Times wires
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Rangers 6, Indians 4
ARLINGTON, Texas — Adrian Beltre homered and Matt Harrison became the fourth American League pitcher to reach 16 wins for West-leading Texas. The Rangers scored four in the second, which started with Beltre reaching on an error.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Giants 9, Rockies 8
DENVER — Madison Bumgarner hit a three-run homer on a night when he struggled on the mound and Brandon Belt drove in four runs for the Giants in rainy conditions.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Diamondbacks 1, Dodgers 0
PHOENIX — Ian Kennedy pitched neatly into the eighth inning and the Diamondbacks used an unearned run to beat Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. Arizona leftfielder Jason Kubel robbed Luis Cruz of a two-run homer with a leaping grab at the wall to end the fifth. The lone run came in the seventh, when Paul Goldschmidt reached on shortstop Hanley Ramirez's throwing error and scored from first on Miguel Montero's double.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
NEW YORK — Just when it seemed the Big East had plugged all its holes, Notre Dame created another.
The Irish are moving to the ACC with a similar deal to the one they had with the Big East: all sports except football.
Notre Dame will play five games annually against ACC schools while having access to its non-BCS bowl tie-ins.
"I don't think there's out there a better situation than the situation we have," said the Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president. "The ACC has allowed us to retain a tradition (of independence) that's so central to our identity in football while we're joining a conference that athletically as well as academically fits … perfectly."
The ACC also announced it increased its exit fees for schools to three times the league's annual operation budget, which would currently be about $50 million.
The fee increase will quell speculation that Florida State might leave the ACC for the Big 12, FSU basketball coach Leonard Hamilton said. In May, Andy Haggard, chairman of FSU's board of trustees, and football coach Jimbo Fisher discussed the positives of moving to the Big 12.
"More than anything else, what it says is that all 15 teams are committed to band together and move forward and make something even more special out of the ACC conference," Hamilton said.
The ACC previously lured Boston College, Miami and Virginia Tech from the Big East and adds Pittsburgh and Syracuse from it in 2013. It and other leagues had talks with Notre Dame over the years. But the ACC relaxed its all-or-nothing requirement.
"I think it just came through in our internal discussions that now's the time," ACC commissioner John Swofford said.
Notre Dame will not get revenue from the ACC's recently signed deal with ESPN worth $3.6 billion over 15 years. Swofford said the ACC will renegotiate it to account for Notre Dame.
The Big East, which currently has a deal with Notre Dame for its bowl tie-ins, has a 27-month notification period and $5 million exit fee. Swofford said the departure date will be handled by it and the Big East. It won't be until 2015-16, Irish AD Jack Swarbrick said, unless the sides agree to an earlier exit. Multiple reports said the move isn't expected until at least 2014. Pitt and Syracuse paid about $7.5 million to get out early.
"We wish (Notre Dame) success in the future," Big East commissioner Mike Aresco said. "However, Notre Dame's departure does not change our plans. We have prestigious institutions that are excited to be a part of the Big East."
Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
For most teams around the county, Week 3 is the final tuneup before the district slate begins next week. Some teams (Strawberry Crest, Bloomingdale, Riverview) have looked better than expected while others (Lennard, Newsome) have a ways to go.
Then there's Armwood. The Hawks have been the standard bearer of excellence across the county for the past decade or so but lost 36-28 to defending 3A state champs American Heritage.
What exactly does that mean? Well, it's hard to tell. First of all, every team that lines up against the Hawks wants to knock off the 'Wood. American Heritage looked like a good team, but Armwood is still trying to find its groove after losing both its entire offensive and defensive lines from the 2011 team. So it's hard to say where this year's version of Armwood will be at the end of the season.
Tonight's game will be no different as a physical Tampa Bay Tech team welcomes Armwood to town. There has been talk the past several season that TBT would finally take the next step and knock off the Hawks.
That has yet to happen, but you can be sure TBT will be loaded for bear once again tonight.
Perhaps Armwood coach Sean Callahan summed it up best after the loss last week: "But I liked our attitude; we didn't give up," he told the Times. "When you win like we do all the time it's interesting to see how we handle stuff like this."
Armwood (1-1) at Tampa Bay Tech (2-0)
Last week: American Heritage def. Armwood 36-28 and Tampa Bay Tech def. King 14-0.
Why you should go: To see how Armwood bounces back. The Hawks hadn't lost at home to a team other than Plant in a decade prior to last week's defeat. Now they get a tough TBT team on the road.
Bloomingdale (1-1) at East Bay (1-1)
Last week: Bloomingdale def. Strawberry Crest 28-27 and Steinbrenner def. East Bay 23-0.
Why you should go: To see how a 14-year-old fares under center. In his first start last week, Bloomingdale's Isaiah McIntyre was a perfect 12 of 12 for 146 yards and two TDs.
Freedom (0-2) at Brandon (0-1)
Last week: Plant City def. Freedom 14-9 ; Armwood def. Brandon 55-0 on Sept. 1.
Why you should go: Brandon had a week off to lick its wounds from a the lopsided loss against Armwood. Tonight will provide more of an accurate gauge as to how this team's season will go under first-year coach Dean Eychner.
Spoto (0-1) at Gibbs (1-1)
Last week: Riverview def. Spoto 24-17 Sept. 1; Gibbs def. Lennard 28-18.
Why you should go: Spoto's Brian Barr looked very good in a Week 1 loss to Riverview, catching seven passes for 138 yards.
Gaither (2-0) at Plant City (1-1)
Last Week: Gaither def. Leto 69-0; Plant City def. Freedom 14-9.
Why You Should Go: If the Raiders are to upset a very good Gaither team, tailback Irvin Michael (21 carries for 103 yards and a TD against Freedom) is going to have to control the game on the ground.
Newsome (0-2) at Hillsborough (1-0)
Last week: Jefferson def. Newsome 39-37; Hillsborough's game at Cocoa was canceled due to inclement weather.
Why you should go: Defensive lineman Jacques Braggs has been very good up front for Newsome. Braggs stepped in front of a screen pass against Jefferson and returned it 23 yards for a TD. Braggs, who also plays some on the offensive line, added a sack against the Dragons
Lennard (0-2) at Middleton (0-2)
Last week: Gibbs def. Lennard 28-18; Jesuit def. Middleton 16-0.
Why you should go: To see if Middleton's dubious streak continues. The Tigers haven't won a game since November 2010.
Leto (0-2) at Riverview (1-0)
Last week: Gaither def. Leto 69-0; Riverview def. Spoto 24-17 on Sept. 1.
Why you should go: After winning just one game on the field in the past two seasons, the Sharks opened 2012 with a victory. If you like old-fashioned smash-mouth football, Riverview's veer offense is for you.
Strawberry Crest (1-1) at Steinbrenner (1-1)
Last week: Bloomingdale def. Strawberry Crest 28-27; Steinbrenner def. East Bay 23-0.
Why you should go: To see if Crest is for real. The Chargers defeated neighborhood rival Plant City in the opener only to lose a tight one against Bloomingdale last week.
Brandon Wright can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.
By Eve Edelheit, Times Photojournalist
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
For the past 12 years, Armwood social studies teacher Bruce Burnham has been providing lively banter as the public address announcer at the Hawks' Friday night home games.
And he has found a way to bring his love of history to the fans. At the end of the first and third quarters, Burnham reads a trivia question from the annals of Armwood football and history, and the first person to run up to the press box — typically an eager grade-school kid — with the correct answer wins a coupon to Beef 'O' Brady's and gets the joy of hearing their name over the loudspeakers, thus becoming, as Burnham likes to say, "famous in the greater Seffner area."
"I am enthusiastic," said Burnham who was planning to go into broadcasting before being drafted into the Vietnam War. "Everyone knows I enjoy it."
Nicknamed the "Mayor of Armwood," Burnham comes to each home game early to talk to coaches and fans before the game.
"I am a little bit of a ham," he admits.
Eve Edelheit, Times photographer
Capt. Matt Santiago
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Redfish are ready. Although the weather of late hasn't indicated any sign of changing seasons, the redfish in our region are definitely ahead of schedule. Several nice schools of redfish have moved on to area flats over the last week and are actively feeding. The schools I have found have been ranging in size from 10 to 100 fish, with most of the fish falling in the slot with some big over slot fish mixed in as well.
When do they bite? Most of our success has come targeting these fish on the higher parts of the tide and on the outside of the bars. Working the "broken" bottom where the grass and sand seem to mix like Swiss cheese has been the key, and also allows you to pick up some nice trout and snook along the way. The fish have been spooky though, so quiet approaches are a must.
Bait. Fortunately for us, the redfish have been feeding very aggressively and bait size and species has not been a big issue. The fish we've caught over the last few days have come on whitebait of all sizes and small to medium sized pinfish as well. Rigging the baits under a cork with 20-pound fluorocarbon and a 1/0 circle hook has yielded the best results. The amount of leader under your cork should be determined by the depth of water you are fishing. If you are in 4 feet of water, then you want roughly 3 feet of line below your cork so your bait can swim down but not bury itself in the grass.
Matt Santiago can be reached at (813) 205-2327 or CaptainMattSantiago@gmail.com or online at FishingGuideTampa.com.
Times staff
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed a four-year deal to remain the primary tenant at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg, according to a news release issued by the team. The team played at Al Lang during the 2011 and '12 NASL seasons.
"The Rowdies are an important part of the Tampa Bay community and are proud to be an integral part of St. Pete's growing downtown landscape," Rowdies owner and president Andrew Nestor said in the release. "St. Pete has embraced the club and we will continue to build on the amazing stadium atmosphere at Al Lang."
The team also announced improvements to the stadium, including a new field configuration and club fan area. Field-side seats will be next to the player benches, and sidelines will be closer to the first row of seats, creating better sight lines.
"St. Petersburg is excited to provide a home for the Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium for years to come," said St. Petersburg's Mayor Bill Foster. "The city and the team are already working on improvements to make Al Lang a great stadium for both the players and the fans. And, with the support of the city and the St. Petersburg Sports Alliance, we are committed to join with the Rowdies to ensure the team's success in St. Petersburg, both on and off the field."
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TAMPA — USF quarterback B.J. Daniels enters tonight's Big East opener with a surge of momentum, having thrown for three touchdowns in each of his games. That matches his best two-game total of his four seasons.
But the Bulls' opponent tonight, Rutgers, has given Daniels all kinds of trouble. In three games, Daniels has just a single one-point win, has completed fewer than half his passes, totaled three touchdowns and averaged just 176 yards of offense.
"It's not just what they do to B.J. It's what they do to everybody," Bulls coach Skip Holtz said. "There's a reason they're the No. 1 defense in the league."
Rutgers, first in the Big East last season in total defense and scoring defense, has done it with an aggressive, attacking unit that starts with a blur of presnap sleight of hand, moving players around like a shell game with helmets to make it difficult for quarterbacks to find the right audible.
"I always call them crazy. They do a lot of different things; try to confuse the offense, the offensive line, especially the quarterback," Daniels said. "There's a lot of moving parts. You have to make sure you're focused and dialed in on what you're supposed to do … not get caught up in all the moving parts of their defense."
Even in his fourth start against them, Daniels will be challenged to keep his poise against the Scarlet Knights, who have maintained their identity on defense despite losing coach Greg Schiano to the Bucs in January.
"They're very blitz-oriented, very movement-oriented. They try to cause confusion," USF offensive coordinator Todd Fitch said. "They're doing a lot of the same things over and over and over, but they try to window dress it. It creates a blur, and sometimes, that causes confusion. You have to have ways to settle the quarterback down. Your quarterback has to feel really good about what's going on around him."
To top it off, USF faces Rutgers on a short week, having gotten home from its game at Nevada about 3 a.m. Sunday morning. (Rutgers beat I-AA Howard at home Saturday.)
Fitch called this week "one of the most challenging things I've been through in coaching." He's trying to give Daniels a full understanding of what Rutgers does to throw him off from the correct reads.
Daniels' first start against Rutgers was a 31-0 loss, USF's first regular-season shutout. Rutgers used a "spy," designating one player to focus on him. Daniels completed just seven passes and gained 11 yards on 16 carries. A year later, he threw two touchdowns in a one-point win but gained 15 yards on eight carries.
Last season, even after USF gave up a 14-point lead in the fourth, Daniels broke loose for a 30-yard run on the final drive before a missed field goal as time expired sent the game to overtime, where USF lost. Daniels, who completed a season-low 41 percent of his throws in that game, was intercepted on a deflected pass in overtime.
"Definitely, they have (used a spy) in the past, especially with a lot of the zone-read things we've done," Daniels said. "But … I don't think it's anything that will take us out of what we do."
The deep ball had a starring performance Saturday at Nevada, including two 50-yard touchdowns over the final three minutes as the Bulls erased an 11-point deficit. A big-play threat is crucial to keep Rutgers from stacking the line of scrimmage.
"We have not been able to take advantage of them down the field," Holtz said. "If they want to cheat a safety in to get another guy into the box, we have to give our receivers an opportunity to go one-on-one and go down the field; with speed with guys like (Derrick) Hopkins and Terrence Mitchell and jump-ball ability with guys like Andre Davis and D'Vario Montgomery and Deonte Welch."
Rutgers coach Kyle Flood, formerly the team's offensive line coach, knows the threats Daniels presents and said any mistakes can show up on the scoreboard.
"I think what you see from B.J. is an even better version of what he already was, which is a guy that played at a high level," Flood said. "It will be a great challenge. I think you have to be ready to play good, sound defense every play because he's got the ability to expose you on defense every time he has the ball in his hands."
Schiano's pulling for …
Sure, it's a big game tonight as USF hosts Rutgers. But the big question: Who will new Bucs coach, and former Rutgers coach, Greg Schiano be rooting for? "I'm pulling for Rutgers. Those are my guys." Schiano said he hopes to get over to Raymond James Stadium for the game.
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
By Darek Sharp, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Having produced something a Plant City Raiders girls golf team hadn't seen in three seasons — a dual-match loss — resulted in an unexpected reaction from the squad Monday.
And their head coach loved it.
"We're on the bus ride home, and the girls are all figuring out how they can make up the 16 strokes the next time they play Steinbrenner," Meg Jordan said. "I have one of my freshmen, Kaylee (McIntosh), call me at 8 the next morning saying 'Coach, I'll get us eight strokes myself.' "
Plant City was bound to take a little bit of a dip this season. It's what happens when the 2011 squad was led by three seniors who are now playing in college. With Kelsey Jensen, Belinda George and Shelby Johnson leading the way, the Raiders finished fifth at the Class 2A state meet, four shots out of third.
They even out-scored the state champ Niceville on the second day of the 36-hole event.
But the appearance of McIntosh and another ninth-grader, Kendall Johnson, and that supposed Raider dropoff doesn't look so precipitous.
"I've got three guaranteed Division I players on my team," Jordan declares without a trace of doubt.
That third standout is the key.
Kellyanne Hurst, the fourth unheralded member of last year's team, is back and better.
"Everything I've been trying to do and say the last 10 years (as coach), it's now happening on its own," Jordan said, referring to Hurst's new command.
Jordan explains this team has the dream elements of competitiveness, togetherness and the desire to put in the work.
Hurst put in plenty of good work over the summer, playing in eight tournaments on the MidFlorida Junior Golf Tour.
She won six of them.
Playing nine holes, the normal high school regular-season match, is almost like a day at the beach. Half of Hurst's summer tournaments were 36-hole events. Her best round was a 74 .
With that experience Hurst, a junior, is more unflappable on the course and also ready to lead off the course.
"Last year, the seniors all helped me out, but this year I'm more of a leader. I like doing that," Hurst said. "Whether one of the girls are nervous, or whatever, I'm glad to help."
Credit Jordan for scheduling Steinbrenner, (the two teams play again Wednesday at Walden Lake) which might be the strongest team in the Raiders' district. It certainly put the perfect regular-season mark at risk, but Jordan sees a long-term benefit
"I don't want to steer away from the better teams," she said. "By the time we've played our 13 matches and get to the district tournament (in October), those freshmen will have more experience."
Darek Sharp can be reached at hillsnews@tampabay.com.
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
USF (2-0) should ignore any calendars, which might remind the Bulls they're 0-8 on Thursday night games on ESPN, a run highlighted by a 2007 loss to Rutgers (2-0) when the Bulls were No. 2 in the nation. Another interesting stat: Rutgers is actually the only Big East team Skip Holtz has beaten at home in his first two seasons at USF; his Bulls are 1-6 in conference games at Raymond James Stadium.
Watch out for …
USF's defensive line may be the key to the key Big East opener, with Rutgers potentially without two offensive line starters due to injury. DE Ryne Giddins, kept quiet last week at Nevada, has to be disruptive outside, and USF's interior line has to be stronger against the run than it was against Nevada's Stefphon Jefferson. The Bulls' turnaround in Reno coincided with making stops on third down after a rough start in that area.
Greg Auman, Times staff writer
By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Five keys for USF
1. Play 60 minutes: It was an issue throughout last season but never more than at Rutgers, when USF blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead. Last week's win at Nevada — nearly the opposite with two touchdowns in the final 2:37 — was a promising reversal. Look for more substitutions early on both sides of the ball to keep legs fresh.
2. Special teams mistakes: Last season's collapse started with Jeremy Deering's 98-yard kickoff return for Rutgers. In 2010, the Scarlet Knights returned a punt 60 yards for a score. And in 2009, USF muffed a punt return and Rutgers blocked a punt.
3. Line of scrimmage: USF ran for 221 yards to Rutgers' minus-7 last season. This set up plenty of third and longs, which led to Rutgers going 3-for-16 and trailing 17-3 with eight minutes left.
4. Rutgers' height: USF must stop big targets: 6-foot-6 receiver Brandon Coleman (three touchdown catches this season), 6-6 tight end D.C. Jefferson, 6-4 receiver Tim Wright and 6-3 receiver Mark Harrison. The only defensive back among USF's top eight taller than 6 feet is safety JaQuez Jenkins (6-2).
5. Turnovers: The Bulls had eight touchdowns and one interception in their five wins last season, six touchdowns and seven interceptions in their seven losses. Saturday against Nevada, USF forced three, including two fumbles in the red zone.
Greg Auman, Times staff writer
By Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
With his runner-up finish in the Men's 16-19 Division of the Providence Golf Club Open Championship in Davenport, Ryan Nicoll of Spring Hill jumped into first place in the Premier Junior Tour standings.
The tournament, which took place last weekend, featured some of the top high school golfers from around the state. Nicoll, a senior at Springstead High, shot rounds of 73 and 77 for a total of 150 to finish just four strokes behind the winner, Orlando's Zach Hoskins (74-76 146).
Nicoll has been one of the elite golfers in the area for years and is a top college recruit. He finished third in the 2011 PJT Major Championship at the University of Florida, shooting a 67 in the final round.
HERNANDO SPORTSMAN'S CLUB: The Hernando Sportsman's Club, 16121 Commercial Way, north of Weeki Wachee, hosts sport shooting events on a weekly basis.
On Saturday, there will be a Garand Rifle match at 8 a.m. and a International Defensive Pistol Association pistol match at 9 a.m. On Sunday, the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association pistol and .22-gauge rifle silhouette match will be at at 9 a.m., and the classic fast draw single-action Western revolver match will take place at 9:30 a.m.
Next week, the two-gun (pistol/shotgun) match and an international pistol match will both be at 9 a.m. Sept. 22. The bull's-eye pistol match will take place at 9 a.m. Sept. 23.
The final competition of the month is scheduled for Sept. 30, when the three-gun (pistol/rifle/shotgun) match will be at 9 a.m.
Practice times are available during the week. The competition schedule is subject to change. Visit hernandosportsmanclub.com for updated times.
For information, call the club office at (352) 597-9931.
TENNIS CLASSES: Ace Performance Tennis is offering Quick Start drills and classes from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Delta Woods Park in Spring Hill.
The cost is $10 per class. The activities and instruction are designed for beginners, using USTA-approved strategies for 60-foot court players. The intention is to learn to play tennis quickly with age- and size-appropriate equipment and modified courts.
Ace Performance Tennis is also offering Ladies Night Out from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Monday at Delta Woods Park. The cost is also $10 per night. Women with beginning and intermediate skill levels learn to play in a fun social setting.
For information about the camp or classes, call John or Louise Downey at (352) 666-0658 or visit louisedowney.usptapro.com.
LAW ENFORCEMENT GOLF BENEFIT: The National Association of Retired Law Enforcement Officers will have its annual golf tournament Oct. 13 at the Dunes Golf Club, north of Weeki Wachee.
Sign-in will begin at 7:30 a.m., with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. There will be a prize for a hole-in-one on any par 3 hole. Food and prizes will be available in the clubhouse after the tournament.
The deadline for registration is Oct. 10. The entry fee is $55 per golfer or $220 per foursome.
For information, call Chuck Groner at (352) 666-7658.
ALZHEIMER'S GOLF BENEFIT: The Alzheimer's Family Organization will have its 12th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Nov. 10 at Seven Springs Country Club in New Port Richey.
Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The event will consist of 18 holes of golf in a four-person scramble format. Also included with the $80 fee is breakfast provided by IHOP, lunch provided by Argento's Italian Bistro, goody bags, raffles and door prizes.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams, the longest drive, closest-to-the-pin and a hole-in-one. A new car and other prizes will be provided by Ed Morse Auto Plaza. Players will also have a chance to win $5,000 or a Woody driver, sponsored by the National Cremation and Burial Society. Full Circle Financial will sponsor a putting contest for a chance to win $10,000.
The Alzheimer's Family Organization serves Citrus, Hernando, northern Hillsborough, Lake, Pasco, northern Pinellas and Sumter counties.
For information, contact community service coordinator Kathy Montero at (727) 848-8888, toll-free 1-888-496-8004 or kathy@alzheimersfamily.org.
KIWANIS GOLF TOURNAMENT: Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville will play host to the seventh-annual Kiwanis of Spring Hill Children Charity Golf Invitational on Sept. 20.
Proceeds will be distributed by Kiwanis Club to various local charities and organizations that benefit children.
Registration is scheduled for 8 a.m., when breakfast will be served. The shotgun start is set for 10 a.m., with a buffet lunch, awards ceremony and silent auction at the conclusion of play.
Participants may register by visiting springhillkiwanis.org. The registration fee is $110 per player or $400 per foursome. The deadline is Monday.
For information, contact Richard Sanvenero at (352) 263-7829, ext. 25, or nero280@aol.com.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS FEST: Special Olympics of Hernando County will have its Olympic Fest 2012 on Saturday at Springstead High School on Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill.
Open to all ages, from 3 years old to 40-plus, the event will raise money for Special Olympics. Seven different age groups will compete in short sprints. The entry fee is $5 for kids ages 3 to 13, $8 for ages 14 to 18 and $10 for adults over 18.
There will be vendors, live music, raffles and other games. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.
For information, email Andrea Lee Purvis at AndreaCanCreate@yahoo.com.
CRIME GOLF BENEFIT: The local chapter of the Florida Council on Delinquency and Crime is organizing a golf tournament at Brooksville County Club at Majestic Oaks on Sept. 30.
The four-person scramble will benefit facilities that assist victims, including the Dawn Center for domestic violence victims in Hernando County and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. The registration fee is $240 per foursome or $60 per golfer for those who do not have a group.
The fee includes golf, cart and lunch. The shotgun start will be at 8:30 a.m., with prizes awarded for first, second and third place; longest drive, and closest-to-the-pin.
The registration deadline is Monday, limited to the first 100 golfers.
For information, call Tonya Griffin at (352) 797-3410.
BADDEST MUDDER: The Baddest Mudder 5K is coming to Brooksville on Nov. 3 and 4.
Baddest Mudder is a group that runs obstacle races around the Suncoast. It will be holding its first event at the Hernando County Fairgrounds on U.S. 41 in Brooksville.
The race is open to all ages, teams and skill levels. Sign-up prizes will be offered to all participants. The event includes a well-marked and defined course, food, drinks, music and field games.
The two-day event starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 4:30 p.m. each day.
Participants may sign up at baddestmudder.com. There are discounts for groups, and early-bird registration is currently open for $49.95 per runner.
Kids are welcome; organizers are offering a kids-only "Mini Mudder" pit for free.
Contact Derek J. LaRiviere at derekjlariviere@gmail.com or (352) 584-6337.
By Darek Sharp, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
It's a South Tampa kind of night, with the four powers playing one another.
And yes, it's early. But there are some practical district must-wins to be played out.
Oh, and how often do you hear this: Both Armwood and Plant are looking to bounce back from losses.
Here's the schedule for tonight. Kickoffs 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Tampa Catholic (2-0) at St. Petersburg Catholic (2-0), 7 p.m.
Last week: Tampa Catholic defeated Zephyrhills 20-9; St. Pete Catholic defeated Crescent City 23-21.
Why you should go: To see two teams that may find themselves in a troublesome hole should they lose. Both are 2-0, but this one really counts as the kickoff of District 3A-5 play. Despite losing star running back Ryan Green (a Florida State commit) for the season with a shoulder injury, the Barons are still strong, and they're riding high after last week's game-winning field goal by Garrett Vallerio. Tampa Catholic has some big-time players, led by RB/LB T.J. Harrell.
Robinson (2-0, 1-0 in 5A-8) at Jesuit (1-1, 1-0)
Last week: Robinson defeated Dunedin 29-0; Jesuit defeated Middleton 16-0.
Why you should go: The Knights will be gung-ho to avenge regular-season defeats the past two seasons, both of which paved the way for the Tigers to claim the district title. Robinson appears to have a major edge on offense, as Jesuit managed only one touchdown in its first seven quarters before a possible breakthrough 90-yard pass from Leland Saile to the sensational Travis Johnson last week.
Jefferson (1-1) at Plant (1-1)
Last week: Plant lost to John Curtis Christian (La.) 33-3; Jefferson defeated Newsome 39-37.
Why you should go: Jefferson had been bumped off the Panthers' schedule two years in a row so that Plant could face a national opponent. So we imagine the Dragons have extra incentive to win. Another reason: to see just how good John Curtis Christian High School really is, because the Louisiana team made Plant look bad. Should the Panthers come back this week and beat the Dragons, we vote John Curtis national champion.
Newsome (0-2) at Hillsborough (1-0)
Last week: Newsome lost to Jefferson 39-37; Hillsborough's game at Cocoa was canceled.
Why you should go: Because you like lots of points. Newsome hasn't shown the ability to stop anyone yet, and Hillsborough will be eager to roll after the team's cross-state trip to play Cocoa was a washout.
Armwood (1-1) at Tampa Bay Tech (2-0)
Last week: Armwood lost to Delray Beach American Heritage 36-28; Tampa Bay Tech defeated King 14-0
Why you should go: Because this could be THE year for the Titans, and proof will come not so much if they can beat the Hawks but have a chance to beat them. Armwood doesn't often get knocked back, but that's what happened against American Heritage. And an interesting subplot involves starting Hawks QB Darryl Richardson, who was in line to be the starter at TBT before transferring ahead of last season.
King (0-2) at Alonso (0-2)
Last week: King lost to Tampa Bay Tech 14-0; Alonso lost to Durant 29-0.
Why you should go: This could end up being one of those sneaky games that's off the radar and then turns out to be wildly entertaining. These two teams are both waiting/expecting to finally bust out on offense. Both are winless, but that's because of extremely tough opposition.
Lennard (0-1, 0-2 in 5A-8) at Middleton (0-1, 0-2)
Last week: Lennard lost to Gibbs 28-18; Middleton lost to Jesuit 16-0.
Why you should go: We predict Middleton will get its first points of the season. And both teams have the motivation of staying out of last place through two games of district play. Also, if you haven't seen the Longhorns' uniforms patterned after the University of Texas, well, they're pretty cool.
Blake (0-1, 1-1) at Dunedin (0-1, 0-2)
Last week: Blake lost to Lakewood 33-0; Dunedin lost to Robinson 29-0.
Why you should go: This one has a similar scenario to the Lennard-Middleton game, in that the loser will be tied for last place with another 0-2 team. But the one major difference for Blake fans thinking about making the trip is that Dunedin folks are known to sport kilts.
By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Rays will make the playoffs.
What a roller-coaster the Rays put us on. When their pitchers throw peas and someone jumps out of a phone booth with a cape and a big hit to become a late-inning hero, it feels like they're going to win the World Series. When the offense can't scratch out a run (or a hit), it feels like they'll never win again.
Am I confident this team will miss the postseason? No. Doubting this team after all it has done the past four seasons makes no sense, but I do know this: Despite all the good things they've done this season, the Rays would not make the playoffs if they started today. The lack of a consistent offense, a bunch of red-hot teams surrounding them in the playoff pack and a menacing schedule (four games left against the Orioles, three against the Yankees and four at Chicago against the always-pesky White Sox) will be too much for the Rays.
Someone needs to step up and that someone is Matt Joyce, whose lack of productivity in the middle of the lineup (one homer, eight RBIs and a .157 batting average since Aug. 13 heading into Wednesday night) is hurting the Rays right now.
The Bucs need to change their game plan to beat the Giants.
If the Bucs and coach Greg Schiano believe they can beat the Giants by pounding the rock, shutting down their passing game in the second half and throwing for only 138 yards as they did against the Panthers, they will come home with a 1-1 record. The Bucs aren't going to suddenly become Air Schiano, throwing the ball 60 times as Schiano playfully suggested Monday, but they do need to go a little further in the playbook. Maybe they can find the page that has the quarterback going into the huddle and saying: "Run as far down the field as you can and I'll throw it to you. On two. Ready? Break!"
If the Giants have a strength on defense, it's their line. If they have a weakness, it's their secondary, especially with corner Prince Amukamara nursing a high ankle sprain.
A nice run-pass balance with a few deep throws and some first-down pass attempts seem like a decent idea. You can throw against the Giants. Dallas' Tony Romo was 22-for-29 for 307 yards and three TDs, including two to some guy no one ever heard of, in a season-opening victory against the G-men.
Listening to the New York media for 10 days will throw off the Giants against the Bucs.
After losing their season opener at home to the rival Cowboys, the Giants will have had 10 days to get ready for the Bucs and, you would think, 10 days to listen to the New York tabloids blasting the defending champs and trying to fire coach Tom Coughlin … again.
But the Giants aren't in the tabloids' crosshairs at the moment. Instead, the papers are making fun of the Yankees' collapse and following every footstep, blink of the eye and breath of Jets QB Tim Tebow. The Giants are getting a free pass.
Notre Dame joining the ACC is a bad idea.
The Irish are joining the ACC in all sports except football and hockey, which immediately makes me think, "So what?'' But there are some football ramifications. Look for Notre Dame to play five football games a season against ACC schools, as well as keeping traditional rivals USC, Stanford and Navy on the schedule.
It's cool that Notre Dame could be playing Florida State and Miami now and again, but this ACC deal means the Irish might end rivalry games against Big Ten teams such as Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. At the very least, they won't play them every year, and that just seems wrong. Notre Dame feels like a Big Ten school, not an ACC one. South Bend, Ind., isn't exactly on the Atlantic coast.
By the way, not the best of times for Big East basketball, losing Pitt, Syracuse and now Notre Dame to the already hoop-heavy ACC.
The NFL's real officials should be concerned that the replacement officials didn't have any major gaffes last week.
The NFL might believe it has negotiating power in its contract dispute with officials because the replacements didn't mess up too badly. The NFL would be wrong. NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly predicts it will be some time before we see the real officials, but eventually the NFL must realize how risky it is having the best sports league in the world officiated by a bunch of Joe Schmos.
The best officials occasionally make mistakes, so it's a matter of time before the replacements goof. Let's hope it happens before it costs some team a game or, worse yet, a player becomes injured.
Know what could end this dispute? When a team either covers or fails to cover the point spread because of a bum call and gamblers lose millions.
tom jones' two cents
Today, we play a little "Fact or Fiction'' revolving around the latest news from the world of sports.
By Rodney Page, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
After 25 years, Tampa Bay's Champions Tour event appears to be on life support.
The tournament, which started as the GTE Classic in 1988 and was best known as the Outback Steakhouse Pro Am, has not secured a title sponsor for the 2013 season. Because of that, all full- and part-time staff were let go on Sept. 1.
"We had to shut the doors for now,'' said tournament director Amy Hawk, who will stay on in case a sponsor is found. "It didn't make any sense keeping a staff when there was no revenue coming in. We have some significant irons in the fire, but we've heard that before. We're just going to keep our fingers crossed and hope that something gets done.''
The next season's schedule is usually finalized by mid November. If a title sponsor is not found by then, the mid April date will be vacant. Last year, even before finding a sponsor at the last minute, the tournament would have been partly funded by the Champions Tour.
That's not an option in 2013.
"Right now, if you asked the Champions Tour, we're not on the schedule for 2013,'' Hawk said.
While Hawk wouldn't give an exact figure, a title sponsorship for a Champions event is about half the cost of a PGA Tour event. Transitions Optical reportedly paid about $7 million per year to sponsor the PGA tournament at Innisbrook.
This is not the first time the tournament has sought new sponsorship. GTE sponsored it until 2000. Verizon took over from 2001-03. Outback Steakhouse was the title sponsor since 2004 before becoming a secondary sponsor last year. Encompass Insurance stepped up in February of 2012 to be a title sponsor for one tournament.
Per an agreement with the Champions Tour, Encompass left to become a title sponsor for a new 2013 tournament in Chicago.
The senior tour has held a tournament at TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz for 20 consecutive years, second longest on tour. It became a Pro-Am event when Outback took over.
Aside from some of the biggest names on the 50-and-over tour, the tournament also drew celebrities such as Kevin Costner, Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg, Michael J. Fox and George Lopez. It has donated more than $9 million to local charities since 1988.
Michael Allen won this year's event.
"This was a very difficult task,'' Tampa Bay Pro-Am Foundation co-chairman Bob Basham said in a statement. "This staff's dedication and creativity built this long-standing event and helped make it one of the premier stops on the Champions Tour."
By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TAMPA — Doug Martin said he felt the minor bumps and bruises that came with touching the football 28 times in his first NFL game, the Bucs' opener against Carolina on Sunday.
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound running back is thick with muscles, adding to a strong belief he can be the Bucs' featured back this season. But though he may have adequate size and exceptional speed, you have to wonder if the pounding eventually catches up to the rookie.
Of last season's top 50 rushers in the league, only 19 played in 16 games. Martin figures to be the focal point of coach Greg Schiano's ground and pound attack. He rushed 24 times for 95 yards and caught four passes for 23 yards in a 16-10 win over the Panthers.
At that rate, Martin could have 448 touches for a 16-game season. Only twice in his career at Boise State did he have a bigger workload in a game than he did Sunday.
"I do think it's a feel thing game to game," Schiano said. "But 28 touches … that's a lot of touches. Now, has it been done? Sure. Has it been done by rookies? So it's not unheard of. But we'll go one game at a time, and then you've just got to keep an eye on him as the season rolls on.
"He's a finely conditioned athlete. He's very muscular, he works out a lot, which is going to help him … handle some of the load. But at the end of the day, that's a tall order. So we'll see."
That workload looked as if it might get heavier. Backup tailback LeGarrette Blount, the team's leading rusher the past two seasons, missed practice Wednesday and was sent by the team to a specialist in Charlotte, N.C., to have an MRI exam on his back and neck.
Blount sustained what general manager Mark Dominik called a "stinger" in the second quarter against the Panthers and did not return to the game. Blount was cleared by the specialist to return to the practice field today, Dominik said.
"He felt a stinger, and it just made us nervous the way he felt it," Dominik said Wednesday. "That's part of the reason you saw what you saw, because he lost some strength. That makes us obviously very nervous about our players. And so that's why we took it real serious about MRIs and had him go see a specialist out of state.
"He's back (Wednesday night) and he'll be on the field (today) and ready to go."
That's welcome news for Martin, who paid a price to gain yardage Sunday. His longest run, which came on the final series, was 15 yards. The rest of the time, he was pushing defenders backward.
"Yeah, it was a lot of tough yardage, a lot of (yards after contact) yardage, and I had to take whatever was given, and it pretty much happened throughout the game," Martin said. "It's nothing unusual for me, and I'm prepared for the workload when it comes."
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TAMPA — The Bucs are well aware of the tough task they're in for Sunday in dealing with the Giants' touted defensive front, arguably the best in the league.
"They're freaks of nature," LT Donald Penn said.
"They've got, like, three or five Pro Bowlers on their defensive line, something crazy like that," LG Carl Nicks said. "They're beasts."
The Giants defense also is coming into the game hungry, having racked up no sacks in a 24-17 loss to the Cowboys in the season opener.
"They're the world champs," Penn said. "After the loss last week, it's going to be tough. There's going be a lot of hitting in the mouth."
Though the Giants are without injured DT Chris Canty (knee), DT Marvin Austin (back) could return. And they have a triple threat of ends in Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora — both two-time Pro Bowl players— and former USF star Jason Pierre-Paul, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound force who racked up 16½ sacks last season.
"He's one of the most dominant players in the National Football League," coach Greg Schiano said of Pierre-Paul, against whom he coached against while he was at Rutgers and Pierre-Paul was with the Bulls. "And he presents a lot of problems. You better know where he is every play, and you better have a plan to account for him, because if you don't, he'll not only causes havoc in sacks and hits, he takes the ball away.
"He's tremendous at swatting the ball out of the quarterbacks hands. He's one of the elite players."
The Giants move Pierre-Paul around to both sides, with Penn and RT Jeremy Trueblood both expecting to have to face him.
"I'll be ready for anything," Trueblood said.
What helps set the Giants front apart are its athleticism and versatility. It can create pressure "bull-rushing, speed rushing — they're jack-of-all-trades over there," Nicks said.
"Some of us on the line, we'll have to play our best game yet," Penn said. "That's part of football. … I like playing the best, so I'm excited.
"These guys are the best."
WITH HONORS: Bucs veteran Ronde Barber has been here before. But that doesn't take any luster off Wednesday's announcement that Barber was named NFC defensive player of the week for the 10th time in his career, this time for his five tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in Sunday's season-opening 16-10 win over the Panthers.
That his performance occurred in Barber's 200th consecutive start, and first game at safety, wasn't lost on the 16-year veteran.
"It never gets old," Barber, 37, said, smiling. "If you're going to do it, try to prove some people wrong, might as well do it in Week 1.
"I got some favorable bounces, got a hustle sack and a tipped pick. Everything else, I was doing my job. To be recognized for it, it's a great deal. It happened on a pretty special day for me. But it is what it is, I've done it nine times before, so it's par for the course, I guess."
ANTISOCIAL? Schiano said he doesn't get "real sentimental" about returning home to the New Jersey area for Sunday's game against the Giants, other than there's a certain comfort level about being in a familiar place.
"It's not a social trip," said Schiano, whose first head coaching job was at Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J., for 11 seasons before joining Tampa Bay this year.
MEDICAL MATTERS: Nicks (big toe) had limited participation in practice and said he would return to full practice today and expected to play Sunday.
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@tampabay.com.
By Dave Zalewski, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Cleaning up: For years, we have proudly called ourselves the "trash men" of the gulf because we pick up floating debris. Our finds have included line ranging in size from crab trap to hawser discarded by a tug or freighter, plastic swimming floats, skim boards, bags of trash, fuel tanks and mylar balloons. The most dangerous are the balloons. The printing wears off, and soon they resemble jellyfish. Sea turtles can't distinguish the two and ingestion can kill them.
Good and bad finds: As more anglers make runs before sunrise, it becomes difficult to see a line floating on or just below the surface. Entangling a line in a propeller, at best, will result in a loss of fishing time or, at worst, damage to the boat. One benefit of picking up trash is a potential bonus. Recently, we were rewarded with tripletail (found on a piece of a plastic chair), cobia (near a skim board) and small mahimahi (near a plastic gas tank we saw several boats pass).
Tip: Throw out a small handful of cut pieces of sardine when picking up trash, especially in 80 feet or deeper. Small dolphin are sometimes spooked by the boat but will run to the chum.
Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.
Times wires
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Phillies 3, Marlins 1
PHILADELPHIA — Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer and Cliff Lee pitched seven strong innings to lead the Phillies to their seventh straight win and continue their push for an NL wild-card spot with a three-game sweep. Next for the Phillies are four in Houston against the NL-worst Astros. Philadelphia is on a season-best winning streak and has won 15 of 19 to move over .500 (72-71) for the first time since it was 28-27 on June 3.
