January 6, 2005- The Herald-Advocate 7B Mini-Minors Get Early Start By JOAN SEAMAN Of The Herald-Advocatp Eight teams of little ones will begin playing baseball on Saturday. The eight squads are in what is now known as the Mini-Minors of the Hardee County Little League, the 7- and 8-year-olds formerly known as machine pitch baseball, Hardee is going with the new name used by many of the surrounding communities and can then partici- pate in,. the Tournament of Champions in May as do the older teams. Games Saturday are at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 12:30 and 2 p.m. at the George Heine Jr. Little League fields west of Farr Field off South Florida Avenue in Wauchula. Fans of all ages are welcome and there is a concession stand available. A lot of work has been done to get the local fields ready for play. ."The City of Wauchula, their employees and the restoration team have been heroes to Hardee Little League. The league Board of Directors greatly appreciates all the community ihas done for these ath- letes in the past 4 and one-half months," said media representative Tonya Royal. Team One is the Hardee Petroleum Rangers, with manager. Don. Rogers, assistants Scott Farr and Jerry Albritton and team parent Julie Garland. Playing for them are eight-year-olds Alexander Clarke, Patrick Cryscraft, Jake Deanda, Memphis Robinson, Emily Albritton and Cleston Sanders and seven-year-olds Nicholas Turner, Aaron Harrison, Kole Robertson,, Danielle Weeks, Alyssa Skinner, Allison Farr and Joel Garland. ne Elks' Lodge Giants are Team Two, with seven-year-olds Amanda Bandy, Gabrielle Allen, Cesar Fimbres, Johnathan Patrick, Ruben Olmos and Adam Leyva and eight- year-olds Ashley Trone, Glen Ellis, Frank Farias IV, Marco DeLeon Jr., Caryssa Johnson and' Catlelyn Hines. They are managed by Kristie Trone, assisted by John Waller and Julie Ellis and team par- ent Marivel Garza. On Team Three. the Culligan Water Conditioner Braves, are eight-year-olds Marcus Battles, Kendall Gough, Austin Altman, Kyle Stone, Cody Spencer and Robert Paris, and seven-year-olds Caleb Altieri, Russell Weems, -Gilbert Garcia, Cervando Martinez Jr.. Brooke Fones, Areah Wilkins and Benjamin Tamayo. Their man- ager is Chris Spencer, assisted by Keith Weems and Paul Paris and team parent Lisa Spencer. Lee Pellom is manager of Team- Four, the Peace River Electric Cooperative Inc. (PRECo) Pirates.' He is assisted by Scott King and leam parent Kristen Roberts. On their squad are seven-vear-'olds Aaron Brown. Jesse Johnston. William McClelland, Quinton Sanchez, Taylor Jay Roberts, Daryl Wagon Whe By Virginia SUNDAY CHURCH On Sunday, Dec. 26th, the greeters were Ginnie Merriman and Shirley Russler. The special music was by Norma McNary, Bob Bell, Clarence Barbor. and Wayne Russler. They sang "Beatiful Star of .Bethlehem." The choir sang "'Ring the Bells." Rev. James Stallings provided the morning message to the congregation of 31 in atten- dance. PRAYERS NEEDED Special prayers are needed for, Freda Honaker. Shirley Swisher, Wayne Wheatley. Bolly Wint, Bob Fuller, Esther Gorsline and Bob Sears's daughter Lone. Please pray for others that have problems and sickness in their family. KOFFEE KLATCH The new people in the hall on Monday Dec. 27th were Carol and Harry Cassidy just returned to the park. The birthday celebrated this week is Dick HoogKamp and the anniversaries are Jean and Carl Alexander and Carol and Harry Cassidy. The 50/50 went to Agnes Porhola and the merchant certifi- cates went to Joyce Pearsall. Agnes Porhola, Gerri Geraci, Clarence Barbor, Carol Cassidy. Wayne Russler, John Chambers, Ed Young. Willy Yoder, Grace Moore, Shirley Swisher, Mary Ann Drust, Ginnie Merriman, Jean Alexander, Patsy $iemen, Tom Franks, Joyce Kaleita, Georgine Buswell, Joyce Bates, Linda Brewer, Marie Condra, Clair Mattocks, Bob Sears, Bob Bell. Karen Gustafson and the plant went to Kenneth Reichel. C JMING EVENTS AND PASS EVENTS There will be a pancake breakfast, with sausage and American fries on Friday Jan. 7th 7-9 a.m. The Nature does not bestow virtue; t'o be good is an art., Team Five is the Labor Solutions Devil Rays, managed by James Blum, with assistant Brian Smith and team parent Joleyna Dixon. Playing the field for them are eight- year-olds Colton* Albritton, Kyle Taylor, Nicholas Scaffe, Tanor Durden, Jacob Pakovich,. Cesar Ramirez and Micheal Tomlinson, and seven-year-olds Kayla Albritton, Kayla Garay, Frankie Coronado, Brooke Dixon, Hunter Bryant, Kyle Hewett and Faith Hodges. The Hardee County Sheriff's Office Yankees are Team Six, with seven-year-olds Jackson .Starratt,. TEAM I 1 TEAM # 2 TEAM#3 TEAM #4 HARDEE COUNTY LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL 2005 MINI-MINOR LEAGUE SCHEDULE MONDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY DATE Jan 7 Jan 8 FIELD 2 9:30am 1vs2 FIELD#2 1l:00am 3vs4 FIELD#2 12:30pm 5vs6 FIELD#2 2:00pm 7vs8 CONCESSION 1-4-5-8 DATE Jan 10 Jan 11 Jan 13 Jan 14 Jan 15 'FIELD #2 5:45pm I vs5 8vs2 7vsi5 2vs3 FIELD #2 7:15pm 6vs4 7vs3 4 vsi MinorLeague CONCESSIONS 1-6 8-3 5-1 2 DATE Jan 17 Jan 18 Jan20 Jan21' Jan22 FIELD #2 5:45pm 3vs5 7vs I 5vs l 7vs2 FIELD #2 7:15pm 8'vs6 2vs4 4vs6-- MinorLeague CONCESSION 8-6 7-4 1-4 2 DATE Jan24 Jan25 Jan27 Jan28 Jan29' FIELD #2 5:45pm 8,vs 4 1lvs7 3 vs6 1 vs 8 FIELD #2 7.15pm 6vs2 5vs3 5vs4 Minor League CONCESSION 4-6 7-5 3-4 I DATE Jan 31 Feb I Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 5 FIELD #2 5:45pm I vs4 3vs8 8vs5 6vs3 FIELD #2 7:15pm 7 vs 6 Minor League 2 vs 7 Minor League CONCESSION 1-7 3 5-2 6 DATE Feb 7 Feb 8 Feb 10 Feb 11 Feb 12 FIELD #2 5:45pm 6 vs 5 3 vs I 2 vs 8 4 vs 5 FIELD #2 7:15pm Open Open 6vs7 Minor League CONCESSION 5 3 8-6 4 DATE Feb 14 Feb 15 Feb 17 Feb 18 Feb 19 FIELD 2 5:45pm 3vs2 6vsI 4vs8 2vs6 FIELD #2 7:15pm 7vs4 Minor League 3 vs 7 Minor League CONCESSION 3-7 6 8-7 2 DATE Feb 28 Marl Mar 3 Mar 4 Mar 5 FIELD #2 5:45pm 8 vs7 Ivs3 4vs7 lvs6 FIELD #2 7:15pm Open 2vs5 5vs2 8vs3 CONCESSION 8 1-5 7-2 6-3 DATE Mar7 Mar8 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 FIELD #2 5:45pm 4 vs 3 5 vs 7 4 vs 2 FIELD #2 7:15pm 6vs8 2vs I 5vs8 CONCESSION 3-8 7-2 2-5 DATE' Mar 14 TIME 7CARA-&L4 u---- n ns iMeA C 1a0- Hearanda Peroleum Rangers Elks GLants Culligan Braves Preco Pirates ,.Cheyenne Pohl, Austin Beck, Hunter Reid, Joshua Ussery, Hannah Grace Carlton, Seth McGee and Tucker Albritton, and eight-year-olds Patrick Carlton, Zackary. Crews, Dakota Froelich and Jessie Alvarado. They are man- aged by Brian Pohl, assisted by Alan Beck and Scott Reid and team parent Jenny Crews. On Team Seven, the Vandolah Power Marlins, are eight-year-'olds Jacob Olmos, Michael iHeine, Joseph Beldin, Brandon Powell and Tyler Bragg, and, seven-year-olds, Jason Nichols, Ty Trammell, Jordan Rogers, Emily Bennett, TEAM 9 5 TEAM 0 6 TEAM #7 TEAM#8 - Labor Solutions Dev l ays - HCSO Yankees - Vandolah Power Marins - Lake Branch Dairy While Sox First team listed will be the home team and occupy the third base dugout. Home team will keep the official scorebook and the visiting team will operate the scoreboard. Parents will work concession as assigned by the team parent. M' ashburn and Erica Pellom, and eight-year-olds Sadie King. Christopher Lee, Brandon 'Hill, Timothy Perkins and Brandon Kilpatrick. '. ;, \-,' el RV News S "" '( '* '- Merrnman Christmas Eve Program was a great program and Linda Brewer did a lot, of work in getting it together. Everyone showed their talent. Her helpers were Joyce Pearsall, Muriel' Bell. Iris Smith. Barbara Gersema, Sandy Walker and Gerri Geraci. The exchange of gifts went well and we had a lot of finger foods. The Christmas dinner turned out- real well, with Bob Sears fixing some great tasting ham and scal- loped potatoes with the help of Alice Moore. Grace Moore, Mable Smith, Iris Smith. Carol Cassidy, Ginnie Merriman. Bertty Vineyard, Marty Thomason. Muriel Bell, Carlos Dennis and everyone that fixed their dishes to pass. PROGRESS EUCHRE We had seven tables playing Monday Dec. 27th. The high man was Carlos Dennis with 69 points and runner-up man was Harry Casidy with 64 points. The high lady was Pat Over with 76 points and runner-up lady was Joyce Bates with 70 points. The low man was Boo Miller with 44 points and low lady was Eunice Franks with 38 points with The most loaners was Ginnie Merriman with 5 loners and the under-the-chair went to Eunice Franks. BID EUCHRE On Thursday, Dec. 23rd, the high man was Earl Bodary with 271 points and low, man was Ted Herkimer' with 145. The women's high was Ginnie Merriman. with 253 and the low women was Barbara Gersema \ ith a 176. There was no men moon shots but Barbara, Gersema had one moon shot, even though she was low lady for the night. SHUFFLEBOARD In the elimination play off on 'Wednesday Dec. 29th, first place was won by Ruth King and Herb Tressier and the second place went tc Joyce Pearsall and France Smith. Crystal Lake RV News By Joyce Taylor CHRISTMAS EVE All the luminaries were lit by 6 p.m. on the sides of the streets. Don and Judy Ahern, followed by Earl Folnsbee pulling the float carrying the carolers, led 21 decorated golf carts through every street in the park. Sherry Chamberlain rounded out the parade on her decorated bike. After the parade, everyone met at the Rec Hall for finger food and the singing of Christmas carols led by Nancy Morrison. The win- ners of the Christmas decorations were announced. Red Section--#1 Roger .and Louise Craig, #2 Arlie and Linda Thompson. Blue Section--#1 Dick and Jerry Craig, #2 Gene and Pam Norris. Green Section--#1 Dale and Sylvia Baker, and #2 Harold and Eleanor Dice. Yellow Section---# Frank' Montgomery and N Marilyn Masterson, #2 Aprele and Aideen Dufour. CHRISTMAS DAY Two hundred and forty-three res- idents, family, friends and the Hardee County EMTs and firemen enjoyed a delicious Christmas din- ner consisting of ham, turkey and all the trimmings. Nancy Morrison sang the prayer "A Christmas Blessing." accoripanied by Carol Jones on the piano. BINGO On Dec. 27,Al Walker and Sherri Given's split the jackpot for the first hot ball bingo. Bill Johnson won the paper special, with Tom Lalonde winning the second hot ball jackpot. SCORES Monday Mixed Golf Dec. 27, the winning team consisted of Andre Dufour, Nancy Morrison and Al Johnson. Shuffling starts Jan. 4 - thanks to the guys for cleaning the courts; Bowling starts Jan. 5. KOFFEE KLATCH Carolyn Gordon was' in charge\of. the Dec. 29 Koffee Klatch. Erland Scribner led the American Pledge,) Sylvia Baker led the Canadian Pledge and Cam Dunbar the prayer. Keyna Kirkland, Omar Alamia and Danielle Smith. They are coached by Bobby Bragg, assisted by Keith Pbw,. and Deanna Edwards and team parent Vicki Trammell. The f!oal team is the Lake Branch Dairy White Sox, with manager Alan Tubbs, assistant Scott Ham and team parent Kathy Tubbs. Playing for them are seven- year-olds Ryan Moore, Nathaniel Albritton, Tiffany Marshall, Rayna Parks, Dalton Tubbs, William Ham and Ryan Ham, and eight-year-olds Dylan Norwood, Blake Vermilye, Tomas Gomez, Jose Gonzalez, Tara McNabb and London Caldwell. - w Dart Tournamen l^& Nonsense By Joan Seaman Happy New Year! My prayers and good wishes go to all of you for a" happy, healthy, hurricane-free and successful 2005. Sports slowed down a bit over the holidays. The only Hardee athletes in competition over the holidays were the boys basketball team. They played last week in the Manatee High School tournament, losing to Bradenton Southeast on opening night Monday, but coming back from a' 10-point deficit to defeat Venice 63-62 on Tuesday. Wednesday's game. against Palmetto was a thriller, with the Tigers winning 64-61. The Cats hosted district rival Avon Park on Tuesday, and greet' Palmetto tonight (Thursday) before going to DeSoto on Friday. Next: week's games are at Mulberry on Tuesday, home for Fort Meade on' Thursday and at Frostproof on Friday. With the start of a new year, a bunch of sports are resuming or getting.- started. Note that Little League baseball begins Saturday with three or four games for the Tee-Ball, Mini-Minors (formerly called machine pitch) and&' the Minors. Come on out to the, George Heine fields off South Florida, Avenue in Wauchula and cheer your favorite little players. Games start: shortly after 9 a.m. Please note the season schedules and rosters in other news in this issue. Girls basketball began at Avon Park on Tuesday. The girls are home' tomorrow (Friday) to face DeSoto. Next week it is a home game against Heartland Christian on Monday, a visit from Mulberry on Tuesday and: home for Frostproof on Friday. Junior high hoops also get going. Hardee starts Monday at home for a visit from Sebring. The girls play at 5:30 and boys immediately. Home games are in the Joel Evers gym on the north campus. Hardee will host Hill-Gustat next Thursday. Youth basketball for grades four through seven is on Saturday mom-. ings. Soccer boys and girls are still on the road, as all games are this season. They were at Port Charlotte for a double-header on Tuesday. The boys go to Sebring on Friday evening. Next week, the girls are at DeSoto on Monday, the boys at Avon Park Tuesday, both teams at Lake Placid on, Thursday and the boys at DeSoto on Friday. Speaking of hoops, former Wildcat Theo Jones is now playing at Central Missouri State University in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. He completed two years at St. John's River Community College in Palatka, making first-team All Mid-Florida Conference for averaging 17 points and four assists per game. Congratulations are in order for another former Wildcat, Stephen Judah. Now in the Air Force, Judah broke his state bench press record in the world championships in Reno, Nev. in late November. He is now the reign- ing 2004 world champion, with a bench press of 485 pounds. He is hopeful the bench press will become an Olympic event so he can compete there as, well. Informnnation from community and school athletic events is'always welcome.' Please call The Herald-Advocate (773-3255) or e-mail me at news.heral--, dadtvocaie@'earthlink.neit ith news for this biweekly column. The sports. News deadline is noon Mondays. News will be included as soon as time. and" space allow. On The Local Links TORREY OAKS GOLF COURSE CRYSTAL LAKE MEN'S LEAGUE: Eight teams played A+B+C+D. Comifig in with 187, to take first place, were Doug Taylor, Fred Le Verone, Bert Barr and Len Bailey. Second place went to Andre DuFour, Don Harkin,1 Al Johnson and John Thomas with 192. CRYSTAL LAKE LADIES LEAGUE: The lady golfers played Low \ Net on Thursday. Tied for first place, with 32, were Anne DeFreitas andi' Aieden DuFour. Nancy Morrison took second place with 36. Shirley Miller- won the #5 pin shot. H I LS-D A