DATE: Friday, May 16, 1997                  TAG: 9705150200

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: THE EDITOR'S COLUMN 

SOURCE: Lee Tolliver 

                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

A BIG WEEKEND IS ON TAP FOR SPORTS FANS

A pretty big sports-oriented weekend is on tap, so make your plans.

Among several events scheduled, arguably the most special is the regional Little League Challenger Baseball extravaganza going on Saturday and Sunday at the Green Run Little League complex. Some games will be played at Plaza, but most of the action - including the carnival - are at Green Run.

The event will feature nearly 1,000 handicapped children from five states taking part in what has been just a dream for most.

With the ``Buddies'' - able-bodied helpers - the children will play in a series of 1 1/2-hour games that will feature no outs, no score and tons of joy.

It's the biggest Challenger event in the country.

Speaking of special: The Virginia Beach Special Olympics track and field games will be held Saturday at Plaza Middle School with a 10 a.m. opening ceremony.

The event will feature more than 200 athletes and hundreds of volunteers.

Also for a good cause: The Bruce Smith Celebrity Weekend starts today with a special ceremony for Bruce Smith Day in Virginia Beach.

The kickoff party will be held Saturday at Mahi-Mah's, with softball and the auction party Sunday in Norfolk. Golf, a 19th hole party and the farewell party take place Monday at Hell's Point and Mahi-Mah's.

All activities raise funds for the Hampton Roads Community Foundation - a group that gives money to local charities.

Sail away: The finish of the born-again Worrell 1000 catamaran sailboat race from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Virginia Beach will take place sometime Saturday afternoon on the sand in front of the Princess Anne Inn at 25th Street.

After sailing a grueling 960 miles, the final stop will undoubtedly be a welcome sight. The race has been revived after it was discontinued in 1990.

Skating away: Hotline Surfboards will host an amateur skateboarding contest at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Hotline parking lot at 19th Street. The event will feature more than 50 contestants and is open to the public. Should it rain, the event will be held Sunday.

And just in case the high school scene is where your interests lie, make plans for next week.

Eastern Region track and field will be Friday and Saturday at Todd Stadium in Newport News.

And Region soccer begins Monday, as does district baseball and softball events.

So whatever your taste, this is the weekend for sports.

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