Page 42
Volume 15, Issue 5
Riverview/Apollo Beach Edition
PRESS
Sports Connection
Authorized:
Reporter
Tamas
Mondovics tamas@ er.com ospreyobserv
657-2418 www.ospreyobserver.com
Rd. Pinecrest11 918 Lithian, FL 335 Brando -24 18 657 bserver.com www.ospreyo
EBYA Baseball, Softball Season Enjoys Regular Season Success, Holds 5K Fun Run By Tamas Mondovics
East Bay Youth Athletics Junior Nationals Eli Palmer slides into home base during the regular season’s final game against the Blue Jays.
EBYA Majors 65 Red Sox pitcher Jacob Lockwood is focused as he faces off the Giants last month.
Area baseball and softball leagues have ben pushing hard to be in top shape ahead of the upcoming regular season playoffs. Local programs posting a successful regular season and batting strong includes the East Bay Youth Athletics (EBYA) the Bloomingdale Youth Sports Association (BYSA) and the FishHawk Youth Baseball FYB fields last month. In its second year as a Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth affiliate, EBYA is boasting of one of its best seasons with nearly 700 players making use of eight fields at the recently, partially renovated park complex. According to EBYA president Stacy Elizondo, aside from the high number of talented players filling each division, the league is also proud of its hard working coaches and volunteers including a number of high school players who are earning community service hours for their assistance. “We have enjoyed a good competi-
ate Immedi s for Opening lds year o 2 and 3 d mmes R at our Sy n Locatio
tive season already as our players are able to grow under the direction of the Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth logo,” Elizondo said. While the EBYA complex, located at 13012 Bullfrog Creek Rd, in Gibsonton, has seen its share of upgrades, construction and improvements of the park are far from completion. “We are hoping to raise funds to build a new administrative field house as the original building is in really bad shape,” Elizondo said, adding that EBYA is a part of Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department and is a not for profit youth baseball and softball program that relies solely on player registration fees and fundraising. To raise funds EBYA is hosting a number of local events including its second annual EBYA 5K and 1-mile Family Fun Run. Last year the league saw more than 100 participants and raised close to $3,500. Proceeds from this event will be combined with the Pittsburgh Pirates Fields for Kids Charites and Bradenton Marauders grant that the league was
awarded last fall. This year’s chipped run sent runners thru the EBYA complex and the Family Y at Big Bend. Without the support of local businesses, our program would not be able to thrive and create outstanding athletes.
EBYA Juniors Blue Jays Tanner Elizondo, swings at a pitch against the Nationals last month during an in-league regular season game.
EBYA is also hosting its annual regular season championship playoffs scheduled for the week of May 7-13, followed by its All Star games. For information, visit www.eastbayyouthathletics.org.
Looking for a Local Landscaper? Full Service Lawn Care • Landscaping • Tree Service Irrigation Repair & Installation • Sod • Clean Up • Hauling Outdoor Living Areas
FREE Quotes
431-3309 • reallawn@aol.com
www.lawncare-brandon.com
Creative Curriculum Scholastic Curriculum in our VPK classes. ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy Extracurricular Activities - Dance, Soccer, and Zumba Three Separate Playgrounds Nutritious Snacks and lunch included
Before and After School Care: Sessums, Collins, Summerfield Elementary, Summerfield Crossing, and Southshore Academy 13011 Summerfield Crossing Blvd. Riverview
813-671-0900
www.summerfield.discoverypoint.com Lic. No. CHC 432329
11719 Symmes Road Riverview
813-671-1800
www.symmes.discoverypoint.com Lic. No. CHC 432079
Family & Owned d Operate