Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
SOFTBALL
+ Porter to step back from project
On Dec. 1, longtime International Softball Federation President and CEO Don Porter made it known that he wishes to spend more time with his family and will no longer be involved with the push to bring softball to the 2020 Olympics.
“As President of the International Softball Federation (ISF) for the past 26 years (and CEO for 15), I have decided to step back and allow new leadership to move the ISF ahead in deciding its Olympic future, which we feel is close by (Tokyo 2020), and further development of the sport,” Porter said in a press release.
Porter and his wife, Jean, will be moving to Oklahoma City later this month to be closer to their extended family. But, he has agreed to continue overseeing the push to bring the Hall of Fame Museum to Plant City and will also help current President Dale McMann with other, as of yet unnamed, projects.
“My wife, Jean, and I have enjoyed and appreciated being part of the Plant City and Hillsborough community for the past 14 years, and hope we can continue it from time to time,” Porter says.
FOOTBALL
+ Championships back in Plant City
One of the biggest youth football tournaments in the country is coming back to Plant City.
The 2014 United Youth Football League National Championships are slated to run at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, 2602 E. Cherry St., from Dec. 6 to 12. There will be numerous teams from all over the country competing, and even some little hometown heroes: several Plant City Dolphins squads will be participating, and if last year was any indication, they could go far.
After certification Dec. 6, the games will begin Dec. 7, and run all day long. Each day will follow a similar format, with the exception of Dec. 11, running from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The championship games will be held all day Dec. 12.
As with the 2013 event, the “My Mom is a Superstar” competition will also be held throughout the week.
The Cheer Championships will be held Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Tampa State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 41 Business, Tampa. It will include cheer, step and dance teams. The “My Dad is a Diva” competition will also be held there that day.
The football action will take up seven fields in the sports complex and a visual guide is available on the home page of the UYFL website.
To purchase tickets, visit UnitedYFL.com/championships/event-tickets.