SPORTS news

Thurmont Little League is Gearing up for a New Season and Some Exciting Changes for 2015 Melissa Kinna It may be cold outside, but that isn’t stopping Thurmont Little League (TLL) as they prepare for the upcoming 2015 Spring Season. Some exciting happenings taking place include a new logo; a new website that will be released soon; the extension of the league’s boundary to areas east; and new programs for coaches, umpires, and players.  Thurmont Little League may be the name of the organization, however, Thurmont Little League is open to players within many communities in the region:  Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Sabillasville, Woodsboro, Rocky Ridge, Taneytown, and Union Bridge. “Thurmont Little League and Little League International thrives by building virtues of character, courage, and loyalty to the community, which is why the board of directors here at TLL feel so strongly about the Little League mission and the benefits it provides to our servicing communities. By expanding our league’s boundary to the outlying communities, we are broadening the Little League virtues and exposing our players to those qualities with the intent to bettering the overall communities in our region. Our goal is to make these youth athletes successful on the field, but more importantly, successful off the field,” said Ed Lowry, president of Thurmont Little League. Eager to start the 2015 season, board members are currently building new programs to include clinics for coaches and umpires. The league strongly encourages parents to become involved in the league and will now offer training to coaches and umpires to ensure a positive experience for both players and parents.  This past fall season, the league was able to offer clinics focusing on outfield basics, infield basics, and hitting. The clinics were a success, players had fun, and it provided additional hands on experience.  Starting Saturday, January 17, 2015, the league will offer a five-week Winter Clinic to prepare players for the spring 2015 season. The registration is now open and ends Friday, January 16. The cost will be $40.00 for the entire five-week program. The clinic will run from 8:30-10:00 a.m. You may register for this winter session and for the spring 2015 season by visiting www.eteamz.com/thurmont/. In an effort to raise money for the league, Mountain Gate Family Restaurant will host an In-Person Registration and a Dine-In, Help-Out event on Thursday, January 15, 2015. The league will be sharing tickets for the event on their Facebook page at facebook.com/ThurmontLittleLeague. When you present one of those tickets when dining at Mountain Gate Restaurant, Mountain Gate will donate ten percent of your bill to Thurmont Little League.  “We encourage everyone in the community to go to our Facebook page and print out a ticket to support our league on January 15.  Throughout the years, Mountain Gate has supported the league, and we appreciate their continued support with this Dine-In, Help-Out event,” said Lowry.  Opening day for Thurmont Little League will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015. Be sure to check out registration, which is now open for the 2015 spring season. Players can receive a $10.00 discount if they register before January 15. Visit www.eteamz.com/thurmont/for more details. Spring 2015 Registration Opens for Catoctin Youth Lacrosse Think you know about lacrosse? Think again! Anyone can play lacrosse—big or small, experienced player or a beginner. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse. Long sprints up and down the field, with abrupt starts and stops, precision passes, and dodges are routine in both boys and girls lacrosse. Participants can learn to play at any age. Teams are forming now for both boys and girls in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The Catoctin Youth Lacrosse is gearing up for another great season! Registration is currently open online at www.catoctinlacrosse.com or you can register in person on the following dates and times: January 7—at Thurmont Elementary School, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.; January 14—at Lewistown Elementary School, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and January 28—at Thurmont Middle School, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Want to learn more? Be social with them on facebook.com/catoctinlacrosse or check out their new website at www.catoctinlacrosse.com. Questions? You can email them at [email protected] or call 240-342-6238. Come scoop it up with Catoctin Youth Lacrosse! Catoctin Youth Lacrosse is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization, supporting the lacrosse-loving youth of Thurmont. They are here to enhance the positives of team sports for our youth while advancing the sport within our community. They are part of the Western Maryland Youth Lacrosse Conference and offer teams for ages U7-U15. Save the Date for the 2015 Catoctin Duals Wrestling Tournament The 2015 Catoctin Duals wrestling tournament is set to take place on Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Catoctin High School (CHS). Now in its nineteenth year, this annual local event promises plenty of wrestling action and excitement, as the defending Frederick County champion Cougars host a number of squads from several states. The Cougars will showcase their largest freshman class of young wrestlers in four years, as well as several veteran grapplers and team leaders looking to make it into the record books as they battle some of the area’s top wrestling programs. Come out and support the state-wide nineteenth ranked CHS wrestling team as they continue the tradition of success of the past three years with twenty-five Frederick County place-winners, fifteen regional place-winners, and ten place-winners at the state level, including four state champions. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. Concessions will be available both days and several vendors will be on site. Head Coach Ryan Green and his staff would like to thank Catoctin High School, CHS Athletic Director Kevin McMullen, and the numerous committed parents and volunteers who unselfishly give their time behind the scenes, as well as the generous sponsors in our community who contribute to make this event possible. Thank you for your continued support of Catoctin High School wrestling. Emmitsburg Baseball & Softball League Registration Registration for spring baseball and softball with the Emmitsburg Baseball and Softball League will take place at the Vigilant Hose Company on West Main Street in Emmitsburg on Friday, January 16, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Saturday, January 17, from 9:00-noon; and Saturday,  January 31, from 9:00 a.m.-noon. Call Tom Kelly at 301-252-4471 or email [email protected].