Morning Hot Reads: Take Me Out To The Ball Game

The Chicago DAILY HERALD writes shortening MLB games is "not going to get young people more interested." The problem is that the average family "can't afford" to take their kids to many games, which is "how you get young people hooked on baseball." Make the game "more affordable and you'll get young children back in stadiums and loving the game."

The AP writes New Orleans' acceptance of the LGBT community will "be on full display this weekend" around the NBA All-Star Game, as the festivities will "feature a number of LGBT-friendly aspects." The issue of inclusion "played a role" in the city being chosen to host the event after the league withdrew from Charlotte due to North Carolina's "bathroom bill."

Also: 

• NEW YORKER: Pro football has been "suffused with politics for decades."
• Telling athletes, sports writers to "stick to sports" is "entirely un-American."
• It would "hardly be a surprise" if Tom Brady were to skip the Pats' White House visit.
• The loss of Yordano Ventura hits the Royals hard as Spring Training begins.
• Former NBAer Vin Baker is "using his path to sobriety to help influence others."
• Play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson reflects on his time with the Spurs.