ s an unsettling outcome for Pack .
“ I always just feel like it was unfinished business with him , you know ?
” he said .
“ I don ’ t think we got to really see all of what he could ’ ve been .
”

Editor’s note: Second in a series about basketball icons in Colorado. Profiled last week was Alex English.
In another era of NBA basketball, former Nuggets guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf could’ve been a star.
A quick-trigger shooter, slippery ball handler, deft outside scorer — there’s a reason Phil Jackson once called him a precursor to Steph Curry.
Instead, Abdul-Rauf’s 1996 national anthem protest hastened his departure from the NBA. There was a swift and lopsided trade out of Denver that summer followed by a few unremarkable seasons after that. From the time the Nuggets traded up to draft Abdul-Rauf (then Chris Jackson) in 1990, to the moment he was unceremoniously sent to the Sacramento Kings in 1996, he was a polarizing phenomenon.
To those around the team, his talent was uncanny.
“He could do whatever he wanted on the floor,” said fellow guard Robert Pack, a teammate for three seasons in Denver who had the unenviable task of checking him in practices. “If the 3-point line had been stressed a lot more during those times, he may have even shot more. We used to get on him all the time about shooting the long twos, but he never thought about the line like that. … His pull-up was crazy, the quickness he did it with, the ball-handling that allowed him to create space. … It was challenging every day. I loved it.”
A game tailor-made for today’s NBA, it’s impossible not to wonder whether his activism would’ve been similarly embraced.
“It seems like now, in many respects, protest has become fashionable,” Abdul-Rauf told The Washington Post in 2017. (Multiple messages sent by The Denver Post to Abdul-Rauf went unanswered.)
Who knows what would’ve come of his career had it not been short-circuited during his time in Denver?
At best, he was traded because he was a slight defender who needed a change of scenery after the 1995-96 season. At worst, he was blackballed by the league for his polarizing views.
“It’s definitely fair to say, and black people call it ‘whiteballed’ because, in theory, for us, it’s like, the white person is the one who had the power, the opportunity and kept them out of the league,” said former Nugget Jalen Rose, who was a teammate of Abdul-Rauf’s for two seasons. “As a basketball player, there’s no question he deserved an opportunity to play in the NBA, and had he not taken the stance that he took, of course he would’ve had a longer career in the NBA, and anybody that says otherwise is flat-out lying and they know it.”
Abdul-Rauf, who formally converted to Islam soon after he was drafted and officially changed his name by 1993, flourished on the court under then-Nuggets coach Dan Issel. He was voted the NBA’s most improved player during the 1992-93 season, pouring in 19.2 points per game on 35% 3-point shooting and 93% from the free-throw line.
In addition to embracing his new faith, Abdul-Rauf coped with the Tourette’s syndrome he battled all his life. Mundane activities, like tying his shoes, were taxing. He’d joke with teammates that he was exhausted before practices had even started. Even shooting became laborious. His shots had to rotate correctly. The ball had to glance through the net perfectly. If one attempt even so much as felt off, he’d have to start the process over again.
“You saw nothing wrong with the shot, saw nothing wrong with his release, but for him, it didn’t feel right,” Pack said. “It didn’t leave his hand right, it didn’t hit the net right. People who were there, we know why he was such an amazing player because obviously the disease he had, he never used it as a crutch, he only used it to make him better.”
At the same time, Abdul-Rauf started to become more outspoken in his faith.
“I’m a Christian, and I wish I was as diligent in my faith as Mahmoud was, and I’m sure still is, in his,” Issel said.
Issel said he was one of the first people in the organization to begin calling Abdul-Rauf by his preferred name. That, he believed, earned him some goodwill. Though Nuggets forward LaPhonso Ellis had a healthy respect for Abdul-Rauf and a good relationship, he said that, at times, his faith was overwhelming.
“I think, any time, whether Christian, Muslim… you’re so excited about your faith and what you’re learning and in that excitement, you can do one of two things and sometimes both,” Ellis said. “You can alienate people because you’re coming at them, consistently and hard about what you’ve learned and behavior and things of that nature. Early on, I think people were just taken aback because he’s coming on a little strong.”
Issel said multiple times he didn’t have a problem with Abdul-Rauf’s faith. But he believed that some of the practices, including staying up late with his religious contemporaries, were detrimental to his game.
During the 1994-95 season, Abdul-Rauf began protesting the national anthem. He’d either stay in the locker room or make an effort to stretch during it, doing his best not to draw any extra attention to himself.
“It wasn’t a thing that I felt that he was doing for anyone, not that what Kaepernick was doing was, I’m not judging him for the way he did it,” Pack said. “I just think Mahmoud, it was something he had learned and he believed in. … He just chose to do it. No one knew.”
In 1996, his protest reached a fever-pitch and drew national attention. He claimed the flag stood for a “symbol of oppression, of tyranny … You can’t be for God and be for oppression.”
He was suspended one game before reaching a compromise with the NBA: Abdul-Rauf would stand in a “dignified posture,” as the NBA stipulates, but with his eyes closed and his hands in front of his face in a prayer position.
It became the defining moment of his career.
“I think he got some bad advice,” Issel said. “He could’ve been a Muslim and still stood for the national anthem. That was his decision and that was his choice and we all know where it went from there. … When he made the decision not to stand for the national anthem, I think that was the genesis of the trade talks. When I heard that that’s what he was doing, I wasn’t surprised that that was the outcome.”
Abdul-Rauf, who at 19.2 points per game was easily the leading scorer on that year’s Nuggets team, was traded for aging guard Sarunas Marciulionis. Two years later he was out of the NBA, save for a brief stint in Vancouver to end his career.
“I don’t know what the pressure was from the organization or the city or what it was to make that trade,” Pack said. “I guess, looking back on it, I don’t know how many people make that trade now.”
Knowing the talent Abdul-Rauf had, it’s an unsettling outcome for Pack.
“I always just feel like it was unfinished business with him, you know?” he said. “I don’t think we got to really see all of what he could’ve been.”