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Robots replicate reality: High-tech pitching machine has ability to mimic every pitcher

The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. — Nestor Cortes got behind the plate in a batting cage and watched an 8-foot-high, 1,200-pound robot spit out fastballs, cutters and sweepers just like the ones spinning off the fingertips of his left hand. “It was like seeing myself pitch. That was crazy,” the New York Yankees All-Star left-hander said. Technology has come a long way since the days of the Iron Mike. The Trajekt Arc pitching machine uses baseball’s high-tech data to mimic the way balls break from every big league pitcher and has been approved by Major League Baseball for ...

Trump’s New York hush money case is set to go to trial on April 15

The Associated Press NEW YORK—The first of Donald Trump’s four criminal trials will begin April 15, a Manhattan judge ruled Monday after tearing into the former president’s lawyers for what he said were unfounded claims that the hush-money case had been tainted by prosecutorial misconduct. Judge Juan M. Merchan scoffed at the defense’s calls to delay the case longer or throw it out entirely because of a last-minute document dump that had bumped the first-ever trial of a former president from its scheduled Monday start. Trump vowed to appeal the ruling. Barring another ...

UN demand for Gaza cease-fire provokes clash between US, Israel since war began

Associated Press UNITED NATIONS—The United Nations Security Council on Monday issued its first demand for a cease-fire in Gaza, with the U.S. angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the cease-fire on the release of hostages held by Hamas. White House national security spokesman ...

The Electric Car Fiasco

Donald Trump’s anodyne if overexcited comment that the U.S. auto industry would face a “bloodbath” if he’s not elected and doesn’t impose 50 percent or 100 percent tariffs on cars produced predictable results. “Don’t outsmart yourself,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) posted, and Joe Biden’s campaign promptly charged Trump with promising a “bloodbath” if he loses, without saying that he used a common metaphor and was talking about the auto industry. That’s a subject Team Biden is understandably touchy about, given the conspicuous fiasco of its electric vehicle ...

Ohtani says he never bet on sports, interpreter stole money and told lies

The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani said Monday he never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers star claims his close friend lied to him for years and stole millions from the two-time MVP. Ohtani gave his version of events during a news conference at Dodger Stadium, five days after Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well over $1 million. “I am very ...

Clark scores 32 as Iowa survives, tops West Virginia

The Associated Press IOWA CITY, Iowa — Caitlin Clark circled her home court one final time, making a heart-shaped symbol with her hands as the sellout crowd cheered. Iowa’s superstar guard scored 32 points to help the No. 1 seed survive one of its worst offensive performances of the season to beat No. 8 seed West Virginia 64-54 on Monday night, advancing to the Sweet 16. “I’ve always been one to play to the crowd,” Clark said. “That’s what I kind of do — an entertainer, in a way. I always want to get the crowd going.” The Hawkeyes (31-4) advanced to play No. 5 ...