Latest news with #Adames
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
U.S. tourism revenue down for Niagara Parks, international tourism up — so far
U.S. tourism revenue saw a dip for Niagara Parks this spring, but its CEO says that revenue was 'more than made up' through other international travellers, particularly coming from the U.K., France, Australia and Poland. Speaking to Niagara-on-the-Lake council in late June, Niagara Parks CEO David Adames said there was a nine per cent decline in April from U.S. tourists and a five per cent decline in May. However, he also said that it's too early to call an overall trend to attention, or whether the last couple of months are an anomaly. 'The information comes from our payment processing program,' Adames said to The Lake Report. 'When customers use their credit card, we get the high-level information … from the origin of their credit card.' According to Niagara Parks, 42 per cent of spending at Niagara Parks is from Canadians living in Canada, 42 per cent is from the U.S. and 16 per cent is international. While most of the places Niagara Parks operates are in Niagara Falls, the organization is responsible for a number of natural, heritage and culinary attractions in NOTL, including Queenston Heights and the Queenston Heights Restaurant, the McFarland House and its tea room, the Laura Secord Homstead, the Mackenzie Printery and the Landscape of Nations Memorial. Adames said that Niagara Parks gets more U.S. and other international tourism revenue than the average tourism operator in Canada. Given this reality, councillors had questions for Niagara Parks. Coun. Gary Burroughs wondered if a dip in American tourists was due to issues at the border. 'My concern is, 'Are the borders open and friendly for Americans coming this way?'' he said. Adames said he believed border crossings were down from Americans coming to Canada but said he had heard 'nothing but positives' coming from Americans crossing the border. Adames said Niagara Parks are most interested in attracting 'quality' visitors, namely people who stay overnight and go to a lot of attractions in the area. Because Niagara Parks said Americans spend about $55 per transaction on average while in Niagara, compared to $34 for Canadians, attracting American visitors is a particular concern for Niagara Parks. The ultimate goal, however, said Adames during the June 24 meeting, is that an overall rise can make everyone better. 'We would like to see both the U.S. and international numbers coming up,' he said. The Town of NOTL's website said the town attracts around 3.5 million visitors per year. The website also said the tourism industry is also the largest employer in the town, employing 3,350 people and generating $648 million of the region's $2.4 billion worth of tourism revenue. daniel@ 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 .
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
New Giant Rafael Devers turns the page on Boston, excited for second half in S.F.
Changing organizations for the first time can be tough, in midseason even more so. And yet, for Rafael Devers, joining the San Francisco Giants in mid-June after spending his entire career in Boston was no sweat. Devers fit right in right away, the new designated hitter and (eventually) first baseman told the Chronicle this week, even without a spring training to learn his teammates' and coaches' personalities. 'This is baseball,' Devers said, his customary smile even wider as Erwin Higueros interpreted. 'This is the easiest part. It's very easy to make friends. It's very easy to get along with everybody. The best thing is just to go ahead and get to know everybody.' He already knew Giants shortstop Willy Adames from the Dominican Republic and from playing against him, and the charismatic Adames got Devers right into the spirit of things to the point that when Adames earned a Gatorade shower postgame at Sacramento over the weekend, Devers helped Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos orchestrate the surprise attack during the postgame TV interview. Less welcoming, perhaps, especially for a left-handed hitting slugger, is Oracle Park itself, which is second worst for lefty power in the majors after Kansas City over the past three seasons. Devers' first homer in San Francisco was to the opposite field, and the second went out to center. The less-than-salubrious numbers for lefties, post- Barry Bonds, don't concern Devers in the least. 'I know the kind of player I am,' he said. 'I know I have power, and the minute that I make good contact, the ball is going to just go out. Eventually, I'm going to be myself.' In the meantime, his favorite part of the park is its denizens, many of whom are already sporting Devers jerseys. 'I really like the ballpark, especially the fans,' he said. 'Having a lot of fans at the stadium, and they're all cheering for the team, it kind of motivates you to do better.' He has yet to be at full health for his new fans, though, with groin and back issues that he says have not affected his swing but have slowed him on the bases. 'The difference when you're 100% healthy is then I can run, I can go first to third, I can score on a double,' he said. 'There are so many things that I can do when I'm healthy.' Even with his minor maladies, Devers is continuing to work out at first base and could play the position sometime after the All-Star break. It's not easy to learn a new position on the fly during the season — Devers played third base for the Red Sox until this year, and his reluctance to shift to first there after the season had started is what made him available on the trade market, a nice result for the Giants. He took a lot of flak in Boston for declining to play first after already having moved from third to DH this season. Hall of Famer David Ortiz, a Red Sox icon and someone Devers considers a friend, hammered him after the deal, including saying on Instagram: 'The Red Sox didn't disrespect Devers. He disrespected himself. He comes to spring training out of shape and being the third baseman with the worst defense, they sign a Gold Glove and he won't accept another position.' Another Red Sox Hall of Famer, Pedro Martinez, came to Devers' defense in the wake of Ortiz's comments, saying, 'I was shocked by the deal, because if you try to sell to me, knowing Raffy Devers, that Raffy is a bad teammate or he's not a team player, you're lying.' Devers largely has demurred when asked about his departure from Boston, and when asked about Ortiz's comments, he said this week, 'I have nothing to say about him. I respect him. I love him. He's one that likes to express his opinions, and I respect that, but I have nothing to say.' After playing third for so long, Devers should be decent at first base, but there's little doubt that the best time for him to learn the spot is this winter and during spring training. Devers has been working with the Giants coaches and talking to teammates Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith, and is eager to spend time with former Giants Gold Glove-winning first basemen Will Clark and J.T. Snow whenever possible. 'Whoever wants to help me, I'm willing to listen,' Devers said. When Devers was traded, he was leading the American League in All-Star DH voting, but that doesn't carry over when dealt. 'That doesn't bother me,' he said. 'Of course the All-Star Game is something that motivates you, but I'm not going to feel bad about that.' He's not sure yet where he'll spend the break next week, but he's looking forward to trying San Francisco seafood whenever possible. He's from Sánchez, a waterfront town in the Dominican Republic. 'Samaná Province, where I grew up, is one of the most beautiful areas in the Dominican,' he said. 'Everything is surrounded by water, so of course I love seafood.' The break might move Devers closer to full health, and he predicts big things for his new team, especially after getting third baseman Matt Chapman and second baseman Casey Schmitt back off the injured list in the past week. 'We have a great bullpen. We have great starters,' he said. 'Everything is very positive here, everyone is very happy, it's amazing how happy everyone is. Everyone gets along. I definitely see that we're going to do a lot of damage once the second half starts.'
Fox Sports
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Giants score 2 in 8th inning to beat Phillies 3-1
Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Casey Schmitt drove home the go-ahead run on a groundball in the eighth inning, Matt Chapman made a headfirst dive into home moments later for another run, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 on Monday night. Orion Kerkering (5-4) hit Willy Adames with a pitch to start the Giants' eighth before Chapman's single advanced Adames to third. Wilmer Flores was also plunked to load the bases for Schmitt. Tyler Rogers (4-2) allowed a leadoff single to Kyle Schwarber in the top of the eighth but worked out of the jam for the win. Camilo Doval finished for his 14th save -- getting J.T. Realmuto to line out on a 95 mph sinker for the first out after a 13-pitch battle before ending it on a 3-6 double play. San Francisco had also loaded the bases in the second with no outs against lefty Cristopher Sánchez, who then struck out Jung Hoo Lee before an RBI groundout by Luis Matos. That inning, Sánchez issued his first walk in five starts -- ending a career-best stretch without a free pass. The Phillies tied the score at 1 in the fifth on a wild pitch by San Francisco starter Landon Roupp. Schmitt returned for the Giants following a 10-game absence after being hit on the left hand by a pitch June 25. Philadelphia's offense went cold. The Phillies had won three of four and five of seven, scoring 29 runs. Key moment With the go-ahead run on first and one out in the fifth, Giants right fielder Matos made a diving catch on Schwarber's sharp line drive. Bryce Harper was then called out on strikes to end the threat. Key stat Adames has a season-best eight-game hitting streak after a two-out double in the fifth for San Francisco. Up next Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.64 ERA) pitches against Giants LHP Robbie Ray (9-3, 2.68) on Tuesday. --- AP MLB: recommended
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Adames has HR, 3 RBIs as Giants beat Athletics 6-2
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Willy Adames homered and drew a pair of bases-loaded walks, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Athletics 6-2 on Sunday night. Tyler Fitzgerald also hit a solo homer, and Rafael Devers and Wilmer Flores each had two hits to help back an uneven but effective outing by San Francisco starter Hayden Birdsong. One night after setting a season high with four RBIs, Adames stayed hot at the plate to help the Giants take two of three from their former Bay Area rivals. Adames walked to force in a run in the first inning, hit a solo home run off A's starter Jacob Lopez leading off the fourth then walked again with the bases full in the fifth. It's the first time that a Giants shortstop has had three RBIs in consecutive games since Rich Aurilia in 2000. Tyler Soderstrom had two hits including his 15th home run for the A's. Birdsong (4-3) pitched around traffic most of the evening and didn't allow a run until Soderstrom's solo home run leading off the fourth. He had six strikeouts and overcame control problems to win for the first time since June 1. Spencer Bivens and All-Star reliever Randy Rodríguez each retired three batters. Camilo Doval allowed a run in the ninth before getting Jacob Wilson to ground out and complete the five-hitter. Lopez (2-5) allowed four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. After issuing a bases-loaded walk on a checked-swing, Lopez retired the next eight batters including seven consecutive swinging strikeouts. Key stat Birdsong walked five batters, none of which scored. Up next Giants RHP Landen Roupp (6-5, 3.48 ERA) faces Phillies LHP Cristopher Sanchez (7-2, 2.68) on Monday. Athletics LHP Jeffrey Springs (6-6, 4.07) pitches against Braves RHP Didier Fuentes (0-2, 9.00) on Tuesday. ___
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Adames has HR, 3 RBIs as Giants beat Athletics 6-2
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Willy Adames homered and drew a pair of bases-loaded walks, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Athletics 6-2 on Sunday night. Tyler Fitzgerald also hit a solo homer, and Rafael Devers and Wilmer Flores each had two hits to help back an uneven but effective outing by San Francisco starter Hayden Birdsong. One night after setting a season high with four RBIs, Adames stayed hot at the plate to help the Giants take two of three from their former Bay Area rivals. Adames walked to force in a run in the first inning, hit a solo home run off A's starter Jacob Lopez leading off the fourth then walked again with the bases full in the fifth. It's the first time that a Giants shortstop has had three RBIs in consecutive games since Rich Aurilia in 2000. Tyler Soderstrom had two hits including his 15th home run for the A's. Birdsong (4-3) pitched around traffic most of the evening and didn't allow a run until Soderstrom's solo home run leading off the fourth. He had six strikeouts and overcame control problems to win for the first time since June 1. Spencer Bivens and All-Star reliever Randy Rodríguez each retired three batters. Camilo Doval allowed a run in the ninth before getting Jacob Wilson to ground out and complete the five-hitter. Lopez (2-5) allowed four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. Key moment After issuing a bases-loaded walk on a checked-swing, Lopez retired the next eight batters including seven consecutive swinging strikeouts. Key stat Birdsong walked five batters, none of which scored. Up next Giants RHP Landen Roupp (6-5, 3.48 ERA) faces Phillies LHP Cristopher Sanchez (7-2, 2.68) on Monday. Athletics LHP Jeffrey Springs (6-6, 4.07) pitches against Braves RHP Didier Fuentes (0-2, 9.00) on Tuesday. ___ AP MLB:
