Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080039
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. Dougherty
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Admittedly, that's a tough task after two straight weekends of this year's wintriest weather. But soon the snow-covered fields will be green with grass and filled with fun-seeking athletes.
So it isn't too early to think about spring. Especially since local recreation departments have already started sign-ups.
IN CHRISTIANSBURG, bats and balls are the order of the day.
Tee-ball registration continues through March 3 for ages 6-8 (as of Aug. 1). There will be a beginning league (age 6) and a regular league (ages 7-8). The cost is $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.
Youth baseball and softball also are going on until March 3 for ages 9-12. There are two leagues for each sport: Minor (ages 9-10) and Major (ages 11-12).
Sign-ups for Dixie League Youth Baseball and Softball doesn't end until April 7. There are three baseball leagues: Boys (ages 13-14), Pre-Majors (ages 15-16) and Majors (17-18). And there are two softball leagues: Dixie Belles (ages 13-15) and Dixie Debs (ages 16-18).
The cost for all the youth leagues is the same - $20 for town residents and $25 for non-residents. Also, a copy of the participant's birth certificate and Social Security card must be submitted when registering for any of the Dixie Youth leagues.
Meanwhile, sign-ups for volleyball leagues and clinics are still being taken.
The deadline is Feb. 17 for adult leagues and clinics. For league play, the cost is $75 per team, plus $10 for each nonresident. There are five leagues: Coed Church A, Coed Church B, Coed Open, Women's Open and Men's Open. The cost to learn how to play the game better in the clinics is $10 for town residents and $20 for non-residents.
Youth sign-ups close Feb. 24. There are three leagues: Coed Minor (ages 9-11 as of June 1), Coed Major (ages 12-14) and Coed High School (ages 15-18). The cost is $8 for town residents and $13 for non-residents. Also, there will be a skills clinic on March 12 at 1 p.m. at the Christiansburg Armory. The cost is $8 for residents and $13 for non-residents.
For information, call CHUCK MUNCY, the supervisor of athletics, at 382-2349.
IN RADFORD, youth will get a chance to hear the kick of a ball or the crack of the bat.
Youth soccer registration continues through March 3. There are four age divisions: Rookie (ages 5-6 as of April 1), Midget (ages 7-8), junior (ages 9-13) and senior (ages 13-16, grades 8-10).
Practice begins in mid-March with games the first week of April. The cost is $10.
Youth tee-ball, baseball and softball sign-ups also run until March 3.
In tee-ball, there are two leagues for the younger set: Rookie (ages 5-6 as of Aug. 1) and T-Ball (ages 7-8). Games begin in early June.
In baseball, there are five leagues: Coach Pitch (ages 9-10), Dixie Youth (ages 11-12), Dixie Boys (ages 13-14), Dixie Pre-Majors (ages 15-16) and Dixie Majors (ages 17-18). Practice begins in early April with games in May.
In softball, there are three leagues: Girls (ages 9-10), Dixie Ponytails (ages up to 13) and Dixie Belles (ages up to 16). Practice begins in early April with games later in the month.
Before that though, its time for the city's annual Hot Shot, One-on-One and Three-on-Three youth basketball tournaments.
The competitions will be held Feb. 18 and 19. There will be three age divisions: Rookie (ages 7-8 as of Jan. 1), Midget (ages 9-10) and Junior (ages 11-13 and not in eighth grade).
The entry deadline is Feb. 15. There is no cost to town residents. Non-residents have to pay a $1 entry fee per event.
For information, call the recreation department at 731-3633.
ROUNDBALL REPORT: Dublin Express Stop ran its winning streak to 58 games with a record-setting 145-77 win over Coca Cola in the Pulaski Men's Basketball League.
DES (10-0) became the first team in league history to have three players score 40 or more points in a game. SAMMY POINDEXTER and CHARLES ARNOLD each had 48 while BOBBY HUNTER added 40.
The two teams also combined for a record-tyinging 222 points.
Elsewhere around the league, two players broke the 2,000-point mark for their careers. DONALD MAXWELL of BBA Friction scored 18 in an 80-70 win over McDonalds and BRIAN UNDERWOOD of Pulaski Hospital had 23 against Bad Boys but it wasn't enough as PCH fell 95-83.
Corning (3-0) used a balanced scoring attack to edge Above the Rim (2-1), 80-79, in a battle of unbeatens in the Montgomery County Men's Fastbreak League.
TIM PENN (16) and SHAWN MCMILLAN (14) combined for 30 points for Corning. CHUCK COURTS of ATR poured in a game-high 29.
PIERRE PEOPLES of Crocket Home Improvement leads the league in scoring at 34.5 ppg.
The top spots in the Pulaski Boys Leagues yields some interesting stories.
In the Boys 12-and-under League, the Lakers and Sonics have split their first two meetings and are tied for first at 5-1. The two teams also have the top two scorers in the league: MICHAEL TILLEY of the Lakers at 16.8 ppg and ISRAEL LONG of the Sonics at 11.8.
In the Boys 12-and-under League, the Timberwolves (7-0) have learned what a difference a year can make. The squad returned the top three scorers from a team that once lost 60-2 and now leads the league. SHAWN BROWN of the second-place Lakers (5-2) leads the league in scoring at 18.3 ppg, followed by GARY HASH of T-wolves at 15.4.
ON TARGET: Triangle Archers of Blacksburg will hold another of its indoor winter tournaments Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Single-spot and 5-spot National Field Archery Targets will be used. The fee is $6 for the first round and $3 for each additional round.
Triangle Archers is at 2612 Ramble Road. For information, call JIM OVERFELT at 552-8023.
SPORTS CLUBBING IT: Virginia Tech football recruiting will be the topic today at the weekly meeting of the Blacksburg Sports Club. The featured speakers will be assistant coach JOHN BALLEIN, the recruiting coordinator for the Hokies.
The meeting begins at noon at the Custom Catering Center on Patrick Henry Drive in Blacksburg. The hot buffet luncheon is $6.50. A garden salad bar is available for $5. Payment can be made at the luncheon.
For information, call DARREL CLOWES, the club president, at 951-3011 or 231-8343.
SO YOU DON'T MISS IT: Friday is the last day to register for the trip to the Hanes 500 NASCAR Winston Cup race is Martinsville on April 23.
The cost is $65 and includes ticket and transportation. For information, call the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department at 382-2349.
by CNB