Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 8, 1994 TAG: 9406090001
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. Dougherty
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The sport is passed from parent to child through the rituals of buying gloves for babies, tossing a softball around as soon as the youngster can walk, playing ball games in the backyard where trees sometimes serve as the bases, and eventually signing the child up for organized youth baseball.
Every year, millions of school-aged children play baseball in programs such as local recreation sports teams, Dixie Youth baseball, Pony League baseball, and the most famous of all youth sports programs, Little League baseball.
About 20 years ago, Little League father JACK MASELLA wrote this poem for his son to help him understand this rite of spring:
Little League
I can give you the basis,
and give you the start,
but after that,
it's your heart.
Play the game because
you want to,
not because your father
wants you to.
Play with all the
love you have,
and all the skill
God gave you.
And when the
game is over,
whether you lose or win,
enjoy the soda ...
So long as you
give your best,
when the game is done,
let it go to rest.
And only play
with your heart,
and not for some man
who tried to use you
for his part.
And whether you play
baseball, soccer, etc.
I don't give a damn,
play because you want to.
Not because of a grown man,
your father.
I love you.
A published poet, Masella lives in Peterstown, W.Va., which is just a couple of miles over the state line from Rich Creek and Giles County. He works at Virginia Tech as a cook in the Detrick Dinning Hall. Masella's hope is that "Little League" will help children who play sports and their parents understand the meaning of the games they play.
BASEBALL DREAMS: For those whose baseball playing days continued past Little League and who yearn to play professionally, three major league scouts will hold tryout camps for players ages 16-22 at the Dedmon Center Baseball Stadium at Radford University later this month.
Atlanta Braves Tryout: Saturday, 9 a.m. Held by territorial scout ROY CLARK.
Chicago Cubs Tryout: June 19, 1 p.m. Held by territorial scout BILLY SWOOPE.
Kansas City Royals Tryout: June 20 at 3 p.m. Held by territorial scout BOB CARTER.
CYCLING AROUND: It's a new month and that means a new month's worth of activities from the New River Valley Bicycle Club. Everyone is welcome on these rides. The only requirements are proper safety equipment, including a helmet for all rides. And riders under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult and have a signed waiver from a parent for each ride.
Saturday is the "Marvelous Maggie Ride," a 53-mile trek through John's Creek Valley, Sinking Creek Valley, New Castle and Maggie. Meet at Twin Oaks Store on Virginia 42 (that's about 10 miles east of Newport) at 9 a.m. For more information, call ERIK GRONNING at 951-7618 for more information.
June 18 is the "Ranger Rick & The Roaring Run Roundabout," a scenic and sometimes challenging 50-mile exploration of Craig County. Meet at the New Castle Ranger Station at 10 a.m. For more information, call STEVE FELDMAN at 382-9125.
June 19 is the "Ride to the Roanoke Zoo," a 65-mile ride with some "significant" hills to visit the animals and have a picnic lunch. Meet at the Virginia Tech Chapel in Blacksburg at 9 a.m. For RSVP to arrange for food and a return ride, call DOW SCOTT at 552-4607.
June 23 is the full moon so that means its time for the "Moonlight Madness Ride!!" the monthly nocturnal trip from Ellett Valley to the Waffle House in Christiansburg. Meet at the Ellett Valley Food Time at 10:59 p.m. For more information, call Feldman at 382-9125.
June 25 is the "Tour of/de Burke's Garden," a 70-mile tour of this spectacular geological formation. Meet at Rocky Gap Elementary in Rocky Gap at 8 a.m. Call PAUL SMITH at 951-7825 for more information.
Every Wednesday is the club's "Social Ride," a chance to talk and trek around Blacksburg. Meet at the Tech Chapel at 6 p.m. for this event.
TRACK TIME: The Christiansburg Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its Hershey's Youth Track and Field meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at Christiansburg High School.
Participants must be ages 9-14 (as of Dec. 31). Registration will be taken today at the Recreation Department offices or at the track at 6-7 p.m. Thursday. Proof of age is required to sign-up.
For more information, call the department at 382-2349.
Christiansburg is offering youth track and field clinics for ages 12 and over. Events to be taught in the clinics include long and triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, hurdles and sprints.
The clinics will be held at the Christiansburg High School track. The dates are to be announced.
Registration continues through July 1. The cost is $5 per clinic for residents and $10 for nonresidents.
TENNIS FOR ANYONE: The Christiansburg Department of Parks and Recreation will hold beginning and intermediate youth tennis lessons this summer. The clinics are open to youths ages 8-17.
The lessons will be held at the Christiansburg High School tennis courts. The schedule for the lessons is to be announced.
The beginning class will stress basic techniques in backhand, forehand, overhead, grips, volley, serving and lob as well as the rules of tennis.
The intermediate class will cover singles strategy, doubles strategy and stroke development as well as featuring some personalized instruction.
The cost for each clinic is $20 for town residents and $25 for nonresidents.
Participants should provide their own tennis racket and must wear tennis shoes and sweats or shorts.
For more information, call the Recreation Department at 382-2349.
TIMES OF THE SEASON: The Blacksburg Community Center has announced its summer schedule. The building will be open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday. It will be closed on weekends and for holidays on July 4 and Sept. 5.
Basketball free play will be held in Gym I Monday through Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. Volleyball free play will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
INFORMATION PLEASE: If you have information on community or recreation sports happenings in the New River Valley, the Roanoke Times & World News wants to hear from you.
You can reach us by mail P.O. Box 540, Christiansburg, Va., 24060. You can reach us by fax at (703) 381-1656. Or you can reach us in person at the New River Valley Bureau at 114 Peppers Ferry Road (that's across from the New River Valley Mall).
With any infornmation, please include full names and a person to contact in case there are questions.
And please try to get information about upcoming events to us two weeks in advance to ensure its publication.
by CNB