SOFTBALL
+ ISF president Porter retires
Forty-eight years is a long time to stick with any occupation, and Don Porter just decided that 48 years was enough.
Porter, president of the Plant City-based International Softball Federation, is calling it a career and phasing into retirement.
“I felt having served 48 years (22 as secretary general and 26 as president) was enough, and it was time for Softball to have new leadership,” Porter said.
He has nominated Dale McMann, who has served ISF’s first vice president since 2009, as his successor. Porter will remain on the Board of Directors to help McMann in the interim, as the organization continues to fight to get baseball and softball back in the Olympics.
In the meantime, Porter will finish his current term as World Baseball Softball Committee co-president with Riccardo Fraccari, which is set to end in March 2014.
“Thank you to all those who have supported, counseled and provided much-needed input during those many years,” Porter said. “And, to the athletes, ‘Don’t ever give up.’”
GOLF
+ Penny makes history — twice
Durant freshman golfer Jacob Penny broke two school records while playing at regionals last week, one of which previously belonged to teammate Chase Levesque.
He started by breaking Levesque’s old record for the lowest round ever recorded, which he accomplished with a 69. Then, at the end of the tournament, he became the first freshman in Durant history to advance to states.
Although he isn’t the only freshman who will be competing in next week’s tournament, which will be held at Mission Inn Resort & Club, near Orlando, he is the only golfer from any Plant City-area school who made the cut.
Penny is scheduled for an 8:45 a.m. start on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
FOOTBALL
+ Plant City kids dominate contest
Plant City’s youth football scene got to flex its muscles last week, thanks to a strong showing at the Punt, Pass & Kick Sectionals.
Of the 10 footballers who finished first at last month’s Plant City competition, four did it again in Tampa. On top of that, three more placed second.
Gracie Edgemon, Shelby Jacobsen, William Cordle and Taylor Edgemon each won in their age group. Lindsey Smith, Jaylen Gadson and Jarrett Jacobsen were second-place finishers.
This competition was held at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ training facility, and the winners will advance to the championship competition — to be held before the Buccaneers’ home game against Buffalo Dec. 8, at Raymond James Stadium.