Between the Lines

Dexter Jackson autograph signing

PORT RICHEY Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Super Bowl XXXVII MVP Dexter Jackson will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans Jan. 14 at B & L Sports Memorabilia in Gulf View Square.

For more information, call B & L at (727) 841-0171.

Alumni football coming to Brooksville

BROOKSVILLE Gridiron Alumni is planning several full-contact alumni football games in Brooksville. Gridiron Alumni travels the nation pitting old football rivals against each other.

Players are needed to sign up and the first 40 players on each team get to play. The team that gets 30 people registered first gets home-field advantage.

Last year, hundreds of players and thousands of fans swarmed stadiums to watch their hometown heroes. This year, Gridiron Alumni would like to bring alumni football to the whole state of Florida. Teams from Central, Hernando, Hernando Christian Academy, Nature Coast and other area teams are forming now.

Games are scheduled for March and April, but spots and game dates fill up fast. Visit www.gridironalumni.com to register.

For more information, call Chris at (530) 410-6396 or go to the website.

Lightning All-Star Packs on sale

TAMPA The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that Lightning All-Star Packs are now on sale to the general public. Packages include one ticket in the all-inclusive PNC Bank Club, plus an exclusive autograph signing session following the game with a Lightning All-Star.

The first All-Star night will take place on Jan. 17 when buyers will have the opportunity to score an autograph from Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier following the team’s game against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. There will also be two additional nights featuring forwards Martin St. Louis on Jan. 24 and Steven Stamkos on Jan. 31. Tickets are limited in quantity and fans are encouraged to purchase early.

This season, fans have the opportunity to save on their Lightning All-Star Packs by purchasing all three games for $399. Packs may also be bought individually for $150 each by calling (813) 301-6600 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.

Women’s soccer registration

SPRING HILL Registration for Hernando County Women’s Soccer’s spring season is under way. Players can register through Jan. 13 at Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, 3095 Anderson Snow Road in Spring Hill, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Games will be on Saturday nights starting in mid-February, held at Ernie Wever Youth Park in Brooksville

The league is also hosting the “Mother’s Day Ball Tournament” for women 30 and over May 10-13. It’s a double-elimination, 11 vs. 11 event with a 22-player roster max, at Ernie Wever.

Hornet Golf Outing

WEEKI WACHEE The Weeki Wachee High athletic department will be holding its second annual Hornet Golf Outing at Brooksville Country Club on Feb. 25, with a shotgun start of 8:30 a.m.

Food and prizes will be provided during and after the event. Current and former professional athletes will also be participating. There will be time for autographs and picture opportunities.

The cost of the event is $100 per person or $300 per foursome. There are also opportunities for businesses to sponsor a hole and/or prizes.

For more information, contact athletic director Mark Lee at (352) 797-7029 ext. 230 or lee_m2@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

Pro-am to be hosted by Lightning

TAMPA The Tampa Bay Pro-Am Foundation, Inc. has announced that the event formerly known as the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am, the premier Champions Tour event, is returning in 2012 with the new name Tampa Bay Pro-Am. In addition, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been added as hosts of the 2012 golf tournament. This partnership, born out of a mutual commitment to serving the Tampa Bay community, will join together two professional sports properties in the area, officially making it the Tampa Bay Pro-Am hosted by Tampa Bay Lightning. Through this co-promotional marketing partnership Tampa Bay Lightning Day will be added to the schedule of events, and free grounds admission will be offered to Tampa Bay Lightning season-ticket holders. The 2012 Tampa Bay Pro-Am hosted by Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates the tournament’s 25th year of existence, April 9-15, at TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz.

Tournament officials are still seeking a title sponsor for the 2012 event and beyond. As it moves forward without a title sponsor, the event is looking for support from the entire Tampa Bay community to insure its continued success and longevity.

Celebrities scheduled to appear include Ronde’ Barber, Derrick Brooks, Craig T. Nelson, Joe Theismann and Lightning founder Phil Esposito, who will also serve as the honorary chairman of the event in 2012.

Tickets are available for purchase by calling the tournament office at (813) 265-4653 or visiting www.tampabayproam.com.

Golfweek, Senior tours

Two golf tours will be available in 2012 at courses across North Central Florida for those seeking a competitive experience on the links.

The Golfweek Amateur Tour is debuting this season, open to men and women of all ages and skill levels. Each event will feature five flights based on handicap to keep competition fair. Participants can join at any time during the year for a $90 membership fee. The fee includes a subscription to Golfweek magazine and Tour merchandise. Tour members can play in all local events as well as any AGT event nationally. There will be a Tour Championship held Oct. 19-21 at Palmetto Dunes Resort in Hilton Head, S.C.

To register, visit www.amateurgolftour.net.

Also, for the second year in a row, there will be a Senior Amateur Tour. Membership is open to men and women of any skill level, age 50 and over during the calendar year. Golfers can join at any time for an $80 membership fee. The fee includes Tour merchandise and allows members to play in all local Tour events as well as any SAGT events nationally. All events are divided into four flights based on handicap. The Tour Championship will be held Nov. 13-14 in Pinehurst, N.C.

To register, visit www.senioramateurgolftour.net.

For more information on either tour, contact Jim Castello at (352) 446-3446 or ncflorida@amateurgolftour.net.

The First Tee of Brooksville program returns

BROOKSVILLE The First Tee of Brooksville Golf Program for children, ages 5-17, returns starting the week of Jan. 17 to the Quarry Golf Course, Brooksville Country Club, and Silverthorn Country Club.

The six-week course is $60.

Pre-registration is required. The program is accepting up to 10 participants per class.

Volunteers are needed. Donations of youth golf clubs, bags, and balls are welcome.

The First Tee of Brooksville’s progressive level golf/life skills experience is one of the unique features that differentiates The First Tee from other junior golf programs and ultimately strives to instill in participants The First Tee’s

nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

For additional information, contact the City of Brooksville’s Miles Groff at (352) 540-3835 or reach him online at mgroff@cityofbrooksville.

Sportsman’s Club offers safety classes

WEEKI WACHEE The Hernando Sportsman's Club, 16121 Commercial Way, Brooksville, 34614, will be holding Firearms Safety Classes from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Hernando Sportsman’s Club.

The course covers the basics of firearms safety around the home and the fundamentals of pistol shooting.  The class includes practice time on the range. 

Successful completion of this class also provides required documentation to apply for a Florida concealed carry permit if desired. 

Pre-registration is required.  Cost is $60. 

The Hernando Sportsman’s Club will also be hosting a two-day National Rifle Association (NRA) muzzle loading rifle course from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Jan. 7-8.

Students will be taught the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a muzzle loading rifle.

The course includes classroom instruction and time on a range shooting a muzzle loading rifle.

Students learn the NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling; parts; loading; shooting; cleaning; shooting from a standing position and shooting from a crossed stick position; and continued opportunities for skill development.

Students will receive the NRA’s Muzzle loading Rifle Handbook and a course completion certificate.  

Cost is $100.

To pre-register or for either class or for additional information, contact The Hernando Sportsman’s Club at (352) 597-9931 or go online to www.hernandosportsmansclub.com.

Tennis camp and classes

SPRING HILL Ace Performance Tennis is offering Quick Start Drills Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Delta Woods Park.

The cost is $10.00 per class. Drills and games are designed for beginning players using the USTA-approved strategies for 60-foot court players. 

Learn to play tennis quickly with age- and size-appropriate equipment and modified courts. 

Additionally, Ace Performance Tennis is offering a Ladies Night Out, Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Delta Woods Park.

The cost is $10 per class. Women of beginning and intermediate skill levels will learn to play in a fun social setting.

For more information on the camp and classes, contact John or Louise Downey at (352) 666-0658 or www.louisedowney.usptapro.com.

HSUA to hosts umpire clinics

SPRING HILL The Hernando Sumter Umpires Association, the largest baseball/softball umpires association in West Central Florida area, is having several umpire clinics for men and women over the age of 16 who want to become a baseball or softball umpire.

A HSUA umpire can make an average of $20 per hour working part time.

Due to the recent addition of three leagues and the possibility of adding another, many more umpires are needed.

HSUA has over 15 leagues it deals with in Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Pasco counties and has over 90 umpires on its roster.

Umpire clinics are scheduled for: Sunday at noon at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill; Saturday, Jan. 21 at noon at the Wesley Chapel District Park; Sunday, Jan. 22 at noon at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill; Saturday, Jan. 28 at noon at the Wesley Chapel District Park; Sunday, Jan. 29 at noon at Ridge Manor Park; and Saturday, Feb. 4 at noon at the Kenny Dixon Sports Complex in Bushnell.

During these 3-plus hour clinics, students will be taught and tested on the rules of the game. All participants will take a 100-question test based on Major League Baseball, high school, AAU, USSSA, Dixie Baseball and Dixie Softball and Little League rules, and will receive a MLB rulebook, positional charts and many more handouts.

For more information, contact HSUA by phone at (352) 593-6998.

87th East-West Shrine Game tickets on sale  

ST. PETERSBURG The East-West Shrine College All-Star Football Game tickets are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets.  Fans can purchase tickets for the Jan. 21 game online at www.shrinegame.com, www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (727) 342-5777. 

All game tickets are $15 general admission tickets (price does not include service fees).  The game will be played at Tropicana Field.  Kickoff will be at 4 p.m.

“This is the 87th annual edition of this college all-star football game, making it the longest running college all-star game in the country,” said Harold Richardson, Executive Director of the East-West Shrine Game. “We are happy to be playing for the first time at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg and are pleased by the overwhelming community support we have received.  This is a great family event and supports a great cause, helping Shriners Hospitals for Children® provide state of the art medical care to children in need.”

More than just a game, it has emerged as a showcase for up-and-coming NFL talents. The 2011 East-West Shrine Game was no exception with 52 players currently on active NFL rosters and 18 players on NFL practice squads.

The 2012 game promises to showcase the top NFL prospects from colleges around the country. 

Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Game has helped raise money and awareness for Shriners Hospitals for Children, a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors.

Key West Half Marathon set for Jan. 22

KEY WEST The historic waterfront districts are to become a scenic racecourse for more than 900 runners Sunday, Jan. 22, during the annual Key West Half Marathon.

The sporting challenge is to begin at 7 a.m., with participants proceeding along a flat, fast 13.1-mile half-marathon course amid the island city’s Victorian architecture, historic landmarks and harborfront businesses.

Now in its 14th year, the race typically attracts runners from around the United States and several other countries to compete in Key West’s balmy January climate.

A race registration booth is to be set up from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the 951 Caroline St. plaza in Key West’s Historic Seaport. Race packets can be picked up at that time. The registration booth also is to open on race day at 6 a.m.

Plans call for the run to begin and end in the seaport at Caroline and Margaret streets.

Events surrounding the race include a Saturday night pasta dinner and a Sunday block party, awards ceremony and post-race party at the Schooner Wharf Bar, 202 William St., with free refreshments, entertainment and prize giveaways.

Awards are to be presented to the first- through third-place male and female finishers in categories ranging from ages 10-14 to age 75 and over, as well as the top overall competitors and those in the masters and military divisions. All finishers are to receive a specially designed finisher medal.

The event also includes a 5k run beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The half-marathon entry fee is $80 per person ($70 for returning competitors, members of the military and Key West Southernmost Runners members). The first 900 entrants are to receive a moisture-resistant race Tech-shirt.

For discount information, call race coordinator Barbara Wright at (305) 240-0727.

The 5k entry fee is $30 per person.

Runners can register now at www.active.com.

A portion of race proceeds benefits the Florida Keys Community College youth swim program and other local charities.

For additional information go online to www.keywesthalfmarathon.com.

Spring Hill Youth wrestling

SPRING HILL Spring Hill Youth Wrestling practices will be held Tuesday and Thursday Nights at Springstead High School in the wrestling room.

Beginners practice will be at 5:30 p.m. while advanced begins at 6:30 p.m.

Cost is $150 and registration will be done at the first practice.

For additional information contact Eric Swensen at (352) 797-7010, Ext. 347 or visit www.springhillwrestling.com/youth.html.