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Recruiting

  • DL Malcolm Hudson ends D-I drought at Hernando

    DL Malcolm Hudson ends D-I drought at Hernando BROOKSVILLE — Hernando’s best football season in 14 years continued Thursday with balloons and cake — and a slice of history. Leopards defensive lineman Malcolm Hudson signed with Army to become the program’s first Division I signee since 2001. “I gotta follow the path God put me on,” Hudson said. ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 6:02 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Rutgers Scarlet Knights give David Emmanuel his first offer

    David Emmanuel, Pasco RB (6-foot, 180 pounds) The latest: Emmanuel’s wait is over. The senior-to-be picked up his first offer Thursday, from Rutgers, Pirates coach Tom McHugh said via Twitter. Middle Tennessee State and others have recently stopped by to evaluate the powerful running back. Rutgers has also offered Pasco ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 2:32 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Arkansas State the latest offer for Tampa Catholic WR Zach Benjamin

      Zach Benjamin, Tampa Catholic (6-foot-4, 187 pounds) The latest: Arkansas State become the sixth school to offer Benjamin this spring Offers: Toledo, UMass, Air Force, Colgate, Bowling Green, Arkansas State Last season: Benjamin (6-3, 175 pounds) caught 13 passes for 260 yards and five TDs last season. We say: Look for Benjamin to ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 11:54 a.m. | Laura Keeley

  • Eric Moate, a quiet recruit, has USF and Auburn among his 10 offers

    Twitter and Facebook are ablaze with offers. Players reporting them as they happen, recruiting sites and newspapers following up, and the echo chamber cranking at full volume. So how does a guy like Eric Moate pick up 10 of the quietest offers ever? Well, consider he's one of the quietest ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 8:43 p.m. | John C. Cotey

    • Recruit: Eric Moate
      Auburn University, Indiana University, Iowa, Michigan, Purdue University, University of Mississippi, University of South Florida, West Virginia University

  • Hudson volleyball pair to sign

    Hudson volleyball players Lacey Carley and Kayla Dugan will continue to be teammates at the next level. The Cobra seniors plan to sign with St. Johns River State College on Friday afternoon, Hudson athletic director Keith Newton said. Carley, a libero/setter, was the conference’s co-player of the year. She recorded ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 9:10 a.m. | Matt Baker

  • River Ridge's Malik Moore to sign with Webber International

    River Ridge LB Malik Moore will sign with Webber International this morning, Royal Knights coach Ryan Benjamin said in a text message. In his first season of football last fall, Moore was second on the team with 75 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior also forced and recovered ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 7:50 a.m. | Matt Baker

  • Six Chargers athletes sign

    Six Chargers athletes sign Among the slew of local 11th-hour signing ceremonies was Monday's reception at Strawberry Crest, where six Chargers seniors -- two of whom will compete at the Division I level -- were recognized. Boys basketball standout Brandon Channer, a two-time pick on the Times' all-Hillsborough County squad, has signed with Jacksonville ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 9:55 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • South Alabama, Tennessee State offer Hernando LB Darren Hambrick

    Darren Hambrick, LB, Hernando (6-2, 215 pounds) The latest: The senior-to-be picked up two offers, from Tennessee State and South Alabama, Hambrick and Leopards coach John Palmer said via text messages. Hambrick had a strong spring game against CCC on Friday night and played more linebacker after lining up at ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 9:17 p.m. | Matt Baker

    • Recruit: Darren Hambrick
      Tennessee State University, University of Missouri, University of South Alabama

  • St. Petersburg Catholic's Reilly Gibbons hauls in a USF offer

    If Reilly Gibbons was a step too slow as a tight end according to some, his move to left tackle is turning out to be a step in the right direction. The St. Petersburg Catholic pass catcher turned blocker picked up his second offer this week, as USF made it ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 5:21 p.m. | John C. Cotey

  • Dixie Hollins' Brandon Bell, Dana Harrington both sign with Menlo

    Dixie Hollins’ Brandon Bell and Dana Harrington were two-sport athletes who shined in football and wrestling. Both signed with Menlo College, an NAIA school in Atherton, Calif., this week, but will concentrate on one sport there. Bell will play football. This past season, he rushed for more than 500 yards ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 11:47 a.m. | Bob Putnam

  • Two Titans linemen bound for college

    Two senior Titans have decided to play college football, Tampa Bay Tech head coach Jayson Roberts said Tuesday morning. OL Caleb Tucker (6-foot-4, 270 pounds) has accepted a preferred walk-on spot at USF, and Donald Clarke (6-foot-3, 270 pounds) signed with Division III Becker (Mass.) College. Both Tucker and Clarke ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 9:07 a.m. | Laura Keeley

  • Iowa State Cyclones, Middle Tennessee State offer ATH Janarion Grant

    Janarion Grant, Pasco ATH (6-foot, 185 pounds) The latest: Iowa State and Middle Tennessee State became the latest programs to offer the Pirates’ junior receiver/defensive back, Pasco coach Tom McHugh said Monday evening via Twitter. Monday’s news brings Grant, the two-time Class 2A state long jump champion, up to 10 ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 8:54 p.m. | Matt Baker

    • Recruit: Janarion Grant
      Iowa State University, Middle Tennessee, Texas Tech, University of South Florida

  • Sharks foursome signs

    Sharks foursome signs RIVERVIEW -- Four Riverview male athletes made their college commitments official during a signing ceremony in the school media center Monday afternoon. The baseball triumvirate of Justin Rose, Derek Jeffery and Chris Gauthier all signed with NAIA Webber International University in eastern Polk County. Distance-running star Michael Babinec signed a ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 8:19 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • Hernando pair to sign with Concordia

    Hernando QB Cleve Pope and WR Terrance Owens will sign with Concordia College on Thursday, Leopards coach John Palmer said Monday. Pope threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns last fall to help Hernando to its first district title since 1997. One of the county’s top athletes who earned a ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 1:33 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Pinellas Park's Jarey Brown and Brandon Espiras both sign

    Pinellas Park’s Jarey Brown and Brandon Espiras both signed to play basketball in college, Patriots coach Jon Cabino said. Brown, a co-captain who averaged 8 points and 3 assists per game this past season, signed with Piedmont, a Division III school in Demorest, Ga. Espiras signed with Ateneo de Manila, ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 1:29 p.m. | Bob Putnam

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Special reports

Spring football 2012 Spring football 2012

Latest news

  • Football: Spring jamboree at Dunedin

    At Dunedin Scores: Seminole 8, Northeast 6 Dunedin 13, Northeast 8 Seminole 7, Dunedin 6 Spring game-breakers: Seminole’s defense came through, holding two high-powered offenses to a combined 12 points. Both scores came late in each half and the Warhawks stopped two-point conversions in both games. … Seminole relied on ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 11:54 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • Football: Spring jamboree at Blake

    At Blake Scores: Chamberlain 30, Blake 6 Hillsborough 15, Middleton 0 Spring game-breakers:  Chamberlain running back Xavier Johnson ran for three touchdowns and had 73 of the Chiefs’ 153 rushing yards. Johnson scored on runs of 4, 2 and 4 yards. Chamberlain’s other TD came on a 14-yard pass from ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 11:33 p.m. | Don Jensen

  • Football: Spring jamboree at Plant City

    At Plant City Scores: Durant 49, Strawberry Crest 7 Armwood 7, Plant City 0 (halted) Spring game-breakers: The lightning that ended the second half with 9:22 to play was preceded by a deluge of miscues. The Hawks and Raiders combined for 11 penalties despite agreeing to no live action on ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 10:44 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • Football: Spring jamboree at East Bay

    At East Bay Scores: Riverview 15, Lennard 14 East Bay 14, Spoto 7 Spring game-breakers: Riverview sophomore QB Chase Freeman ran the ball eight times, picking up 65 yards and the touchdown that brought his team within a point despite having only three weeks of practice in new coach Mike ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 10:42 p.m. | David Rice

  • Football: Spring jamboree at Brandon

    At Brandon Scores: Brandon 3, Bloomingdale 0 Newsome 6, Bloomingdale 0 Newsome 15, Brandon 14 Spring game-breakers: Newsome quarterback Will Worth capped a back-and-forth quarter vs. Brandon by throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Austin Shear with nine seconds remaining and running in a two-point conversion for a one-point Newsome ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 10:18 p.m. | Bryan Burns

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Latest Football News

  • Plant to play River Ridge (La.) John Curtis Christian in Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic

    The lineup for the second annual Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic has been set. Now a Florida vs. Louisiana showdown, Tallahassee Lincoln will play Covington (La.) St. Paul, and  Plant will travel to New Orleans Sept. 7 to face River Ridge (La.) John Curtis Christian in the second game of the doubleheader. The Tallahassee ...
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    Fri. May 25, 2012 at 10:52 a.m. | Laura Keeley

  • Spring football: Calvary Christian 7, Community School of Naples 0

    Spring football: Calvary Christian 7, Community School of Naples 0 At Calvary Christian Score: Calvary Christian 7, Community School of Naples 0 Spring game-breakers: A two-hour weather delay kept Calvary and Naples from completing a full game, opting instead to play two quarters. … Led by rising senior Derek Barnes, Calvary’s secondary is something to keep a close eye on. ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 11:29 p.m. | Basil Spyridakos

  • Football: Spring jamboree at Seffner Christian

    At Seffner Christian Score: Seffner Christian 34, Ocala Christian 0 Spring game-breakers: Rising junior two-way star Robbie Shell celebrated his 16th birthday with two first-quarter touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving — in the Crusaders’ romp. … Five-foot-8, 185-pound sophomore-to-be Marcus Richardson, who doubles at nose guard, added three rushing ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 10:57 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • Football: Spring jamboree at King

    At King Scores: Tampa Bay Tech 14, Wharton 0 King 11, Freedom 0 (one quarter) Spring game-breakers: The Titans are going to be fine with their group of offensive linemen, including rising senior Dominique Parker and rising sophomore Tyree St. Luis. The Titans rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns. ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 9:53 p.m. | Andy Warrener

  • Football: Spring jamboree at Leto

    At Leto Spring game-breakers: Robinson running back Martin Ruiz had a quick 25-yard touchdown run against Jefferson Thursday night and that was it. Rain delayed the start of the jamboree by an hour, then after less than five minutes of play, lightning lit up the sky for another delay. After ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 9:02 p.m. | Todd Foley

  • HomeTeam Huddle: Pinellas spring game primer

    HomeTeam Huddle: Pinellas spring game primer After most of the private schools played last week, the Pinellas County public schools get their turn with spring games or jamborees Thursday or Friday. (Lakewood and Pinellas Park are the lone teams playing next week) Here’s a quick primer on the teams, players and positions to follow as spring ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 6:14 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • HomeTeam Huddle: Hillsborough QB battles to watch in jamborees

    HomeTeam Huddle: Hillsborough QB battles to watch in jamborees Because so few derbies — Kentucky or quarterback — are ever determined in one or two furlongs, Thursday’s slate of one-half jamboree contests likely won’t settle any behind-center battles being waged locally. But they could determine a clear leader. This is, after all, teams’ first live action of 2012 against ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 4:37 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • HomeTeam Huddle: North Suncoast spring game primer

    HomeTeam Huddle: North Suncoast spring game primer After a few warmups last week, most North Suncoast football teams play their spring games or jamborees Thursday or Friday. Here’s a quick primer on the teams, players and positions to follow as spring practice concludes. Five intriguing teams Fivay: The Falcons were one of Tampa Bay’s best stories last ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 1:12 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • Will Muschamp talks Florida Gators recruiting, 7-on-7

    Will Muschamp talks Florida Gators recruiting, 7-on-7 Florida Gators football coach Will Muschamp was in Tampa on Tuesday night to speak to a handful of reporters and a room full of Gator Club boosters. You can read more about that here. Muschamp talked about recruiting during the evening. Those tidbits,  including his take on 7-on-7 football, didn’t ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 9:51 a.m. | Matt Baker

  • HomeTeam Huddle: Transfer gives Sickles' incumbent QB push in right direction

    HomeTeam Huddle: Transfer gives Sickles' incumbent QB push in right direction TAMPA — Assorted injuries and suspensions have left Sickles — a bona fide Class 6A playoff contender this fall — far from 100 percent for Thursday’s jamboree at Alonso. But behind center, the Gryphons are a picture of health — and healthy competition. Rising senior Nate Mills, an 1,100-yard passer ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 7:35 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • HomeTeam Huddle: Countryside's Yates talks expanding role, leadership

    HomeTeam Huddle: Countryside's Yates talks expanding role, leadership For the past two years, Countryside’s Ryan Yates has gotten a few carries and slipped out of the backfield occasionally in the passing game. But for the most part he has led the way for others with his blocking. That could change this season with Diomi Roberts graduating. Yates, who ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 6:20 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • HomeTeam Huddle: Mitchell's revamped running game still powerful

    HomeTeam Huddle: Mitchell's revamped running game still powerful Though Mitchell loses two of its three leading rushers from a wing-T offense that racked up almost 2,300 rushing yards last fall, the Mustangs don’t seem worried. With a healthy Dan Barber, a more experienced Christian Trinidad and an upcoming Ryan Marsh, coach Scott Schmitz said his team’s backs could ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 1:02 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • HomeTeam Huddle: Off on right foot at Northside

    It was just a spring game victory, and it came against a winless opponent. ¶ But consider Mike Alstott’s coaching debut at Northside Christian a success. After two years of seeming to exist just to give opposing teams a week’s respite, the Mustangs got a taste Saturday of the success ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 9:16 p.m. | Bob Putnam

  • HomeTeam Huddle: At Spoto, less really is more

    HomeTeam Huddle: At Spoto, less really is more RIVERVIEW — Veteran Spoto coach Dale Caparaso has spent these purgatorial spring afternoons overseeing somewhat of a paradox in pads. Which is to say, a minimal turnout has not led to maximum two-platooning. Entering Thursday’s jamboree at East Bay, Caparaso envisions only one player — rising senior FB/ILB Camarcus Thomas ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 9:10 p.m. | Joey Knight

  • Hernando football coach John Palmer resigns

    Hernando football coach John Palmer resigns John Palmer rebuilt Hernando’s football program from the county’s doormat into a district champion. Someone else will be responsible for keeping the Leopards’ success alive. Health problems forced the fourth-year coach to resign Monday, three days after Hernando’s spring game. “Coaching is tough when it’s at its best,” Palmer said. ...
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    Mon. May 21, 2012 at 3:57 p.m. | Matt Baker

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Other News

  • Cooley to lead Zephyrhills swimming

    Karen Cooley has been named Zephyrhills’ new girls swimming coach, principal Steve Van Gorden announced in an email Friday morning. Cooley coached the Bulldogs from 1999-2003 and led Land O’Lakes’ team before that. “Coach Cooley brings a level of eagerness and commitment to the program that will show immediate benefits,” ...
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    Fri. May 25, 2012 at 9:35 a.m. | Matt Baker

  • Football: Spring jamboree (abbreviated) at Anclote

    Football: Spring jamboree (abbreviated) at Anclote At Anclote Score: Anclote 14, Hudson 0 (one quarter) Spring game-breakers: Anclote quarterback John Forgione looked more comfortable behind center than ever before, managing the offense to a quick score on the Sharks’ first drive. He went 4-of-5 for 103 yards and a touchdown to start the first game against ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 9:56 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere

  • Several local teams make the grade with the FHSAA

    East Lake and Berkeley Prep are among the Florida High School Athletic Association's academic team champions for the spring. East Lake was tops for Class 8A, while Berkeley Prep led all of Class 4A for the second straight year. The team aggregate cumulative GPA is submitted for nomination, and the ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 4:51 p.m. | Times Staff

  • Shank out as Gulf boys basketball coach (5:20 update)

    Gulf boys basketball coach Jeffrey Shank has been dismissed by the school district as a science teacher, according to spokeswoman Summer Romagnoli.  Romagnoli said Shank was dismissed as a teacher during his probationary period. The decision was not related to athletics but no further details were immediately available. Shank had ...
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    Thu. May 24, 2012 at 2:46 p.m. | Matt Baker

  • State baseball: Barons just a step behind in semifinal loss

    State baseball: Barons just a step behind in semifinal loss PORT ST. LUCIE — St. Petersburg Catholic came up a step short of advancing to the Class 3A state final Wednesday afternoon. Make that a half step short. Or perhaps a quarter step. With a runner on third and two outs in the top of the ninth inning against Delray ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 9:04 p.m. | Rodney Page

  • State baseball: Jacksonville Providence shuts down Tampa Prep in 3A semis

    State baseball: Jacksonville Providence shuts down Tampa Prep in 3A semis PORT ST. LUCIE — A quick look at Tampa Prep’s season stats reveals the Terrapins don’t often collect extra-base hits. In fact, 81 percent of their hits this year have been singles. Knowing this, Jacksonville Providence pulled its outfielders in Wednesday and on several occasions, bloopers and bleeders that would ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. | Laura Keeley

  • Girls basketball: Sickles G Bre Crum named Parade All-American

    Girls basketball: Sickles G Bre Crum named Parade All-American For the fourth consecutive year, a girls basketball player from Sickles has been named an All-American by Parade magazine. Bre Crum, following in the footsteps three-time winner and current Duke redshirt freshman Amber Henson, is on the latest list that will run in print Saturday. Crum, the Times' all-Hillsborough County and ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 3:21 p.m. | Laura Keeley

  • Panthers reign at spring sports awards

    Panthers reign at spring sports awards TAMPA  — A two-word phrase that evolved into a local refrain over the past nine months applied directly to Hillsborough County's spring sports awards ceremony Wednesday morning. Plant dominated. The South Tampa school, winner of three state team titles during the 2011-12 school year, was named recipient of the Vernon ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 11:55 a.m. | Joey Knight

  • Pinellas-Hillsborough all-star baseball game set for May 31

    The annual clash of the Hillsborough and Pinellas county's all-star baseball players is May 31 at Tropicana Field. The game has a 4:30 p.m. start. Hillsborough roster Pitchers: Gaither's Evan Gainey, Riverview's Dylan Drawdy, Leto's Chris Miranda-Carr, Alonso's Nathan Hahn, Steinbrenner's Chris Williams, Jefferson's Jimmy Herget and Corbin Olmstead, Durant's ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 11:29 a.m. | Times Staff

  • State baseball: Tampa Prep pitchers benefit from required reading

    State baseball: Tampa Prep pitchers benefit from required reading TAMPA — Last fall, as Tampa Prep aces Nick Adams and Durin O’Linger began their final year of high school, they were given an additional book for their studies. It wasn’t hard-covered or professionally bound, but the contents of the 12-page Tampa Prep Pitching Handbook, authored by pitching coach Nick ...
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    Wed. May 23, 2012 at 12:27 a.m. | Laura Keeley

  • Jesuit trio, among others, headed to USA Baseball Tournament of Stars

    Jesuit trio, among others, headed to USA Baseball Tournament of Stars Six Hillsborough County baseball players, including three from Jesuit, have been selected and confirmed to attend June's USA Baseball Tournament of Stars, according to Brant Ust, the director of the 18-and-under national team. The tournament, which is the first step in the selection process for the 18U national team, is ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 5:46 p.m. | Laura Keeley

  • FACA all-star baseball games on tap

    FACA all-star baseball games on tap The Florida Athletic Coaches Association all-star baseball games are this weekend at Fireman's Field in Sebring. The North and South all-stars play at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by the East-West game at 2:30 p.m. The overall championship is Sunday, 30 minutes after the consolation matchup, which starts at 11 a.m.  ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 4:04 p.m. | Times Staff

  • Pinellas Park baseball coach Ruttencutter resigns

    Bill Ruttencutter has resigned as Pinellas Park baseball coach after 12 years. Ruttencutter compiled a 151-171 record and two PCAC south championships. Last season, Pinellas Park advanced to the Class 7A region final, its best showing since 1984. "It was just one of those things where it felt right,’’ Ruttencutter ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 2:01 p.m. | Rodney Page

  • State baseball: Unexpected pitching prowess powers St. Petersburg Catholic

    State baseball: Unexpected pitching prowess powers St. Petersburg Catholic ST. PETERSBURG — Stewart Wilkes wanted to do something more to help St. Petersburg Catholic this season. He had been a designated hitter and third baseman. “I got booted from third,’’ Wilkes said. “I’ve got rock hands.’’ He had been a rightfielder. “That didn’t work out either,’’ he said. “I ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 12:21 p.m. | Rodney Page

  • Hudson looking for new baseball coach because of supervision concerns

    Hudson is looking for a new baseball coach after the dismissal of coach Tony Egan, Cobras athletic director Keith Newton said in an email Tuesday afternoon. Newton said the district told the school it needed to make a change “due to a problem during the season” but did not offer ...
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    Tue. May 22, 2012 at 12:13 p.m. | Matt Baker

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