YOUTH SPORTS + Plant City Eagles hosting sign-ups With spring coming soon, the Plant City Eagles now are hosting sign-ups for all sports. The soonest deadline is March 6, which covers tee-ball, softball and baseball. Fees range from $40 to $50. Games begin on March 8 and will be played at the rec center’s sports […]
Continue ReadingSports
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ryan Boyd
One of the Plant City Raiders’ rising young stars is sophomore pitcher Ryan Boyd, who transferred from Durant this year. In his second-ever high school start on Feb. 21, Boyd was nearly perfect — he led the Raiders to a 10-0 win over Tampa Bay Tech by throwing a no-hitter with five strikeouts. Friday went […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? New unis complete Raider makeover
Gone are the days of simple, understated uniform changes. Nowadays, we have to make it a showcase on television, social media and everywhere else under the sun. You can probably (correctly) blame it on the Oregon Ducks, who have gotten so prolific that they recently unveiled two new unis for one bowl game. And, no, […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Plant City Little League Opening Day
Plant City Little League hosted its 60th Opening Day on Saturday morning, complete with a few special appearances and plenty of free hot dogs. Some men who played in 1954, the league’s inaugural year, were present at Mike Sansone Park for the league’s Opening Day ceremony. “Rolly” Rollyson, father of current board member Rhett Rollyson, […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Charity Polo Classic
Though Saturday morning started off with some rain, Mother Nature cleared things up just in time for some fast-paced polo action. As the rain stopped and the sun began to shine, the third annual Charity Polo Classic really got going. Hundreds of the Tampa Bay Area’s wealthiest folks packed D.I. Polo in south Plant City, […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Little League celebrates 60 years
Is there a better place for Plant City Little League to celebrate its diamond anniversary than the baseball diamond? That’s the plan for Saturday, Feb. 22, the league’s 60th birthday. There will be appearances by Plant City natives who played in the inaugural 1954 season and Strawberry Queen Jessi Rae Varnum, who will throw the […]
Continue ReadingCharity Polo Classic gallops into Plant City
The “Sport of Kings” makes its return to Plant City this weekend. For the third year, Plant City’s DI Polo will host the Charity Polo Classic this Saturday. The annual fundraiser will feature polo matches, a lunch buffet, a fashion show, a hat contest, a silent auction and award presentations for Most Valuable Player and […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Shannon Bell
Although the Durant softball team split their games this past week, senior Shannon Bell has been great in both appearances. The outfielder drove in both of the Lady Cougars’ runs in a 3-2 loss to Riverview on Feb. 11, and finished with a 18-0 rout of Spoto on Valentine’s Day, with a grand slam and […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND: On what stays in the locker room
Has anyone heard of any football players, specifically offensive linemen, that have defended Jonathan Martin lately? Some wide receivers, like retired Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward and current Seattle Seahawk Doug Baldwin, have publicly supported Martin in the wake of his allegations against the Miami Dolphins. Columnists who formerly played in the NFL, such as ESPN’s […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 02.20.14
BASKETBALL + Strawberry Crest loses heartbreaker With a last-minute effort by Freedom High School, the best season in the Strawberry Crest basketball program’s history has come to an end. The Patriots were able to stave off a late Chargers rally and win, 42-39, Feb. 18, to advance to the regional finals against Bartow High School. With […]
Continue Reading
