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- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

Hernando Today

Published: January 4, 2010

Toftegaard Memorial Junior Tennis Tourney set Jan. 16-17

BROOKSVILLE - The Nature Coast Tennis Foundation's annual junior tournament has been renamed the Simon Toftegaard Memorial Junior Tennis Tournament.
The tourney is scheduled for Jan. 16-17 at Spring Hill's Delta Woods Park for elementary through high school players.  
The entry fee is $30 and includes a T-Shirt, breakfast, lunch and at least two rounds of play.
The first $500 in sponsorship money will go toward funding a college scholarship for a Hernando County senior tennis player.
To register, check out the tournament link at www.nctf.usta.com.

Eagle football alumni face Florida Thunder

SPRING HILL – The F.W. Springstead High School alumni football players will be playing in a fundraiser exhibition game at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30 against the Florida Thunder.
Any Eagle alumni not playing in college are eligible to play. Practices run from 6:30-8 p.m. beginning Jan. 5 at the Springstead practice field.
Cost is $50.
If a prospective player can not attend the first meeting, contact SHS Coach Mike Garofano at 797-7010, Ext. 227, or Todd Toomer at Ext. 292.

Free baseball clinic

BROOKSVILLE – The City of Brooksville Recreation Department and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will be hosting a free baseball clinic for children, ages 7-14, from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Tom Varn Park.

Crystal River Open Tennis Tourney set Jan. 23-24

CRYSTAL RIVER – Fifth annual Crystal River Open Tennis Tournament is set for Jan. 23-24 at Crystal River High School. The event benefits the Crystal River High School Community Food and Clothing Program.
Divisions are available for Women's, Men's and Junior Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Two matches are guaranteed.
Entry deadline is Jan. 20.
Entry fee is $20 cash donation, or new food or clothing items.
U.S.T.A. rules govern play.
Matches will be best two-of-three sets with a 12-point tiebreak played when the score is 6-6.
Balls will be provided.
The tournament director will evaluate all entries.
Tournament Directors are Robin Wise at 352-697-2909 or WiseR@citrus.K12.fl.us; Cindy Reynolds; Karen Tringali at (352) 527-2711 or karentringali@gmail.com; Eric van den Hoogen at (352) 382-3138 or hoera@juno.com.

Pantley rules motocross circuit

BROOKSVILLE – Brooksville's Tyler Pantley recently captured the 10-11 65cc Modified Supercross during at the 2009 Winter National Olympics at Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville.
Despite rain and mud, the 11-year-old Pantley left the gate in third place. He was able to navigate past the second-place rider during the second lap. A slick corner sent the leader down as Pantley went on to pass him and win the championship.
This is Pantley's second national title. Pantley is sponsored by Fox Racing, FMF, Oakley, Dunlop, Vortex, and Stellar Graphics.

Hernando Havoc seeks players

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando Havoc, an under-11 travel ball baseball team, is looking for experienced players. All team membersmust be no more than 11 years old on or before May 1, 2010.
For more information or a tryout date, contact Dominic Orlando at 352-684-1536 or Steve DelGatto at 352-442-1750 or Ed Kimzsal at 813-508-8244.

HYL baseball sets registration dates

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando Youth League (HYL) spring baseball registration must be done in person. Parents must bring a photo copy of their child's birth certificate to keep on file.
Spring ball registration fee is $65 for the first child and $60 for each additional child.
The registration fee must be paid and a copy of the birth certificate must be supplied during registration.
All signups will be held at the Ernie Wever Youth Park pavilions. Signups are set from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 5, Jan. 12 and Jan. 19; from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 7, Jan. 14 and Jan. 21; and from 10 a.m. until noon on Jan. 16 and Jan. 23.
For additional information, contact HYL's Brooksville Director Bruce Price at 352-797-7999 or online at bruce67price@hotmail.com.

Spring Hill Youth Wrestling returns

SPRING HILL – Spring Hill Youth Wrestling season runs until March 18. Practices will be held Tuesday and Thursday nights at Springstead H.S. Grades K-3 will practice 6-7 p.m. Grades 4-8 will practice 7-8 p.m.
For more information, contact SHS Head Coach Swensen at 352-797-7010.

Game officials needed

BROOKSVILLE – The West Central Officials Association is looking for new and experienced football officials to work Pasco and Hernando County middle school, junior varsity and varsity contests for the 2010 season.
Tampa Bay Area Sports Officials are also seeking new and experienced flag and tackle football officials to work youth games in Hernando, Pasco and Hillsborough Counties for the 2010 flag and tackle seasons.
For more information with either association, contact Gary Stanley at 813-989-9387 or online at goldenwings57@yahoo.com.

Brooksville Bulldogs seeking players

BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville Bulldogs, who sponsors 11-year-old and 12-year-old Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)/USSSA baseball teams, is seeking a few quality baseball players to round out their spring roster.
For information on the teams and tryout dates contact Bruce Price at 1-813-714-1054 or by e-mail at bruce67price@hotmail.com.

Bombers seek additional players

BROOKSVILLE – The Brooksville Bombers Under-11 travel ball team is seeking a few more players for its spring program. The Bombers are an Under-11 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team based out of Hernando County.
Players interested should contact Coach Shawn Laferty at 813-267-8530 or contact him online at claferty5@yahoo.com.

Weeki Wachee Preserve to increase access to Spring Hill lakes

SPRING HILL – The Tarpon Coast Fly Fishers (TCFF) and the Land Use Protection Manager, Will Miller, announce that the Weeki Wachee Preserve will now be open two Saturdays per month to vehicle traffic accessed from Osawaw Road in Spring Hill. The gate will be open to allow boat trailer access on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
The TCFF is forming a local group of volunteers to assist in managing these lakes to help the land Resources Department. Interested parties in improving the fisheries in the area should contact Roger Maler at rmaler@comcast.net or Kim Devary at 796-7211, Ext. 4458.
The TCFF is a new charter club of Federation of Fly Fishers promoting fly fishing in all waters of all fish species.

Little Buddies basketball program

BROOKSVILLE – The Jerome Brown Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, is hosting a Little Buddies basketball program, designed to help parents work one on one with their children while teaching them the basics of basketball.
The program is for children, ages 3-8, and begins Jan. 14 and runs for six weeks.
The cost is $50 per child for six weeks and a T-Shirt is included.

Registration open for 24th National Veterans Golden Age Games

DES MOINES, IOWA – Registration is underway for the 24th National Veterans Golden Age Games, coming to Des Moines, Iowa for the first time this May. This is an excellent opportunity for local veterans to compete in sports and recreation events with veterans from across the nation. 
Competition will be held May 27–31, 2010 at the Iowa Events Center. Registration ends Feb. 15, 2010. 
To register, call 1-877-806-8424 or e-mail NVGAG.2010@va.gov or visit the games' Web site at www.veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov to learn more about the games. All veterans registered for care at any Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility are eligible to compete.
The Golden Age Games is the Nation's largest annual senior sports event for military veterans age 55 and older in the world and began as a way of providing therapeutic recreation to older veterans. Today the games are serious sports competitions for those wishing to aspire to a higher level by competing in the 2011 National Senior Games or other competitions.

124th Silver Spurs Rodeo set Feb. 19-21

KISSIMMEE - Hundreds of the top rodeo professionals are gearing up for the 124th Silver Spurs Rodeo of Champions, Feb. 19-21 at the Silver Spurs Arena at Osceola Heritage Park.
All of the traditional rodeo events will get underway on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It's the original extreme sport that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Events such as bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and barrel racing, along with crowd-pleasing cowboy clowns, will all take place.
Seats are still available for all three rodeo events, ticket prices are $15 per person, children 10 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. For advance tickets, call 407-67RODEO or visit online at www.silverspursrodeo.com.
During Friday night's performance, the Silver Spurs will give support to cancer research through a program designated by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) called "Tough Enough to Wear Pink". Rodeo fans and participants are encouraged to wear PINK to show their support, a portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit cancer research.
For additional information on the Silver Spurs Rodeo of Champions, call 407-67-RODEO.

Boating safety requirements changed Jan. 1

LAKELAND – Boating safety education requirements changed in Florida beginning Jan. 1. Boat operators who were born on or after Jan.1, 1988, must pass an approved boating safety course and possess photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to legally operate a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more.
"We want to encourage everyone, regardless of when they were born, to take an approved boating-safety education course, because all of us can learn something new, even if we have been boating all our lives," said Capt. Carol Keyser of FWC's boating and waterways section. "For some, it is now required to take the course."
There are a few exceptions. For instance, a person born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, who operates a boat within 90 days after purchasing it, does not need a boating safety education identification card if a bill of sale, which meets the requirements of Florida law, is onboard. After the 90-day period ends, the boat operator needs to meet the educational requirements.  Those who possess a current United States Coast Guard license also are exempt.   
For course information and educational requirements, visit MyFWC.com and click "boating," then click "boating safety."
For further information, contact FWC's Division of Law Enforcement at 1-850-488-5600, or e-mail questions to the FWC at bobbercard@myfwc.com.                        

Tarpon Coast Fly Fishers meeting

SPRING HILL - The Tarpon Coast Fly Fishers will have its next monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at Longshotz Sports Bar and Grill located at 1320 Commercial Way. Plans for the club's events and activities will be announced.
Our guest speaker will be Capt. Ken Chambers from Naples, who will speak on costal trophy fly fishing. Also free fly tying classes are now forming for our members. Annual membership renewal in TCFF will begin in January as well.
All TCFF members are required to belong to the Federation of Fly Fishers, an international organization of 300 clubs worldwide and based in Livingston,
Mt. The FFF represents fly fishers in all waters for all species of game fish and the conservation and protection of the waters they inhabit.
For additional information, contact Roger Maler at 352-293-3322, or go online to rmaler@tampabay.rr.com.

Florida's Largest Outdoors Expo returns

TAMPA - Entering its 19th year, The Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo and Boat Show hosted by Frank Sargeant is known by generations of Floridians for its hands-on how-to entertainment, its presentations from leading outdoors experts, and its amazing shopping featuring hundreds of exhibitors and boat dealers.
 
New this year

Statistics show that most people who drown in boating accidents are not wearing life jackets. The fact is that those old bulky orange life jackets just aren't comfortable and often get stowed in a locker or storage area while folks enjoy fishing or other boating activities. Technology now allows people to wear a small belt pack inflatable life jacket that can be worn all the time without discomfort and without interfering with your movement while fishing or boating.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission brings its "Wear It Florida" campaign to the Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo and Boat Show this year. From the "Wear it Florida" Safe Boating Stage, the FWC will be encouraging attendees to buy these high tech inflatable life jackets and to wear them all the time.
 
Tampa's only spring boat show

The 19th annual show (scheduled from Friday, March 5, through Sunday, March 1 at the Florida State Fairgrounds) boasts 140,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space plus outdoor display areas and several lakes.
 
Hosted by Frank Sargeant

Tampa Tribune outdoors correspondent Frank Sargeant serves as the Expo's official host. A past president of the Florida Outdoors Association and author of more than a dozen books, Sargeant is one of Florida's most popular and respected outdoors gurus.
 
Special Features and New Wrinkles

International fly fishing authority and author Bob Clouser will make his first appearance. Clouser, a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, will appear twice each day to demonstrate casting on weighted flies. In addition, Clouser will conduct a daily seminar on how to tie his world famous Clouser Minnow.
Show patrons will again be able to "dive in" to the fun - literally. The Professional Association of Dive Operators will provide attendees with everything they need to sample the scuba experience under trained supervision at the association's diving pool. The Association will also conduct seminars on lobstering, stone crabbing, cave diving and underwater photography.
The always a popular attraction Bass Tubs of Oklahoma returns, this time featuring Bass Tub's founder Chuck Devereaux, a renowned tournament bass fisherman, author and accomplished seminar speaker. Devereaux's "tub" is actually a 40-foot-long aquarium that holds up to 5,000 gallons of water and 40 species of fish and is visible on two sides. Devereaux will conduct three seminars daily at the Bass Tub.
 
Vendors

Vendors from across North America will offer great deals on boats, fishing tackle, hunting gear, four-wheel-drive vehicles, resorts and lodges, canoes and kayaks and other outdoor-related items. In addition to the special discounts, Expo visitors will get their first look at many new products.
Non-profit fishing, hunting and conservation groups are also on hand to provide additional resources on a variety of topics. Whether your favorite pastime is fishing for bass, kings, grouper, snook or redfish or hunting turkey, deer, or ducks, you'll find the right club or organization with experienced members and volunteers eager to share their expertise with you.
 
Admission and Hours

Admission to the Expo is free for all ages on Friday (March 5) and free every day for kids 12 and under. Admission for ages 13 and older is $8 on Saturday and Sunday. Parking at the Fairgrounds is $5.
Show hours are 1-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The State Fairgrounds are located east of Tampa near the junction of I-4 and I-75.
 
Contact Info

For more information, visit www.TBO.com (keyword: Outdoors Expo).
 
Spotted seatrout fishing season to reopen

LAKELAND - The recreational harvest season for spotted seatrout reopened in South Florida on Jan. 1. Spotted seatrout harvest has been closed since Nov. 1 in South Florida to help maintain an abundant fishery.
The areas affected include Atlantic coast waters south of the Flagler-Volusia county line and Gulf coastal waters south of a line running due west from the westernmost point of Fred Howard Park Causeway, which is 1.17 miles south of the Pinellas-Pasco county line.
The maximum daily bag limit for spotted seatrout in these areas is four fish per person. In all Florida waters north and west of these areas, the daily limit is five spotted seatrout per person.
The statewide slot limit for spotted seatrout is 15-20 inches total length.  However, anglers may keep one spotted seatrout larger than 20 inches as part of the daily bag limits.
Spotted seatrout may not be harvested by any multiple hooks with live or dead natural bait, by snagging or by snatch hooking. Spotted seatrout may be taken only with hook and line gear and cast nets and must be landed in a whole condition.
The harvest of spotted seatrout will close during the month of February in northeast and northwest Florida waters.

Greater harvest of amberjack set to reopen

LAKELAND - The recreational harvest of greater amberjack from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reopened on Jan. 1.  Federal waters extend beyond nine nautical miles from shore in the Gulf off Florida.
The National Marine Fisheries Service closed the recreational harvest of greater amberjack in these waters on Oct. 24 because an established annual recreational harvest quota for greater amberjack in the Gulf had been met. Gulf state waters (within nine nautical miles from shore) were not closed and remain open to the recreational harvest of greater amberjack.
Recreational anglers may keep one greater amberjack of at least 30 inches fork length daily per person in Gulf waters off Florida, and the fish must be landed in a whole condition.

YMCA offers youth basketball program

SPRING HILL - The Hernando County Family YMCA is offering youth basketball for children, ages 3-17. The YMCA basketball program is an instructional program that teaches the fundamentals of the sport as well as focusing on teamwork and good sportsmanship.
The eight-week season will run from Jan. 19–March 13.
For additional information, contact Jennifer Huden at YMCA at 352-688-9622 or visit our Web site at www.ymcasuncoastymca.org.

Spring Hill Dixie League Baseball signups

SPRING HILL - Spring Hill Dixie Baseball will be holding registration for the upcoming spring season from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday. Jan. 9; from 5:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan, 12; 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sat. Jan. 16; and from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. Registrations will be held in the baseball building at Anderson Snow Sports Complex.
Cost is $100 for the season and includes complete uniform, insurance, practices, games, and trophy at the end of the season. Registration is open to players, ages 4 1/2 through age 14. Players cannot turn 15 on or before April 30, 2010.
Please bring copy of birth certificate and player for sizing purposes.
For more information, contact Helen Keith at 352-797-4934 or e-mail her at greyhoundgrandma@yahoo.com.

Adult Soccer League registration

BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando Adult Soccer League, ages 30 and older, is accepting registration for the upcoming season. Registration forms can be downloaded from the league Web site at www.hernandoadultsoccer.com. 
Cost is $85 per player.
Forms are mailed P.O. Box 15335, Brooksville, FL 34601.
New and returning player registration will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex pavilion.
For additional information, contact Alyson Kraft at 352-796-3630 or contact either Alyson or Tom Brooks via e-mail at alyson@hernandoadultsoccer.com or tom@hernandoadultsoccer.com
 
Adult Baseball League seeking players, teams
 
BROOKSVILLE - The Pasco-Hernando Area Senior Baseball League (PHASBL) is seeking players and teams for its spring season. The league is planning an 18-game schedule beginning Feb. 14. The league is comprised of players, ages 18 and older.
Discounts, of up to $100 are available for early registration.
To register or to get more information, contact Conrad at 352-683-1692, or visit conradbaseball@bellsouth.net.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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