Upper Deck inserts depict presidential candidates

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 11:46 PM

The Florida primary is history and the candidates for president are becoming clearer. As we wait for the Republican National Convention this summer in Tampa, it’s not a bad time to reflect on those men and women seeking to occupy the White House in January.

Upper Deck has taken that step, with a nine-card World of Politics insert set that will be part of the World of Sports product that will be released Feb. 21.

The inserts will be seeded one in every 40 packs on the average and will include President Barack Obama and the chief Republican challengers: front-runner Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum (throwing a baseball). Others who campaigned who will get a card are Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Rick Perry. There’s even a Sarah Palin card thrown in for good measure.

Upper Deck has gone political before. During the 2008 campaign, UD produced Presidential Predictor cards that were inserted into Series 1 baseball. Those were caricatures of the candidates, with each tied to a baseball play or event. I thought those were very well thought out and lots of fun to collect — I mean, George W. Bush putting a phantom tag on Al Gore and getting the call was priceless, and so was John McCain with a home run swing that looked suspiciously like Ted Williams’.

There also was a Hillary Clinton card that was pulled from production, a parody that portrayed the former first lady (and current Secretary of State) as Morganna, the Kissing Bandit. Probably a good move.

This year’s cards are more sedate, or presidential-looking, if you will. The photographs are sharp and crisp and completing a set will be a nice goal for collectors.

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Trout bite still on fire

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by The Tampa Tribune

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 04:47 PM

BY BILLY NOBLES

Thank God for a lying ground hog. Our buddy Phil saw his shadow, and that means a few more weeks of winter. Here in Florida, with water temperatures approaching 70 degrees in February, the bite is on.

Captain Mike ran a trip this week in Clearwater, and he reports that they couldn’t find a spot that wasn’t holding trout. The average size was around 18 inches. Don’t tell anyone, but he caught them on the DOA CAL Shad tail, with a white body and a chartreuse head. Go figure, I think that’s the only color he owns, but it works.

Captain Stephen Markovich reports that on Tampa Bay the large trout are back, along with large schools of redfish and — wait for it — huge black drum. The bait is still plentiful at the Skyway piers, but be careful, as the demolition is still going on. You don’t want to skewer your vessel on a submerged piling.

Offshore is absolutely on fire with the grouper bite. It’s a shame we can’t bring any home, because the red and gag seasons are closed. There are still plenty of other species you can bring home for dinner, though.

The amberjack bite is unreal, and they are a blast on light tackle. At around the 100-foot range, look for rock piles, as these hot spots are holding mangrove snapper. That’s if you can get past the red snapper. What a problem to have.

Catch Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Ch. 8, and from 6-9 a.m. on 970 AM, and on Sundays from 7-9 a.m. on 620 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit http://www.reelanimalsfishingshow.com.

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Rays win arbitration case with Niemann

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 04:18 PM

ROGER MOONEY

The Rays remain the only major league team undefeated in the arbitration process after a panel of three arbitrators ruled in their favor today in the case with Jeff Niemann.

Niemann sought a $3.2 million contract for 2012, while the Rays offered $2.75 million.

“We are officially at the end of the arbitration process for the year,” executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We had a number of eligible players this year and we’re happy to have this process behind us so we can focus all of our attention on getting ready for the season.”

Niemann was the last of the Rays six arbitration-eligible players to come to an agreement.

Joel Peralta agreed to a one-year, $2.175 deal in December, and the Rays reached one-year deals with David Price ($4.35 million), B.J. Upton ($7 million), J.P. Howell ($1.355 million) and Burke Badenhop ($1.075 million) before last month’s deadline to exchange figures.

In all, the Rays paid $18.705 million to the six players.

The Rays are now 6-0 in arbitration, 5-0 under Friedman.

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Jesuit’s Chacon commits to North Carolina

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Adam Adkins

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 03:34 PM

Jesuit junior baseball player Adrian Chacon has verbally committed to the University of North Carolina, Tigers coach Richie Warren said Friday.

Chacon, who plays third base, catcher and pitcher for the Tigers, also was being recruited by Florida, Central Florida and Vanderbilt, among others. He is the second Jesuit junior to give a verbal pledge to the Tar Heels, joining pitcher Spencer Trayner.

Chacon hit .292 with 19 runs scored last season for Jesuit’s Class 4A state runner-up squad. He also posted a 0.78 ERA over 18 innings on the mound, with 19 strikeouts and just two walks.

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Freedom’s Schaller signs with Stetson

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 03:00 PM

Freedom offensive lineman Kurt Schaller, a three year starter for the Patriots and a team captain last fall, has signed a letter of intent with Stetson University in DeLand, Fla.

The 5-foot-10, 285-pound Schaller is one of several area players who will be part of a Stetson football program that is returning to action in 2013 after a 57-year hiatus.

The Hatters’ football program will be competing in the Pioneer Football League, where most of the schools are private. The league, however, will be played at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) as a non-scholarship program.

The Pioneer Football League consists of teams in the East, Midwest, and California of the United States. Member schools range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. The league includes Butler, Campbell, Davidson, Dayton, Jacksonville, Drake, Marist, Morehead State, the University of San Diego and Valparaiso University. Stetson and Mercer join in 2013. All incoming players at Stetson and Mercer will earn redshirt status this fall.

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Update on Rays Fan Fest, set for Feb. 18

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 02:48 PM

The 2012 Rays Fan Fest presented by MetroPCS, scheduled for Saturday, February 18 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Tropicana Field, will feature an unprecedented number of activities for kids.  Proceeds from select events benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation and the ALS Association Florida Chapter. 

Youth stations include clinics by Rays coaches, “Reading with the Rays,” running the bases, Sweetbay Supermarket High Five Station, interactive activities for all ages and photo opportunities with Rays mascot Raymond and DJ Kitty. The event is also sponsored by Chevrolet, Sweetbay Supermarket and Tradewinds Island Resorts.  Admission and parking are free. 

Hitting and pitching clinics sponsored by Sagicor will be held throughout the day allowing kids to receive free instruction from the Rays major league coaching staff.
 
To promote “Reading with the Rays,” the club’s summer reading program, Rays players will read select stories to kids.

Fan Fest will feature numerous interactive activities for children and families. The MOR Kids Interactive Zone allows fans to interact with players while they swing away in a big league batting cage, try out their fastball in the speed pitch booth and hit a home run in the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby. Other interactive activities include the MLB 2K11 station, Rock Band stage, Pop-A-Shot booth and newly added Family Feud.
 
“This year’s Fan Fest will feature even more activities for baseball fans, especially children,” Rays president Matt Silverman said. “In addition, the event has become a major fundraiser for the community. By the time the day is over, we expect to have raised over $100,000 for great local causes.”

Tickets to Rays Manager Joe Maddon’s traditional Thanksmas meal during Fan Fest are sold out. All proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.

In addition, fans are encouraged to stop by the MetroPCS Call-A-Friend station to have the opportunity for Rays players Reid Brignac, Sam Fuld, David Price or Sean Rodriguez to call a friend or family member. Rays broadcasters and special guests will hold panel discussions. Clubhouse tours will be offered throughout the day.

New to the event in this year is an MLB Alumni Wiffle Ball game including former Rays players.

The Rays Charity Yard Sale returns for a second year giving fans the opportunity to purchase unique game-used and autographed memorabilia dating back to the inaugural season.  All proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.  In 2011, the Rays Yard Sale raised $80,000.  Proceeds were split among Rays community partners, the ALS Association, Suncoast Law Enforcement Charities and the Rays Baseball Foundation. 

Fans have the option to purchase a $50 wristband which grants the opportunity to get autographs from Rays players.  All proceeds benefit the ALS Association.

Rays TV and radio broadcasters and more than 25 former major league players will also sign autographs for free throughout the day.

New to Fan Fest is the Exclusive Signing Opportunity that will guarantee an autograph from a specific Rays player. With the purchase of this exclusive offer, fans also receive a wristband for the general autograph line. For more information or to purchase an Exclusive Signing Opportunity, please visit raysbaseball.com.  Proceeds benefit the Rays Baseball Foundation.

Rays ticket sales personnel will be available to assist fans throughout the day in the purchase of season tickets, group tickets and a special Fan Fest pack offer.

Fans can call 888-FAN-RAYS or log on to raysbaseball.com for more information about 2012 Rays Fan Fest.

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Update: FHSAA hits Strawberry Crest, Freedom boys hoops teams with suspensions and fines

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 03:19 PM

Just days before the start of their district tournaments, boys basketball teams from Freedom and Strawberry Crest have been hit with player suspensions and fines as a result of an altercation that occurred in a recent game between the two squads, Florida High School Athletics Association spokesperson Corey Sobers told the Tampa Tribune on Friday.

According to reports filed to the FHSAA by the two schools’ administrators, game referees and Hillsborough County athletics director Lanness Robinson, the game was played Jan. 27 at Strawberry Crest and the incident occurred late in the third quarter. As a Freedom and Strawberry Crest player were contesting a rebound, the ball went out of bounds, the report says, and one player tackled the other. That resulted in punches being thrown, players from both teams leaving the bench and even some fans coming out of the stands and on to the floor.

Player names were not released in the report given by the FHSAA, but a video tape review of the incident revealed a player from each squad threw a punch and three players from each school left the bench.

As a result of the review, the FHSAA handed Freedom suspensions for three athletes on its basketball team. One player received a “Level 2” suspension (six weeks) for throwing a punch, which is effectively for the remainder of the season. Three other players were given Level 1 suspensions, or two games.

Freedom itself was fined $250 for having two Level 2 or higher suspensions during the current school year (the other came in football) and $100 for its fourth suspension in boys basketball. Additionally, Freedom’s boys basketball program is placed on administrative probation for the remainder of the current school year, as well as the 2012-13 school year, Sobers said.

Two basketball players from Strawberry Crest received six-week suspensions, one of whom earned the ban because it was his second Level 1 this school year. Two Level 1 suspensions in the same year result is an automatic Level 2. Two other Chargers players received two-game bans.

Sobers said Strawberry Crest was fined $250 for having two Level 2 or higher suspensions during the current school year and $100 for its fourth suspension in boys basketball. The Chargers’ boys basketball program was also placed on administrative probation for remainder of 2011-12 school year and 2012-13 school year.

District tournaments start next week. Since the suspensions date back to the games following the incident, the three players given two-contest suspensions will have served their second game after the regular season schedule concludes with tonight’s games. The players with six-contests bans are not only done for the basketball season, but could also miss the start of the season for any spring sport they compete in.

Strawberry Crest is the No. 2 seed n the Class 6A-11 tourney at Sickles, where first-round action begins Monday. Freedom is in the 7A-9 tourney at Chamberlain, where play starts Tuesday.

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Armwood’s Callahan—Kirk Callahan—lands UCF post

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 12:08 PM

At the end of the day, all Armwood football coach Sean Callahan says he really wants is to see his kids get an education, a good job and, of course, be happy.

So far, so good.

Callahan got some good news on that front late this week when his oldest son, 27-year-old Kirk, landed a job as a defensive backs coach at his alma mater, the University of Central Florida.

“There was no question he was going to get hired somewhere eventually,” Sean Callahan said. He’s very knowledgeable, he’s learned a lot from some outstanding coaches and is a good recruiter.

“I’m just very, very proud of him.”

After finishing his playing career at UCF, Kirk worked one season as an intern there under head coach George O’Leary. He then spent two years as an intern at the University of North Carolina, then landed a job as a graduate assistant at Florida. He coached one year under Urban Meyer and one under current coach Will Muschamp.

Sean Callahan said Kirk got a call from O’Leary late this week, drove to Orlando for an interview and was offered the job. Kirk then had to drive back to his home in Gainesville, gather his basic necessities to start the job today. Besides working with the defensive secondary, Kirk will likely be the recruiting coordinator for UCF in the Tampa Bay area.

“It’s a great opportunity for Kirk and a good-paying job,” Sean Callahan said. “He’s going to do well there and I think he’s going to be able to pull a lot of kids from this area.”

Meanwhile, Callahan’s daughter, Kristin, recently landed a good-paying job in the business sector of the Southwest Florida area and his youngest son, Casey, is playing linebacker at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University.

Photo: A 2002 photo of Armwood football coach Sean Callahan and his son, Kirk, who was a senior that year for the Hawks. Friday, Kirk began his job as an assistant at UCF.

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Lakeland Jenkins forfeit earns Gaither region final spot

Posted Feb 3, 2012 by Jarrett Guthrie

Updated Feb 3, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Gaither boys soccer coach Eric Sims said Friday morning his athletic director infromed him that his team’s opponent - Lakeland Jenkins - has forfeited Friday’s Class 4A, Region 2 semifinal after using an ineligible player in the team’s 3-1 win against Freedom on Tuesday.

The forfeit means Gaither (19-4-1) will automatically advance to next Tuesday’s region final facing the winner of tonight’s Winter Springs-Kissimmee Osceola match.

Gaither reached the state final four last season in Class 5A after defeating East Lake 3-1 in the region final.

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Nation’s fastest high schooler: Bracy

Posted Feb 2, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 11:32 PM

With the indoor track season already underway and the outdoor season set to begin in just 10 days for Class 1A and 2A schools and the larger divisions starting Feb. 20, it’s time to ask, who’s the fastest?

Well, when it comes to local sprinters, the guys to beat are Alonso’s Brandon Holloway and Hillsborough’s Anthony Brown. Both are state medalists, with Holloway owning 100/200 PRs of clocking 10.54/21.28 and Brown clocking 10.58/21.60.

That’s fast, but Orlando Boone senior and Florida State signee Marvin Bracy threw down the challenge to all comers at last week’s indoor meet in Gainesville when he smashed the national record for 55 meters with his time of 6.08. Watch this video of his race and see his reaction time to the gun, his drive phase, finish and margin of victory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv51o6DJmuQ

And these are not slugs he is racing. He isn’t even technically perfect yet, but he is already posting times close to current University of Florida star Jeff Demps and eclipsing prep records held by Olympian Justin Gatlin (2004 gold medalist, Athens).

If the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Bracy can stay healthy, he could wind up in this summer’s Olympic track trials in Eugene, Ore. Bracy is already the winner of a USA Track and Field Junior Championships title after winning the 100 last summer in the second-fastest time in Florida high school history, 10.05. Only Demps, co-holder of the junior world record (10.01), has run faster. Demps did that the summer after graduating high school at the 2008 Olympic trials.

So how fast is 55 meters indoors compared to the 100 outdoors? Well, there’s so many factors that make the two races totally different—like wind and endurance over the final 40 meters of a 100—that it’s almost useless to make comparisons. But according to the splits from the past world records, it would take a 60 meter split of approximately 6.47 to 6.53 to run the entire 100 meters distance under 10 flat. Bracy’s 55 meter time equates to about a 6.62 for the 60, so he’s probably close to running 10.10.

One thing is for sure: Bracy is the fastest prep sprinter in Florida right now. And probably in the nation, too.

Photo: Orlando Boone’s Marvin Bracy wears one of the two gold medals he won at last year’s Class 4A state track championships. Photo by Bill Ward.

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