Rec Sports

The triple tragedy of my first home run | News, Sports, Jobs

Published

5 months ago

July 6, 2025

Nearly every Friday of my youth was spent with my family eating a fish fry dinner like this one, usually at the American Legion Post 62 on Central Avenue in Dunkirk.
Photo courtesy of Erica Carlson

Your job, if you decide to accept it, is to figure out the third and final tragedy of this tale. And do it before you finish reading.

My fourth season in Dunkirk Little League baseball as an 11-year-old in 1962 was, I admit it, underwhelming.

I was the best player on the USW-CIO team in the National Division of Dunkirk Little League. That’s not saying much because we were among the worst teams in the city. We won two games that season.

The main reason we were so bad is because we were almost entirely first-year players.

Bill Hammond

Our previous season we started seven 12-year-olds, the absolute most allowed by Little League rules at the time. Five of those players hit over-the-fence home runs that season, a remarkable achievement.

I played an undistinguished second base that summer as a 10-year-old.

Our other returning starter should have been catcher Bobby Polvino, an outstanding generational athlete in the making who tragically died in the city Halloween parade of 1961.

I was picked to the division’s 1962 all-star team and dutifully attended all the practices on the Woodrow Avenue field.

My family pumped me for details after each practice. I had few.

My all-star coaches decided to keep everyone in the dark as to playing status — starting nine or five-player bench. Not knowing where we stood made us all practice harder, in theory.

Our first game was in Westfield where team standout Dan Alessi pitched a masterful 4-0 no-hit victory. It was his fourth no-hitter of a memorable summer. He was that good. Really.

Me? I was doubly surprised to hit cleanup as an 11-year-old behind my up-the-street neighbor Alessi and play right field for the first time ever, even in practice.

Fortunately, no balls were hit my way and I contributed to the offense with a single and double.

We advanced to a Friday night meeting with the host Jamestown Internationals. The county’s largest city had three all-star teams in the district single-elimination tourney.

I was driven to the game in a car with a backseat full of all-stars. My dad got home from work at five and they — my mother, brother and two sisters — would see me at the 6 p.m. start.

It rained HARD all the way to the game. It didn’t look good. But somehow the worst of the rain spared us and the game started on time.

The team and I expected another 4th Street Gang member, Jim McGraw, would be our starting pitcher. He threw hard and was a relentless competitor. He was clearly the second-best pitcher on our roster.

The coaches had other ideas, starting their regular season team’s ace. He was a lefty who found success pitching around the opposition’s best players.

This worked well for him in Dunkirk, but not in all-star competition. He surrendered a single, home run, double and another home run to the first four batters. Depressing.

In all, he gave up eight runs in the first inning. McGraw came on in relief and gave up little the rest of the way, but we were eliminated from further play in the tourney.

I led off the second inning after that eights-run disaster. I hit the first pitch far beyond the left-field fence. I clearly remember some fan in the back of a truck leaping up to try and catch it, but it was beyond his reach. It was my first career home run.

Teammate Bill Wojcinski added his first career home run later in the game. We later celebrated with burgers, fries and shakes on our way home.

The loss was Tragedy No. 1. Why I was still traveling with my fellow all-stars was Tragedy No. 2.

My parents decided there was no way we could play in that rainstorm, so they turned around and went back to Dunkirk and their weekly American Legion Post 62 fish fry I was fond of inhaling.

I hit my first home run and my entire family missed it. Major disappointment.

So, have you figured out Tragedy No. 3 yet? Need a clue?

I was a practicing Catholic those days. Dad graduated from a seminary. I was a freakin’ altar boy.

Eating that burger by mistake on a Friday was a major religious Bozo no-no. Or, in this case Tragedy No. 3.

I don’t know if breaking the meat abstinence law/rule/beatitude/commandment on a Friday was a venial (minor) or mortal (big-time) sin, but trust me, I paid dearly for that darn tasty indiscretion.

It started with lectures that night from both parents and continued early Saturday with confession, and of course, my prayer-heavy penance.

My Grandma Rose Schrantz even offered her two cents on the topic. I think she used the word “heathen.” Or maybe it was “pagan babies,” I’m really not sure. Tragic.

***

LAST WEEK’S mystery Little Leaguer was correctly identified as Charles “Chuck” Dudek, unsurprisingly by his younger brother, Mike Dudek. There were several other good guesses.

— — —

DO YOU have a favorite memory of your time in Little League? Drop me a line or send a photo to mandpp@hotmail.com.

Bill Hammond is a former EVENING OBSERVER Sports Editor.

: Nearly every Friday of my youth was spent with my family eating a fish fry dinner like this one, usually at the American Legion Post 62 on Central Avenue in Dunkirk.
Photo courtesy of Erica Carlson

: Bill Hammond

Link

Rec Sports

The Greatest Gift is a Safe Gift

Published

2 minutes ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

toys bunched together — Adobe Express via County News Center Credit: Adobe Express via County News Center

The holiday season is here and kids across the county are excited for their presents. With that it’s important to make sure the toys they receive are age appropriate and safe.

Every year hundreds of San Diego children end up in an emergency department from mishaps with toys. That’s why choking, swallowing or interacting with toys or jewelry made with lead, or those that have button or coin batteries are high on the list of doctors’ holiday concerns. Fortunately, San Diego parents can take steps to keep their family holiday safe from dangerous gifts.

First, make sure the toy is age appropriate: toy packaging will have a recommended age range. That label should also say “nontoxic” to ensure it is safe especially for infants and toddlers. Keep toys for older children out of reach especially because their small parts can be a choking risk. If a toy has a part that will fit through a cardboard toilet paper roll, it is small enough to pose a choking risk.

If possible, avoid using or buying button or coin batteries or toys that require them. Button batteries and batteries in general should be kept away from children in a drawer or cabinet out of reach. Button batteries are particularly concerning as they are a common choking hazard with serious consequences. A battery can get stuck in the child’s throat and burn a hole. This burn can quickly turn into infection, permanent damage, or even death if it’s not treated fast enough. Immediately seek emergency care if you think your child swallowed a battery.

Among other gifts to watch out for are antique toys or hand-me-downs which were already flagged as dangerous. Knowing what toys have been recalled, which toys may have lead and where to go to with concerns are essential.

Watch out for toys made in other countries or made in the United States before 1978, as they may have lead paint. Toys can only be tested for lead by a certified laboratory. At-home tests do not identify how much lead is present. It is best to check for recalls on old toys.

Lead exposure can harm a child’s brain and nervous system, slow their growth and cause learning difficulties. If you suspect your child has been exposed, remove the toy immediately. Anyone who is concerned about lead poisoning should ask their doctor for a blood test.

Washing your hands and wiping down surfaces and toys are also great ways to ensure any lead dust in the environment is removed.

Eating foods high in calcium, vitamin C and iron protect the body from absorbing lead. Fun recipes in English and Spanish are featured near the bottom of the Family Lead Safety website.

To avoid choking, swallowing and other hazards, anyone giving a gift to a child should consider the following questions:

Are there parts that are too pointy or dangerous for the child’s age?
Can any small parts come off the toy, even by design?
Does an older child’s toy have parts that pose a choking hazard for another child or siblings?
Can the toy be crushed or broken apart if stepped on, sat on or from falling?

Those gifting sports equipment or anything with wheels should also include appropriate protective gear, like helmets and pads.

The U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission reports that toys for children 12 and under are inspected by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). All toys that have passed inspection will have a label showing it meets those standards.

By following safe gift giving you can keep your loved ones safe too!

Source: County of San Diego Communications Office

Link

Rec Sports

Witness describes panic, parents shielding children

Published

11 minutes ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ALSO BEEN RESOLVED. NEW AT 11, THIS IS OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING SOMEONE AT A YOUTH FOOTBALL GAME IN COLLIER COUNTY TODAY. DEPUTIES SAY WILLIAM WHARTON OPENED FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE PARADISE. SPORTS COMPLEX, SENDING 7 YEAR-OLD KIDS RUNNING FOR COVER. WELL, THEIR PARENTS FLIPPED OVER TABLES TO SHIELD THEM FROM BULLETS. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER MADISON ADAMS IS IN NAPLES WITH NEW DETAILS ON HIS ARREST. >> TONIGHT, THE AMERICAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE JUST HOURS AFTER A MAN WAS SHOT IN THIS PARKING LOT. YOU CAN SEE COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE STILL HERE INVESTIGATING TEAMS FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HERE COMPETING EVEN FROM HAWAII. I GOT 7 YEAR-OLD. 5 THE HOME. >> COME ON. MEN DYING FOR FUN OR DOWN TO THE SPORT OF DOWN HERE FOR LIFE. LESSONS NOT DOWN HERE FOR LOSING LIVES. ALLEN, PAPA DEANS HAS BEEN COMING TO THE PARADISE SPORTS COMPLEX IN NAPLES FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS TO RECRUIT YOUNG PLAYERS AT THE AMERICAN YOUTH FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, SECURITY PRESENCE. HERE WAS 10 TIMES MORE THAN ANY OTHER YOUTH FOOTBALL. THEN AROUND 8 THIS MORNING, MOMENTS AFTER A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, HE HEARD GUNSHOTS. THEY WERE SAYING, MIKE AND, YOU KNOW, GET THE BABIES GOING TO SOFT, FEEL PROTECT THE KIDS. HE SAYS PLAYERS THAT LOOKED 6, 7, 8, YEARS OLD, WERE RUNNING AWAY TO SAFETY. I SAW SEVERAL PARENTS COME THROUGH AND AGAIN, LITERALLY THROWING THE TABLES BEHIND THEM AND THE SECURITY TABLES. I DON’T I WOULD EVEN SAY AS PROTECTION. THE COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS WILLIAM MORTON FROM NORTH CAROLINA SHOT JAMES REYNARD ALSO FROM WINSTON-SALEM IN THE PARKING LOT. THEY ARRESTED WHARTON FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY. I COUNTLESS POLICE CARS, AMBULANCES, FIRE TRUCKS, POLICE HELICOPTER OVER OVERHEAD. I REACHED OUT TO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE TO ASK HOW THE VICTIM IS DOING. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. WE’LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW

Gunfire at Youth Football Nationals: Witness describes panic, parents shielding children

Updated: 11:52 PM EST Dec 12, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

A shooting in the parking lot of the Paradise Sports Complex in Collier County interrupted the American Youth Football National Championships on Friday morning, leading to a significant law enforcement response.One person is in custody and another was taken to the hospital. The condition of the victim remains unknown, as the sheriff’s office has yet to provide an update.According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting was reported at 10:30 a.m. Deputies responded to the scene and quickly took a suspect into custody. CCSO deputies identified the victim as James Raynard, 43, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Raynard is a youth football coach.William Wharton, 38, also of Winston-Salem, is facing an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charge in connection with the shooting at this time, according to the CCSO.Deputies remain on the scene to process evidence and interview witnesses.Football games continued on Friday evening.Alan Popadines, the national scouting director for Prep Redzone Next, has been attending the championships for four years to recruit young football players.He said he heard gunshots around 8 a.m.”I got a 7-year-old, a 5-year-old at home. They play sports, I love sports, it’s my profession. And like, I think this is what it is like. Come on, man, we’re down here for fun. We’re down here for sports, are down here for life lessons, not down here for losing lives,” Popadines said. Popadines noted the heightened security presence at the event, describing it as “10 times more than any other youth football event.””I cannot stress enough, like, these people, if the complex itself, they could not have done more, there could not have been more security, like, every bag got screened, every people got wanded. If someone walked through who didn’t have a wristband that wasn’t supposed to be with the team, they were stopped at the gates and turned around or told to go to the main gate,” Popadines said. Despite this, he recounted the chaos that ensued after the gunshots, with people urging, “get the babies off, get the babies off the field, protect the kids,” as young players, some as young as 6, 7, and 8 years old, ran for safety. Popadines said the shooting happened in the parking lot outside the security gates that everyone has to enter to get on the nine playing fields.Popadines said he witnessed parents taking drastic measures to protect their children.”I see a bunch of kids running or running into in from the parking lot, into the facility, you know, through security, then I see parents very quickly rushing up behind the kids, telling them to move or to get behind, and almost like throwing the tables at the security, I would even say as protection,” Popadines said. He also witnessed parents taking drastic measures to protect their children, saying, “I saw several parents come through and again, literally throwing the tables behind them, the security tables, I don’t know, I would even say as protection.”Popadines described the scene following the shooting, saying, “I saw countless police cars, ambulance, fire truck, police helicopter overhead. Today and tomorrow were some of the championship games for some of the age groups.”This is a developing story and will be updated.Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Paradise Sports Complex is in Golden Gate Estates. It is in unincorporated Collier County.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

One person is in custody and another was taken to the hospital. The condition of the victim remains unknown, as the sheriff’s office has yet to provide an update.

According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting was reported at 10:30 a.m. Deputies responded to the scene and quickly took a suspect into custody.

CCSO deputies identified the victim as James Raynard, 43, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Raynard is a youth football coach.

William Wharton, 38, also of Winston-Salem, is facing an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charge in connection with the shooting at this time, according to the CCSO.

Deputies remain on the scene to process evidence and interview witnesses.

Football games continued on Friday evening.

Alan Popadines, the national scouting director for Prep Redzone Next, has been attending the championships for four years to recruit young football players.

He said he heard gunshots around 8 a.m.

“I got a 7-year-old, a 5-year-old at home. They play sports, I love sports, it’s my profession. And like, I think this is what it is like. Come on, man, we’re down here for fun. We’re down here for sports, are down here for life lessons, not down here for losing lives,” Popadines said.

Popadines noted the heightened security presence at the event, describing it as “10 times more than any other youth football event.”

“I cannot stress enough, like, these people, if the complex itself, they could not have done more, there could not have been more security, like, every bag got screened, every people got wanded. If someone walked through who didn’t have a wristband that wasn’t supposed to be with the team, they were stopped at the gates and turned around or told to go to the main gate,” Popadines said.

Despite this, he recounted the chaos that ensued after the gunshots, with people urging, “get the babies off, get the babies off the field, protect the kids,” as young players, some as young as 6, 7, and 8 years old, ran for safety.

Popadines said the shooting happened in the parking lot outside the security gates that everyone has to enter to get on the nine playing fields.

Popadines said he witnessed parents taking drastic measures to protect their children.

“I see a bunch of kids running or running into in from the parking lot, into the facility, you know, through security, then I see parents very quickly rushing up behind the kids, telling them to move or to get behind, and almost like throwing the tables at the security, I would even say as protection,” Popadines said.

He also witnessed parents taking drastic measures to protect their children, saying, “I saw several parents come through and again, literally throwing the tables behind them, the security tables, I don’t know, I would even say as protection.”

Popadines described the scene following the shooting, saying, “I saw countless police cars, ambulance, fire truck, police helicopter overhead. Today and tomorrow were some of the championship games for some of the age groups.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Paradise Sports Complex is in Golden Gate Estates. It is in unincorporated Collier County.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

Link

Rec Sports

Hometown newspapers few and far between | Opinion and Commentary

Published

1 hour ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Hometown newspapers few and far between — Jim Boren

During a recent panel discussion at the California Journalism Symposium in Monterey, the speakers were asked to explain their origin stories, essentially, how each panelist first got into the news business. It got me thinking about how I first connected to the news so many years ago.

I was just a school kid when my hometown newspaper, The Fresno Bee, ran our baseball score in tiny 6-point type, listing the “batteries”—the pitcher and catcher. It read: “O’Brien and Boren.” Seeing my name in the paper hooked me instantly on the power of the printed word.

Link

Rec Sports

Ignite Gymnastics brings home three state champions

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Tyla Armendariz, Arbor Moran, Mackenzie Hardesty each won last weekend

Ignite Gymnastics’ Arbor Moran was the state champion on uneven bars at the state competition in Aurora on Dec. 6-7. (Courtesy Liz Herring)

Ignacio’s Ignite Gymnastics showed their gymnasts can compete with any in the state as Ignite returned from Aurora last weekend with three state champions.

Tyla Armendariz, 10, Arbor Moran, 8, and Mackenzie Hardesty, 8, became the latest state champions to come out of Ignite Gymnastics after impressive performances at the Colorado USA Gymnastics Level 2, XCel Bronze and Silver State Competition on Saturday and Sunday at Colorado Gymnastics Institute in Aurora.

“We had an incredible season,” Ignite coach Liz Herring said. “So we had high hopes for state, and it panned out.”

Armendariz was the silver state champion on balance beam in the Junior A Group 4 with a 9.65 score. Armendariz has been competing in gymnastics for the last seven years, and she has been competing with Ignite for the last 1.5 years.

Ignite Gymnastics’ Tyla Armendariz was the state champion on balance beam at the state competition in Aurora on Dec. 6-7. (Courtesy Liz Herring)

It was an especially impressive state championship for Armendariz because her routine was riskier than others. There are a wide range of skills the gymnasts can do, with some skills being easier than others. Some gymnasts in the competition group do easier skills perfectly, but Armendariz did a high-level skill perfectly, according to Herring.

Moran won the silver state championship in uneven bars in the Child Group 4, scoring 9.75. Moran lives in Pagosa Springs, but began her gymnastics journey in Alaska and has been competing with Ignite for about a year.

Herring said it’s not uncommon for young gymnasts to get nervous at the state competitions, and Moran has done a great job progressing in her first two state meets before this one.

Hardesty was the silver state champion on uneven bars in Child Group 2, scoring 9.725. She shared the top step of the podium with another gymnast with the identical score.

“Mackenzie is one of our babies,” Herring said. “I’ve been coaching her since she was 2 years old. She’s very experienced in a lot of ways; it’s so weird because she is young. But this year, every meet she went to, if she knew she had messed up the turn, she never even said a word about it. She just kept smiling.”

Ignite Gymnastics’ Mackenzie Hardesty was the state champion on uneven bars at the state competition in Aurora on Dec. 6-7. (Courtesy Liz Herring)

Ignite had eight XCel Bronze gymnasts and nine XCel Silver gymnasts qualify for the state competition. The difference between the bronze level and the silver level is the skill level of the gymnasts. Bronze is the beginner competition level for gymnastics.

Herring said 17 girls is a pretty high number for how little Ignacio is, compared to the Denver teams that have up to 40 girls per level, according to Herring. The Denver gymnasts also have an advantage because they get to wake up in their own bed and drive to the meet. The Ignite gymnasts have to leave their homes two days in advance to travel up and stay in a hotel.

“I have a kind of different philosophy for our area,” Herring said. “I try to expose them to those upper-level meets, do more things with them and have them travel. So they get more experience doing those things … so when they get to gold, they’re going to start going to places; the gold regional meet last year was in Arkansas, and then the year before that, the platinum regionals were in Dallas.”

Of the 17 gymnasts who qualified, Adeline Crouch, Henley Beck, Emerson Conroy, and Evelyn Gosney also came home as medalists.

bkelly@durangoherald.com

Link

Rec Sports

Lakewood vs. Jordan, Boys’ Basketball – The562.org

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

St. Anthony Legend Darrick Martin Hosts Annual Books & Basketball Camp

Dating back to his playing days with the Los Angeles Clippers in the late 1990’s, St. Anthony alum Darrick Martin has provided a yearly Books & Basketball Camp for kids in the Long Beach area. What was once the highlight of his offseason continues to be a staple for Martin and his family each summer, […]

Link

Rec Sports

Arsenal youth duo in training could provide first-team hint for Wolves

Published

3 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Josh Nichols and Marli Salmon were involved in training and gym work at London Colney on Friday, ahead of Arsenal’s first-team match against Wolves this weekend.

Photo via Premier League on Instagram

Arsenal youth duo Josh Nichols and Marli Salmon were both at London Colney on Friday, with the two players pictured doing gym work and then Nichols also snapped taking part in the first-team training session.

Salmon may also have featured in the training session, as the pictures aren’t comprehensive. At the very least, he was in attendance and working on his fitness.

Photo via Salmon on Instagram

The duo’s involvement is perhaps significant, as Nichols is a right-back and Salmon can play at right-back or centre-back, making his first-team debut on the right on Wednesday.

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of Jurrien Timber, with Mikel Arteta saying his involvement “depends how he feels” during that training session on Friday. If the Dutch international is out of the Wolves match, perhaps one of Nichols and Salmon could be in line to replace him.

But we shouldn’t draw any firm conclusions, as it would be the wise thing to do to include Nichols and Salmon even if the expectation was that Timber would be fit. If there’s even a small chance he might be unavailable, the backup plan needs to be in place in advance.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

More than that, Nichols and Salmon have earned their senior training opportunities, and it’s always good to have more bodies to fill out practice matches and so on.

For a proper update on Timber’s fitness, we’ll have to wait for Saturday night’s team news.

Link