National Sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets will play home games, including Thursday's game against Pittsburgh, without fans in attendance while the state of Ohio's ban on mass gatherings in response to the spread of COVID-19 is in effect.

CALGARY — The Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips and Seattle Thunderbirds announced they will play upcoming regular-season home games without fans after Washington State banned large group events in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Bo Bichette led off the game with his third pre-season home run and Randal Grichuk and Danny Jansen also went deep in the first inning as the Toronto Blue Jays downed the Baltimore Orioles 14-2 on Wednesday in spring training action.

Canadian teenager Justin Thorsteinson wants to be challenged whenever he steps on a mound. If that means facing the most feared hitters in the Blue Jays lineup, he'll take it — gladly.

LONDON — The European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen, Germany, has become the third PDC European Tour event to be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA President Mark Emmert says NCAA Division I basketball tournament games will be played without fans in the arenas because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

ARCHERY ISSF International Solidarity Championships in Dhaka, Bangladesh from Feb. 22-28 postponed. World Cup in Shanghai from May 4-10 cancelled . ATHLETICS World indoor championships in Nanjing from March 13-15 postponed to March 2021.

TORONTO — The CFL announced Wednesday it's going ahead with its regional combines as well as its national combine in Toronto as worries over the spread of COVID-19 caused the cancellation of sporting events across the globe, including the world figur

TORONTO — The Toronto Defiant esports team has cancelled its planned Overwatch League event in Toronto next month because of concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak.

Eric Dickerson from SMU, Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch from Nebraska and the late Steve McNair from Alcorn State are among 17 players selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.