Community

Youth bowler's score garners attention at lanes

Ryan Edler of Springstead High had a 672 series, bolstered by a 252 high scratch game.

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Correspondence
Published January 25, 2008

During the Spring Hill Lanes Sunday Youth/Adult League last week, youth bowler Ryan Edler shined above the rest.

Edler's 672 series, headlined by a 252 high scratch game was enough to open some eyes around the bowling center. His other two games 198, 222 added up to a series that placed him 36 pins higher than even the best adult in the league for that week, Bob Miller (636).

The series was a far cry from his entering the U.S. Bowling Congress from last season when Edler booked a 172-average over 204 games between the Spring Hill Elite Youth League and the same Spring Hill Youth/Adult League.

Edler is a 15-year-old sophomore at Springstead High. He continues to compete regularly in those same two leagues at Spring Hill Lanes.

Hernando Juniors Tournament: The Hernando Juniors Volleyball Club will be sending five of its teams to compete in this weekend's 2008 AAU Volleyball Classic in Orlando.

The 12-, 13-, 15-, 16- and 17-year-old teams will all be attending the event with hopes of returning with team championships. The tournament is one of the largest of the club season with 23 teams in both the 12- and 13-year-old fields, 36 teams in the 15-year-old field, 38 teams in the 16-year-old field and 25 teams in the 17-year-old field.

The event will take place at the Orange County Convention Center, and competition is slated for Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The bracket is single-elimination.

The $5 entry fee at the door buys spectators a tournament pass that is good for both days. For more information, visit the tournament Web site at www.orlandovolleyball.com.

Dixie Softball: The Spring Hill Dixie Fast-pitch Softball League will hold late registration and player evaluations for girls ages 5 to 18.

The final days are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex softball fields. Registration fees for the league are $120 for the first child in each family and $115 for each additional child.

A copy of the child's birth certificate will be required at registration so that the child can be placed with the appropriate age group. The registration fee includes full uniform costs, umpire fees, player insurance, participation trophies and field maintenance and lighting.

Spring season practices and games will run from mid-February through May. All games will be played at the new softball fields at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill. For more information, visit the Spring Hill Dixie Web site at www.shdixiesoftball.com or call (352) 688-5570.

MLB COMES TO BROOKSVILLE: The city of Brooksville Recreation Department will be hosting a free baseball clinic for children between the ages of 7 and 14 at Tom Varn Park on Feb. 2 from 1-4 p.m.

The Major League Baseball Alumni Association will provide former professional players to attend the camp and teach the youths the fundamentals of the game. For more information or to register, call Mike Walker at (352) 544-5495. Information can also be obtained by e-mail at mwalker@ci.brooksville.fl.us

Submit information to communitysports@tampabay.com

[Last modified January 24, 2008, 21:58:15]