Between the Lines

Bull Riders invade St. Pete Times Forum

TAMPA - The St. Pete Times Forum will transform from hockey ice to dirt on Jan. 30-31 for the Professional Bull Riders circuit. At 7:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31. fans will get the experience pounding music, thrilling pyrotechnics and some of the toughest athletes at The Tampa Invitational.
Fans will have the opportunity to see 2009 World Champion Kody Lostroh, World Standings leader J.B. Mauney, PBR Superstars Cord McCoy and Travis Briscoe, 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi and fan favorites Ryan McConnel and Shane Proctor.
These athletes will be competing for the chance to qualify for the biggest event of the season: the 2010 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas.
Tickets for this event are on sale now at the St. Pete Times Forum Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets.
To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets are priced at $10, $20, $35, $50 and $100. Prices do not include service charges.
For additional information contact The Forum at 1-813-301-2500 or visit www.sptimesforum.com.

HYL sets softball and T-Ball registration

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando Youth League (HYL) will holding its softball and T-Ball signups.
T-Ball is for children, ages 4-6, and softball is for girls, ages 7-18.
All signups will be at Tom Varn Park from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Jan. 23 and Jan. 30; from 9 a.m. until noon on Feb. 6; from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.
On Jan. 23 at 12:30 p.m. there will be having an open board meeting to invite parents to come and join the softball board and learn more about what HYL is all about.
On Feb. 6 at 12:30 there will be a mandatory coaches' meeting for all interested parents wanting to coach.
Player evaluations will be at 2 p.m. on Feb. 6 for ages 4-12. It is recommended that all players be at the evaluations.
Cost is $40 for T-Ball players $55 for softball players.
Players, ages 4-12, that sign up after Feb. 6 will be charged a $10 late fee.
Extended signups for ages 13-18 will be: from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 13 and March 20.
Evaluations for players, ages 13-18, will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 20.
All new players will need to bring a copy of their birth certificate.
For additional information, contact Paul Sinwelski at 544-1021 or Kathy Hayden at 754-9573.
 
'Poor Girls Billfish Tourney' set Feb. 17 off Islamorada

ISLAMORADA - The 'Poor Girls Billfish Tournament', a large regional charity competition, is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 16-17, at Holiday Isle, mile marker 84 oceanside in Islamorada.
With a long history of being a low-entry-fee tournament, each year the event garners more than 200 female anglers.
The tournament offers 10 trophies, including those for first-, second- and third-place teams, grand champion and runner-up grand champion anglers, and the largest dolphin, kingfish and tuna.
The kickoff party and captains meeting are set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Fishing is to begin at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, with lines-out set for 3 p.m. All entrants are to be back at the dock by 5 p.m.
An awards banquet is scheduled at 6 p.m.
Proceeds support the Matecumbe Historical Trust, Humane Society and Casting for Cats.
Entry fee is $95 per angler, including the kickoff party and awards banquet. Additional social tickets are available for $15 each.
For registration and more information, contact Sharon Ellenwood at 305-664-2012 or 305-393-6174, or e-mail at sharellen@netzero.net.
To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503 or (800) 322-5397, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.

Knights of Columbus free throw shooting contest

BROOKSVILLE - The Knights of Columbus Council 6800 is hosting a foul shooting contest on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. until noon at St. Anthony Church's Heffernan Hall, 20428 Cortez Blvd, in Brooksville open to Brooksville area youth, ages 10-14. Proof of age is required.
To register, or for additional information, contact Knights of Columbus Youth Activities Director Ralph Colon at 352-397-2884 or e-mail him at ralphcolon@hotmail.com.

West Hernando Cougars signups

SPRING HILL - The West Hernando Cougars have announced signups for their spring tackle football 7-on-7 league.
The signups will be held on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, all from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Delta Woods Park. Cost is $145 per player, a copy of birth certificate is required.
For more information, contact Bobby McFarlane at 585-6524.

HHS Baseball Golf Scramble

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando High Leopard Baseball Golf Scramble is set for a 1 p.m. shotgun start on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Brooksville Country Club. Cost is $65 per person and includes a poolside barbeque chicken lunch prior to teeing off.
The Red Mule Pub will be hosting a pre-registration social from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5.
To register or for additional information, contact Harry Timmons at 352-585-2443 or at htimmon1@tampabay.rr.com or Nancy Brady @ cienna7@hotmail.com.

Brooksville Bulldogs seeking players

BROOKSVILLE - The Brooksville Bulldogs, who sponsor 11-year-old and 12-year-old Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)/USSSA baseball teams, are seeking a few quality baseball players to round out their spring roster.
For information on the teams and tryout dates contact Bruce Price at 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.

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 407-67-RODEO 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.

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 7 at the Florida State Fairgrounds) boasts 140,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space plus outdoor display areas and several lakes.
Sargeant, The Tampa Tribune outdoors correspondent, is 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.

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.-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).
 
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 the YMCA at 352-688-9622 or visit the YMCA 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 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 a 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 a 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 should be mailed to 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.

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. at the Springstead practice field.
Cost is $50.
If a prospective player cannot 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 - The 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, junior doubles and mixed doubles. Two matches are guaranteed.
Entry deadline is Jan. 20.
Entry fee is $20 cash donation, new food or clothing items.
U.S.T.A. rules govern play.
Matches will be best 2-of-3 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; and Eric van den Hoogen at (352) 382-3138 or hoera@juno.com.

Hernando Havoc seeks players

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando Havoc, an under-11 travel ball baseball team, is looking for experienced players. All team members must 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, 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 photocopy 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. 19; from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 21; and from 10 a.m. until noon on 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 - The 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.