Sprinter Bingham bided his time

By Compiled by JOHN C. COTEY, KEVIN KELLY and JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2000

River Ridge's multitalented Jason Bingham has proved to be one of the county's best no matter the sport, football or soccer.

Now in track season, Bingham has unearthed a new talent -- speed -- in a new sport.

Bingham took second (11.69 seconds) in the 100-meter dash at Thursday's Sunshine Athletic Conference meet at Gulf's Des Little Stadium.

No surprise, Royal Knight teammate John Gilmore proved to be the the county's fastest man, winning the 100 (11.22) and 200 (22.17).

Yet Bingham's performance, according to boys coach Brian Colding, was "freaking awesome," especially since the top two finishers earned all-conference honors.

Colding said that Bingham believed that track would condition him to walk on at South Florida as a punter in the fall. So Bingham has been to every practice and meet this season -- yet had to sit out the first six meets of the season.

Bingham was serving a six-week suspension for misconduct handed to him in February at the end of soccer season, when River Ridge lost 2-0 to Brandon in the Class 3A, Region 3 quarterfinals.

"We were able to seed him in the 100 based on his time at the (Kiwanis Invitational) the week before," Colding said. "Even though he had only been running for a short time, if he hadn't run a good time there, he wouldn't have been able to take second at the conference meet."

Baisley turning heads in Florida State League

Former Land O'Lakes pitcher Brad Baisley has been named the Florida State League pitcher of the week, as well as the Philadelphia Phillies minor league pitcher of the week.

In two starts last week, Baisley did not allow an earned run and picked up two wins. For the season, he is 2-0 with one save, allowing just 12 hits and four walks in 18 innings. In his three games, he has struck out 17 batters.

Baisley is considered Philadelphia's second-best pro prospect behind outfielder Pat Burrell.

Zephyrhills pitcher Bice questionable

This season was supposed to be a continuation of success for Zephyrhills pitcher Christine Bice.

Instead, the sophomore, who struck out a school-record 208 last season, has missed most of this season because of injury.

Bice underwent six weeks of physical therapy from mid-February to April 7 after being diagnosed with tendonitis in her throwing arm and shoulder. Last Wednesday, she hurt her ankle in the Bulldogs' game against Springstead.

Bice slipped on home plate and is questionable for the Class 4A, District 6 tournament which begins Tuesday. "She slid on it like she was sliding across ice," Zephyrhills coach Pat Moul said.

Bice has pitched just eight innings this season and is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA in eight innings.

"Hopefully she'll learn from all this," Moul said.

Best bet

• WHO: Hudson at Ridgewood

• WHAT: Softball

• WHEN: 6 p.m.

• THE SKINNY: Ridgewood has won 13 of its past 14 games, but don't be surprised if Hudson (4-17) gives the Rams (16-3) an end of the season test tonight. The Cobras lost 4-1 when the two met on March 7 and now have their starting shortstop, Melissa Strawser, back in the lineup.

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