Tate, Pace Advance To 1-6A Title Game
April 25, 2013
The Tate Aggies and the Pace Patriots will face off for the District 1-6A title tonight.
The No. 1 seed Patriots beat Navarre Wednesday afternoon 5-3, while the No. 2. seed Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 5-2 in the semifinals.
Tonight’s District 1-6A game begins at 7::00 at Tate High School.
House Votes For Tighter Controls For FHSAA
April 25, 2013
The nearly century-old organization that oversees high school athletics in Florida may be entering its final years of eligibility.
The House approved a measure (HB 1279) on Wednesday, in a bi-partisan 89-26 vote, that gives student-athletes more flexibility as to where they play and requires the Florida High School Athletic Association to more closely follow the wishes of the Legislature or be replaced.
The Senate must still take up the measure, either taking up the House bill on the floor or take up a nearly similar proposal (SB 1164) offered by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland.
Backers of the changes say the overhaul is needed as the FHSAA has used its authority in an arbitrary manner that has overreached when investigating student eligibility and claim the measure could help prevent some students from dropping out by expanding athletic opportunities.
“One hundred years of being an organization doesn’t make you right, it does make you powerful,” said Rep. Elizabeth Porter, R-Lake City.
Opponents contend the matter is a “playground fight” that has been elevated to the Capitol chambers by Lakeland-area lawmakers due to fines imposed against Lakeland High School after students were ruled ineligible to play for infractions ranging from falsifying addresses to receiving impermissible benefits that included free rent.
The opponents say the legislation will also invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.
“This is an awful, awful bill,” said Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach. “It’s important we have a good athletic association. To turn it upside down and make it a free agency is something that is disgusting.”
The measure places new restrictions on investigations by the FHSAA, expands the ability for students to transfer schools during the school year, alters the makeup of the board of directors, would give school districts more say over athletic regulations in each county, and sets a 2017 date to sunset the 93-year-old organization.
The overhaul gives charter and home school students more opportunities to play for public and private school teams, gives students the right to try out at schools for a sport that is not offered by their own school, and expands representation on the FHSAA board to charter school, home school and non-public school members and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association.
“We’re not messing with anything that we’re not already messing with currently in law,” Stargel said. “We already set up who the board is. We have the authority to set up who the board is. We already have the ability to dictate bylaws. We’re not changing that now.”
The bill also requires the Legislature to replace the FHSAA by July 2017. If no replacement is found, the commissioner of education could extend the deadline by four years.
By The News Service of Florida
Five-Run Seventh Pushes Pensacola’s Wahoos Past Jackson
April 25, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos broke open a 3-3 tie with a five-run seventh against the Jackson bullpen and went on beat the Generals 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon. The win gave Pensacola its second series victory of the season, but just its first since the opening homestand against Tennessee.
The Wahoos used a balanced attack to batter a beleaguered Jackson pitching staff. Eight of the nine Pensacola starters recorded at least one base knock with three players driving in multiple runs.
Theo Bowe started the decisive seventh inning with a one-out double, his second of the game, and came around to score the go-ahead run on a Brodie Greene single. Donald Lutz then provided the biggest blow of the frame with a two-run triple to center to open up a three-run cushion. Steve Selsky added an RBI single and scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
It was Pensacola’s second big inning of the game as the Wahoos erased an early 2-0 deficit with a three-run third, thanks in part to two Jackson errors. The Wahoos got an RBI single from Ryan LaMarre, a bases-loaded walk from Greene and a sac fly from Selsky to take a 3-2 lead.
Jackson tied the game at three with a Steven Proscia solo homer in the sixth off Chad Rogers, but the Wahoos immediately responded with the five-run seventh to take the lead for good.
Rogers earned his second win of the season by going seven strong frames, yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out five.
Moises Hernandez took his second loss of the series for the Generals as he gave up four runs in just one-third of an inning. Starter James Gillheeney went six innings for Jackson and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits before departing with the game tied.
Now halfway through their 10-game road trip, the Blue Wahoos trek across the state of Tennessee to open a five-game series with the Tennessee Smokies tomorrow night. Ryan Dennick (1-0, 2.65) will start for the Wahoos against Tennessee righty Dallas Beeler (1-2, 4.07). First pitch from Smokies Park is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
Escambia Academy Advances in AISA Playoffs
April 25, 2013
Escambia Academy have advanced to the second round of the Alabama Independent School Association playoffs.
The Cougars swept Kingwood Christian behind strong pitching and timely hitting with wins of 8-2 and 6-0. Michael Thompson pitched in the first game, striking out 14 and allowing only one hit. Reid Bell pitched the second game, striking out 16 and allowing six hits.
Hitters for Escambia Academy were Helton 1-7, Bell 2-5, Thompson 3-7, McAnally 1-3, Sawyer 3-5, Gorum 1-5, and Clark 2-5.
Thursday games will be at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., with another game on Friday, if needed.
District Baseball Roundup: Wins For Northview, Tate; Loss For WFHS
April 24, 2013
Here’s a look at district baseball playoff scores from across the area Tuesday:
In District 2-1A tournament action at Baker, the Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport 4-2, and Bonifay downed Baker 4-0. No 1. seed Bonifay will face No 1. Northview Thursday for the district championship.
In District 1-6A play at Tate, the Tate Aggies beat Pine Forest 4-2, and Pace downed Washington 6-5 in eight innings. Pace will play Navarre at 4 p.m. today, and Tate will play Escambia at 7 p.m. in the District 1-6A semifinals.
And in District 1-5A, No. 2 seed West Florida fell to Gulf Breeze 8-4, and Rutherford slammed Arnold 10-0. No. 1 seed Rutherford will play No. 3 Gulf Breeze on Thursday at Arnold.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Generals Down The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 2-1 In 13 Innings
April 24, 2013
Blue Wahoos outfielder Ryan LaMarre homered on the third pitch of the game to give the Blue Wahoos their only run of the game in a 2-1 loss in 13 innings at the Ballpark in Jackson on Tuesday night. The home run was LaMarre’s first of the season.
After that, the Blue Wahoos never got another runner past second base in the game. Generals starter Chance Ruffin surrendered only four hits and the one run over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked two, but didn’t get a decision.
The Generals tied the game in the fifth inning, cashing in on a leadoff triple from Jack Marder. He scored on a groundout to second base by Gabriel Noriega to even the game at 1-1. That was the only run Wahoos starter Tim Crabbe would allow in his seven innings of work.
Pensacola played some great defense as the Wahoos and Generals traded zeros until the 13th inning. Steve Selsky prevented the game winning run from scoring in the 10th inning with a strike to catcher Tucker Barnhart from right field to nail Brandon Bantz at the plate for the second out of the frame. Brantz tried to jar the ball loose from Barnhart but the Wahoos backstop held on to keep the game tied.
Jackson finally broke through with a two-out double to left-center field by Abraham Almonte to score the winning run from third in the bottom of the 13th to end the game against reliever Josh Ravin. Ravin (L, 0-1) was tagged with the loss allowing the run after recording two outs in his only inning of work. Nick Hill (W, 1-1) pitched two perfect innings in relief to earn the win.
Both bullpens pitched well. Shaun Ellis, Lee Hyde and Drew Hayes all combined to work five scoreless innings for Pensacola. Jonathan Arias, Tyler Burgoon and Hill allowed just one hit over six shutout innings in relief for Jackson.
The two teams wrap up the series on Wednesday. RHP Chad Rogers (1-0, 2.04) will start for Pensacola against LHP James Gilheeney (2-0, 1.10) for Jackson. First pitch is set for 11:05 a.m. from the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Jay Out Of District Baseball Tourney, Northview Faces Freeport Today
April 23, 2013
The District 2-1A baseball tournament got underway Monday in Baker, with Jay and Chipley eliminated.
No. 6 seed Freeport beat the No. 3 Jay Royals Monday, 8-5. Freeport will face the No. 2 seed Northview Chiefs at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
No. 5 Baker beat Chipley 7-3 on Monday, with Baker set to face No. 1 Bonifay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Northescambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Advances Bill That Sunsets And Abolishes FHSAA
April 23, 2013
Proponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.
The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.
The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.
Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.
“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland.
FHSAA supporters, including many coaches, school district officials and private school administrators, claim the changes will create “chaos” as some schools become sports magnets. They say it will invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.
The committee support was the first step in the Senate for the bill.
The Senate proposal has one more committee stop and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Monday he expects his Rules Committee will have time to meet again.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to discuss its proposal on Tuesday.
The House version, rushed through three committee appearances with no opposition, has backing from Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, the chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Backers of the FHSAA say the proposal will also make it more difficult for small schools to compete in state athletic tournaments as more reliance is put on each of the 67 school districts to self-regulate their athletic programs.
“When we put a team on the field we know the other team has followed the same rules and regulations,” said Alachua County Superintendent Dan Boyd. “We don’t’ want that to change.”
Critics also say lawmakers are setting a dangerous precedent by delving into the daily operations of a non-profit organization.
“How long is it before you decide you don’t like the way other entities are operating?” asked Ron Meyer, a lawyer for the Florida Education Association.
Stargel argued that the Legislature isn’t overstepping its authority.
“They are the monopoly,” Stargel said. “We designate them as the organization that oversees our high school athletics, many of our public school funds go to the organization, so therefore I believe we have a role.”
She added that the FHSAA could continue as the overseer of state high school athletics after the sunset date if it agrees to abide by the directives of the Legislature.
“I don’t want to take over high school athletics, that’s not our role, but I want them to be accountable to the will of the Legislature and the will of the people,” she said.
Pictured top: The coin toss before the FHSAA District 1A Football Championship game last December in Orlando between Northview and Trenton. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Smith, Blue Wahoos Shut Out Jackson Generals 3-0
April 23, 2013
Blue Wahoos starter Josh Smith fanned a season-high seven batters over seven shutout innings tonight as Pensacola blanked the Jackson Generals 3-0 at the Ballpark in Jackson on Monday night.
The Blue Wahoos plated all three of their runs in the third inning off Jackson starter Roenis Elias. Three doubles in the inning from Danny Vicioso, Ray Chang and Brodie Greene contributed to the effort and all three came home to score. Steve Selsky’s RBI single scored Greene to cap the Wahoos third-inning rally.
Elias (L, 0-2) settled down after that, and was finished after seven innings. He allowed just the three runs on six hits. He struck out four, but was saddled with the loss.
Smith (W, 2-2) earned his second win of the season to even his record. He surrendered just two hits on the night. With his seven shutout innings, he has now worked 11 straight scoreless frames dating back to his last start on 4/16. Curtis Partch (S, 4) pitched a scoreless ninth to nail down the save after Chris Manno pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Offensively, Chang and Selsky led the way with two hits each. Both of Chang’s hits were doubles, he also scored a run and had an RBI.
The two teams continue their series on Tuesday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (1-1, 4.60) will start for Pensacola against RHP Chance Ruffin (1-0, 4.24). First pitch is slated for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
AND1 Live Streetball Tour, Basketball Clinic At Northview
April 22, 2013
Two big basketball events are coming to Northview High School Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the AND1 Streetball Tour 2013 will tip off in the Northview gym. Doors open at 6 p.m., with game time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at the school), or $12 at the door. Details are in the graphic to the left of the page.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Northview basketball will hold a clinic for elementary to high school players. Players will get training from the Northview Chief’s varsity basketball team and coaches. All aspects of the game will be covered. The clinic is $20 per player. For details and registration information, click here (pdf).