MISSING LINK CCV

Each trio of words below shares a Missing Link - that is, its members have something in common, obvious or not. For example, RIVERS, NOSES, & VIOLINS can all have BRIDGES.

1. Lions..........Tigers..........Bears
2. Red..........Black..........Pink
3. Yo-Yo..........Bell..........Barker
4. Box..........Free..........Power
5. Sick..........Bomb..........Cargo
6. Blue..........Black..........Goose
7. Town..........Rope..........Beat
8. Hits..........Runs..........Walks
9. Parts..........Party..........Practice

Answers:

1. Professional sports teams
2. Words that can be preceded by "in the"
3. Ma
4. Lunch
5. Bay
6. Kinds of berries
7. Things you can skip 
8. Baseball statistics
9. Private