Fundraiser plows way for ball fields

By JULIE CHURCH

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 25, 2001

Members of the Oldsmar Little League presented the city with a check for $150,000 at Tuesday's City Council meeting, proceeds from Operation Play Ball.

The check represents the culmination of 4 1/2 years of fundraising by the group to help the city construct baseball fields at Canal Park.

The Oldsmar Little League has 54 teams and more than 700 players who require game and practice times, but Canal Park now has only five fields. Because of this shortage, children under 12 often must play late on school nights. Many times, players won't begin a game until 8 p.m. and won't leave the field until after 10 p.m. on a weeknight.

"We're doing this because of what it means to the children to be able to go home at a decent hour at night and to have space to practice," said Operation Play Ball co-chairperson Gary Papa.

After the check presentation, the City Council voted to hire Pepper Contracting Services of Clearwater to build three new little league fields and two new T-ball fields at Canal Park.

The cost to construct the ball fields and set up the wiring for lights will be $478,005. That does not include the lights themselves, which will be installed after the fields are built.

A state grant will pay $150,000 of the expenses, and the city has budgeted $300,000. The Little League has indicated it will contribute another $75,000 to purchase the lights, said Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Rives.

Even after last week's $150,000 gift, Operation Play Ball is far from complete, according to Papa.

"The fundraising machine is still going on." he said.

When ground is broken for the baseball complex addition, the Little League will send out another round of letters to area businesses seeking sponsors. Papa said naming opportunities for the fields are still available.

The park itself will be named Robyn Beverland Baseball Complex at Canal Park after Mayor Jerry Beverland's son, Robyn "The Beaver" Beverland, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder and died in 1998 at 41.

Construction of the ball fields and installation of the lights should be complete for the start of next year's baseball season, Rives said.

Ruby Tuesday joins Oldsmar's menu

Oldsmar residents have a new choice in restaurants this week with the opening of Ruby Tuesday at Woodlands Square Plaza on Tampa Road. The 6,500-square-foot restaurant officially opens at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Managing partner Brian Hatfield said the restaurant should appeal to families and those looking to grab a bite before going to the movies.

"We have a great atmosphere, great food and great service," he said. "It's really family-oriented and great for the kids."

Ruby Tuesday offers a kids' menu, special cups with lids and activities for children at the table.

The restaurant is the fifth in the national chain to open in Pinellas County. Other restaurants are in Countryside Mall and on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard in Clearwater, in front of Crossroads Mall on Roosevelt Boulevard near Largo and in the Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg.

Menu offerings include a salad bar, soups, sandwiches, burgers, ribs and steaks. A full bar is available.

Ruby Tuesday opens at 11 a.m. each day, and the bar is open until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Cheerleaders snag national title

The Suncoast Allstar Junior Green Elite cheerleading team recently took first place in the U.S. Open Cheer and Dance Championships in Orlando. It is the team's first national title this season.

The team also traveled to Dallas last month and placed ninth out of 24 teams in what is considered by team members to be the toughest competition in the country.

The team, coached by Joy Carleton, includes girls in seventh through ninth grades. Team members are Amberly Amann, Jamie Baker, Ashlee Figg, Joni Gotwald, Kimberley Graziose, Carrie Gustafson, Laura Hartney, Kristie Horton, Briana Hurwitz, Ashley Lewis, Brianna Mattox, Kristen Pusch, Jacklyn Reback, Leanne Reeser, Michele Roca, Ashley Roscoe, Ashlee Rein and Alisha Watson.

The PeeWee team, coached by Linda Roscoe, recently won back-to-back state titles in Jacksonville and at the State Fair in Tampa. The PeeWee team includes girls in sixth grade and younger.

The senior all-girl team, coached by Brooke Carleton, also took top honors at the U.S. Open, placing second and at the American Open in Tampa placing third.

Suncoast Cheer and Tumble Center is at 202 Tower Drive. Tryouts for the 2001-02 season will be in May. For information, call (813) 814-2211.

Teen Club cleans cars, hosts dance

Oldsmar's Teen Club will be holding a carwash Saturday at the Citgo/7-Eleven Store, 3855 Tampa Road, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $3.

The club also will host a teen sock hop on from 7 to 10:30 p.m. April 6 at the Oldsmar Recreation Center, 423 Lafayette Blvd. There will be a disc jockey, and pizza and soda will be served. The cost is $2 with a recreation card, $3 without.

For information on either event, call (813) 855-4211.

- If you have news or photos about Oldsmar schools, churches, businesses, neighborhood groups, community organizations or people, contact Julie Church at the North Pinellas Times. You can call her at (727) 445-4229, e-mail material to her at church@sptimes.com or mail material to North Pinellas Times, 34342 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684.

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