Between the Lines

Bombers complete fall campaign on top

BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville Bombers 12-Under Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) completed its fall ball season with their first tournament championship.
The Bombers finished the season with an overall 20-9-1 record that included first place in the USSSA Florida Travel Ball League, Co-Champions of the FTB League Championship Tournament, and two third-place finishes in the Gold Glove Tournament in Tampa and Florida Classic Tournament in Plant City earlier this season.
The Hernando County squad ended the season with 11 straight wins over the final three weeks, including this past weekend's 4-0 run.
Playing in the USSSA FTB Championship Tournament this weekend in Leesburg, the Bombers, demonstrated their grit with some strong pitching, defense, and clutch hitting with three late-inning come-from-behind wins, including two against the Rockledge Bulldogs, once in pool play, and then later in the semifinals.
In the semifinal game that sent the Bombers to their first-ever finals, both teams traded runs in the first. The Bombers put up two more in the second on hits by Matt Warner and Juan Espinosa.
The Bulldogs added a single run in the third and two in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead before lightning and rain threatened to end the game. After a 45-minute delay, the game resumed in the bottom of the fifth, and the Bombers tallied seven runs to take a 10-4 lead on RBI hits by Mason Stacy, Brandon, Agugliaro, JT Hrobuchak, Larry Ball and Owen Morgan.
The defense sparkled by turning three double plays to support Devon Nicolini, who pitched a complete game with five strikeouts to get the win.
In the finals, the Bombers were to face Melbourne-based Top Prospects, but the rain and lightning returned after one inning to end the tournament with both teams being named co-champions.
The Bombers are preparing for the spring season and are looking to add 2-3 players to the roster.
Tryouts and clinics are being held throughout December, with practices starting by the first of the year.
The spring season starts the last week in January, and the Bombers also plan to attend a tournament in Cooperstown, NY next summer.
Anyone interested in more information about playing for the Bombers should contact John Hrobuchak at 352-238-9840 or BrooksvilleBombers@tampabay.rr.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.

Lightning to host 'Black Friday' event at the Forum

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Lightning will host "Black Friday" at the St. Petersburg Times Forum from 6 a.m. until noon on Friday, Nov. 27. The event will feature an open skate for fans from 6-8:45 a.m., open Lightning morning skate from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., a discounted equipment sale, special ticket offers and more.
Beginning at 6 a.m. the ice at the Forum will be open to the public. Fans must bring their own skates as they will not be provided. Special ticket offers will be available at the McDonald's Box Office at the Times Forum as well as free coffee and donuts. Fans who purchase four lower level tickets to any game will receive a free jersey and upper level tickets will be on sale for $10. These offers are valid from 6 a.m. to noon at the McDonald's Box Office only.
The event will also feature merchandise and used equipment sales on the west plaza of the Times Forum. The early birds will receive the steepest discounts with 60 percent off from 6-7 a.m., 50 percent off from 7-8 a.m., 40 percent off from 8-9 a.m. and 30 percent off from 9 a.m. until noon.
At 10 a.m., the Lightning will take to the ice for their pre-game skate in preparation for taking on the New York Rangers that evening. The practice will be open to the public.

Hernando Volleyball School

SPRING HILL - The Hernando Volleyball School is a local nonprofit group whose sole purpose is the promotion of girls volleyball in Hernando County.
This year, Darcy Hinton, head varsity coach at Springstead High, will be coaching a 15-16-year-old travel team. Additionally, an open gym will be held on Sunday nights for players 9-to-15 years old.
If you are interested in participating, please attend the 8 p.m. information meeting on Nov. 29 at the Springstead gym.

Senior softball players sought

SPRING HILL - The local Senior Softball League, or SSIL (senior softball invitational league), plays Tuesday and Thursday morning beginning at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill. Anyone interested in joining our league is welcome to come and tryout on those days. We also have a website: http://home.roadrunner.com/~ssil or a domain name; www.ssil-softball.com.
The site contains schedules, player stats, box scores, ground rules, by-laws and listings for up coming events.

Spring Hill Youth Wrestling returns

SPRING HILL - Spring Hill Youth Wrestling season runs Tuesday, Dec. 1 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.

Hernando Havoc seeks players

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando Havoc, an under-11 travel ball baseball team, is looking for experienced players.
For a tryout, contact Steve DelGatto at 352-442-1750 or email at delgatto5@earthlink.net.
 
Free vessel check

HERNANDO BEACH - The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering free vessel safety checks.
The auxiliary will come to your boat wherever you keep it.
Contact Jackie at 666-7239 to set up an appointment.
For more information on the auxiliary visit online at http:/a0701508.uscgaux.info.

Rotary Club of Brooksville Golf Tournament

BROOKSVILLE - The 32nd annual Rotary Club of Brooksville Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks, 23446 Links Dr., on Dec. 9.
The cost is $75 per golfer and sponsorships are available for $75. This is a fundraising event to help fund the Brooksville Rotary charitable activities.
For sponsorships and golfer registration information contact the Brooksville Rotary at 796-1143 or Jerry Sheffield at 799-2265.

Learn to scuba
    
SPRING HILL - Learn to scuba at the Hernando County Family YMCA. Classes begin Dec. 1 and run Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9:30 p.m.
This course includes six class and pool sessions for ages 12 and older in good physical health and comfortable in and under the water.
There will also be classes from 8:30 a.m-4:30 p.m. for ages 10 and older, plus open water dives on Thursday and Friday in the Gulf of Mexico or Rainbow River at $20 per day.
Upon completion of the classes persons will be certified as Open Water Scuba Diver, recognized worldwide.
The cost is $120 for YMCA members and $140 for non-members, plus $60 for use of scuba equipment.
Personal equipment, mask, fins and snorkel are not included, but can be purchased at a discount from instructors: Jack Farrell at 727-861-3483 or 800-633-1633 and Mark Butler at 352-214-1171, who are YMCA, PADI and NAUI instructors.
For additional information, contact Olivia Matles at the YMCA at 352-688-9622. 

Registration for area adult baseball league
 
BROOKSVILLE - The Pasco-Hernando Area Senior Baseball League (PHASBL) is seeking players and teams for its winter 2009-10 season.
The league, comprised of players, aged 18 and older, is planning a 10-game schedule on Sundays, beginning Dec. 6.
PHASBL was originally conceived as a 30+ league, but the minimum age was lowered to 18 in order to give more players a place to play.
Discounts, up to $150, are available for early registration. To register or to get more information, contact Conrad at 683-1692 or online at conradbaseball@bellsouth.net.

Central DECA Clubs host Bowl-A-Thon

BROOKSVILLE - Central High School's DECA Club will be hosting a Bowl-A-Thon at Spring Hill Lanes on Saturday, Dec. 5. Check-in begins at noon followed by bowling at 1 p.m.
The cost is $20 per bowler and includes three games of bowling, rental shoes and lunch.
DECA is a marketing organization for high-school students. Proceeds from this event will benefit DECA President Michelle Venezia's campaign for National DECA President. Corporate lane and advertisement packages are also available.
To sign-up contact Gino Ortiz at CHS at 797-7020 or online at ortiz_e@hcsb.k12.fl.us, or Nick Catroppo at 352-585-6527 or ncatroppo@gmail.com.

Girls fast-pitch softball travel ball tryouts

SPRING HILL - Team OverDrive, formally the Spring Hill Shockers, has new coaches and a new look. Tryouts are being held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 1-2 at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex for girls 9-14 years of age for 10, 12 and 14U teams.
Team OverDrive is a local team looking for players who want to be a part of a team that values hard work and discipline, along with team building and having fun.
For more information, contact Melissa Varela 352-410-8138 or email her at manhattie67@yahoo.com or visit the team Web site at www.overdrivefastpitch.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.