The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz Sports

Lutz softball continues to fine-tune its offerings

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Following a successful spring campaign, Lutz Softball is gearing up for another season of fastpitch softball next month — with a number of recent additions and upgrades.

Formerly known as the Lutz Leaguerettes, the ages 4 to 18 recreational girls softball organization has expanded its fastpitch offerings since scrapping slowpitch play altogether a few years ago.

The league has introduced a five-on-five, infield-only 6U division to guide younger players through basic fundamentals, including the shift from T-ball to coaches’ fastpitch.

The Lutz Softball recreational fastpitch girls softball league featured about 200 players across 17 teams last spring. Those numbers are expected to remain steady in the fall season. (Courtesy of Jennifer Parry)

The new division had a test run last year for the first time — to beneficial results, said Jennifer Parry,  league president.

“It’s been pretty successful, so we’re going to do it again this season,” she said. “The girls that maybe have a shorter attention span, they stay more involved, they learn the basics of the game and hitting.”

The league also is finding ways to cater to more experienced players.

Lutz Softball implemented Xtreme Fastpitch divisions in conjunction with its parent program, Babe Ruth League, which is designed for higher-level players to have more organized competitive play against other Babe Ruth teams throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Parry said the Xtreme league “is for the girls that are either trying to get a little better for high school or that just are a little better than most, they can play there and kind of fine-tune some of those skills that they may not get to practice on a regular rec league.”

Introduced last year, Xtreme Fastpitch has helped “bridge the gap” between recreational and travel ball play as a more affordable option for families, the league president said.

She noted some former Lutz Softball players who previously left for travel leagues have since returned to participate in the league’s Xtreme divisions.

“It’s been pretty successful,” Parry said. “Travel ball really decimates rec ball, so it’s really kind of a step in the right direction to kind of keep girls locally, playing with the girls they go to school with and not put so much pressure on the parents to travel all over.

“We’ve had some girls that went to travel and where they might be girls that get more play in our Xtreme division, (but) in their travel team they don’t play or they maybe play one inning. “They’re all good players, but there’s just a difference in playing time and the community and who you’re playing with, friends with school,” she said.

Lutz Softball transitioned solely to fastpitch play in 2016. Dwindling registration figures forced the league to drop slowpitch, after 37 years. They were the last recreational league in the county to offer that style of the sport.

Parry acknowledged the drastic move to fastpitch has been challenging, particularly in terms of training players the methods of pitching and catching.

So, this season the league is offering free pitching lessons to all registered players, including clinics for beginners and advanced.

Parry put it like this: “It was a big change, especially for some of our older girls who had been pitching for a couple of years because the motion is different, and so we’re still trying to get through that transition. …I think still our biggest hurdle is just getting those girls trained in that area, because when you don’t have a pitcher or a catcher, those games can get really rough, because they’re just walking girls around. It was our biggest struggle in the transition and continues to be our biggest struggle.”

That aside, Parry said Lutz Softball’s registration numbers have been on the increase since the move to exclusively fastpitch.

The league is believed to be the county’s second-largest girls recreation softball league, behind FishHawk .

The Lutz league featured about 200 players and 17 teams in the spring — up from about 160 players a few years ago. Parry expects those numbers to remain steady for the upcoming fall season then “go up a little bit” next spring.

To generate more interest this season, the league is offering a $50 registration discount to families that bring new families and players to the league.

Said Parry, “We’re just trying to get some new families to our parks. We find that once they get there, they really enjoy it. We have a very family like atmosphere and try to include everybody.”

Performance-wise, Lutz Softball is coming off a spring season that saw three of its all-star teams compile strong showings in postseason play.

Its 8U team finished second in districts, third in regionals and fifth in states; 12U placed second at a Babe Ruth all-star warm-up tournament in FishHawk; and 16U won the FishHawk warm-up tournament and finished second at districts.

Besides on-the-field play, the league’s home base at Oscar Cooler Sports Complex in Lutz is witnessing a makeover. The county’s parks and recreation department recently leveled and re-sodded the complex’s three softball fields with Bermuda grass; side field bullpens, parking lights and a new playground are some other additions.

Said Parry, “This will be our first season playing on the new sod. It’s looking good. Gone are the days of dirt patches and things like that.”

Player registration closes Aug. 24 for the fall season. The season runs from September through November.

For more information, visit LutzSoftball.com, or email .

Published August 21, 2019

Banner year for Lutz soccer team

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It’s a season they’ll surely never forget.

Under the umbrella and storied history of the FC Tampa Rangers soccer organization, the Lutz U13 Lady Rangers’ 2018-2019 campaign will go down as one of the more impressive in memory.

The squad went 34-6-5 overall this season — including an 18-3-2 run since the beginning 2019.

Ranked as one of the state’s top teams and earning a top seed in the Florida State Cup, the year culminated with the girls program’s first-ever appearance in the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Lutz U13 Lady Rangers recently closed their 2018-2019 season with the program’s first-ever appearance in the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The team finished 34-6-5 on the season. (Courtesy of Kris Carson)

The Lady Rangers were one of just 16 U13 girls teams from the Southern U.S. Youth Soccer State Association to qualify for the tournament, and just one of two from Florida — the other being the Wellington Wave. The tournament also included squads from Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina.

They held their own, going 3-1 and reaching the region semifinals.

The regional berth marked a longtime coming for a Lady Rangers team that has kept much of the same corps for more than five years, dating back to U8.

In that way, they’re unlike many of the larger competitive soccer clubs, which pools hundreds of players all throughout Tampa Bay and frequently experiences roster turnover.

When Lady Rangers head coach Chris Cole meets parents inquiring about the soccer club, he poses this question: “Are you looking for your daughter to join a group of players, or, are you looking to join a team?”

With many of the dozen or so girls from the same Lutz community, and nearby Land O’ Lakes and Carrollwood, the squad’s philosophy and longevity has cultivated a tight-knit, family like atmosphere that extends well beyond the practice fields at Oscar Cooler Sports Complex.

“We’re closer than most teams I feel like, instead of just a bunch random girls coming together to play soccer,” said midfielder/defenseman Kaitlin Vinson, a team co-captain.

“I think one of the biggest strengths is how close we are, and we know almost everything about each other, both personally and soccer-wise. … That helps us to build off each other, and just play soccer better, and it’s part of the reason why I think we’re good.”

Fellow Lady Rangers co-captain Chloe Carson agrees.

“Our whole team has a bond,” said Carson, a center midfielder who’s been on the Lady Rangers since its inception. “Even with the new girls, they fit in right away.”

It’s a bond that’s yielded better on-field chemistry over the years for a team now comprised mostly of rising eighth graders.

Carson explained: “We know each other’s skills, each other’s habits, so we know what to do ahead of time, and it helps us work together and keeps our emotions down, which really helps the play of the game. Some teams, you’ll see girls arguing or yelling at each other.”

Cole, a former USF men’s soccer player in the 1990s and former member of the U.S. Armed Forces men’s soccer team, added this of the club team’s congenial dynamic: “As anything with sports and teams that have been together for a while, you tend to know each other’s tendencies and what you do, but that camaraderie off the field really is important. …I think that really shows on the field as far as just feeling comfortable with each other.”

The coach also noted the team’s unselfish nature.

“With these girls teams, there’s not too much drama,” Cole said. “We certainly don’t have that ‘me, me, me’ mentality. We don’t emphasize one player, ‘Get it to this player and let her do everything.’ Really, a lot of playing time is evenly distributed.”

On quick glance, the Lady Rangers are a smaller, more undersized group compared to other programs in their age division.

It’s become something of a motivating factor for Rangers players against larger, more physical opponents.

Vinson put it like this: “When other teams see us, we don’t look that good because most of our players are smaller, and it just gives us one more reason to want to win, because it’s just kind of proving them wrong.”

But, whatever the Lady Rangers may lack in stature, they’ve made up for with skill, speed and cohesion.

The approach served them well — evident in their 185-33 goal differential through the regular season and postseason combined.

“Because of the (lack of) size,” Cole said, “I really emphasized possession with the ball, a lot of touches, and I think that that really has been our forte early, instead of playing kick ball, which a lot of teams do. The quicker we can get rid of the ball, the better for us. We don’t want to be on the ball too long and get knocked off the ball with our size. …That’s the kind of soccer we like to play here.”

Following their banner season, the team’s success appears likely to continue, as much of the roster is expected to join together in U14. It’s also where new, exciting opportunities lie ahead.

The Lady Rangers will be partnering with the IMG Academy’s soccer development academy in Bradenton. IMG officials reached out to the Lutz-based club after seeing them play in the Florida State Cup.

The partnership means practicing multiple times per week at IMG’s world-class training facility and an uptick in out-of-state competition, as the team will regularly match up against elite programs throughout the southeastern United States.

“Every year we look for challenges,” Cole said of the IMG development academy initiative. “It’s a huge opportunity for these girls to consistently play tough teams.”

As part of the IMG development academy, the Lady Rangers are expected to have a larger coaching staff and a handful of new players added to the roster.

Those fresh faces will be a net positive for the club going forward, Vinson said.

“I think it’ll be good for us because we’ve always heard the same things from our coaches because we’ve had the same coaches, and so I think with different coaches and different players we’ll have different perspectives that’ll help us be better,” she said.

2018-2019 Lutz U13 Lady Rangers roster
Head Coach: Chris Cole

  • Chloe Carson (co-captain)
  • Skylar Cole
  • Jolie Farmer
  • Sarah Frazer
  • Jordan Fulop
  • Alexa Gilland
  • Sienna Gillespie
  • Maddie Green
  • Allison Souers
  • Melody Taylor
  • Miranda Valdes
  • Lola Vargas
  • Kaitlin Vinson (co-captain)

Published July 03, 2019

Gaither alum selected in NFL Draft

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Before he became a big-time college football standout at Penn State, Amani Oruwariye could be seen locking down wide receivers on Friday nights at Ron Allen Field at Gaither High School.

Now, Oruwariye is advancing on to the sport’s biggest stage — the National Football League (NFL).

The Penn State defensive back and 2014 Gaither graduate was selected in the fifth round (146th overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 2019 NFL Draft, which wrapped up on April 27.

Before he was an All-Big Ten cornerback at Penn State, Amani Oruwariye was a three-year letterman at Gaither High School. He graduated from the local high school in 2014. (Courtesy of Gaither High athletics)

Oruwariye joins the latest in a growing line of Gaither products to be drafted into the NFL.

He’s also the second athlete drafted from the local high school in as many years.

Former Gaither/Florida International University quarterback Alex McGough was selected in the seventh round by the Seattle Seahawks in last year’s NFL Draft.

As a fifth-round choice, Oruwariye is believed to be the local high school’s highest NFL draftee.

Other known Gaither alums drafted into the NFL include J.R. Russell (seventh round in 2005) and Carlton Mitchell (sixth round in 2010). Current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo (sixth round in 2015) attended Gaither his freshman and sophomore years before transferring to Alonso High School.

Oruwariye was a three-year letterman at Gaither under former head coach Jason Stokes, and finished his career with 121 tackles and 12 interceptions. His senior year he was named team MVP, earned first-team all-district honors and was invited to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game. Various recruiting services ranked him a three-star prospect and top 100 recruit in the state of Florida.

Oruwariye lived up to that billing and more at the Division I FBS college ranks.

After redshirting his freshman season at Penn State, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound defensive back went on to play in 48 career games and develop into a two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection.

He tallied eight career interceptions, 20 pass breakups and 108 total tackles in his Penn State career.

His best season came in 2018 as a redshirt senior — leading the Nittany Lions with 12 pass breakups and tied for the team lead with three interceptions, to go along with 51 tackles (two for loss) in 13 starts.

The yearlong performance earned him first team all-conference honors and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football.

The 23-year-old Oruwariye was initially projected by many draft experts to go higher in the draft, given his combination of size, length, athleticism and production at the cornerback position, to go along with an impressive showing at the NFL combine that saw him post a 4.47 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical jump, 16 reps on the 225-pound bench press and 10 feet in the standing broad jump.

In a media conference call following his selection, Oruwariye highlighted his physical gifts, which he figures to translate to the sport’s most competitive level.

“(My size) just allows me to match up with bigger receivers,” Oruwariye said. “It allows me to use my body to my abilities and really dominate at the line of scrimmage, and go up with receivers and make plays on the ball. There’s a lot of strengths that my size brings, and I’m hoping to implement them into my game.”

Although he wasn’t selected as early as anticipated, Oruwariye said he was happy to be given an opportunity, but still is out to prove wrong the other NFL organizations that passed on him.

Oruwariye put it like this: “I knew my time would come, my opportunity would come, so I’m not going to sit there and dwell on what didn’t happen and what should’ve happened. I’m just going to make the other 31 teams that didn’t draft me pay when my opportunity comes and just hold my standard. I’m going to work hard regardless of where I’m picked. It doesn’t matter what day, when, where — I’m going to work hard. That’s just how I am, that’s my standard.”

Oruwariye is expected to report to the Lions three-day rookie minicamp, which runs May 12 through May 14.

He is expected to sign a multiyear contract worth nearly $3 million in total value.

Published May 08, 2019

State champion gymnast has bigger dreams in sight

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Zachary Myers’ gymnastics talent became apparent early on.

When he was just 3, he was doing flips on the couch and performing perfect cartwheels throughout the family’s Lutz home, his parents said.

He’d even tumble around the fields at Oscar Cooler Sports Complex during his Lutz Little League baseball days.

“We could see the natural ability in him,” said his father, Andy Myers. “He’s just got freakish ability.”

Zachary Myers, 10, of Lutz, has won three state titles and two regionals titles as a Level 4, 6 and 7 gymnast. On Oct. 13, he’ll compete in the 2018 Region 8 Future Stars and Technical Sequence Evaluation at Evo’s Gymnastics, in Sarasota. (Courtesy of the Myers family)

During four years of organized gymnastics, the 10-year-old has racked up his fair share of accolades.

He’s captured three state titles and two regional titles as a Level 4, 6 and 7 gymnast, along with winning numerous other local events.

His biggest achievement so far came last November.

That’s when he made the USA Gymnastics National U10 Development Team, after a 14th place finish at the Future Stars National Championships at the USA Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (Only the top 16 finishers earned a spot on the development team.)

Zachary’s next big event comes Oct. 13, when he’ll compete in the 2018 Region 8 Future Stars and Technical Sequence Evaluation at Evo’s Gymnastics, in Sarasota.

Scoring at least a 76 will again get him to the Future Stars National Championships.

A trip back to Colorado Springs is well within reach.

Zachary recently posted an 82 at the Florida Future Stars Evaluation — the highest mark in the state.

He’s shooting for an even higher score at the region qualifier, as he fine-tunes his training at LaFluer’s Gymnastics, in Tampa.

Said Zachary: “My goal is to get an 85 at regionals. That is a 9.2 average. My coach also wants me to get that to try to make that my goal.”

The young gymnast doesn’t have to look far to see where he gets some of his talent.

His mother, Deanna Myers, herself is a former gymnast and a two-time member of the USA Women’s Junior Olympic Team.

Forced to retire at 18 due to nagging wrist and ankle injuries, she coached and judged gymnastics throughout nursing school.

Deanna, however, was always hesitant about putting Zachary into gymnastics, understanding the  commitment and dedication required for success.

She finally agreed after Zachary’s relentless pleading to get lessons.

Deanna explained: “I didn’t want Zachary missing out on things. When he first said he wanted to do gymnastics, I just kind of brushed it off. But, he consistently asked me for six months straight and then I was like, ‘OK, maybe I need to go ahead and take him.’”

Zachary’s passion for gymnastics remains strong
Though he sometimes misses playing baseball and time for other activities, he wouldn’t trade gymnastics for anything.

“I mean, I really like doing it. It’s just really fun once you get like really good at it,” Zachary said, noting he gets a lot of support from his fellow teammates at LaFleur’s.

His favorite event is the pommel horse, an apparatus fitted with a pair of curved handgrips, used for a gymnastic exercise consisting of swings of the legs and body.

“I like the agility if it. I get to move around and use my arms,” he said. “I used to play baseball and I used to have a lot of arm strength, and I like pommels because I can use my arms.”

That strength — combined with his mental focus and flexibility— has molded him into an elite gymnast for his age group.

LaFleur’s Gymnastics instructor Steven Schmerber said Zachary’s success is a “combination of a lot of things.

“He just kind of has this natural ability,” said Schmerber. “Even though all our other kids (at LaFluer’s) are still doing really well, he kind of has that little extra ‘oomph’ that just kind of pushes him a little bit.

“He’s a tiny dude—very flexible, very strong— so his strength to weight ratio is very big,” the coach added.

Hard work is also part of the equation.

Zachary practices six days a week, for more than 20 hours per week.

During the summer, he’ll practice as much as five hours per day.

When Zachary’s not perfecting his gymnastics routine, he’s buried in his studies.

As a fifth-grader at McKitrick Elementary School in Lutz, Zachary is a member of the National Elementary Honor Society. He has made the principal’s honor roll multiple times and he serves on the school’s safety patrol.

“He doesn’t need any push,” Deanna said. “He does everything without us asking him, so he’s self-motivated on his own. We don’t have to give him any pep talk. We don’t have to remind him to do anything. We don’t have to be concerned or ask him, ‘Hey, did you do your homework?’ because we already knows it’s been done.”

Deanna, meanwhile, is happy to see her son flourish in the sport she also loves. She’s his biggest fan and cheerleader.

“It’s exciting,” she said, “but I have to say, I’m more nervous watching him than when I ever was when I competed. My nerves are more watching him because I have no control, and I can’t go out on the floor.”

While many boys his age are wrapped up in video games and other toys, Zachary is mapping out his gymnastics future.

He’s shooting for a scholarship at Stanford, Michigan or Oklahoma universities.

He dreams of qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics and following in the footsteps of his idol, Sam Mikulak, a five-time U.S. national all-around champion and two-time Olympian.

His plan to achieve those lofty goals?

“Try my hardest,” he said, “and don’t give up.”

For information on Zachary’s fundraising efforts to nationals, visit tinyurl.com/ydhwpoxc.

Published October 10, 2018

Lutz resident re-ups with D.C. United

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After spending the past year with the D.C. United Academy, Adam Hassan is back for more — re-signing with the Major League Soccer club for the 2018-2019 season, to compete on its U-19 developmental squad.

The 5-foot-10 midfielder/defender bypassed his junior year at Steinbrenner High School last August, to enter the D.C. United Academy U-17 program.

Lutz resident and former Steinbrenner High soccer standout Adam Hassan will play on the D.C. United Academy’s U-19 squad. He is among a rare group of a few dozen players chosen to join the Academy, which scouts regionally and internationally for young talent exhibiting professional potential.
(Courtesy of Melissa Hassan)

The Lutz resident earned that opportunity after his game film and a tryout caught the eye of D.C. United staff.

In May, the Washington D.C.-based club formally invited Hassan back for another season.

In a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Hassan called it “an honor” and “very cool” to again don the pro team’s badge.

For him and others, re-upping with the MLS development academy creates a more systematic route to play in college, and perhaps, the pro ranks someday.

He is among a rare group of a few dozen players chosen to join the Academy, which scouts regionally and internationally for young talent exhibiting professional potential.

Through it, Hassan and others have received access to top-caliber coaching and advanced training methods, and have the opportunity to play in arguably the most competitive league in North America, the United States Soccer Developmental Academy (USSDA).

Stepping into a program and league with such prestige was initially surreal for Hassan, who also played club soccer with the Lutz-based Tampa Rangers for several years.

He explained: “I’d definitely say at first, it was a bit intimidating. I mean, you’re walking in with kids over on the (U.S.) national team, or just on their way. I like the challenge. It’s fun, so I was a bit excited as well — a mixture of nervous and excited.”

The uptick in competition wasn’t the only adjustment he had to make.

It was also leaving behind family and friends in Lutz, and gaining familiarity with new coaches and teammates.

“It’s just a completely new environment,” Hassan said, noting it took about a month to really feel comfortable with his surroundings.

Part of that new environment is more structured soccer training, at a higher frequency than high schoolers typically receive.

The D.C. United Academy has been one of the most successful MLS academies. It sent 16 players in 2016 to Division I soccer programs.

It often means practice sessions twice a day, plus more instruction, more drills, more workouts and more competitive matches.

The development teams practice just like the pros, using the same training facilities at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.

“It’s almost like a full-time job,” he said.

“I definitely had to improve my time management skills,” added Hassan, who will also manage his soccer schedule with his Florida Virtual School course load.

“It’s a complete, professional environment,” he said.

He added: “They’re molding us to be the professionals, so they give us the same environment, so we can become the best that we can.”

So far, the move up north appears to be paying off.

By training regularly with Academy coaches, including Ryan Martin and Nate Kish—both experienced former Division I college assistants — Hassan said he’s made definite strides in his overall skill level and touch. His ability to think quickly in game action has improved, too.

Everything has sharpened, he said. “My mind has sped up, because you have to play quickly to compete.”

Hassan also said he straightened out his long-ball — an attempt to move the ball a long distance down the field via a long aerial kick to an attacking player — which, at times, had a tendency to curve away from his intended target.

“I finally was able to fix it and drive it down the line. I was able to get it right where I want it to go, and still at a high pace,” Hassan said.

One noted difference between high school ball and his new team is playing time, where it comes at a premium in development academies.

Back in 2016, Hassan was the only sophomore in Steinbrenner’s starting lineup, playing a total of 1,350 minutes — more than any 10th-grader in school history.

With the D.C. United Academy, however, Hassan has had to grind his way to more action.

He began the 2017-2018 season playing about 5 minutes per game. He eventually worked his way up to playing halves after improving his skills during the course of the season. “You have to inch your way in by slowly working harder and harder, and, correcting all (your) flaws,” he said.

This summer, Hassan has been soaking up his time back in Lutz.

But, he’s also been focused on “getting right back into shape” through an offseason workout and training regimen prescribed by D.C. United Academy staff.

Hassan is set to return to Washington D.C., on Aug. 5.

He’s looking forward to continuing to develop his soccer skills and reconnecting with teammates.

Earning more playing time and making the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs are a couple of his goals for the 2018-2019 campaign. “I always want to get better,” he said.

Hassan, too, hopes to get on the radar college soccer programs this season and earn some college scholarship offers. He also wants to play professionally some day, either in the U.S. or overseas.

He’s seems to be in the right place to do so.

In 2016, D.C. United sent 16 players to Division I soccer programs. Additionally, eight Academy players have gone on to professional homegrown contracts since its inception in 2005.

Published July 18, 2018

This special league puts the focus on fun

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Wins and losses don’t matter in this softball league.

But having fun does.

Some members of the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League get together for a group shot. (Fred Bellet)

Every fall and spring, Idlewild Baptist Church (IBC) in Lutz hosts a softball league for the special needs community in Tampa Bay.

It’s called the IBC Champions Division.

And, together it brings children and adults of all ages, with varying physical and mental disabilities.

Some players have autism. Others have Down syndrome. It has even accommodated a blind player in the past.

“We have them all, and we love them all,” said Louise Faust, one of the league’s volunteers.

Christine Hoerner, 30, of Wesley Chapel avoids an inside pitch for a ball as she takes her turn at bat. Christine knocked one to the wall. Catcher David Johnson of Spring Hill looks on.

Faust, along with a handful of others, serve as designated “Field Buddies.” They keep the games moving along and shielding players from any hard-hit balls.

The league draws more than two dozen special needs players from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Church membership isn’t required to participate.

“It’s not all folks from within our church congregation,” said Deana Troyer, manager of Idlewild’s special needs. “There are people from the community here that may be part of the church or part of no church, but this commonality draws them together.

“We all come out and have a blast,” she added.

Troyer noted the special group bonds over their relative circumstances.

“They look out for each other. They operate like a family,” she said.

The six-game fall season ran from Oct. 7 to Nov. 18.

Special Needs Softball League player Alan Alvarez gets a big hug for a great game from Deana Troyer, manager of the special needs ministry at Idlewild Baptist Church.

Games are played for about an hour on Saturday mornings at Idlewild’s Champions Field, a fenced-in complex made of rubber pavement — from recycled tires — to safely accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, and help prevent injuries from accidental falls. Donations to the church’s foundation helped build the facility in 2011.

Unlike other recreation sports, the rules of this league are lenient and accommodating.

There are no practices. No one keeps score. Players can opt to hit off a tee or receive pitches from a designated coach or player. Anyone can hit a home run and run the bases if they so choose. And, teams are split in half, based on who shows up each week.

“We have our own rules,” Faust said. “It’s just for fun and everybody enjoys it. I enjoy it, too.”

Count 52-year-old Kelly West among those who look forward to games each week during the season.

Designated catcher David Johnson, right, helps Colton Smith, 24, of Tampa cross home plate as a teammate bats him in during a game of the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League.

West, who has Down syndrome, is accompanied to each game by her mother, Donna West. The pair were among the first arrivals at a recent Nov. 11 contest.

“It’s cute and it’s fun, and they really enjoy it. I know my daughter does,” Donna West said.

Kelly proved one of the game’s standouts, eking a standup triple out of a groundball. Her energy and enthusiasm never wavered.

What does she adore most about the league? “We’re a family,” she said.

Another player, 36-year-old Tim Culver, has played in the league for the past four years. “Making friends” keeps him coming back.

Kelly West,52, of Carollwood is all smiles after being safe at third base during the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League.

Christine Hoerner, too, has been in the league for several years. The 30-year-old is known among her peers for her hitting power — slugging her share of home runs. In fact, the field clears to the dugout when she steps to the plate. “I like to hit it over the fence,” she said.

Besides its players, Champions Division softball holds significant meaning for its volunteers.

Kathy Alvarez has helped as a coach, since the league began more than a decade ago when games were played on regular fields, until the Champions Field was constructed.

Alvarez said the program provides an opportunity for special needs players to learn new skills, while getting exercise and having an all-around good time.

“They look forward to it and they’ll see me at church and say, ‘Coach, baseball’s coming soon,’ and it might be in June and they’re already looking towards October.”

She added some newcomers are initially hesitant to participate, but eventually warm up to the idea once seeing others play.

Tim Culver,36, of Tampa, a member of the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League gets a hit as designated catcher, David Johnson of Spring Hill watches the special needs adult get a hit at the church’s sports complex off Van Dyke Road.

Alvarez explained: “What’s interesting about it is I can get a new kid…and they won’t want to get out of the car, or they’ll sit on the bench and won’t want to play, which is fine. Then the next week, they say, ‘Hey, I’ll come up to bat,’ and in a couple weeks they know that they hit the ball, they run the bases. They learn on their own just by watching; it’s an awesome thing to go through.”

Henry Morales, another volunteer, likewise has seen the progression of players firsthand, since he began volunteering over six years ago. He supports his niece, Christine Hoerner.

Said Morales, “Some of them have never played any kind of baseball or anything before coming here, so you kind of start them off on the tee ball like a 3-year-old. And when we first started in 2011, a lot of them were doing that. Now, almost all of them are taking pitched balls and hitting them.”

The softball program also puts regular life into perspective for David Johnson, another “Field Buddy.”

Rounding the bases, Tim Jabadoss, of Lutz, can sometimes be confused with his twin brother, Thomas Jabadoss. They both play on the same team.

He explained: “We go through our everyday lives, stressing, ‘Man, I’ve got to do this…’ We think we have a big burden on our shoulders, but when you stand behind home plate and you watch them play and laugh and give you high-fives, your problems don’t seem that bad.”

He added: “Every time they give me high-fives and give me hugs, it just makes my day. There are some things you just can’t forget. It sticks with you; it stays with you.”

In addition to softball, Idlewild Baptist Church offers a comprehensive special needs program.

Among the highlights are a fishing program, called Fishing, Faith and Fun, beginning in January. There’s also a Christmas pageant, featuring special needs participants, on Dec. 3.

For more information on the programs, visit Idlewild.org/category/special-needs/.

Published November 29, 2017

Local athletes celebrate paralympic achievements

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Whenever she competes, 12-year-old Danielle Kanas gives it her all.

And that mindset has worked for the Martinez Middle School seventh-grader, who ran, swam, threw and jumped her way to 15 gold medals and six national records this summer at the Adaptive Sports USA Junior Nationals in Middleton, Wisconsin.

From left, Eric Lowry, 17, of Land O’ Lakes; Logan Krepop, 15, of Parrish; Andy Chasanoff, coordinator of Paralympic Sports Tampa Bay; and 12-year-old Danielle Kanas, of Lutz. The athletes won the Small Team Division at the National Junior Disability Championships, in Middleton, Wisconsin, combining for 18 gold, 11 silver and four bronze medals. (Kevin Weiss)

Kanas — a single-arm amputee, missing her left arm below the elbow — recently added another achievement to the ever-growing collection of honors in her trophy case.

She received the “Spirit of Excellence” award at the annual Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay Award (PSTB) Luncheon, held Sept. 30 at All People’s Life Center in Tampa.

The club’s highest honor, it recognizes courage, strength, determination and demonstration of a positive attitude as a role model.

Her life circumstances are distinct.

She was found in her infancy at a train station in China.

When sent to an orphanage in the Asian country, doctors determined the circulation in her left arm had been compromised, causing irreversible damage to her left hand and the lower part of her arm below the elbow. Both impaired areas were amputated.

She came from China to the United States as a toddler, settling in New Jersey with her adoptive mother, JoAnne Kanas.

Over the years, she’s received multiple prostheses, as well as occupational therapy beginning at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Philadelphia and now at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Tampa.

Yet, those challenges have not stopped her from living a well-rounded life.

Beyond athletics, Kanas is a “straight-A” student and member of the National Junior Honor Society, a Girl Scout, and patient ambassador at Shriner’s Hospital for Children—Tampa.

She’s also a talented guitar player, who’s served up renditions of the national anthem at various Shriners conventions.

Her advice to fellow amputees is to be ambitious, and not hesitate to try new things.

“Every time you try something new, it’s exciting to see what happens next, and to see what you can improve on,” Kanas said.

The involvement in athletics, meanwhile, elicits a smile on JoAnne Kanas’ face, noting it’s helped her daughter gain confidence over the years.

“It’s just fun to see her. She puts on her game face,” JoAnne Kanas said. “When you watch her compete, she’s serious. She goes out there and tries her hardest. I just like to see her enjoy it.”

Kanas’ favorite event is javelin. It’s clear why: her 19.66 meter throw is a national record — by 6 meters— for her age group in Adaptive Sports.

“I like to watch how it goes far in the distance,” Kanas said. She wants to break 20 meters next season, she said.

Besides the countless victories, Kanas recalls the memorable experience of traveling, for the third straight year, to the junior disability championships, the oldest and largest continuously held competitive sports event in the country for athletes with physical disabilities, ages 6 to 22.

Throughout the July trip, Kanas enjoyed dining out with teammates and excursions.

“It felt good to meet other people. We got to build friendships,” she said.

Kanas, however, isn’t the only local athlete shining in Paralympic sports.

Eric Lowry, a 17-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident, is another.

Lowry, who has spina bifida and competes from a wheelchair, also earned several medals this summer.

That includes a gold medal for his 190-pound bench press, an Adaptive Sports Junior national record.

Lowry, involved with Paralympic Sports Tampa Bay (PSTB) for nearly 10 years, said he recently picked up weightlifting, originally to complement track & field, swimming and archery events.

“I think it all goes together because you need strength to participate against your peers,” he said.

He offers advice for fellow amputees similar to Kanas’ suggestions.

“Try something before you give up, and if you like it keep doing it,” said Lowry, who attends Focus Academy, a charter school for special needs students in Tampa.

Andy Chasanoff, coordinator for PSTB, regularly coaches both Lowry and Kanas.

He said both are models for the program, stressing their positive attitude, hard work, enthusiasm and overall consideration for other teammates.

“They’re not only good athletes, but also they’re great kids,” Chasanoff said.

“They’re respectful, polite, honest. And, they want to be seen as athletes.”

Under Chasanoff’s guidance, Lowry, Kanas and 16-year-old Logan Krepop, of Parrish, led PSTB to its second straight Small Division Title at the national event.

“It’s never been about (the medals). It’s been about doing your best,” Chasanoff explained.

“I ask one question at the end of the meet: ‘Did you do your best?’ If you do your best, it doesn’t matter where you finish. They just happen to be very good, and we’re very humbled by it. But, it’s nice to see, and watch them grow,” he said.

Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay
As a signature program of Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation, the mission of Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay is to promote health, independence and personal growth through sports for people with physical disabilities. Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay (PSTB) is one of more than 100 community-based programs established by the Paralympic Division of the United States Olympic Committee.
It provides year round sports and recreation programs that promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and recreational and competitive sports opportunities for area children and adults with physical disabilities.

Here are few facts about the program:

  • More than 300 athletes participate in at least one PSTB program or event each year.
  • Ongoing programs are offered for athletes at all levels, from recreational to competitive elite, in multiple sports such as wheelchair basketball, track and field, tennis, swimming, and archery.
  • Periodic clinics are offered, in additional sports such as power lifting, golf, and water skiing.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

Local athlete aspires to play major league soccer

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Adam Hassan is a step closer to his goal of playing professional soccer.

Hassan is bypassing his junior year at Steinbrenner High School to enter the D.C. United U-17 Academy, a youth and development program for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United.

Hassan, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound defender, is regarded for using both feet equally, along with his athleticism and tactical strength.
(Courtesy of Kelly and Melissa Hassan)

He will be among a rare group of about 20 players chosen to join the Academy, which scouts regionally and internationally for young talent exhibiting pro potential.

Hassan, a 5-foot-9, 150-pound defender, will have access to top-caliber coaching and advanced training methods, and play in arguably the most competitive league in North America, the United States Soccer Developmental Academy.

Via the Academy’s residency program, Hassan will board at The Calverton School in Huntingtown, Maryland, located about 25 miles outside Washington D.C.

For him and others, the developmental academy helps provide a more systematic route to play in college, and perhaps, reach the pro ranks.

In 2016, D.C. United sent 16 players to Division I soccer programs. Additionally, eight Academy players have gone on to professional homegrown contracts since its inception in 2005.

Months ago, Hassan sent out his resume and game film to multiple MLS academies.

The footage caught the eye of D.C. United staff, which invited him for a trial period. He performed well enough to earn a formal offer to join the topflight program.

Hassan will receive structured soccer training, at a higher frequency than high schoolers typically receive.

It means practice sessions twice a day, plus more instruction, more drills, more workouts and more competitive matches.

Simply, he’ll be placed in a pro-like soccer environment.

Adam Hassan was just 9 when he began playing for the Lutz-based Tampa Ranger soccer club. (Kevin Weiss)

He doesn’t plan to shy away from the added workload. He intends to elevate his game.

“I want to improve every aspect of my game,” Hassan said. “I want to try to be the best that I can be. Of course, I have to get faster, stronger and jump higher, and I have to be able to control the ball better.”

Hassan leaves for Washington D.C. on Aug. 5, temporarily saying farewell to family and friends in Lutz.

It’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make, to follow his dream through.

“This is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” said Hassan, who started playing soccer at 3 years old.

“As a soccer player, there’s always room to learn and take in new things. You always can be building your game. “His parents, understandably, are still adjusting to the realization their teenage son is leaving home, for the Mid-Atlantic.

His mother, Melissa, said they didn’t expect to be empty-nesters so soon. “But, we’re very proud of him,” she said.

“We’re supporting him pursuing his dream,” added his father, Kelly. “He made a tough decision to leave. Those opportunities are few and far between, so you’ve got to capitalize. It will better prepare him for a chance for the pros, or if not, he’ll be college-ready.”

Hassan played varsity soccer at Steinbrenner the past two seasons.

He was the only sophomore in the team’s starting lineup last season, where he played a total of 1,350 minutes — more than any 10th-grader in school history.

He also was named the team’s Most Improved Player, morphing into a standout on a regional-qualifying team that went 18-5-2.

Simultaneously, Hassan played for the Lutz-based Tampa Rangers soccer club.

It’s where he says he developed most, since joining at age 9.

“I became a better player,” Hassan said of his Rangers experience. “The curriculum that you’re learning ends up paying off, and that’s what I’ve always liked about the club.”

Sean Coniglio, one of Hassan’s first Rangers coaches, saw the defender’s potential early on.

Coniglio, who played at the University of Tampa (1989-1990), says Hassan stood out for his tenacity and ability to attack the ball.

Adam Hassan is bypassing his junior year at Steinbrenner High to enter the D.C. United U-17 Developmental Academy, a youth and development program for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club D.C. United. He’ll join a rare group of about 20 players chosen to the D.C United Academy, which scouts regionally and internationally for young talent that exhibits pro potential. (Courtesy of D.C. United)

Hassan’s work ethic impressed, too.

“He spent a lot of time on his own, outside of training, to develop his abilities and skills,” Coniglio said. “He was one of those that I knew, at home, he was working out and doing things to get better, and it made a difference as he get older.”

“Adam’s always been an ambitious player for us, and showed the effort that he always wanted to be a better player at his position a central defender,” added Rangers club director Mike Connell. “He’s been a good student of the game, and I think those are the key demands on players that want to get to the next levels, knowing that they still have to keep learning.”

Hassan, a natural lefty, today describes himself as instinctual and mentally tough, on the field.

“I can keep my head in the game,” he said. “I can stay focused, I don’t really get shaken up a lot, and I can read passes well.”

And, those qualities are critical for reaching the highest levels, explained Connell, a 10-year veteran of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“Soccer, like any other sport, is about how much sport intelligence you have,” Connell said. “You can’t be one-dimensional on the field, and just run and kick and fight. I think that’s really the difference when it comes to our country versus the rest of the world — they’re spending more time with the game, therefore their (soccer) intelligence is greater.”

Connell added the prospect of Hassan playing professionally is “all available to him.”

However, Connell acknowledged it’s also about capitalizing at every opportunity.

“He needs the breaks, but he has the ambition, and he has the ability,” Connell explained. “It’s just being there at the right time to do the right thing and play at the highest possible standard, because at that level you can’t not show up.”

For Hassan, heading overseas may be one way to break into the pros.

He was born in Egypt, before his immediate family settled in Lutz when he was about a year old.

Those Egyptian roots, Connell noted, “opens up another avenue” for reaching the pros.

“USA is an opportunity, but Egypt becomes a big difference-maker,” Connell said. “A lot of Americans don’t have that opportunity, because they don’t have that family connection to the homeland. This opens up a greater opportunity for the game.”

Meantime, Hassan isn’t the only Tampa Ranger headed to a soccer academy this fall.

Julio Plata, 13, was awarded a two-year scholarship to Brooke House soccer academy in Market Harborough, England.

Founded in 2008, the program boasts more than 70 players ages 13 to 19 filling four club teams that play in the Junior Premier League and other leagues, while also competing in various cups across Europe.

Plata, a midfielder, is a Lutz resident who most recently attended Liberty Middle School.

Q&A with Adam Hassan
What drew you to the game of soccer?“When I was younger, I used to watch my dad play. He would play with his adults, and I’d always go watch him play. So, at a young age I was already watching the game.”

Why do you enjoy soccer?
“In soccer, everything’s going, and it’s just exciting. You’re working together as a team, united with other people to accomplish one goal. And then when you end up accomplishing that goal, it’s a thrilling experience.”

Which professional soccer player do you model your game after?
“I’d have to say (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club defender) Thiago Silva. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he commands, he’s strong, and he holds downs his defense. I’ve always liked him.”

Published August 2, 2017

Local pitchers delay pro careers for college

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Two of the area’s top pitchers are postponing their pro careers — for now.

Sunlake High School’s Tommy Mace and Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk — both selected in the middle rounds of June’s MLB Draft — have opted to forgo professional baseball contracts, and instead attend in-state Division I programs.

Sunlake High’s Tommy Mace, who was drafted in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, will pitch at the University of Florida.
(File)

Mace, drafted in the 12th round (347th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds, will pitch at the University of Florida, which last month won the 2017 College World Series — the first national title in program history.

Van Eyk, drafted in the 19th round (577th overall) by the New York Mets, will pitch at Florida State University, which reached the College World Series, but was later eliminated by Louisiana State University.

The draft-signing deadline was July 7; the draft featured 40 rounds and 1,205 picks in total.

Besides higher education, Mace and Van Eyk have a chance to further develop their pitching skillets with advanced college instruction.

Typically, that results in an improved draft stock — and larger corresponding signing bonuses.

Based on MLB guidelines, Mace and Van Eyk will be draft-eligible again in three years — players at four-year colleges and universities are eligible three years after first enrolling in such an institution, or after their 21st birthday (whichever occurs first).

Mace, a lanky 6-foot-7, 200-pound righty, was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 144 overall prospect in the 2017 draft.

The site lauds his projectable 94 mph fastball, and usable three-quarters breaking ball.

One of the more effective prep arms in the Tampa Bay area, Mace tallied a 1.29 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 70.2 innings, with an 8-2 record in 11 appearances — guiding Sunlake High to the Class 7A regional finals last season.

During his three-year varsity career, meanwhile, Mace won 19 games, posting a 1.65 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 165.2 innings.

Van Eyk was equally dominant throughout his prep career.

Steinbrenner High’s CJ Van Eyk, who was drafted in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, will pitch at Florida State University. (File)

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound righty was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 120 overall prospect in the 2017 draft.

In addition to a blistering 95-mile-per-hour fastball that displays movement and sink, Van Eyk features an effective curveball and changeup.

His senior season, however, was cut short due to arm soreness. In limited action, he posted a 0.73 ERA and 56 strikeouts.

But, throughout his three-year varsity career, Van Eyk was virtually unhittable, tallying a 0.60 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 173.2 innings, and winning 24 games.

Van Eyk surged onto the national spotlight last summer as a member of the USA Baseball 18-and-under team’s pitching staff, helping the squad win gold at the Pan American Championships.

Also in 2016, he led Steinbrenner to its first state baseball title in and was crowned the Florida Dairy Farmers’ Class 8A Player of the Year.

Van Eyk wasn’t Steinbrenner’s only drafted player.

His teammate, first baseman Patrick Morris, was selected in the 14th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Morris, however, opted to turn pro, inking a signing bonus in excess of $200,000.

Published July 19, 2017

Facility upgrades highlight Leaguerettes 2017 season

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Coming off a calendar year of fast-pitch softball, the Lutz Leaguerettes have taken another step forward.

The girls recreational softball league recently announced the completion of several new capital improvement projects at both Oscar Cooler and Nye parks.

Some of the highlights:

  • Field refurbishments, including new clay and magnetic break-free bases on all five fields
  • Outdoor batting turfs and mats for hitting cages
  • New remote-operated scoreboards
  • Updated concession area with a sound system
  • Remodeled board room with new carpet and paint job
  • Park security cameras

Hillsborough County owns both parks, but the Leaguerettes have a field-usage agreement, and work closely with county’s parks and recreation department.

New clay surfaces are one of the many facility upgrades for the Lutz Leaguerettes 2017 spring fast-pitch season. The girls recreational fast-pitch organization plays its games at both Oscar Cooler Park and Nye Park. (Courtesy of Mike Cook)

Mike Cook, president of the Lutz Leaguerettes, said the additions were made gradually during the past 18 months to two years.

He estimates more than $40,000 in upgrades were made via a combination of donations, league funds and various sponsorships.

“We try not to skimp on equipment, because it gets used every day,” Cook said.

Affiliations with local professional sports teams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, USF Bulls) and other businesses (Disney World, Great Clips, Publix) also helped make the upgrades possible, he said.

“We work with a lot of different organizations,” Cook said. “We work with whoever we can.”

Though he’s unsure of a timeline, the league president said he’d eventually like to install CCTV video cameras for each field; the cameras would allow players’ families and friends to live stream Leaguerettes games through a computer.

The announced upgrades, meanwhile, follow what was an eventful 2016 for the organization.

Last January, the Leaguerettes announced they were offering a recreational fast-pitch league for the first time in its 37-year history.

Just six months later, the Leaguerettes discontinued their slow-pitch leagues altogether, citing dwindling registration figures and an overwhelming preference for fast-pitch.

(Other softball programs — the Brandon Leaguerettes, North Tampa Leaguerettes, Tampa Bay Velocity and FishHawk Miss Tampa Bay Softball — all transitioned exclusively to fast-pitch over the past few seasons.)

For the Leaguerettes, the exclusive move to fast pitch has been a success thus far.

The 2016 fall fast-pitch season reportedly had about 160 players.

That figure, Cook said, was about three times as many as previous slow-pitch fall leagues, which typically drew “40 or 50 players.”

“We were pleasantly surprised to get as many registered players as we did,” Cook said of the fall season. “I think a lot of that has to do with the upgrades to the field…and the word spreading of moving over to fast pitch.

“I’m really happy with the turnout.”

Meantime, the 2017 Leaguerettes spring season is just around the corner.

Registration is open through Jan. 21, with the season slated to kick off in February.

The spring league is limited to the first 300 players that sign up, due to available field space and resources; about 130 players were registered, as of Jan. 11.

Cook said six divisions will likely be offered, for girls ages 4 to 18.

They include: t-ball (ages 4-5), 8U (ages 6-8), 10U (ages 8-10), 12U (10-12), 14U (ages 12-14), 16U (ages 14 to 16) and 18U (ages 16 to 18).

Despite “some growing pains” in the initial transition to fast pitch, the second full season should be smoother, Cook acknowledged.

“We’ve had a lot to learn—a lot of meetings and a lot of different ideas,” Cook said. “We had to learn the rules of fast pitch compared to slow pitch.”

In fact, the organization brought in a few fast-pitch experts, training Leaguerettes coaches and players via skill clinics. League board members, too, spoke at length with high school coaches and athletic directors, learning the nuances of the game.

In general, the offensive strategy differs between fast pitch and slow pitch.

In fast pitch, the general offensive approach is to play ‘small ball,’ where bunting, slapping and hitting singles are heavily relied upon to generate runs. Conversely, offensive players in slow-pitch softball are often taught to hit the ball as far as possible, due to the relative ease at making contact.

More protective gear, such as facemasks, is also required in fast pitch.

“We’re at the point where we’re pretty sufficient in our knowledge of the game; a lot of people are happy about fast pitch,” Cook said. “We’re continuously evolving,”

The league president also noted there aren’t too many requests for slow pitch anymore.

“I think we’re at the point where everybody realizes we’re completely fast pitch, and now we’re just in the process of growing the league.”

Even so, the league’s “ultimate objective” remains the same — create a family based atmosphere in a community setting.

And, let the youngsters have fun. The Leaguerettes are a PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) Softball affiliate. For more information, visit LutzSoftball.com.

Published January 18, 2017