San Benito County Sports Digest

Gov. Gavin Newsom called it “deeply unfair” for transgender athletes to participate in girls' sports today — a notable change in his position that thrust the Democratic governor into the center of a national maelstrom. It was unclear whether he will act on his new position as Republicans urged him to follow conservative states in banning transgender athletes from girls' sports.

A new bill would remove the right of California’s female transgender athletes in to participate in high school sports teams that match their gender identity.

A rendering for a Solano Sports Complex development with facilities for baseball, basketball, football, swimming, tennis, volleyball, pickleball and other sports was released as part of the California Forever project in east Solano County.

The Barragan family has funded more than $1.2 million for campus projects, with the latest donation going towards new bleachers, a press box and a custom sound system for the Ray Barragan Softball Stadium.

When and if California legalizes sports gambling, the policy should honor the laws established in partnership with tribes decades ago, says Assemblyman James Ramos.

The “pop, pop, pop” that’s become synonymous with Pickleball may soon be a racket of the past. That’s the goal promised by a new generation of equipment developed to lessen the overall acoustic burden of the sport.

Proposed California legislation that would ban tackle football for kids under 12 had gained momentum until Gov. Gavin Newsom made it clear he’d veto the bill.

The Assembly has until the end of January to decide the fate of the youth tackle football bill, which would prevent kids under 12 from playing the sport to protect them from brain trauma.

A recent investigation by Voice of San Diego revealed that nonprofits that provide staff at local stadiums could be raising money without doing charity work, while also paying labor below minimum wage and under the table. Now, multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating.

Three years after the NFL's Raiders abandoned Oakland for Las Vegas, MLB's Oakland A's announced they're moving there too. The owners of the teams unanimously approved the MLB team’s move.

The $700 million price tag sets a $7 billion mark that would make the Warriors one of the world’s most valuable sports teams.

The inaugural season will launch Aug. 21. The Central Coast Section and the Pacific Coast Athletic League are working with member schools to get teams started and games scheduled.

A proposal to set up degree completion funds for California student athletes has met with stiff opposition from universities and the NCAA. College athletes could earn a share of the revenue they generate under the bill — as much as $25,000 for each year that they played their sport. But the bill’s author has delayed it until 2024 after opponents charged the fund would draw money away from less lucrative sports like gymnastics and swimming.

With a new location behind the Animation Dance Community building and new equipment funded by a grant from the Community Foundation for San Benito County, Bulldog Boxing Gym plans to reopen Jan. 14.

The Central Coast YMCA is offering free membership for 12- to 18-year-olds who can show proof of vaccination. The offer runs through Oct. 31 at YMCA locations in Salinas, San Benito County and Watsonville.

Hundreds of bike enthusiasts will compete Sept. 25 in the first-ever Heart of Gold, a 55-mile gravel course race through the Gold Country aimed at raising awareness and funds for mental wellness programs for youth in Nevada County. The race, which begins in Nevada City, should draw as many as 400 racers from around the state.

Gavilan College's Rams hopes to fill their roster and end a 17-year drought for a winning season.

Morgan Hill Times reporter Emanuel Lee profiles Miguel Gutierrez, Hartnell College’s new women’s soccer coach. The 26-year-old Gutierrez will also serve as coach of both the Sobrato High School and Orchard Valley’s youth soccer league.

The Hollister Independence Rally was postponed for the second year due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. But hundreds of bikers came from far and wide on July 3 to celebrate what would have been the rally’s 74th anniversary.

The Daniel Yetter Memorial Skatepark in Hollister turned 20 last year and is starting to show its age.

One of the few sporting venues open to the public at present, the pool at San Benito High School is open year-round and offers swim lessons, lap swimming, and training for competition.

Hollister teen Lillian Mendonsa joins the RodeoKids.com Ambassador Team, representing the “western lifestyle” as she travels the state competing in youth events.

Hollister eighth-grader Ethan Lampe is about to enter the first phase of professional racing when he gets behind the wheel of a Mazda Miata that can compete at California raceways such as the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.