Good morning and welcome to Kid News, generously sponsored by the Sean Leopolds of Arlington, Virginia.

Cyrus and Ila, your parents want to give you a big shout out for being adventurous, kind, brave, and curious,

all of which are pretty awesome adjectives, and they hope you stay amazing.

I'm Kim, today is Thursday, February 16, 2023, and we begin with a spring training like no other as baseball players speed test the league's new rules.

Rather than wait until the first pitch of the season, the MLB decided to adopt the changes as teams begin practice this week,

so everyone has time to get used to the game's new pace.

They include a pitch timer, allowing only 30 seconds between batters and 15 to 20 between pitches,

shift restrictions for field players, and bigger bases now 18 instead of 15 inches on each side.

At a press conference Tuesday, MLB executives demonstrated the rules for reporters

and said they will produce a faster and more entertaining form of this sport that no one has ever seen before.

But according to the athletics, spring training may look a little messy as players and umpires adjust.

Barney is back, but you might not recognize him.

Toy Company Mattel announced early this week that it is relaunching the 1990s dancing purple dinosaur

as an animated series with a modern twist.

According to the Washington Post, Old Barney and his chubby cheeks are gone.

He now has a more angular look and the public isn't happy.

Barney still has the large green belly and bright yellow toenails,

but his face is now thinner with glowing green rather than brown eyes.

On Twitter, fans and critics are using a not-my-barney hashtag to complain.

Mattel officials have said only that they are excited to introduce Barney to a new generation,

and that his message of love and kindness has stood the test of time.

It's party time in Brazil where the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is set to kick off tomorrow.

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