Century Making Plans To Dedicate Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex
August 5, 2010
The Town of Century is working on plans to dedicate the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex this fall.
Mayor Freddie McCall said he is currently trying to obtain the lighting for the park from the Kayo Stanton Stadium at the former Century High School. Otherwise, the park is mostly complete. Dedication organizers will work toward having Pleasant at the dedication.
The 22 acre park was named after Century native Anthony Pleasant (pictured), a former pro football player selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks and two interceptions and a defensive end.
Pleasant is currently the defensive line coach for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Pictured top: Action between the Century Blackcats and the Flomaton Hurricanes last fall at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century’s Showalter Wins Debut With The Orioles
August 4, 2010
Century’s Buck Showalter won his managerial debut with the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night, 6-3 over the Los Angeles Angels.
The Orioles were fresh off a 1-6 road trip, with Showalter welcomed with hearty applause during the pregame introductions in front of 16,723 at Camden Yards. The Orioles made few mistakes and executed well for the win. With the win, Showalter is 3-1 in managerial debuts. He has two Manager of the Year titles.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. “We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future.”
Showalter’s contract with the O’s is through 2013. Overall, he is 882-833 during an 11 season career.
The Orioles fired Dave Trebley as their manager after he went 15-39 .
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, previously had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. There was no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
He moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
Showalter’s father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. He played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after his family.
Images courtesy MLB.com
Twirlers Place At Nationals
August 2, 2010
Three members of the Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers won national honors at the National Baton Twirling Competition in South Bend, Ind.
Winning national honors were Leslie Miller, 14; Hali Horne, 14; and Whitney William, 12.
Miller, a five year member of the group, won third place in the three baton solo division and was ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
Horne, who is the junior fire instructor for the Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers, won eighth in the dance division, fifth in the two baton solo division and placed in the Top 10 nationally.
William, a two year twirler for the group, won the national title for one baton solo, seventh in two baton solo and was ranked nationally in the Top 10.
The Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers have won 12 state titles, six regional titles and three world titles. The group also won several medals in junior twirling Olympics. The group is led by Melissa Majors, who has twirled for 38 years. Classes are conducted in Century, Pace and Pensacola.
Century’s Showalter Named Baltimore Orioles Manager
July 29, 2010
After lengthy negotiations, former Century resident Buck Showalter has been named the new manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a press release.
“We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future.”
Showalter, 54,will officially introduced as the Baltimore Oriole’s manager on Monday, and his first game will be Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels.
“Buck Showalter’s proven track record makes him the right choice for manager of the Orioles and we are thrilled to add a two-time Manager of the Year to our organization,” president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said in a press release. “We believe Buck’s extensive experience and expertise will be a major benefit to us as we look towards a more successful future.”
The Orioles dismissed Dave Trebley as their manager back on June 4.
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
He moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
His father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. Showalter played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after his family.
Pelicans One Better Than The Diablos
July 26, 2010
Adolfo Gonzalez and Marcos Rodriguez each had 2 RBI’s the contest to lead the Pensacola Pelicans (15-4) over the El Paso Diablos (6-13) by a final score of 5-4.
El Paso got the game’s first run in the last of the third inning when Kyle Nichols hit a sacrifice fly to left to score J.D. Reininger and give the Diablos an early 1-0 advantage.
The Pelicans put two on with two out in the top of the fourth inning when Marcos lined a single to left center to score John Alonso evening up the score at 1.
Pensacola took their first lead of the contest in the top of the fifth inning when Adolfo Gonzalez lifted a sacrifice fly to right to score Kyle Brown from third base giving the Pels a 2-1 lead.
It was a 2-2 contest in the top of the sixth inning when Marcos lined a single into center to bring in Lou Palmisano from second base and give Pensacola the lead back at 3-2.
The Diablos regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with an RBI hit from Hector Bernal and an RBI sacrifice fly from Arnoldo Ponce to give El Paso the lead back at 4-3.
Pensacola tied the game up at 4 in the top of the seventh inning when Adolfo Gonzalez singled in Chris Chiarappa from third base.
The Pelicans regained the lead in the top of the eighth inning when Dallas Christison hit a groundout to second scoring Lou Palmisano from third base giving Pensacola a 5-4 lead.
Ron Hill (3-2) pitches 2 2/3 innings to get the win. Seth Overbey tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his third save of the year.
Northwest Escambia 11-12 Softball Ends Season At State Tournament
July 24, 2010
The Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old softball team ended their season Friday in Fort Myers as the Florida Little League Section 1 Champions.
In state tournament action Friday afternoon, NWE fell 11-1 to St. Cloud in a three hour game in rain from Tropical Storm Bonnie. In their final game Friday night, South Tampa got past Northwest Escambia 1-0.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured top: The Northwest Escambia All-Stars 11-12 softball team finished their year as Section 1 Champions. Pictured below: The NWE girls pose while waiting for a break in the rain from Tropical Storm Bonnie in Fort Myers. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Drops First State Game As Tourney Continues
July 23, 2010
The Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old softball team lost their first state tournament game Thursday night in Fort Myers, but they have at least two more games to play.
Port St. Johns slipped past NWE 4-1 in game one of the state championship series.
Mallory Ryan pitched the first two innings, striking out two and with no walks. Courtney Peebles pitched the second two innings, with two strike outs and two walks. Kyndall Hall finished up the game on the mound for Northwest Escambia with no strike out s and three walks. Ryan had the only RBI for NWE, scoring Kristen Byrd.
Northwest Escambia won the Little League Section 1 championship last weekend in Tallahassee, sweeping two games from Tallahassee Chaires Little Leage, 16-1 and 8-2.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured: The Northwest Escambia All-Stars 11-12 softball team after last Saturday’s sectional win in Tallahassee. File photo, click to enlarge.
Pelicans Lose First Seres Since June
July 22, 2010
Richard Salazar and big timely hits led the Captains (14-2) past the Pensacola Pelicans (8-8) 7-4 Wednesday. For the Pelicans it was their first series loss since dropping two out of three in late June against the St. Paul Saints.
Captains jumped out in front in the top of the second inning with a sacrifice fly RBI from Glenn Wilson and an RBI double from Joe Urtuzastegui to give Shreveport-Bossier an early 2-0 lead.
The Pelicans responded in the last of the second inning. Lou Palmisano led it off with a moon shot right over the left field wall for his eleventh homerun of the year. It was a solo shot that cut the lead in half at 2-1.
It was a 4-2 lead for the Captains in the top of the sixth inning when Christopher Garcia rifled a three run double to deep center to clear the bases and opening up this lead for Shreveport Bossier to 7-2.
The Pelicans plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning with a dropped ball from Jorge Alvarez and an RBI hit from Marcos Rodriguez to cut the deficit to three runs at 7-4.
Richard Salazar (6-3) gets the win as he goes seven innings and gives up two runs off six hits. Hector Carrasco got the last four outs for his eleventh save of the season.
Escambia Academy Cheerleaders Win Top Honors
July 21, 2010
The Escambia Academy varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders recently won top honors at the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp in Montgomery.
The varsity cheerleaders were named the Alabama Independent School Association state champions for small varsity squads, and the junior varsity cheerleaders were named as runner-ups for the AISA in the small squad junior varsity division.
The varsity squad won first place in Home Pom and Cheer, second place in Extreme Routine. They also received a Leadership Award.
The EA junior varsity cheerleaders were runner-ups in Home Pom and Extreme Routine.
Nycole Thompson and Niki Bryan were named UCA All-American Varsity Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to dance in the New Year’s Day parade in London, England.
Natalie Lassiter and Anna Catherine Sasser were named UCA All-American JV Cheerleaders. They will have the opportunity to march in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade in Orlando this fall.
Bailey Vaughn was named an AISA All-Star; she will cheer at the AISA All-Star football and basketball games.
Escambia Academy also had three girls recognized for their leadership through the Pin It Forward Program that exemplifies why America needs cheerleaders. They were Amber Huskey, Page Lancaster and Anna Catherine Sasser.
Members of the Escambia Academy varsity squad are: captain Rachel Fuller, co-captain Bailey Vaughn, Amber Huskey, Samantha Lee, Nycole Thompson, Niki Bryan, Caitlyn Bruley and Page Lancaster. JV squad members are: Sarah Weatherford, Claire Dawe, Jessica Glick, Sissy Jeter, Natalie Lassiter, Anna Catherine Sasser, Kricket White and Hannah Boothe.
Pictured top: The Escambia Academy varsity cheerleaders: (front, L-R) captain Rachel Fuller, co-captain Bailey Vaughn, (middle, L-R) Samantha Lee, Caitlyn Bruley, Amber Huskey, Niki Bryan, Page Lancaster,, Nycole Thompson, (back, L-R) Cyndi Vaughn, varsity cheer sponsor. Pictured inset: UCA All American Cheerleaders (L-R) Natalie Lassiter, Niki Bryan, Anna Catherine Sasser and Nycole Thompson. Pictured below: The Escambia Academy junior varsity cheerleaders: (front, L-R) Kricket White, Anna Catherine Sasser, (middle, L-R) Natalie Lassiter, Sarah Weatherford, (back, L-R) Jessica Glick, Claire Dawe, Sissy Jeter and Hannah Boothe. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore All-Stars Out Of State Tourney
July 20, 2010
The Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars are out of the 2010 Babe Ruth 13U Alabama State Tournament..
Atmore lost to the Theodore All-Starts 15-1 Monday afternoon.
Huntsville was leading Atmore 1-0 on Saturday when a rain delay forced the completion of the game on Sunday in Demopolis. Atmore came back for a 6-2 win. Also on Sunday, Atmore beat the West Alabama All-Stars 4-1.
The Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars team is comprised of players from both Atmore and the North Escambia areas: Tanner Smith, Coby Smith, Gage White, Brodie Amos, Billy Powell, Devontae Stephens, Trey Weeks, Tristan McAnally, Aaron McDonald, Dalton Daniel, Nate Smith, Trey McGhee, Coach Jody Dortch, Coach Tommy Smith and Manager Tim McAnally.
Pictured: Members of the 13-year old Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars are: (front L-R) Tanner Smith, Coby Smith, Gage White, Brodie Amos, Billy Powell, Devontae Stephens, (middle) Trey Weeks, Tristan McAnally, Aaron McDonald, Dalton Daniel, Nate Smith, Trey McGhee (back) Coach Jody Dortch, Coach Tommy Smith and Manager Tim McAnally. Submitted photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.