Play Ball? Escambia Commission Affirms Youth Sports May Move Forward Soon
April 29, 2020
The Escambia County Commission affirmed Tuesday that youth sports leagues can move forward with practice and play in ballparks owned by the county with restrictions, as long as it does not conflict with any state order.
The commission said practices would be allowed as early as Friday with two weeks before games to provide time to make any needed policy adjustments and to allow youth athletes needed practice time. The first games, such as baseball or softball, could begin as early as May 15.
Youth sports at each county ballpark are managed by independent organizations that will make the decision if they want to play and how they will accomplish required social distancing requirements. Bleachers may be marked off for social distancing, or may be remove altogether.
The commission made it very clear that a parent chooses for their child not to participate, they are entitled to at least a partial refund. Some parks may offer parents the option of rolling fees forward to next year.
Pictured: Opening Day 2019 at the Molino Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHSAA Officially Cancels Remainder Of The 2020 Spring Sports Season
April 20, 2020
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) said Monday that the remainder of the spring sports season is now official canceled, and there were be no extension of eligibility for athletes.
All FHSAA affiliated events, including the state series and all championship events, for spring sports are canceled.
“The safety of our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans is our top priority,” FHSAA said in statement. “We are deeply saddened for our student-athletes who have seen their seasons and/or high school careers end so abruptly. Our association knows the impact and role high school athletics play in the lives of so many and will continue to work towards the betterment of high school sports. We know this is a trying time, but the health and safety of all is of utmost importance to this association.”
The FHSAA had previously held out hope that eligibility for student athletes could be extended, possibly finishing the season after graduation into the summer.
“Under the guidance of the Florida Department of Education regarding grade level retention, and upon review of the Florida Statutes and FHSAA Bylaws, no additional eligibility will be granted for spring sport athletes,” FHSAA said Monday.
“To all our senior student-athletes, we thank you for dedicating your time and efforts to your school, your coaches, and your teammates. Cherish the memories you have made and embrace all that the future holds for you. While we are saddened that you are unable to compete this season, we could not be prouder to have been represented by such hard-working individuals,” FHSAA said.
Pictured: Avery Beauchaine and Cam Wolfenden homered for the Tate Lady Aggies during a Tuesday, March 10 win over Navarre — just days before spring break and a COVID-19 school closure. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Coach Is Running Seven Marathons In Seven Days To Help Feed The Community
April 12, 2020
Inspired by an ultrarunner in Palm Bay, Florida, who ran 100 miles in one day to raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts, University of West Florida cross country coach Caleb Carmichael laced up his Nike running shoes and left his home at 5 a.m. on Monday, April 6. He returned about 3½ hours and nearly 27 miles later, one step closer to his admittedly “crazy” goal.
The 35-year-old Carmichael is running seven marathons in seven days to raise money for Argo Pantry, which provides food to UWF students in need of assistance, and for Feeding the Gulf Coast, a food bank that serves 24 counties throughout the Florida panhandle, South Alabama and South Mississippi. He set up a crowdfunding page through Feeding the Gulf Coast. Argo Pantry asks that donations be made through its wish list on Amazon or by visiting the student support webpage and selecting Argo Pantry as the designation.
“As a community we’re going to have a lot of people lose jobs and not be able to feed their kids and we need to do something about it,” said Carmichael, who is in his seventh year as the UWF men’s and women’s cross country head coach and will complete his fundraiser on Sunday, April 12. “It needed to be something crazy enough for people to take notice. Doing seven in a row is a monumental task.”
Since the spread of COVID-19, Feeding the Gulf Coast reports over a 500% increase in people seeking food assistance. From April 1-7, the organization distributed over 100,000 pounds of food during its mobile panty distributions and distributed 4,000 meals and 4,000 snacks to children in the community. The demand put on food banks nationwide increases each day as the unemployment rate skyrockets from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, the largest network of food banks with over 200 affiliates, projects a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months.
Those grim projections motivate Carmichael each morning to lace the Nikes back up and hit the pavement. Last month, he ran 100 miles in a week, capped by a marathon, but seven marathons in seven days—a total of about 186.2 miles—marks a first for him.
“It’s been hard no doubt about it, but I’m just inspired to do something for somebody else,” said Carmichael, after completing his fourth consecutive marathon on Thursday, April 9. “Each day I start off very sore, very tired and kind of work through it. Halfway in I feel better and then toward the end I get tired and worn out. I spend most of the day then resting and eating and getting hydrated so that I’m ready for the next day.”
For more information about Argo Pantry, visit uwf.edu/argopantry.
FHSAA Looks At ‘Creative Solutions’ To Finish Spring Sports Seasons
April 2, 2020
It’s seemingly very unlikely that students will return to Florida high schools in time to finish spring sports, but the Florida High School Athletic Association is looking at “creative solutions” just in case.
The FHSAA said that spring sports could continue through June 30.
“The FHSAA does understand the hardships caused by COVID-19 and the inability to play spring sports. If we are not able to continue spring sports, the FHSAA is working diligently to create a plan regarding additional eligibility for students who have not been able to participate in spring sports,” the FHSAA said in an update.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, fans and local communities are our top priority. We appreciate all member schools’ cooperation in following federal, state and local recommendations and mandates during this time.”
The Florida Department of Education has mandated the closure of schools until at least May 3, which also the ending date of the governor’s new “safer at home” order that asks Floridians to stay home except for essential business.
Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has said sports and extracurricular activities are canceled through the remainder of the school year.
Pictured: Avery Beauchaine and Cam Wolfenden homered for the Tate Lady Aggies during a Tuesday, March 10 win over Navarre — just days before spring break and a COVID-19 school closure. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Oh How We Miss You! Here’s A Look Back At Opening Day At Youth Ballparks
March 28, 2020
It’s that time of the year for opening day at North Escambia youth ballparks, but so far they are all on hold due to COVID-19.
Here’s a look back at opening day 2019 at three area parks. Click links for a photo gallery.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Youth Ballparks Suspend All Practices And Games, Including Century, NWE, Molino, NEP, Atmore, Flomaton
March 17, 2020
Area youth ballparks have suspended all practices and games due to the coronavirus.
Century Little League
All practices have suspended until at least April 6. Games and opening day should be rescheduled.
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park
All activities, practices and games are postponed until further notice.
Molino Ballpark
All events, games and practices are suspended until further notice.
NEP Ball Park
All games and practices are suspended for two weeks. There is no field use allowed during the closure.
Atmore Cal Ripken
All Cal Ripken Youth Baseball League practices in Atmore are postponed until further notice.
Flomaton Baseball and Softball Association
All practices and games are postponed until further notice.
File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Head Football Coach Derek Marshman Stepping Down
March 13, 2020
Northview High School head football coach Derek Marshman is stepping down for a career change that will allow him to spend more time with his family.
“It was a really hard decision, but I had to look out for my family first,” Mashman told NorthEscambia.com. “It’s something that had been offered to me in the past, and I had to turn it down. I didn’t know how many more times they would offer before eventually the offer would run out.”
Mashman would only say that the career change involved the insurance industry, and that he would not be going to another school.
“I had to put my family first. My kids, they are young. I’ll have a chance to be a lot closer to them.”
Marshman was an assistant Northview football coach from 2000-2015. His assistant coach tenure included a 2012 1A state championship for the Chiefs, the first and only in the history of the school, and the last state championship for an Escambia County football team. As a head coach, he compiled a 24-21 record, including three FHSAA state playoff appearances.
“It’s bittersweet because Northview is such a great place with really great kids,” he said. “It’s grown into such a family over the last 10 years, and there’s never a good time to leave or walk away.”
Marshman’s last day on the job at Northview will be March 27. He said he did not wait until the end of the school year to leave in order to give the school a head start in looking for a replacement.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Tennis Beats West Florida High School
March 13, 2020
TATE Tennis Boys with a 5-2 win and Girls with a 4-3 win over West Florida HS today. Led by Seniors Charles McKinley, Kasidy Butler, and Taji Williams TATE Tennis finishes first half of season with a strong win!
Tate High School tennis defeated West Florida High School Thursday. The Aggie boys won 5-2, and the girl won 4-3. Led by seniors Charles McKinley, Kasidy Butler, and Taji William, Tate High tennis finished the first half of season with a strong win.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Aggie Classic Canceled Due To Coronavirus Measures
March 12, 2020
Next week’s Tate High Aggie Classic baseball tournament has been canceled due the coronavirus travel restrictions announced by Thursday by the Escambia County School District.
The annual tournament draws teams form around the country, one of which has closed due to an active coronavirus case.
Tate Principal Rick Shackle said it is a complete cancellation; there will not be a stripped down local-only version of the tournament. Host locations for the 2020 Aggie Classic included two out of county schools with games at Navarre and Niceville high schools.
For more about the travel restrictions announced by the school district and what they mean, click here.
Pictured top: The Tate Aggies won the Aggie Classic championship in 2019. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
McAnally Tosses Complete Game Shutout As Tate Freshmen Blank Navarre
March 12, 2020
Ethan McAnally threw a complete game shutout as the freshmen Tate Aggies blanked Navarre 12-0 Wednesday.
McAnally allowed three hits with no runs and no walks in four innings, striking about two.
McAnally, Jackson Perryclear, Dayton Powell and Jamil Sardar had two hits each for the Aggies. James Davis, Cade Kelley, Rilee Lowery and Michael Sadar had one hit each for Tate.