Ocean City Today
SPORTS www.oceancitytoday.net
JULY 6, 2012
Big eye tuna a highlight LISA CAPITELLI ■ Assistant Editor “Normally, 150 pounds would win the tuna division,” said Franky Pettolina, Marlin Club president and Canyon Kick Off tournament director. “As far as quality and quantity, it was the best ever.” Nine big eye tuna were caught during the 30th annual competition — a record for Marlin Club tournaments. Three bluefin tuna and 13 yellowfin were also weighed. The White Lightning anglers brought three big eye tuna to the scale last Saturday — 163.4-, 208- and 224poundes. The largest was Ron Marquette’s took first place in the tuna division and was worth $8,482.50. The team also hooked a 210.8-pounder the following day. The Lucky Duck II crew finished in second and third place with 219- and 218.2-pound big eyes, reeled in by Art and Tina Boykin. The group, who also boated 139 and 188.6 pounders, was awarded $2,452.50. The Miss Emily team won the bluefin division with Avery Arrowood’s 79-pounder. Jezebel angler Jason Courtney’s 78.4-pound bluefin, worth $2,205, finished in second place. A Salt Weapon II team placed third with John Kohl’s 36.8-pounder worth $315. Paul Gentry, fishing on the Shadowfax, hooked a 24.2pound dolphin, good for first place in the division and $8,077.50. A 20.8-pound dolphin, caught by Garrett Hart aboard Dawg Haus, took the second-place spot. The team collected $1,741.50 for the fish. The Salty Sons crew finished in third place with Shane McGinnis’ 19.6 pounder. The group pocketed $918. In the release division, white marlin, sailfish and spearfish were each worth 100 points. Blue marlin and swordfish were worth 150 points. The Double Trouble won the division with 250 points. The Billfisher earned 200 points and $3,195, and The Nontypical collected 200 points and $702. Also winning prize money for releases was Drillin and Billin ($468), White Lightning ($405) and Dawg Haus $270). See TOURNEY on Page 43
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LET’S PLAY BALL Berlin Little League All-Star season under way LISA CAPITELLI ■ Assistant Editor (July 6, 2012) The Berlin Little League All-Star season is officially under way. The 9-10year-old and the 10-11-year-old squads and the Junior League team started competing last week, while the Major Leaguers were scheduled to kick off their All-Star season on July 5. ■ 9-10-YEAR-OLDS: The 9-10-year-olds opened the season June 29 on the road against Crisfield. The Berlin squad shut out its opponent 120 in four innings. “Friday night we looked incredible. We played very well as a team and each player contributed to the win,” said Manager Ned Delaney. “We played great offensively and defensively.” Seth Hudson went 3-for-3, including an inside-the-park home run. Dawson Delaney hit two doubles and John Karacoulakis and Jeff Helvig both had two hits. Delaney praised the performance of his three pitchers, Travis Adams, Dawson Delaney and Gavin Bunting. Berlin’s defense came up big in several innings, recording outs with the bases loaded. The team’s performance was not as stellar on Sunday in its 154 loss to Delmar at the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex, off Route 113 in Berlin. “Delmar is a good team but we should have beat them. We made some defensive decisions that did not result in outs,” Delaney said. “We had plenty of opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on. The margin does not reflect how close the game was.” Chase Porter, who played catcher, second base and pitched during the game, was “outstanding” offensively and defensively, Delaney said. He went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored two of Berlin’s four runs. Hudson was 2-for-3 and scored two runs. On Tuesday, Berlin headed to Princess Anne for competition. The team scored four runs in the first, but in the bottom of the inning Princess Anne tallied three. Berlin tacked on a run in the fourth to pull ahead 5-3. Princess Anne scored three
OCEAN CITY TODAY/LISA CAPITELLI
Berlin Junior League All-Star pitcher Bailey Littleton fires a pitch during last Saturday’s game against Delmar. In five and two-third innings he struck out six and walked three. Littleton also went 2-for-4 at the plate. Berlin won 9-7.
runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-5 lead and held on for the win. “We had great offensive production in the first inning, but then our bats went to sleep. We had a lot of miscues on defense,” Delaney said. “It was a tough game. Both teams played hard, they just came out on top.” The Berlin team, which consists of 10 10-year-olds and one 9-year-old, will host Fruitland today, Friday, at 6 p.m. The top two squads in Pools A and B will advance and compete on Sunday. The first-place team in Pool A will take on the second-place Pool B squad. The top team in Pool B will battle the second-place A team. The two winners will go head-tohead on Tuesday. “I’m proud of the kids and what we’ve accomplished so far this year,” Delaney said. “We are working hard and hopefully the end will show how much work we’ve put into it.” ■ 10-11-YEAR-OLDS:
Last year, competing in the 9-10-year-old division, the boys had a standout season under the direction of Manager Cameron McDonough. The squad outscored its District 8 opponents 84-3 and captured the conference trophy. They advanced to the state tournament in Brunswick, Md., where the team took down each opponent it faced to earn Berlin’s first Little League state championship. After going 10-0 during District 8 and state-level competition, Berlin headed to Cranston, R.I., for the east regional tournament. Berlin, Maryland’s representative, fell to Delaware and New York, but edged out New Jersey and Pennsylvania during pool play. New York topped Berlin in the Mid-Atlantic championship game. Ten of the 11 players from the 2011 team, now all age 11, have returned. See TEAMS’ on Page 44
BOATING SAFTEY
Citizens and visitors urged to be safe on water this summer (July 6, 2012) The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Police are urging citizens and visitors to be extra vigilant in and on the water throughout the summer. “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the wonderful recreational opportunities our state has to offer, on water and land, to the fullest,” said Superintendent Col. George F. Johnson IV. “But the importance of safety while boating and swimming cannot be overstated and must be a No. 1 priority while enjoying Maryland waterways and state parks.” Last year, Maryland experienced an unusually high number of boating deaths. During the summer, NRP will focus its enforcement efforts on those activities that contribute to boating accidents, such as alcohol, negligent operation, bow riding and navigational violations. NRP recommends that swimmers stay within designated swimming areas with lifeguards on duty whenever possible. Lifeguards keep all swimmers informed of any changes in water conditions and are trained to respond if an emergency occurs. NRP also offers the following swimming safety tips: ■ When swimming outside guarded areas, obey all warning signs that alert swimmers to dangers and be aware of any surrounding signs or markers that indicate current water conditions. ■ Never swim alone or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. ■ Pay special attention to small children and use safety devices such as life jackets on children or other individuals who cannot swim. ■ Carry a cell phone or have other ways of contacting emergency personnel if a situation arises. If an emergency occurs, immediately call 911 and remember to Reach, Throw, Row and Go: ■ REACH the person in trouble by extending a releasable item, such as a pole, line or rope to pull them to safety, but not by hand, as the rescuer could quickly become another victim. ■ THROW an object that floats to the victim if they are unreachable. Life rings, PFDs, coolers or plastic jugs are suitable floating objects that can keep a troubled swimmer afloat until rescuers arrive. ■ ROW to the victim using a canoe or any other safe watercraft. The rescuer must wear a life jacket. Once the victim is nearby, a rope or paddle should be extended and used to tow the victim to shore if possible. ■ GO to the victim by entering the water as a last resort and ONLY if properly trained. The rescuer should bring an object to keep the victim afloat and to prevent being pulled under. More information on boating safety is available at dnr.maryland.gov/boating/safety.