Island youth baseballer set to represent Team Netherlands in international play
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Soccer may be considered the unofficial national sport of the Netherlands, but Staten Islander Dex Zimmerman — who holds dual American-Dutch citizenship — is set to don the iconic Oranje for the Dutch U12 national baseball team at the upcoming Youth Baseball European Championship hosted in the Czech Republic. Zimmerman, who […]
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Soccer may be considered the unofficial national sport of the Netherlands, but Staten Islander Dex Zimmerman — who holds dual American-Dutch citizenship — is set to don the iconic Oranje for the Dutch U12 national baseball team at the upcoming Youth Baseball European Championship hosted in the Czech Republic.
Zimmerman, who will soon graduate from PS 60 in Graniteville and move onto IS 72 in New Springville, is currently in Europe for a scrimmage against the Belgian national team on Wednesday ahead of the European Championship, which begins on July 2.
Dex’s path to international baseball began about four years ago, when his father, Todd, reached out to a coach from the Dutch program to explore opportunities for Dex to get involved. At the time, he was told Dex was too young — but now, he’s ready to take the international stage.
“Out of nowhere this year, the same coach reached back out and told us they were having a tryout; we went a little less than a month ago, and he made the team,” Zimmerman proudly said of his son’s accomplishment.
Though he primarily serves as a pitcher for the Dutch squad, Zimmerman is also effective at shortstop and center field — a testament to the versatile skillset his father helped cultivate during his years as Dex’s coach, prior to his transition to club coaching with the New York Prospects last year.
“He’s a very humble boy,” Zimmerman said of his son’s attitude despite his talent at such a young age.
“We started playing baseball together when he was around 1-year-old, and I try to keep him humble, but that’s something he’s always had in him,” Zimmerman continued.
Staten Islander Dex Zimmerman poses outside the home stadium of the Hoofddorp Pioniers, a local Dutch baseball team, ahead of representing the country in a youth baseball tournament.Todd Zimmerman
Zimmerman has firmly established himself as a young talent locally, but his father acknowledged that competing on the international stage will bring a new set of challenges.
“While he’s playing for the Dutch team, the field is 46 feet from the mound to home and 60 feet between the bases; those are dimensions similar to Little League, but when he’s playing travel ball for the Prospects, the field is definitely bigger,” Zimmerman said of one of the ways Dex may need to readjust his game while playing in Europe.
Dex will also get the chance to meet his Dutch national teammates for the first time, as this marks his debut traveling abroad for competition. While some cultural differences may arise, his father is confident that Dex —fluent in both Dutch and English — will form friendships that last a lifetime.
“They’re not into the small talk like we are,” Todd said with a laugh.
“He’s a little bit of an outsider for now; they’re a little bit different than us, but he’s a social kid,” he continued.
In addition to reconnecting with his Dutch roots, Zimmerman is also contributing to the global growth of baseball in real time — a role his father finds especially meaningful with the World Baseball Classic on the horizon next year.
“We’re really into that competition,” Todd said of their own fondness of how the WBC has promoted the sport globally.
“The Netherlands is ranked seventh in the world currently, since they also include Aruba and Curaçao. Andruw Jones is the head coach of the Netherlands and has recruited guys like Xander Bogaerts and Jurickson Profar to play for him, so it’s a very good breeding ground for baseball,” Zimmerman said of the nation’s senior team.
While Dex still has a long road ahead to reach that level, his involvement in the global baseball community is already laying the foundation for a lifelong love of the game — and a chance to see the world through it.
“He’s really looking forward to it,” Todd said of Dex’s excitement ahead of the tournament.
“It should be a really interesting experience getting to interact with different countries and hear different languages; he’s just really always loved the game of baseball, the fact that they took a chance on somebody from New York was really cool. They want him to stay with it for the long haul,” he continued.
The Dutch U12 team will kick off its 2025 European Championship campaign when it takes on Ukraine in Hluboká, Czech Republic on July 2.
SCVNews.com | City Launches New Online Recreation Registration System
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the launch of Kaizen, a new online recreation registration system designed to make it easier for residents to register for classes, programs and events. Kaizen offers a fresh, user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and enhanced features to streamline the registration experience, whether at home or on the go. […]
The city of Santa Clarita has announced the launch of Kaizen, a new online recreation registration system designed to make it easier for residents to register for classes, programs and events.
Kaizen offers a fresh, user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and enhanced features to streamline the registration experience, whether at home or on the go. This system represents a major step forward in how residents interact with city recreation services.
Top new features of the Kaizen platform include:
A simplified registration experience.
Mobile-friendly access.
Digital membership cards.
Calendar syncing with class schedules.
Digital wallet payment options for quick, secure checkouts.
Residents can begin exploring Kaizen today by visiting SantaClarita.gov/Seasons and clicking on the Kaizen logo.
Creating a new user account is fast and easy, and city staff are ready to assist.
While the city prepares for a full transition, summer 2025 programs will continue to be available through the current registration system. Beginning Tuesday, July 1, all fall 2025 classes and programs will be available through the new Kaizen platform.
Certain youth programs, such as sports leagues and Primetime Preschool, will require participants’ birth certificates for registration. Residents are encouraged to upload these documents to their new accounts ahead of time.
Key Fall 2025 Registration Dates:
Youth Sports Fall Leagues – Tuesday, July 8 at 10 a.m.
Afterschool Programs at the Community Centers – Tuesday, July 15 at 10 a.m.
All Fall Classes – Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m.
All residents must create a Kaizen account prior to registering for any fall programs. To save time at checkout, users are encouraged to save a payment method in advance.
Need help getting started? Step-by-step instructions are available at SantaClarita.gov/Seasons, or visit any of the city’s three community centers. City staff are also available to assist by phone at (661) 250-3700.
Youth basketball prospects spending week as an Oredigger
BUTTE, Mont. — Montana Tech men’s basketball has built a dynasty, winning the last four Frontier Conference regular season and tournament championships. Now they are paying it forward with a skills camp, as Orediggers of the past, present, and future are in Butte this week to teach the next generation of hoopers what it takes […]
BUTTE, Mont. — Montana Tech men’s basketball has built a dynasty, winning the last four Frontier Conference regular season and tournament championships.
Now they are paying it forward with a skills camp, as Orediggers of the past, present, and future are in Butte this week to teach the next generation of hoopers what it takes to make it to the next level.
“The guys had such great experience when they played here, they want to come back and give back to the community and give back, and be able to interact with the current players,” said Montana Tech head coach Adam Hiatt.
The high potential camp has been a tech tradition since 2016. Last week was for the younger campers, while this week is for high schoolers, putting prospects on a team coach by a current, former, or future Oredigger, like former All-American Asa Williams.
“Giving kids faith and showing them that even if you don’t get a scholarship from Montana Tech, there may be a school that’s out there that maybe wants you. And that’s just my main goal,” said Williams, a Montana Tech forward from 2022-24.
Williams is back in Butte after an incredible debut season overseas, earning first team All-Import honors for the Hessing Kangaroos in Germany’s ProB league.
“My team won the regular season championship, so for my first time ever going overseas, it was a bit getting used to, but I really enjoyed the success that came with it,” said Williams, who plans on playing again in a higher division in Europe next season and would like to be a coach when his playing career comes to an end.
“It just shows that with a lot of hard work, you can make your dreams come true. And nobody works harder than Asa. And I’m hopeful that Asa’s going to instill that mentality on the team that he drafted this week,” said Hiatt.
As for the prospects, they understand the incredible opportunity to spend a week as an Oredigger and are trying to absorb all they can.
“I think I’m going to get the real college experience and it’s going to be fun meeting all the players and just playing with new kids,” said Hellgate class of 2026 forward Zane Gillhouse, who is hoping to get an official offer from the Orediggers by the end of the camp.
“I just want to improve my skills, improve my post work, really work on it in the games,” said class of 2026 forward Sulay Abubakari of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Abubakari has won the last two Idaho state titles alongside Asher Williams, an incoming freshman at Tech this year who is one of the coaches at this week’s camp.
The overnight camp, which includes personalized instruction, food and boarding, is less than $400 per participant, which is why there’s well over 100 kids taking part, and dozens more on a wait list.
“Everybody who comes to our camp has an understanding that we’re going to treat our camps like it’s our team that we’re coaching. We’re going to have the same level of intensity, the same sense of urgency, the same commitment to work ethic, the same attention to detail We get to a lot of teaching and incredible competition this weekand i want every camper that comes here to feel like they were part of our program for one week. That’s kind of the sense of satisfaction that the players have,” said Hiatt.
By: Brett Kennedy (MARYVILLE, MO) – The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team began a 3 day boys basketball camp on campus in Maryville on Monday. Second year coach Matt Keeley and some of his players like juniors Trey Moala and Jack Ratigan were helping run drills for kids in 1st through 8th grade. The camp […]
(MARYVILLE, MO) – The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team began a 3 day boys basketball camp on campus in Maryville on Monday.
Second year coach Matt Keeley and some of his players like juniors Trey Moala and Jack Ratigan were helping run drills for kids in 1st through 8th grade.
The camp intends to focus on fundamental skills for beginners and progressing the skills of higher players. The players and coaches enjoyed helping out the younger generation of players and giving back to the community.
“Kind of reminds you of why you do it. You know, college athlete, you get caught up in just reps and like the daily routine and everything,” said Moala. “But when you get out here with the kids, it reminds you to just take it a lot easier. So it’s fun.”
“Getting the kids out here, we’re just trying to get them to have fun. Giving them a place in the summer to just come and play basketball,” said Ratigan. “It’s a cool experience to be around college basketball players when you’re that age, to see just kind of what you want to be and it’s awesome to be that for these kids, to just be there for them.”
“To get the little guys into the gym always gives a new sense of energy and just remind us all when we got started and where everything was,” said Keeley. “It’s always just fun to see the different levels of abilities, energy and excitement. You definitely get a feed off of what they bring in here. Plus we get to hand them out green and white Northwest shirts and get them thinking Bearcats at an early age.”
The camp continues on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Northwest will hold a skills camp for boys next month on July 29th through the 31st.
Grimes County coach honored with ‘Be Remarkable’ award for dedication to youth sports
NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – For more than two decades, Kevin Baker has poured his heart into coaching and mentoring young athletes in Grimes County. This week, that commitment was recognized as Baker received the “Be Remarkable” award, presented by Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers and KBTX. Baker, a former standout athlete who went to state in […]
NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – For more than two decades, Kevin Baker has poured his heart into coaching and mentoring young athletes in Grimes County. This week, that commitment was recognized as Baker received the “Be Remarkable” award, presented by Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers and KBTX.
Baker, a former standout athlete who went to state in both football and basketball, has turned his love for sports into a lifelong mission of service. His coaching journey began with his sons and grandson and has since extended to generations of youth in the community.
“I started with my sons when they were little, and just kept going from group to group,” said Baker, who currently serves as president of the Grimes County Little Dribblers and coaches select AAU basketball teams.
Baker’s influence goes far beyond the sidelines. His sister, Jennifer Baker, who nominated him for the award, said she’s witnessed his tireless dedication firsthand.
“He’s always there for the kid. Early mornings, late nights, all day in the gym,” she said. “He loves sports, but more than that, he loves helping.”
That passion is echoed by Baker’s wife, who said she continues to be amazed by the energy and heart he brings to the court and community.
“It’s great to see his dedication—not just to the kids, but to the parents and everyone around him,” she said. “He keeps me going.”
For his selfless service, Baker was presented with a $500 check as part of the Be Remarkable program, which recognizes individuals making a meaningful difference in their communities.
“Coach, you are worth remarking about,” said Linda McMillan with Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers. “Thank you for the way you care for your family, serve your community, and inspire the next generation.”
If you have someone you want to nominate for our Be Remarkable campaign click here!
Tyrese Haliburton tore right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of NBA Finals
The Pacers said Monday an MRI confirmed the tear and Haliburton was scheduled to undergo surgery in New York. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Indiana Pacers confirmed Monday that star Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder went on to win […]
The Pacers said Monday an MRI confirmed the tear and Haliburton was scheduled to undergo surgery in New York.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Indiana Pacers confirmed Monday that star Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder went on to win the game and title 103-91.
The team said an MRI confirmed the tear. Haliburton is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday evening with Dr. Martin O’Malley at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
Haliburton – who was playing with a strained right calf – tumbled to the court in a heap, immediately began punching the floor in frustration and needed to be helped to the locker room in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder June 22.
John Haliburton, Tyrese’s father, told ABC late in the first half it was an Achilles tendon injury, as the replays of the play clearly indicated. An MRI is still likely to confirm that, but there are simple tests – without a need for imaging – that doctors typically use to determine whether there is a serious injury to the tendon.
Haliburton was outside the locker room, with a walking boot on his right leg, standing on crutches, greeting his teammates as they came off the floor at the end of their season. There were hugs. There were tears.
“Doesn’t surprise me at all,” Pacers guard TJ McConnell said when asked if he was surprised Haliburton was there at the end to console teammates. “That’s who he is as a person, a teammate. He put his ego aside constantly. He could have been in the locker room feeling sorry for himself after something like that happened, but he wasn’t. He was up greeting us. … That’s who Tyrese Haliburton is. He’s just the greatest, man.”
Haliburton put no weight on the leg and had his face wrapped in towels as he was taken to the Pacers’ locker room for evaluation. Virtually the entire Indiana playing, coaching and medical staff surrounded him on the court once he got hurt. Even Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quickly went over, touched Haliburton on the head as the Pacers guard lay face-down on the court and offered a kind word.
“All of our hearts dropped,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “But he will be back.”
13News had a crew at the Indianapolis International Airport when the team arrived back home early Monday morning. Haliburton was seen in a wheelchair and waved at fans who came out to support the team.
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ACCESS Project’s Youth and Cops basketball comes to a close, more events planned through summer
LYNNWOOD—The ACCESS Project’s weekly Youth vs Cops basketball character building events came to a close on Tuesday, June 17, but its founder Wally Webster II says similar sporting events are planned through the summer – including volleyball, soccer, and flag football. ACCESS Project founder Wally Webster II, sharing how the last several months changed his […]
LYNNWOOD—The ACCESS Project’s weekly Youth vs Cops basketball character building events came to a close on Tuesday, June 17, but its founder Wally Webster II says similar sporting events are planned through the summer – including volleyball, soccer, and flag football.
ACCESS Project founder Wally Webster II, sharing how the last several months changed his life for the better by breaking down trauma barriers he had with law enforcement from his youth. Lynnwood Times | Mario Lotmore.
The ACCESS Project was started in 2022 as a collaborate movement bringing together government officials, educators, faith leaders, community organizations, and wellness professionals to support and uplift youth in Snohomish County.
One of the initiatives the ACCESS Project sponsored was to create a Cops versus Youth Basketball Game, an event purposefully designed to build trust, foster meaningful relationships, between law enforcement officers and youth.
“I love this because I’m a basketball guy,” Lynnwood City Councilman David Parshall, and former basketball coach, told the Lynnwood Times. “One of the reasons I liked coaching, both girls and boys, is that I knew how important it was to help keep some of these kids in school, work hard in their classes, and stay out of trouble.”
Lynnwood City Councilman David Parshall (holding ball) and referee Dio Boucsieguez gearing up to start a basketball match between youth and cops on June 17, 2025. Lynnwood Times | Mario Lotmore.
Refereeing several of the games was Lynnwood City Council candidate Dio Boucsieguez who told the Lynnwood Times on Tuesday that he had a “wonderful” time and thanked Webster for the opportunity.
“Seeing the kids get to know to the cops and vice versa over the course of the games made me happy,” said Boucsieguez. “Developing good relationships with our police is exactly what our Lynnwood boys need to keep them busy with good fun and out of trouble. I’m looking forward to refereeing more games in the future.”
Since April, youths have been squaring up with local law enforcement officers at Lynnwood’s Trinity Lutheran Church every Tuesday. Through that time many of the participants shared that they felt more connected with local law enforcement officers and were able to dispel feelings of fear toward them, now seeing them as just people.
“I feel more connected with the cops in my community. I feel more comfortable with them, and I’m no longer scared,” said Sai, one of the youths participating in the event.
The program particularly aimed to attract individuals who were introverted or lacked mentors who they could confide in with life’s challenges.
Deputy Marquies Moses, with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office, shared that when the program first started there was some hesitancy among kids, and parents alike, believing that it was a setup to take the kids away. But they made it an effort to ensure the kids, and parents, knew that law enforcement were there to just have fun and be a continued support system for the kids.
“This place gave me somewhere to go every Tuesday to play basketball. It gave me a chance to meet police officers and learn to not be scared of them like I used to be,” said Axel, another youth basketball player.
Marisa, a mother whose child was involved in the program, shared that among people of color there is often a disconnect between community members and law enforcement, that often when they “see something they just keep quiet.”
“This is a really good program. Giving our kids the confidence in our authorities is really, really, important, because they feel safe and they feel like they have someone they can call on just in case,” said Marisa.
Adam attempting a three-point sot the basketball match between youth and cops on June 17, 2025. Lynnwood Times | Mario Lotmore.
A.J. Burke, Lynnwood Police Officer, said that when he was younger, he probably wouldn’t have joined a program like this because he lacked the life lessons and support at home to see “everyone as people.”
“What I hope everyone got from this is being able to see Police Officers as just people. People that you can talk to, just like your uncles, or cousins, or big brothers, your dad. We all go through the same things. When we’re on the court we’re all equal and that’s how it should be,” said Burke. “I’m not here to jam you up or get you in trouble, I’m here to help so come talk to me.”
Officer Luther Russell, with the Mountlake Terrace Police Department, added that at the end of the day cops take off their uniforms and spend time with their families, just like many of the youths who were playing basketball through the ACCESS Project’s program.
“We’re trying to be the stop before something bad happens. I don’t want to see your name on an arrest report. I don’t want to have to be the one who brings you to jail – that would literally break my heart,” said Russell. “Because when I look at you all I don’t just see some juvenile who wandered in off the street, I see my kids and other kids out there.”
Russell added that if there’s one takeaway, he hopes the kids walked away from the program with, it’s integrity matters; It’s doing the right thing when no one is watching. He also encouraged the kids to find a purpose in their lives because they only have one youth, and one life, to live.
Many of the police officers playing ball with the youths gave their personal cell phone numbers to the kids so they could be reached if they ever needed to talk or need a first contact before dialing 911.
“This event touched my heart. It touched my heart because I grew up in the rural south under Jim Crow. The laws were enforced by the Ku Klux Klan and most of the time the police officers were police officers during the day and clansmen during the night,” said Webster. “I was taught to fear in order to survive. To have this meeting, and this union between youth and police officers, helped me to dispel these emotions and those fears in a constructive way.
The purpose of the event, Webster added, was to provide youth with someone who they could call to prevent a criminal activity.
“There is a major difference between a video scenario and life. You cannot do what you see on TikTok, shut the screen off, and go to bed. If you do those same things in life, it will impact your life forever and ever. Think of the relationships you have with your friends, your community, with officers, with other adults who care about you so that you will have a long, productive life,” said Webster.
Back in April, Webster and the ACCESS Project’s Youth vs Cops basketball program was recognized by the Snohomish County Council with a resolution sponsored by Snohomish County Councilman Jared Mead.
On May 14, 2025, the Snohomish County Council unanimously passes a resolution recognizing the Cops versus Youth Basketball Games led by the Access Project and its founder, Wally Webster II. (L-R) Snohomish County Council members Megan Dunn and Strom Peterson, Lynnwood Municipal Court Judge Valerie Bouffiou, ACCESS Project founder and CEO Wally Webster II, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Marquies Moses, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Bureau Chief Mike Martin, and Snohomish County Council members Jared Mead, Sam Low, and Nate Nehring. Lynnwood Times | Mario Lotmore.
