Pensacola Blue Wahoos Get Final Major League Approval
September 23, 2011
After months of waiting, working, and negotiating, Pensacola officially has a major league baseball franchise.
In a letter from the Office of Commissioner Bud Selig, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos were granted official standing by Major League Baseball last week as the Double-A farm club of the Cincinnati Reds franchise. The approval is part of a complicated transaction that involved other minor league teams, the purchase of the Reds’ Carolina Mudcats farm team, and the relocation and renaming of that team to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
The approval from Major League Baseball follows the recent go-ahead by the Southern League, the division of minor league baseball that gave the Blue Wahoos the preliminary go-ahead to come to town. Blue Wahoos President Bruce Baldwin said that the official approval from Major League Baseball triggers a host of other activities and opportunities for the team.
“Because the Blue Wahoos are a franchise of the Major League Baseball Cincinnati Reds, we have to comply with many of the same branding, marketing, and legal standards as Major League teams do. Major League Baseball is rightfully very protective of their product, and so this final approval gives the Blue Wahoos the green light to start doing some of the things that people associate with team sports,” said Baldwin. “Over the next few months, we will be rolling out a new website, unveiling our logo, releasing all sorts of great merchandise for the fans, and our season ticket holders will be picking their seats – all before the end of the year,” said Baldwin
Baldwin was excited about the final approval and looked forward to the next steps in rolling out the new franchise.
“This is great news and we’re really excited about bringing the Blue Wahoos to Pensacola. The stadium is coming along, and now that we’re officially approved by Major League Baseball I think the community and fans will start to see some more activity and excitement around the Blue Wahoos organization,” said Baldwin. “It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to the Blue Wahoo experience being a real draw for Pensacola and our fans, because we believe that a Blue Wahoo game won’t just be a baseball game, but an entire family, social, and entertainment event.”
Northview JV Chomps Baker
September 23, 2011
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs picked up a win Thursday night on the road against as they chomped the Baker Gators, 22-15.
The JV Chiefs, now 2-1 on the season, will play their first home game of their five-game season next Monday, September 26, against Escambia County High School of Atmore. Northview will be looking for revenge — they lost a tight game 8-0 to the ECHS Blue Devils back on September 12.
The final game of the season for the JV Chiefs will be October 13 against West Florida.
NWE Football In Action Saturday
September 23, 2011
The Northwest Escambia Eagles will travel to Bellview this Saturday, coming off games against Perdido Bay on the road last weekend.
Last Saturday, Northwest Escambia Mites beat Perdido Bay 33-6, and the NWE Midgets beat the Buccaneers 31-6. Perdido Bay defeated the NWE Mini-Mites 22-6.
Northwest Escambia will play Bellview Gold on Saturday, with the mini-mites at 9:30, the mites at 12:30 and the midgets at 3:30.
Pictured: The Northwest Escambia Mini-Mites. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Falls To No. 5 After Loss To Chipley
September 22, 2011
The Northview Chiefs (1-1) have fallen to No. 5 in the state in Class 1A football after a 34-27 non-district loss last Friday night to the Chipley Tigers.
With the win, Chipley (3-0) moved up to No. 2 in the state in the latest Associated Press Poll. Union County (2-0) moved into the top spot.
Chipley and Northview are in separate regions in the new Florida High School Athletic Association Rural Division. If they should meet again in the state playoffs, it would not be until the state semifinal game.
Northview will travel to South Walton Friday night in non-district game.
Local Schools Place In Pace Cross Country Meet (With Gallery)
September 22, 2011
Several North Escambia area schools took part in a recent cross country meet hosted by Pace High and held at Sims Middle School. There were 161 total runners that took part in the meet under rainy and muddy conditions.
Team results were as follows:
- T.R. Miller
- Pace
- Jay
- Navarre
- Catholic
- Pine Forest
- Gulf Breeze
- PCA
- Baker
- Milton
- Escambia
- Northview
- Rocky Bayou
- Central
- Ernest Ward
- Tate
Top five runners for Jay were: Allison Blair, Jorja Agrait, Jessica Thornton, Savannah Brown and Ally Settle.
Top five runners for Northview Girls were: Georgia Goetter, Lakelynn Parker, Jazzlyn Franklin, Zacarra Davis and Ashley Joiner.
Top five runners for Northview Boys were: Isaac McGahan, Jarrett Parker, Joseph Baldwin, Dakota Craft and Joshua Borelli.
Top five runners for Ernest Ward Middle Girls were: Natalie Goetter, Bethany Reynolds, Moriah McGahan, Victoria Amerson and Jessica Barrows.
Top three runners for Ernest Ward Middle Boys were: Zachary Calloway, Gavin Coon and Logan Calloway (Note: EWMS only fielded three boys.)
For a gallery of submitted photos, click here.
Pictured top: Runners from Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High wait in a heavy rain for the start of a cross country meet a Sims Middle School in Pace. Pictured inset and below: Runners on the course. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Eagles Beat The Blacksher Bulldogs (With Photo Gallery)
September 21, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles defeated the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs 30-16 in middle school football action Tuesday evening in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, including the band and cheerleaders, click here.
The Eagles (1-2) jumped out to an 8-0 lead late in the first quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run from eight grader Jacob Dunsford. With a toss from quarterback Gavin Grant to Dunsford to Warren Suggs, the Eagles picked up two on the extra point attempt with 1:47 to go in the first.
Ernest Ward expanded their advantage with 3:09 to go in in the half with a 6o-yard touchdown run from seventh grader Desmone Knight. A missed point after, and the Eagles were up 14-0.
Suggs was in the end zone again with 1.22 to go in the half, but the touchdown was called back on a holding penalty against the Eagles. Suggs got redemption with 23.5 seconds to go in the half with a 21-yard TD run. A good two-point conversion run from Zach Holland gave the Eagles a 22-0 lead headed into the half.
The Bulldogs managed a couple of touchdowns in the second half, as Ernest Ward added one for a 30-16 win for the Eagles
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles will host the Cougars of Escambia Academy next Tuesday, September 27, at 6 p.m. in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery, including the band and cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured top: Jacob Dunsford gains yardage for the Ernest Ward Middle School Tuesday evening in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Isaiah Dunn doesn’t go down without a fight. Pictured below: Desmone Knight (#1) on the move for the Eagles. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Perdido Gators Win Mobile Fall Classic
September 21, 2011
The Perdido Gators softball team won first place in the recent Mobile Fall Classic 14U division.
In the final game, the Gators faced off with tournament host Mobile Slapshot ‘98. After a six inning of championship play, the score was tied 0-0. After two innings of extra play, the Gators captured the the title with a 0-1 victory.
The Perdido Gators includes local softball players from Northview, Tate, West Florida High, Escambia, Milton, and Gulf Breeze.
Team members for the 14U Perdido Gators are Mallory Ryan, Sydney Ezelle, Sara Spears, Ali Cutaio, Tori Perkins, Lauren Brennan, Angel Lathan, Morgan Peppers, Kota Berry, Kristin Gunter and Rachel Wright Coaches for the Gators are Tracy Ezelle, Jeff Cutaio, Eddie Ryan and Greg Spears.
Register Now For Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk
September 21, 2011
The Second Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is coming to Northview High School.
The event will be held Saturday, October 8 at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt. “The course is not your typical 5K race. It includes a variety of terrains and challenging hills around the campus,” according to event organizers.
This year the overall Male and Female winners will win their own Adirondack chairs painted by Northview student, Kiani Okahashi. In addition, awards will be broken down to each grade level for males and females, as well as awards for adult, master and grand master.
For a registration form and more details, click here. The registration fee and a t-shirt are only $10 though September 25.
“The event is to promote wellness through running and walking in the area. Now with Bratt Park more and more people are taking advantage of the walking track and getting into shape,” said Natalie Nall, cross country coach at Northview.
Over 140 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge.
The Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Over 140 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Northview Splits With Central
September 21, 2011
The Northview Lady Chiefs fell to Central High in varsity volleyball action Tuesday, while the junior varsity defeated central in two games.
Varsity
Central defeated Northview in three straight games — 21-25, 14-25, 22-25.
Junior Misty Doran led the Lady Chiefs with two aces, two kills and four digs. Junior Taylor Roberson had one ace, a kill and three digs for NHS, while Josie Doucette added one ace, an assist and a dig. Shelley Mothershed, a junior, finished the game with three assists and four digs, and Morgan Payne had four kills and two digs.
Northview (0-9, 0-3) will host the Jay Lady Royals Thursday at 6 p.m.
Junior Varsity
In junior varsity action, the Lady Chiefs defeated Century in two games — 25-27, 25-22.
Junior Hannah Fiellin posted three aces, a kill and six assists for the JV Lady Chiefs. Sophomore Danielle Steadham had four aces and three kills. Makayla Flowers added four aces, while freshman Kyndall Hall had five kills for Northview’s junior varsity.
The JV Lady Chiefs (6-5, 2-1) will host Jay at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Central High Tops At Cross Country Meet
September 21, 2011
Central High School in Santa Rosa county recently placed in a district cross country meet against Laurel Hill, Baker, Paxton, Freeport, and Rocky Bayou.
The Central boys finished first overall and the Central girls finished third.
Top runners for Central were as follows:
BOYS
1. Kyle Fuller – 19:30- 3rd place
2. Keifer Boyett – 20:48 – 4th place
3. Nick Pooley – 20:57 – 7th place
4. Brad Moye – 21:40 – 13th place
5. Nolan Frady – 22:08 – 14th place
GIRLS
1. Beth Smith – 24:34 – 5th Place
2. Brandi Bradley – 25:43 – 6th Place
3. Erica Waters – 27:00 – 14th Place
4. Kennedy Fuller – 28:09 – 20th Place
5. Courtney Rutherford – 34:51 – 37th Place
6. Allaina Morrow – 34:52 – 39th Place