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Softball Players Compete In Pitch, Hit And Run Event

Photo by BARBARA ROUTEN

Pitcher Raelynn Nichols, third from right, and her Florida Fire Fastpitch Softball teammates appear at the Brandon Fourth of July Parade. Nichols won the regional Pitch, Hit and Run contest.

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune Correspondent

Published: July 15, 2008

VALRICO - Every year boys ages 7 to 14 can participate in Major League Baseball's free Pitch, Hit and Run competition.

For the first time, this year, in 10 trial markets including West Central Florida, girls were invited to a softball version of Pitch, Hit and Run.

Pitcher Raelynn Nichols of Valrico won the Super Regional 13- to 14-year-old category June 15 in Winter Haven and an all-expenses-paid trip to the MLB All-Star game July 15 at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

The scores of the best 10 girls in each age category from each regional contest were compared; the best of those 10, such as Nichols, were invited to New York.

Although Mia Giovenco won the 7- to 8-year-old category in the West Central Florida Super Regional contest, she did not advance.

In the qualifying competitions the athletes pitched, aiming to hit the MLB strike zone; hit, trying to send a ball as far and accurately as possible; and headed for home, running from second base as fast as they could.

Mike Bell, vice president and 14U manager of Florida Fire Fastpitch Softball organized the preliminary Pitch, Hit and Run contest in May at the Bloomingdale Little League ballpark in Valrico.

The girls assembled from "wherever," Bell said, but "many are part of Florida Fire and come primarily from Lithia, FishHawk, Valrico and Bloomingdale."

The all-around softball champion of the local 7- and 8-year-old level was Jesse Locke, who also was the pitch champion and run champion. Giovenco was the hit champion.

Annie Tarte was all-around champion of the 9- and 10-year-old players, having won the local run event and tied with Cassidy Davis for the pitch competition. Kasey Locke won the hit event.

Of the 11- and 12-year-olds, Bell's daughter, Shannon, was all-around and run champion at the local level. Jordan Shook and Rachel Farinas tied for pitch champion; Madison Taylor was hit champion.

Nichols was all-around champion of the local event's 13- to 14-year-old category, winning the run competition and tying Jordan Alexander for the pitch contest. Olivia Cuellar won the hit event.

"All of these girls earned a berth to compete in the Super Regionals," said Mark K. Braddy, president and founder of Florida Fire Fast-Pitch Softball. There they strove for "a chance to compete at Major League Baseball's All-Star game in New York's Yankee Stadium."

Only one, Nichols, succeeded.

Woman's Club Holds Rap Session

SUN CITY CENTER - Newly elected officers of the Sun City Center Woman's Club recently "held a rap session" at the home of president-elect Jean Rideout, said Monica McPhillips, publicity chairwoman.

Rideout sought input from her fellow members in planning fundraisers for the coming year.

"After a lively and fruitful discussion, the session ended with everyone feeling optimistic and looking forward to the new year," McPhillips said.

They decided to focus on community service and issues involving women, the military and education.

The first meeting of the new year will take place at 1 p.m. Sept. 18 in Community Hall, 1901 S Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center.

The club invites all women from Kings Point and Sun City Center to join them. For membership information, call Bonnie Harton, membership chairwoman, (813) 634-7071.

Church Supports Wonderwalk

SUN CITY CENTER - The United Methodist Church of Sun City Center donates to a different mission each month, having given more than $30,000 in the first months of 2008, making it the third highest in missions support of the 82 churches in the South Central District of United Methodist Churches.

Recently the church made its annual donation to Wonderwalk, a fundraiser for two Cornerstone Family Ministries' early-intervention day care centers in Tampa.

Eleanor Crossley, co-chairwoman of the Sun City Center United Methodist Church Missions Team, presented a plaque to the Rev. Warren Langer, senior pastor of the church, for the $6,600 contribution to Cornerstone Family Ministries.

'Oklahoma!' On Stage; Other Stagedoor News

BRANDON - Stagedoor Performing Arts presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Oklahoma!" at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall, 408 Limona Road.

The show contains such memorable songs as "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!" and "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top."

Tickets are $12 per adult, $10 per student and senior and free for children 5 and younger. Stagedoor members are eligible for a $2 discount on any ticket. Group rates are available for 10 or more in a party. For tickets, visit The Osprey Observer, 900 Lithia-Pinecrest Road., Brandon; or Otto's Doors, 8503 Adamo Drive, Tampa; or www .ticketleap.com.

Auditions for Rick Lewis's off-Broadway show, "The Taffetas," about four sisters from Muncie, Ind., making their musical debut in the 1950s, will be at 7 p.m. July 23-24 in the Limona Village Chapel Fellowship Hall.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, with matinees at 3 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 in the fellowship hall. For details, e-mail Jonathan Douglas, showtoogo @aol.com.

Auditions for "Into the Woods" will be at 7 p.m., Aug. 8-9 in the church's fellowship hall. The shows will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22. E-mail Domin Pazo, domin 3418@hotmail.com.

For a chance to be able to direct a show, submit your name and the name of the show by Aug. 8 to Wayne Otto, idirectsom@yahoo.com.

The next meeting for Stagedoor Performing Arts members will be Aug. 12.

The inaugural Stagedoor Performing Arts' Awards Banquet will be Jan. 17. Members will honor participants who exceeded expectations.

Snippets

The next free Movie with Meaning will be "Joe Somebody" from 1 to 3 p.m. July 23 at United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Ave., Sun City Center. Popcorn and lemonade will be served during the movie. After the movie there will be a discussion about it. For information, call the church office, (813) 634-1304.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampa bay.rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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