Sign up for Babe Ruth baseball, softball today
The Wood River Baseball and Softball Association (wrbsazone.com) is holding registration for Babe Ruth baseball and softball programs for boys and girls ages 13-15.
Sign up today, Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at The Community Campus, Hailey.
Plans call for a Rec League season of games running from the end of April through late May. Workouts will start in mid-April. For the summer, the WRBSA will field more competitive teams traveling to three or four tournaments through July.
For more information visit the WRBSA Web site or call Buffy Brunker 720-1998 or Heather Colvin 471-0165. If you are interested in playing come to today's registration or email wrbsa2010@gmail.com
Palmer earns J2 podium in U.S. National giant slalom
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation J2 (ages 15-16) racer Teagen Palmer landed on the podium with a third-place J2 giant slalom finish in Friday's Putnam Investments U.S. Alpine Championships race at Winter Park, Colo.
Palmer, 16, was 27th overall of 49 finishers in the two-run race won by 2006 Olympic GS gold medalist Julia Mancuso, 27. It was Mansuco's 13th career national title, a U.S. record. Palmer also finished as the fourth J2, 27th overall, in Sunday's slalom won by Nor-Am slalom queen Mikaela Shiffrin, 16, of Lyme, N.H. and Burke Mountain Academy.
SVSEF J1 (17-19) racer Tanner Farrow placed 35th overall of 64 two-run finishers and was the 14th J1 in Saturday's men's super giant slalom won by Tommy Ford, 22, of Bend, Ore. It was Ford's fifth national title in the last 12 months. In Thursday's giant slalom, Farrow placed 48th of 58 two-run finishers and was the 21st J1.
The four days of racing at Winter Park completed the U.S. national championships that started Feb. 16 with the 2011 downhills at Aspen, Colo. SVSEF finishers in February's national downhill were Miles Fink-Debray 22nd, Tanner Farrow 36th, Miles Sweek 47th and Harlan Collins 57th.
BCRD Youth Track and Field to begin
The three-week Blaine County Recreation District youth track and field program for all boys and girls in grades 1-8 will begin the week of Monday, April 11 and continue through the Blaine County/Hershey track and field meet Saturday, May 7 at Derrick Parke Memorial Field, Carey. In general, kids pay $35 for three weeks of after-school instruction including a t-shirt. Sign up at your local school and show up at practices starting either Monday, April 11 or Tuesday, April 12.
B+ Hockey playoffs reach final week of games
The top-seeded Islanders and second-seeded Vipers will clash in the championship game of the B+ Hockey League Hutch Cup playoffs Sunday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Sun Valley Skating Center. After, at 7:45 p.m., the #4 Sharks and #3 Rangers play in the consolation game.
Vipers earned their title game shot Sunday with a 4-0 win over the Rangers on goals by Jim Laski, Scott Miller, Tom Trieschman and Tim Jeneson. The Sharks stayed alive 5-2 over the Senators on goals by Annie O'Sullivan, Curt Martin, John Baker and Baird Gourlay. Merri Whitehead and Gunnar Whitehead scored for the Nats.
In Sunday's early game, the #6 Senators ousted #5 Hutch's Bad Dogs 7-2. Gunnar Whitehead and Josh Green tallied two goals each for the winners with singles by Merri Whitehead, Dan Gralenski and John Ellison. Hutch's goals were by Rich Evans and Doug Wilson.
Preliminary B League games Sunday, April 10 are Blues vs. Coyotes at 4 p.m. and Flyers vs. Hawks at 5:15 p.m.
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Ballplayers find dry fields and get ready to play
April is the month for melting snow, dry ball fields, pre-season practices and clinics, and sign-ups for the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) youth baseball and softball leagues.
Players, coaches and volunteers are preparing for a great season with spring training.
The BCRD batting cage is open Tuesday, April 12 from 6-8 p.m. at The Community Campus gym in Hailey for $5 per player. The BCRD is sponsoring pitching and catching clinics for boys ages 8-12 Mondays and Wednesdays, April 6, and April 11 and 13, from 6:15-7:15 p.m. in the BCRD gym.
Wood River High School coaches and players are leading the clinics, all proceeds going to WRHS baseball.
Softball pitching and catching clinics for girls 8-14 that are led by high school coaches and players are Tuesday through Friday, April 19-22 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the South Valley Sports Complex diamond (high school field) in Hailey. Cost is $25.
The equipment swap is Thursday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Nelson Field, Hailey. Sports equipment retailers will bring trailers full of baseball and softball gear, for sale. Tables will be set up for donations.
BCRD leagues are divided into Youth Baseball (ages 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12), Youth T-Ball (ages 5-6) and Youth Softball (7-8 coach pitch, 9-11 machine pitch and 12-14 player pitch). Each league has its own player evaluations and season dates.
Registration is underway. Sign up online and save $5:
Baseball 9-10 and 11-12 (player pitch): Practices begin Monday, April 18 and are held Mondays and Wednesdays, plus Saturday, May 21. The season ends the week of June 13. Cost of $55 per person includes hat, shirt and instruction. The cost increases to $65 after April 24. Mandatory player evaluations are Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. at Nelson Field.
Baseball 7-8 (coach pitch): Practices begin Monday, May 9 and are held Mondays and Wednesdays through June 29. Cost is $55, or $65 for late sign-ups. Mandatory player evaluations are Thursday, April 28 at 6 p.m. at Nelson Field.
Youth T-Ball: Open to all boys and girls of all abilities, ages 5-6, most games and practices at Woodside Elementary School for the Hailey kids and Hemingway Elementary School for Ketchum kids. Practices begin Wednesday, May 18 and the season runs Mondays and Wednesdays through June 22. Fee of $45 includes hat and shirt. The cost rises to $55 if you sign up after May 4. There are no tryouts for the program.
Youth Softball: Mandatory player evaluations are Tuesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at Nelson Field. The seasons run Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 3-June 23. Cost is $55, or $65 after April 24.
Contact director Brad Musbach at 578-5458 for more information. Team sponsorship starts at $425. Volunteers are always appreciated for positions as coaches, assistants or umpires.
East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo
Youth workshops, clinics, introductory fly tying sessions and a live auction are some of attractions of the 18th annual East Idaho Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo on Friday and Saturday, April 15-16 at the Shilo Inn and Convention Center in Idaho Falls. Hours are 8-6 Friday and 8-4 Saturday. Expo proceeds are donated to conservation and education. Many nationally known fly tyers are expected to attend. The Expo concludes Saturday evening with a banquet ($35 tickets) and a live auction. Visit srcexpo.com for details.
