Latest news with #Jimmie
Business Wire
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
Carvana Supports Jimmie Johnson's Childhood Dream at Seattle's Seafair Festival
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, is proud to support seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson as he takes on a new kind of ride: piloting the historic Atlas Van Lines 'Blue Blaster' hydroplane in a special exhibition at Seattle's Seafair Festival on Aug. 1. Johnson's upcoming exhibition is more than four decades in the making. In 1979, 4-year-old Jimmie was celebrating his birthday at the hydroplane races in San Diego with his dad when his favorite boat, the Blue Blaster, broke down near the shore. The boat's driver, hydroplane racing legend Bill Muncey, welcomed fans toward the vessel, and Johnson's father carried him into the water to sit on its deck. A photo from that day, rediscovered years later, captured the moment without anyone realizing its future significance. Now, 46 years later, Johnson will return to that same boat, but this time in the driver's seat. With coaching from 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer and support from the Muncey family, Johnson will pilot the fully restored hydroplane across Lake Washington in a one-time exhibition that honors the boat's legacy and a personal memory for Johnson. At nearly 30 feet long and 5,600 pounds, the Blue Blaster remains one of the most iconic boats in hydroplane racing history. 'We're excited to support this one-of-a-kind exhibition that fulfills a boyhood dream for Jimmie and shares the joy, excitement, and nostalgia of seeing the Blue Blaster hydroplane in action with the Seattle community,' said Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton. 'Our partnership has always been about taking on new challenges and showing up for a community of passionate fans, and this exhibition reflects the kind of spirit Carvana is excited to be part of.' Carvana, which has proudly served Seattle car buyers and sellers since 2021, will be on site at Seafair to connect with fans and the broader community. Attendees who sign up for Carvana's free Value Tracker tool will receive a branded seat cushion. The Carvana Value Tracker allows customers to monitor their car's value over time, helping them make informed decisions about when to sell or trade in. For behind-the-scenes content and highlights from the day, follow Carvana Racing on Instagram and X. About Carvana Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Since launching in 2013, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can find a car, get financing, trade in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of delivery or local pickup as soon as the same day. Carvana's unique offering is powered by its passionate team, differentiated national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. For more information, please visit About LEGACY MOTOR CLUB LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, "The King", serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.
18-07-2025
- Sport
In Liberia's version of baseball, there are no bats and no men
MONROVIA, Liberia -- It was a perfect pitch. The ball sped straight across home plate, where it was met with an equally powerful kick. Perryline Jimmie sprinted toward first base after her kick as her teammates erupted in cheers on the sidelines. Jimmie, 23, is a professional player of kickball, a close cousin of baseball that is beloved by women in Liberia and played all over the country from schoolyards to public squares and dirt fields. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has become the nation's second-most popular sport after soccer. Kickball in Liberia has the rules of baseball but there are no bats, and players kick a soccer ball instead of the larger, lightweight ball used for the game in other places. There also are no male players. 'In Liberia, (kickball) is our tradition,' said Jimmie, who noted many girls start playing kickball from an early age. 'This is why you see women playing kickball in Liberia.' In 1964, Peace Corps volunteer Cherry Jackson noticed that, unlike boys, the students at the all-girls school where she taught in Monrovia, the capital, didn't play any sports, according to Emmanuel Whea, president of Liberia's National Kickball League. Jackson, an American, tried to teach the girls baseball but quickly realized they were much better at hitting the ball with their feet. That was the start of what became a custom for girls in the country of about 5.6 million people. 'When you're a girl growing up in Liberia, you will play kickball,' Whea said. Kickball is played in other parts of the world, including in the United States, where it is a common elementary school game for girls and boys. But only in Liberia is there a women-only professional league. The National Kickball League was created in 1994 to bring people together as Liberia was reeling from a civil war. The league was set up "to bring the ladies together and use them (as part of) the reconciliation process of Liberia," Whea said. 'We had just left the civil war, and everybody had just scattered ... So kickball was one of those sports used to bring Liberians together so they could have the time to hear the peace messages.' Whea has big plans for the league, including expanding it to men and introducing the game to other African countries. However, his mission has been complicated by a lack of resources, especially in a region where women's sports often are underfunded. Saydah A. Yarbah, a 29-year-old mother of two, admits it is hard to make ends meet on her athlete's salary despite playing kickball for 10 years. Her earnings are 'not even near' what male athletes earn, she said. In Liberia, many sports, including soccer, are male-dominated. Despite kickball being a sport played by women, the league is led by men, from the coaches to the referees and league officials. The league encourages women but they really don't want to be coaches, Whea said. "Their husbands might have a problem with them working full-time (and) for some, their relationship will not allow it,' he said Yarbah plans to change that narrative by becoming a coach when she retires, allowing her to share her passion for the sport with others, including her two sons, she said. 'They are not going to play kickball for now,' she said. 'But probably in the future, they are going to introduce kickball to men.' For the moment, kickball remains a women's game. Men sometimes come during their practice, Yarbah said, but they do not stand a chance. "They don't know the techniques of the game,' she said. 'So we always win.'
San Francisco Chronicle
18-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
In Liberia's version of baseball, there are no bats and no men
MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — It was a perfect pitch. The ball sped straight across home plate, where it was met with an equally powerful kick. Perryline Jimmie sprinted toward first base after her kick as her teammates erupted in cheers on the sidelines. Jimmie, 23, is a professional player of kickball, a close cousin of baseball that is beloved by women in Liberia and played all over the country from schoolyards to public squares and dirt fields. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has become the nation's second-most popular sport after soccer. Kickball in Liberia has the rules of baseball but there are no bats, and players kick a soccer ball instead of the larger, lightweight ball used for the game in other places. There also are no men. 'In Liberia, (kickball) is our tradition,' said Jimmie, who noted many girls start playing kickball from an early age. 'This is why you see women playing kickball in Liberia.' How kickball came to Liberia In 1964, Peace Corps volunteer Cherry Jackson noticed that, unlike boys, the students at the all-girls school where she taught in Monrovia, the capital, didn't play any sports, according to Emmanuel Whea, president of Liberia's National Kickball League. Jackson, an American, tried to teach the girls baseball but quickly realized they were much better at hitting the ball with their feet. That was the start of what became a custom for girls in the country of about 5.6 million people. 'When you're a girl growing up in Liberia, you will play kickball,' Whea said. Kickball is played in other parts of the world, including in the United States, where it is a common elementary school game for girls and boys. But only in Liberia is there a women-only professional league. A league for women and peace The National Kickball League was created in 1994 to bring people together as Liberia was reeling from a civil war. The league was set up "to bring the ladies together and use them (as part of) the reconciliation process of Liberia," Whea said. 'We had just left the civil war, and everybody had just scattered ... So kickball was one of those sports used to bring Liberians together so they could have the time to hear the peace messages.' Whea has big plans for the league, including expanding it to men and introducing the game to other African countries. However, his mission has been complicated by a lack of resources, especially in a region where women's sports often are underfunded. Saydah A. Yarbah, a 29-year-old mother of two, admits it is hard to make ends meet on her athlete's salary despite playing kickball for 10 years. Her earnings are 'not even near' what male athletes earn, she said. An all-women sport headed by men In Liberia, many sports, including soccer, are male-dominated. Despite kickball being a sport played by women, the league is led by men from the coaches to the referees and league officials. The league encourages women but they really don't want to be coaches, Whea said. "Their husbands might have a problem with them working full time (and) for some, their relationship will not allow it,' he said Yarbah plans to change that narrative by becoming a coach when she retires, allowing her to share her passion for the sport with others, including her two sons, she said. 'They are not going to play kickball for now,' she said. 'But probably in the future, they are going to introduce kickball to men.' For the moment, kickball remains a women's game. Men sometimes come during their practice, Yarbah said, but they do not stand a chance. "They don't know the techniques of the game,' she said. 'So we always win.' ___
Winnipeg Free Press
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
In Liberia's version of baseball, there are no bats and no men
MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — It was a perfect pitch. The ball sped straight across home plate, where it was met with an equally powerful kick. Perryline Jimmie sprinted toward first base after her kick as her teammates erupted in cheers on the sidelines. Jimmie, 23, is a professional player of kickball, a close cousin of baseball that is beloved by women in Liberia and played all over the country from schoolyards to public squares and dirt fields. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has become the nation's second-most popular sport after soccer. Kickball in Liberia has the rules of baseball but there are no bats, and players kick a soccer ball instead of the larger, lightweight ball used for the game in other places. There also are no men. 'In Liberia, (kickball) is our tradition,' said Jimmie, who noted many girls start playing kickball from an early age. 'This is why you see women playing kickball in Liberia.' How kickball came to Liberia In 1964, Peace Corps volunteer Cherry Jackson noticed that, unlike boys, the students at the all-girls school where she taught in Monrovia, the capital, didn't play any sports, according to Emmanuel Whea, president of Liberia's National Kickball League. Jackson, an American, tried to teach the girls baseball but quickly realized they were much better at hitting the ball with their feet. That was the start of what became a custom for girls in the country of about 5.6 million people. 'When you're a girl growing up in Liberia, you will play kickball,' Whea said. Kickball is played in other parts of the world, including in the United States, where it is a common elementary school game for girls and boys. But only in Liberia is there a women-only professional league. A league for women and peace The National Kickball League was created in 1994 to bring people together as Liberia was reeling from a civil war. The league was set up 'to bring the ladies together and use them (as part of) the reconciliation process of Liberia,' Whea said. 'We had just left the civil war, and everybody had just scattered … So kickball was one of those sports used to bring Liberians together so they could have the time to hear the peace messages.' Whea has big plans for the league, including expanding it to men and introducing the game to other African countries. However, his mission has been complicated by a lack of resources, especially in a region where women's sports often are underfunded. Saydah A. Yarbah, a 29-year-old mother of two, admits it is hard to make ends meet on her athlete's salary despite playing kickball for 10 years. Her earnings are 'not even near' what male athletes earn, she said. An all-women sport headed by men In Liberia, many sports, including soccer, are male-dominated. Despite kickball being a sport played by women, the league is led by men from the coaches to the referees and league officials. The league encourages women but they really don't want to be coaches, Whea said. 'Their husbands might have a problem with them working full time (and) for some, their relationship will not allow it,' he said Yarbah plans to change that narrative by becoming a coach when she retires, allowing her to share her passion for the sport with others, including her two sons, she said. 'They are not going to play kickball for now,' she said. 'But probably in the future, they are going to introduce kickball to men.' For the moment, kickball remains a women's game. Men sometimes come during their practice, Yarbah said, but they do not stand a chance. 'They don't know the techniques of the game,' she said. 'So we always win.' ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Hamilton Spectator
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
In Liberia's version of baseball, there are no bats and no men
MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — It was a perfect pitch. The ball sped straight across home plate, where it was met with an equally powerful kick. Perryline Jimmie sprinted toward first base after her kick as her teammates erupted in cheers on the sidelines. Jimmie, 23, is a professional player of kickball, a close cousin of baseball that is beloved by women in Liberia and played all over the country from schoolyards to public squares and dirt fields. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has become the nation's second-most popular sport after soccer. Kickball in Liberia has the rules of baseball but there are no bats, and players kick a soccer ball instead of the larger, lightweight ball used for the game in other places. There also are no men. 'In Liberia, (kickball) is our tradition,' said Jimmie, who noted many girls start playing kickball from an early age. 'This is why you see women playing kickball in Liberia.' How kickball came to Liberia In 1964, Peace Corps volunteer Cherry Jackson noticed that, unlike boys, the students at the all-girls school where she taught in Monrovia, the capital, didn't play any sports, according to Emmanuel Whea, president of Liberia's National Kickball League. Jackson, an American, tried to teach the girls baseball but quickly realized they were much better at hitting the ball with their feet. That was the start of what became a custom for girls in the country of about 5.6 million people. 'When you're a girl growing up in Liberia, you will play kickball,' Whea said. Kickball is played in other parts of the world, including in the United States, where it is a common elementary school game for girls and boys. But only in Liberia is there a women-only professional league. A league for women and peace The National Kickball League was created in 1994 to bring people together as Liberia was reeling from a civil war . The league was set up 'to bring the ladies together and use them (as part of) the reconciliation process of Liberia,' Whea said. 'We had just left the civil war, and everybody had just scattered ... So kickball was one of those sports used to bring Liberians together so they could have the time to hear the peace messages.' Whea has big plans for the league, including expanding it to men and introducing the game to other African countries. However, his mission has been complicated by a lack of resources, especially in a region where women's sports often are underfunded. Saydah A. Yarbah, a 29-year-old mother of two, admits it is hard to make ends meet on her athlete's salary despite playing kickball for 10 years. Her earnings are 'not even near' what male athletes earn, she said. An all-women sport headed by men In Liberia, many sports, including soccer, are male-dominated. Despite kickball being a sport played by women, the league is led by men from the coaches to the referees and league officials. The league encourages women but they really don't want to be coaches, Whea said. 'Their husbands might have a problem with them working full time (and) for some, their relationship will not allow it,' he said Yarbah plans to change that narrative by becoming a coach when she retires, allowing her to share her passion for the sport with others, including her two sons, she said. 'They are not going to play kickball for now,' she said. 'But probably in the future, they are going to introduce kickball to men.' For the moment, kickball remains a women's game. Men sometimes come during their practice, Yarbah said, but they do not stand a chance. 'They don't know the techniques of the game,' she said. 'So we always win.' ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
