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Two athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area will soon get to pursue their dreams of playing professional baseball, after agreeing to terms with their respective MLB organizations.

Steinbrenner High School and Florida State University product CJ Van Eyk signed a professional contract with the Toronto Blue Jays for $1.8 million, according to multiple reports.

The 21-year-old right-handed pitcher was selected by the Blue Jays in the second round (42nd overall) in the 2020 MLB Draft earlier this month.

Across three seasons at FSU, the 6-foot-1 Van Eyk logged an 18-5 win-loss record, 3.21 ERA, 1.274 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 176.2 innings. Van Eyk won a state title and state player of the year honors at Steinbrenner.

Meanwhile, Wesley Chapel native Carson Ragsdale — a Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School and University of South Florida (USF) product — signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $225,000, according to multiple reports.

The 22-year-old righty was selected by the Phillies in the fourth round (116th overall) of this year’s draft.

The 6-foot-8 Ragsdale transitioned to a starter’s role in his redshirt junior year at USF, after pitching out of the bullpen his freshman and sophomore seasons. He tallied a 3.75 ERA, 1.391 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 50.1 career innings. (He missed the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery.)

The status of when and where Van Eyk and Ragsdale start their careers in the minor leagues remains up in the air due to uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it might not be too long before fans catch a glimpse of these locals in the Tampa Bay area, as both the Blue Jays and Phillies have Single-A affiliates in Dunedin and Clearwater, respectively.

The Saint Leo University athletics and recreation department will host a weeklong youth summer camp from July 27 through July 31.

The Little Lions Camp is a kid-centered, fun-based day camp that primarily focuses on keeping kids physically and creatively active during the summer months. This event is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 13. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day.

Programming will feature an ever-changing combination of classic physical education games, backyard favorites, sports, pool time, arts and crafts, and special surprises to keep kids happy, active and engaged. Daily schedules will vary to keep kids’ likes and dislikes in mind.
For cost and other information, email Carrie Fidurko at ">.

Skydive City Z’Hills will host a series of weekend summer camps for novice skydivers at its facility, 4241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills.

The Skillz in the Hills Rookie Camp will be offered June 27 and June 28; July 25 and July 26; Aug. 15 and Aug. 16; and, Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. The events are geared for skydivers with less than 200 jumps. There is no registration, but participants will be asked to split the slot of the coach with the people on your jump. The events are limited to eight people per day, so coaches can ensure quality instruction and more jumps; the goal is for four jumps to six jumps a day for each person.

For information, call (813) 782-9399, email , or message “Skydive City” on Facebook.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s Incredi-Bowl Z’Hills bowling tournament has been rescheduled to Sept. 12 at Pin Chasers, 6816 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Check-in is from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., with the tournament running from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost is $45 for an individual, or $200 for a team of five players. Signup includes food, unlimited soft drinks, rentals and two hours of bowling time. Various sponsorships also are available.

Cash prizes will be offered for first, second and third place finishes. The event will also include a wine raffle.

Proceeds from the event will benefit local youth and education programs.

To register or sponsor, email , or call (813) 782-1913.

Hillsborough County has begun offering summer camps at recreation centers this year, and also has reopened athletic fields and sports complexes.
Summer camps officially began on June 8 and will run through Aug. 7. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., each weekday. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several changes have been enacted with the help of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County and the University of South Florida College of Public Health, to help ensure the safety of camp participants, their families, and summer camp staff. Changes will include the following:

• Camp staff will wear face coverings when social distancing is not possible. Camp participants will be encouraged to wear masks.
• Daily health/temperature checks will be performed on each camp participant and each staff member.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available at each location, and intensive cleaning protocols will be in place.
• Camp participants will be broken into groups to minimize contact with others; staff will stay with the same group of children each day. Any shared objects will be washed after each use, nightly, and on the weekends.
• Each camp site will have designated contactless pickup and drop-off areas.
• To minimize potential exposure, there will be no offsite field trips.

Instead of the traditional fee of $76 per two-week session, families will pay $50 per child for the entire nine-week session.
Capacity will be limited to help ensure safety. Participants in the county’s afterschool recreation camps will be given priority. Additional details are available on the county’s website, HCFLGov.net
Meanwhile, county athletic fields and sports complexes have reopened, but use is limited to individual activities or those living in the same household, for example, a father and son playing catch. Those using the fields are required to follow social distancing guidelines. Recreation centers, playgrounds, splash pads, picnic shelters and basketball courts remain closed for public use.

The Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School varsity football program announced its nine-game schedule for the 2020 season.

The Hurricanes — who went 1-7 last season — will be led by new head coach Ken Stills.

2020 schedule (All games start at 7 p.m.)
Aug. 28 — at All Saints Academy
Sept. 4 — vs. Keswick Christian
Sept. 11 — at St. Johns Country Day
Sept. 18 — at Shorecrest Prep
Sept. 25 — at Seven Rivers Christian
Oct. 2 — vs. Carrollwood Day (Homecoming)
Oct. 9 — at Central Florida Christian Academy
Oct. 23 — vs. St. Petersburg Catholic
Oct. 30 — vs. Indian Rocks Christian (Senior Night)