Latest news with #Hankins
USA Today
23-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks place NT Johnathan Hankins on the Non-Football Injury list to start training camp
The Seattle Seahawks kicked off their 2025 training camp on Wednesday. Rejoice, 12's, as the Seahawks are back and the regular season is quickly approaching! Fortunately for Seattle, it was strong attendance for day one, but with a couple notable exemptions. Head coach Mike Macdonald updated the media by saying veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins will be starting camp on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list as he is dealing with a back issue. Macdonald seemed confident that Hankins will be fine in the long term. Additionally, cornerback Shaquill Griffin was not at practice due to an illness. Hankins played in all 17 games for the Seahawks in 2024, and was brought over from Dallas likely due to his connection with Seattle's defensive coordinator Aden Durde - who was his defensive line coach with the Cowboys. Hankins was solid last year, and was a starter in eight games. He recorded 30 total tackles, had one sack, and even snagged an interception in the 20-17 upset win over the 49ers. For his efforts, he was awarded a new one-year contract with the Seahawks. Hankins brings valuable depth and veteran leadership to a young Seattle defense.
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Future of football? Popular anti-sign stealing baseball technology makes pro debut in CFL
Future of football? Popular anti-sign stealing baseball technology makes pro debut in CFL Show Caption Hide Caption Watch baseball player's emotional reaction to surprise MLB promotion During a minor league baseball game in Tacoma, Washington, Cole Young was pulled aside and informed he'd been called up to play in the big leagues. Like PitchCom did with baseball, the company is targeting the top of the professional ranks to introduce their new products. The new, anti-sign-stealing technology – called PitchCom Impact, the football version of the product that changed pitcher-catcher communication in baseball, leading to a more streamlined product while preventing sign-stealing – made its professional football debut this weekend in the Canadian Football League. 'Sort of the proof of concept,' PitchCom co-founder John Hankins told USA TODAY Sports. The tech tryout began June 5 as the Saskatchewan Roughriders played the Ottawa Redblacks and continued through the league's opening weekend as seven of the nine teams tried it out. PitchCom debuted in Major League Baseball at the start of the 2022 season and, combined with the pitch clock, has helped dramatically decrease the length of games. But the company had its sights set beyond the diamond. 'At the end of the day, though, we wanted to be involved in football,' Hankins said, 'because people always said, you know, 'This makes perfect sense.'' PitchCom attended the American Football Coaches Association Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina this past January. They walked to the CFL booth and vice president of customer relations Jon Updike demonstrated how PitchCom worked. The league was impressed by the size of the device and that it could fit safely into a helmet. Co-founder Craig Filicetti said slight software modifications were required. In baseball, the pitcher or catcher presses the buttons and a pre-recorded voice calls out the corresponding pitch and location through an earpiece located in a player's cap or helmet. But in football, there are exponentially more types of plays (and personnel groupings) compared to pitches and locations. By March, Filicetti created a usable product for the league to use at its annual combine. The defensive coach who ran the drill had the controller and the players had helmets fitted with earpieces. The remaining defensive coordinators for the other teams that were present all received audio headpieces, which allowed every coach to hear what play was being called as well. The test went well and the CFL wanted devices fast tracked for games, Hankins said. 'It's groundbreaking and I think it shows their adaptability and their willingness to change and wanting to make improvements and kind of being on that leading edge of technology and stuff, which is great,' Filicetti said. The CFL introduction is strictly for the defense. To make it game-ready, Filicetti changed the keypad interface into a numbering system that allows for coaches to type in two-digit or three-digit combinations. The player will hear that and determine his assignment from that instruction, rather than having to look to the sideline for a signal or having the play call communicated through one player's helmet, followed by that player relaying it to 11 of his teammates or having to signal the play to his side. Instead, a coach – usually in the press box – looks at his play sheet that now includes numbers. He presses the numbers, and it's sent to the players who have the device in their helmets. The prototype is similar to the baseball catcher's helmet device. A coach can press a button for a longer period that will signal different types of personnel into the earpiece. Multiple coaches can use the device and split the duties – one setting the personnel, the other dialing up the actual play – up until the ball is snapped. The CFL's 20-second play clock, which differs from the 40 seconds in the NFL, makes PitchCom Impact a natural tool. While watching the Redblacks-Roughriders game Thursday, a 31-26 Saskatchewan victory, Hankins noted that the defense often looked set before the offense. Another use of PitchCom Impact is on the practice field, since the device allows coaches to simultaneously dole out different assignments to different positions with the press of a button. '(Coaches) don't have to even be looking,' Filicetti said. 'They could just hit that play and those players who (have the device) know what it is. And they're saying that their practices are more efficient. They're getting more reps in because they're not having to get (players') attention and get them all looking and then put the sign in.' 'It speeds up the game,' Hankins added. 'Just like in baseball.' Filicetti said the CFL is going to benefit from the three years of 'significant advancements' PitchCom made in product reliability, durability and design. He's designing a new transmitter (controller held by coach) that will be easier to use on a sideline, since the original prototypes were made for catchers who'd be concealing it behind home plate. They also want to integrate with teams' current communications on headsets, since coaches are already all talking on there during games. NFL teams are allowed to use PitchCom in practices if they wanted to, but current rules about in-game communication means that it won't be used in the NFL unless the league edits the rule book. PitchCom's partners now, as of June 6, include USA Softball. Thirteen of the 16 teams playing in the men's College World Series Super Regionals are PitchCom users, as are 180 total Division I baseball and softball programs. They're also suppliers for the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) and in the professional leagues in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Fox News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Youth baseball gets MLB technology upgrade as Perfect Game partners with PitchCom
Print Close By Ryan Canfield Published May 29, 2025 PitchCom was introduced to MLB at the beginning of the 2022 season, and the communication system has quickly become prominent in the baseball world, overhauling pitcher-catcher communication. Perfect Game, a youth baseball company that promotes baseball by hosting high-quality amateur events and providing exposure for players to play at higher levels, is the first organization of its kind to partner with PitchCom, Fox News Digital exclusively learned Thursday. PitchCom emerged after the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal during their World Series run in 2017 rocked the baseball world. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON John Hankins, co-investor and co-owner of PitchCom, saw that MLB had a need for a communication device that could prevent sign stealing. The challenge was the device couldn't be vocal, and MLB officials didn't want players to wear a communication device on their bodies. Hankins came up with PitchCom, which allows a catcher to press a button on a transmitter to call pitches. The transmitter sends prerecorded audio clips to the receivers, who in turn will hear the pitch call and defensive signals. The pitcher and fielders wear the receiver in their hats and can hear what the catcher inputs, allowing for clear and secure communication safe from being stolen, unlike traditional catcher signs. When Major League Baseball first heard of it, it loved the idea. TIGERS' TARIK SKUBAL PITCHES INCREDIBLE GAME IN WIN OVER GUARDIANS: 'SKY IS THE LIMIT' "(We had) a meeting before a playoff game. The immediate response was this solves all of our problems," Hankins told Fox News Digital. "That was nice, and we left the meeting feeling pretty good. But, within about an hour, we got another phone call that said, 'Can you meet with 20 of our executives on Zoom tomorrow. That was a positive sign." After that meeting, Major League Baseball became PitchCom's first client. Jered Goodwin, the vice president of scouting operations at Perfect Game, trains with MLB players during the offseason. Goodwin told Fox News Digital the players had "a ton of positive feedback" about PitchCom. "I can tell you from a guy that gets to coach some pitchers during the offseason, they love being on a level playing field," Goodwin said. "They're throwing a pitch without anybody on the field being able to know what's coming (prior to PitchCom), and there's been open conversations about that. There hasn't been a lot of negative feedback. You get some transmitters you got to replace, but it takes a really short amount of time. And I think really everybody in baseball, players to owners and especially fans, have loved the pace of play and the shorter games." "Obviously, some other rules were put into effect as well, but the direct communication in the short amount of time it takes has definitely been a ton of positive feedback." ROCKIES FAN FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST MLB TEAM, CLAIMS TO HAVE SUFFERED INJURIES DUE TO CLUB'S LACKLUSTER OUTPUT Goodwin said he first thought of trying to bring PitchCom to Perfect Game when MLB began using it. He called it an "easy decision" to bring PitchCom into youth baseball and to form a partnership. "I knew very early on that this was going to be something that was going to stick, so as it's grown into major college baseball, to MLB, it's great that we got to have a direct path for our players and our coaches to be able to learn operationally, intensely during a game. Anything like that of what they are going to use directly at the next level. So, it really was on the agenda as soon as it could be scaled," Goodwin said. Jon Updike, vice president of customer relations at PitchCom, said the device offers youth players benefits beyond just pitcher-catcher communication. "It's just not calling the pitches," Updike said. "It's the ability to send in maybe technical cues, but even more so than that, 'Hey, great job' or 'You're going to get them next time.' "You are able to send in some psychological messages to them as well that will help either uplift them or snap them into place, which is a lot easier when it's being whispered to an 8-year-old or a 12-year-old or 14-year-old's ear than being yelled across the field." Goodwin said the introduction of PitchCom into Perfect Game will allow for more development among kids. "Being able to talk through, especially with direct communication, being able to talk directly about why you called a pitch, how you were calling a pitch, being able to go over what those different reasons were, because you've got just an extra second to be able to do it. When you can speed up the game but also slow down the process, some real development of the 'why?' can happen," Goodwin said. SHOHEI OHTANI'S FIRST TIME PITCHING TO HITTERS AS A DODGER IS A SUCCESS: 'HE'S A TOP-END STARTER' "I think you are going to see some things come out directly related to PitchCom helping with development. Whether it's pitch calling, whether it's the speed of the game, whether it's location that (is) really going to help the youth be able to understand how they are trying to attack, why they are trying to attack, why this in that situation or that pitch in this situation and that's one of the things that nobody is really dove into yet. "But at Perfect Game we are constantly trying to find different ways to develop, and I think this is going to be a real asset to young ballplayers." Not only does Goodwin believe PitchCom will help players' development. It should also change the way coaches teach and communicate in games. "It speeds up the time, but it also slows down what's going on. Reaffirm some of the things that you might have gone over in practice. So, I think it's such a huge advantage when these young athletes are going to be able to have that sense of pace, but also a sense of communication and development at a younger age," Goodwin said. Updike said the introduction of PitchCom at the youth baseball level will make for cleaner games because of the enhanced communication the device allows. "I see it has an opportunity to reduce pitches, which will directly, in turn, have a chance of reducing over usage and injury," Updike said. "Just from having better information or paying attention to it. And then, on top of that, it makes it a cleaner baseball game. Less wild pitches, less cross-ups and more quality executed pitches." The voice that comes through the transmitter is an AI-generated voice, but Updike said the voice can be "anybody's voice." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "It's a simple, easy, clean process. And then what we found is that some of our colleges and some of our major league clubs would run the tracks through an AI voice generator to create something else. Whether it was a star or a famous voice and then put it on, sometimes even recording other players, it's kind of like your limitation is your imagination with it," Updike said. Updike said he heard one pitcher in college baseball customize the voice to be his favorite musician. "I won't give up the secret sauce for a few clubs, but like we have a college, a really good NCAA team, their Friday night guy is a real good pitcher, and he's got a musician that he loves, or a rapper, and it's that rappers' voice every time they call a pitch. So, it's unique to see how creative everybody's been with the product," Updike said. Goodwin said he heard a story about how a coach programmed the voice to be a player's mother's voice, and that it provided good results for the player. "The guy had a really close relationship with his mom, and the coaches wanted to see if that in turn would kind of be a calming presence. So I thought that was pretty cool, pretty interesting. Obviously, a lot going on with sports psychology now and things like that. So, I think there are a lot of things that you can do here even from voice recognition to maybe help kids, and maybe not," Goodwin said. "I do know that in the early stages of this the kid actually did very well when it happened." The PitchCom's will be given out to Perfect Game in August, and coaches and players will be able to use them for the All-American Classic and PG Select Festivals. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Print Close URL
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading Horizons Helps Highland East 8th Graders Gain On Average 2.5 Years of Reading Growth in Just One School Year
Breakthrough Literacy Gains Achieved with Reading Horizons® Elevate KAYSVILLE, Utah, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highland East Junior High students, part of Moore Public Schools in Oklahoma, have made significant literacy gains, averaging an average 2.5 years of reading growth in a single academic year. These results come after several years of implementing Reading Horizons® Elevate, a structured literacy program grounded in the science of reading and designed for older students. Veteran educator Shelly Hankins, who has taught reading since 1999, was initially skeptical when first asked to implement the program. Today, after seeing remarkable gains in both student confidence and achievement, she describes the experience as "one of the most impactful years" of her teaching career. "Some students didn't even know all their letter sounds at the start of the year," said Hankins. "We started from the ground up. I ensured they understood why we were returning to basics—we were building the foundation so they could succeed in high school and beyond. Making it fun—with games and a little competition—gave them a reason to engage. The program provided the structure, and the students brought the energy." This year, 100% of the 8th-grade students in Shelly Hankins' reading class improved by at least 1.2 grade levels in reading proficiency, and most averaged 2.5 years of growth. One student, who began the year reading at a 5.6 reading level, progressed to an 11th-grade level—a gain of over five grade levels by year's end. Hankins' implementation of Reading Horizons Elevate involved: Daily small-group instruction Fluency passages and independent reading to build stamina A structured "proving" method for decoding multisyllabic words These practices helped students grow academically and emotionally, boosting their confidence and independence as readers. Science-Backed Instruction with Real Results Reading Horizons® Elevate supports students in grades 4–12 who need targeted instruction in foundational reading skills, including decoding, phonics, and fluency. Grounded in the science of reading research, the program offers explicit, systematic instruction in flexible formats, including teacher-led, blended, and intervention settings. Across the country, educators use Reading Horizons Elevate across diverse learning environments from general education to special education, multilingual, and alternative education programs. "Shelly's success is exactly what we designed Elevate to deliver—real, measurable growth for older learners with skill gaps, and the support educators need to drive that growth," said Trisha Thomas, President at Reading Horizons. The growth seen within this class of 8th graders reflects not only the strength of the program but also the dedication of Shelly Hankins and the Highland East administration. Their shared commitment to evidence-based instructional practices continues to strengthen academic outcomes and expand opportunities for all learners. It's a powerful way to close the school year—marking a strong finish —for the school and students. For more information, explore how this achievement came to life in the classroom by exploring an in-depth Q&A with educator Shelly Hankins: "How One Junior High Teacher Led Her 8th Grade Students to an Average 2.5-Year Reading Gain This Year." About Reading Horizons For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has equipped educators to eradicate illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction. By aligning with the latest research in the science of reading, it supports educators, schools, and students with effective literacy solutions. Learn more about K–12 foundational literacy solutions and join the Science of Reading Collective, a collaborative space where educators share best practices and engage in meaningful discussions on literacy instruction. About Moore Public Schools Moore Public Schools is the fourth-largest district in Oklahoma, serving 24,500+ students and their families. MPS operates 25 elementary schools, six junior highs, three high schools, and one alternative school site. Learn more about MPS at View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries:Kelley K. (801) 368.1183 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading Horizons Helps Highland East 8th Graders Gain On Average 2.5 Years of Reading Growth in Just One School Year
Breakthrough Literacy Gains Achieved with Reading Horizons® Elevate KAYSVILLE, Utah, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highland East Junior High students, part of Moore Public Schools in Oklahoma, have made significant literacy gains, averaging an average 2.5 years of reading growth in a single academic year. These results come after several years of implementing Reading Horizons® Elevate, a structured literacy program grounded in the science of reading and designed for older students. Veteran educator Shelly Hankins, who has taught reading since 1999, was initially skeptical when first asked to implement the program. Today, after seeing remarkable gains in both student confidence and achievement, she describes the experience as "one of the most impactful years" of her teaching career. "Some students didn't even know all their letter sounds at the start of the year," said Hankins. "We started from the ground up. I ensured they understood why we were returning to basics—we were building the foundation so they could succeed in high school and beyond. Making it fun—with games and a little competition—gave them a reason to engage. The program provided the structure, and the students brought the energy." This year, 100% of the 8th-grade students in Shelly Hankins' reading class improved by at least 1.2 grade levels in reading proficiency, and most averaged 2.5 years of growth. One student, who began the year reading at a 5.6 reading level, progressed to an 11th-grade level—a gain of over five grade levels by year's end. Hankins' implementation of Reading Horizons Elevate involved: Daily small-group instruction Fluency passages and independent reading to build stamina A structured "proving" method for decoding multisyllabic words These practices helped students grow academically and emotionally, boosting their confidence and independence as readers. Science-Backed Instruction with Real Results Reading Horizons® Elevate supports students in grades 4–12 who need targeted instruction in foundational reading skills, including decoding, phonics, and fluency. Grounded in the science of reading research, the program offers explicit, systematic instruction in flexible formats, including teacher-led, blended, and intervention settings. Across the country, educators use Reading Horizons Elevate across diverse learning environments from general education to special education, multilingual, and alternative education programs. "Shelly's success is exactly what we designed Elevate to deliver—real, measurable growth for older learners with skill gaps, and the support educators need to drive that growth," said Trisha Thomas, President at Reading Horizons. The growth seen within this class of 8th graders reflects not only the strength of the program but also the dedication of Shelly Hankins and the Highland East administration. Their shared commitment to evidence-based instructional practices continues to strengthen academic outcomes and expand opportunities for all learners. It's a powerful way to close the school year—marking a strong finish —for the school and students. For more information, explore how this achievement came to life in the classroom by exploring an in-depth Q&A with educator Shelly Hankins: "How One Junior High Teacher Led Her 8th Grade Students to an Average 2.5-Year Reading Gain This Year." About Reading Horizons For over 40 years, Reading Horizons® has equipped educators to eradicate illiteracy with innovative, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction. By aligning with the latest research in the science of reading, it supports educators, schools, and students with effective literacy solutions. Learn more about K–12 foundational literacy solutions and join the Science of Reading Collective, a collaborative space where educators share best practices and engage in meaningful discussions on literacy instruction. About Moore Public Schools Moore Public Schools is the fourth-largest district in Oklahoma, serving 24,500+ students and their families. MPS operates 25 elementary schools, six junior highs, three high schools, and one alternative school site. Learn more about MPS at View source version on Contacts Media Inquiries:Kelley K. (801) 368.1183
