Checking in with Amanda McGrory, U.S. Paralympian

McGrory is hoping to compete for gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer.

This article is sponsored by Citi. Amanda McGrory, of Kennett Square, PA, was just five years old when she was diagnosed with a rare disease called transverse myelitis that left her paralyzed from the waist down. But that didn't stop Amanda from becoming a speed demon and by age 10 she started racing with her wheelchair in the hope of becoming a Paralympian. Amanda has become one of the fastest wheelchair marathoners in the world. At the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Amanda won the gold medal for the 5,000-meter race, a silver medal for the marathon, bronze for the 800-meter race and bronze for the women's 4x100 meter relay. She also won the 2011 New York City Marathon Women's Wheelchair race. The 25-year-old is now setting her sights on …

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Poll: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball and Softball?

A New York Times article explores the era of the $250 baseball bat.

Have you bought a baseball glove for your Little Leaguer lately? Did you pay more than $100 for it?  How about a $250 bat? A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more. "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." So what do you think? Has the cost of bats and gloves taken our kids too far from the simpler days of sandlot and playground ballgames? Or have you had better luck finding more modestly priced equipment …

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Police Crack 20-Year-Old Cold Case Thanks to DNA Evidence

Testing unavailable at the time recently led West Deptford police to a rape suspect they had sought for 20 years.

It was the unsolvable case. Buried in the West Deptford police evidence room, a cold case sat for nearly two decades before being pulled off the shelf by Detective Cpl. Anna Connelly. In the file was a 1992 apartment burglary and rape of a woman at the Heather Ridge complex, a case that had languished after lab results proved inconclusive and the trail ran cold. In stepped Detective Cpl. Michael Cramer, who embarked on a seven-month mission to close out the crime using one thing not available 20 years ago: DNA. The attack happened late in the night on May 18, 1992. A 32-year-old woman awoke around 3 a.m. to find a man standing beside her bed. He then raped her after threatening to stab her with a knife. West Deptford detectives …

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West Deptford Softball Peppers Haddon Township

The Eagles' bats were red-hot Wednesday in a 10-0 win over Haddon Township.

Entering Tuesday’s game against St. Joe’s, the West Deptford High School softball team was in the midst of its greatest offensive stretch in years. The Eagles had produced 50 runs in a stretch of three games, going 3-0. Then the Eagles ran into Dominique Dandrea, who cooled off the West Deptford bats, surrendering only two runs and striking out 13 in a St. Joe's victory. However, as Wednesday proved, Dandrea’s effort only sprinkled a little water on the Eagles flames, allowing the fire to spark right back up. West Deptford’s offense returned to form against Haddon Heights, as the team pounded out five doubles in a 10-0, five inning Colonial Conference victory. “Coming off the loss yesterday, it was good to come back,” said shortstop …

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Viewfinder: Collingswood vs. West Deptford Softball

The Panthers got mercy-ruled Monday in a 19-2 loss.

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Now Batting for Patch: Mark Teixeira

The Yankees first-baseman has signed on as "Commissioner of Patch Baseball."

Yankees first baseman Mark "Tex" Teixeira has a new team.  No, the four-time Gold Glove winner hasn't been traded.  He's signed on with Patch, as "Commissioner of Patch Baseball." Teixeira will interact with Patch users by regularly responding to questions, sharing baseball tips, and posting exclusive videos. Teixeira will also offer young athletes advice on how to stay in shape and why healthful eating is so important for optimal performance. “I live in a Patch town now and I keep tabs on my original hometown via the Patch site there, so I’ve seen the ways that Patch supports its communities,” said Teixeira. “I’m excited to be a part of that by connecting with Patch users who have the same passion for baseball that I do. I’m eager to see …

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Poll: Will the Phillies Go All the Way?

The Fightin' Phils return to Philadelphia today for their home opener. Can the Phillies win the World Series? Vote in our poll.

Yes, folks, Phillies baseball is back. The Fightin' Phils play their home opener today against the Miami Marlins. It's shaping up to be an interesting start. Charlie Manuel shook up the batting order for the preseason—something many fans wished he had tried during last year's playoffs. Chase Utley starts on the disabled list for the second year, and this time he's joined by Ryan Howard.  Prognosticators are mixed: Some say the Phillies, who have been atop the National League East for years, are the team to beat in the division. Others take a less rosy view of the season. But we want to know what you think. Will the Phillies go all the way and recapture World Series glory this year? Vote in our poll and leave your season predictions in the …

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Matt Skoufalos

3:20 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012

I hope you guys are friends offline, Jeff, because that came off super-creepy.   more ›

Could Colls Baseball Break Through in 2012?

A hot start could spark the team's season, says Collingswood coach Rob Skowronek.

Entering his third season as head coach, Collingswood’s Rob Skowronek sees this year’s edition of Collingswood baseball as one that can surprise a lot of people. “I consider us a spoiler,” Skowronek said. “Last year we were 8-12; this year I think we can be around the 12-8 mark." The Panthers must get off to a hot start this season. With only two games before the team’s five seniors go away to Walt Disney World for their class trip, Skowronek knows that a pair of quick losses could set the team back, and depth is already a concern on his squad. “If we go 0-2 and have a week off because of the senior trip, it’ll be a lot of work to get back," Skowrownek said. "It’s tough to get guys focused when they get back.” “If we can start 2-0, that’ll…

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