Photo by Leon G. Russ
Spartanburg Blue Eagle Brody Geer (USC Upstate) avoids the slide of Tennessee Tornado Tito Mendoza to turn a double play in action on Saturday.  The Blue Eagles swept the Tornado and went 6-0 on the week to climb into first place.

The Spartanburg Blue Eagles headed into the fifth week of action looking to put distance between themselves and the Asheville Redbirds and gain on the division leading Tennessee Tornado.
They accomplished both, sweeping a four game series with the Redbirds and then sweeping the Tornado in a doubleheader to finish the week 6-0. 
The birds are tied with the Tornado atop the Western Division but they claim first due to having bested the Tornado in head to head match ups.
Blue Eagle Head Coach Ryan Thomas said, “I’m elated with the way these guys came out and played this week.  They knew what a big week it was for us and they played their best baseball of the summer.”
If the birds take two against the Carolina Chaos on Saturday they will win the Southern Collegiate Baseball League’s Western Division title. 

July 3

Blue Eagles 3
Tornado 2

The Spartanburg Blue Eagles got an outstanding pitching performance from Ryan Traylor (Wofford/Spartanburg High) in the first game.
Traylor allowed just two hits and a hit batsman while striking out five in throwing a complete game shutout.
His success may have come because he was favoring his slider.  Traylor explained, “I was working on my slider a lot.  I hadn’t thrown it much this summer and my fastball felt good, I was able to locate it.”
Thomas said of Traylor, “He is something else.  He has so much movement; so much run on his fastball he just tears up wooden bats.  He’s leading the team in broken bats.”
As well as Traylor throws Thomas said the most impressive thing is “his composure on the mound.  Nothing really fazes him.”
It was a tight contest and the birds managed to scratch out two runs in the fifth with a helping hand from the Tornado.
Tyler Miller (USC Upstate) led off with a line drive that skipped off the centerfielder’s glove for an error. Brody Greer (USC Upstate) then dropped down a bunt that the Tornado first baseman fielded but missed the tag as Greer sprinted past him down the first base line.
Josh Pless (Citadel/Boiling Springs) followed with another bunt that the Tornado pitcher fielded and air mailed down the right field line scoring Miller.
The Tornado weren’t done helping the birds, with two out Aaron Preston (Presbyterian) sent a grounder to short that was mishandled allowing Greer to score to make it 2-0 Blue Eagles.
Traylor made the runs stand up and said the win “feels good.  We just have to take care of one more and we’ll be right there.”
The birds did just that in the second game.  They broke on top in the first when Jaren Sustar (Charleston Southern) beat out an infield single, stole second, continued to third as the catcher’s throw sailed into centerfield and trotted home when the centerfielder’s throw sailed wide past third into the Tornado dugout.
Sustar was in the thick of the scoring again in the third.  Pless had a one out single and went to second on an errant pickoff throw.  He scored when Sustar lined an RBI single to center.  Sustar then stole second and moved to third on Gaither Bumgardner’s (USC Upstate) grounder.  Sustar scored when Aaron Preston lined an RBI single to center to make it 3-0.
Sustar led the bird offense going 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored.  On leading the birds he modestly said, “I was seeing the ball well and I happened to get some pitches I could handle.”
Bumgardner threw five strong innings allowing two runs before being lifted in the sixth after a 25-minute delay when a Tornado player took a bat upside his head.  A fellow player accidentally hit him while swinging a bat in the dugout.
Bumgardner stated, “I got the splitter over a lot more tonight and that helped me out a lot.  It kept them off balance seeing three pitches instead of two.”
David Mullins (Coastal Carolina) worked the final two scoreless innings retiring all six men he faced and recording a strikeout.
Sustar noted, “I knew we were good enough to play like this, it just took us awhile to come together as a team.”
Bumgardner agreed, “We’re heating up at the right time.  The pitchers are aggressive, we’re throwing strikes and (the) hitters are getting our pitch and driving it.  It’s a good thing to see and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”

July 2

Blue Eagles 9
Redbirds 4

For more in Sports, see this week’s local HOMETOWN NEWS paper.

Ms. Beth Broom tosses out the first pitch as play opens for the 2010 District 3 Dixie Youth Minors All-Star Tournament.

The District 3 Dixie Youth Minors All-Star Tournament opened play on Friday, July 2 in Whitmire.
Teams from Abbeville, Batesburg-Leesville, Clinton, Edgefield, Laurens, Mid-Carolina, and Saluda are participating in bracket play.
At 5 p.m., Abbeville and the host team Mid-Carolina took the filed for the opening contest.
Before play began, Ms. Beth Broom tossed out the first pitch to kick off the tournament.
Ms. Broom was recognized for her time and dedication to the town of Whitmire and the Whitmire Recreation Department.
Play got under way in Game 1 with Abbeville taking a 9-0 win over Mid-Carolina.  In the 2nd game Clinton edged Edgefield 11-10 for the victory.  In the final game of the evening, Laurens downed Saluda 12-2.
On Saturday afternoon (Day 2) play started at 2 p.m.  After a bye on Day 1, Batesburg-Leesville opened play against Laurens.  Laurens got out quick for the 13-7 win.  In Game 5, Mid-Carolina eliminated Edgefield
12-2.  In Saturday’s last game (Game 6), Abbeville took a 12-1 victory over Clinton.
After the weekend, Laurens and Abbeville remained undefeated.
Batesburg-Leesville, Clinton, Mid-Carolina, and Saluda face elimination.
Efforts have been tremendous to make the tournament a great success.
Coaches, umpires, fans, and players have shown great appreciation for the work of the Whitmire volunteers.

Prepping the field before a game at the Dixie Youth Tournament in Whitmire, Wayne Boulware puts the chalk down for the
batters boxes.

For more in Sports, see your local HOMETOWN NEWS paper.

Photo By Jed Blackwell
Federico Rossi (left) and Fabrizio Cupellini attended Bobby Bentley’s football camp last week. Cupellini hosted Bentley at an Italian camp in February, and visited Bentley’s camp last week in return.

When Bobby Bentley traveled to Rome last winter to participate in a football camp, he called it the opportunity of a lifetime.
Last week, he returned that opportunity.
Fabrizio Cupellini, the coach from Rome who organized Bentley’s visit, and Federico Rossi, a 15-year-old player from Grosetto, participated last week in Bentley’s football camp at USC Upstate. It was an eye-opening experience for both coach and player.
“It’s just great,” Cupellini said on the evening of the first camp session. “To come here and see how it’s done, to continue our relationship with Coach Bentley, it just brings a whole new meaning to what we do.”
Cupellini explained that in Italy, football is a novelty, a sport that people are still trying to learn.
“It’s considered one of the most dangerous sports, especially by Italian mothers,” he said with a laugh.
The coach pointed out that involvement in football is still not commonplace in Italy.
“It’s the exception to the rule,” he said. “Italy is a soccer country. When you are exposed to something every day, sometimes you look for something else, you crave something different. That’s what football is. You don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. You want a sport that speaks to your soul. It’s not just the technical side of the sport we want to learn, but the moral and the spiritual.”
Rossi said seeing the camp firsthand, along with special camp guests like former NFL head coach Sam Wyche and current NFL quarterback Tyler Thigpen, was a strange and interesting experience.
“Coming from such a small movement in Italy, to see how huge the sport is here is a little strange,” he said. “But it’s a great opportunity, and it’s a really beautiful experience.”
Bentley was thrilled to have the visitors at his camp.
“To have them come over is unbelievable,” he said. “Fabrizio is working with us, and I think what he’s trying to do with Italian football is amazing. Federico is learning every day. I hope it’s a great experience for them.”
Bentley also said he thought his other campers would benefit from the visit.
“It’s a cultural experience for the other guys, just to be able to talk to them, to visit with them, to see how they love the game,” Bentley said. “Our guys can definitely learn from that.
Cupellini was equally pleased with Bentley’s approach to the game.
“Some of the things we do are so complicated, but he makes everything so relevant, so easy to learn,” Cupellini said. “We were really blessed that he was able to visit us and help us show players how to develop their skills. We’re happy to be able to come here and learn more.”

For more in sports, see this week’s local HOMETOWN NEWS.

Photo By Jed Blackwell

A Byrnes receiver hauls in a pass behind a Myrtle Beach defender during last week’s Southern Classic 7-on-7
tournament at Spartanburg High School. The Rebels beat Spartanburg in the tournament final to take the tournament title.

See story, page 1B in the Middle Tyger Times or any local Hometown News paper in the B section.

First place winners Tommy Shields, Derrick Gilliam, Jack Gilliam, Heath Hood, Chase Hood, and Ken Dickerson were 14 under par and many called them “the family team.” Derrick and Ken are married to Tommy’s daughters. Jack is Derrick’s father, and Heath is Chase’s father. They know how to have fun and spend time together.

The second place team led by Ken Coleman had to face a play-off with the team led by Glenn Bumgarner. Both of them were 13 under par.

Placing third was Glenn Bumgarner’s team, which consisted of Rudy Smith, Jarrod King, Mike King, and Matt Pepper.

The third annual First Baptist Church Golf Tournament for Missions was held Saturday, June 26, at Whitmire Golf Course. The proceeds from the tournament will support Loraine Long’s summer mission trip to Cleveland, Ohio July 25-August 1,2010, and will include a Vacation Bible School at one church with planned activities at a local park. In addition, the team will work with a local community to establish a new church by doing door-to-door visits and prayer walks through the community.
This was the third year for the benefit tournament, which always begins with a hearty breakfast in the social hall of First Baptist Church. Loraine Long, Emmy Moss, Claudine Taylor, and Chrystal Harsha made sure that the golfers had a good meal before they teed off.
This year there were 8 teams and 44 players.  The youngest player was Chase Hood; he was on the winning team along with his dad, Heath Hood, Tommy Shields, Derrick Gilliam, and Ken Dickerson. They were 14 under par after 18 holes.
There was a tie for second place, so there had to be a playoff. Chase Hood randomly chose a number from one to nine, and the scores for each of the teams with 13 under par were compared. Ken Coleman’s team won second place. His team members were Willard Bates, Travis Green, Seth Dietz and Jamal Clark.
The third place team captain was Glenn Bumgarner. His team members were Rudy Smith, Jarrod King, Mike King, and Matt Pepper.
Golfers who were closest to the line and the pin on number 9 also received prizes for being precise. A. J. Jackson was the youngest one to be closest to the line and Bill Gilliam was the oldest to be closest to the line. Matt Pepper was the closest to the pin on number 9 with five feet,  seven and one - fourth inches. Joe Taylor was the senior golfer to be closest to the pin on number 9. He was 15 feet from the pin.
All of the scores were under par and ranged from six under par to 14 under par, with three teams tied at 11under par.
Thanks to local businesses who supported the tournament and individuals who supported the tournament by sponsoring a hole, the mission team can minimize the cost of the trip for the team members and the materials they will take with them. Local businesses who sponsored the tournament were Pearl’s Cafe, Rebecca’s Salon, Joe’s Market, Thomas Grill, Roche Pharmacy, W.E. Baker and Son, Krystal Kleen Car Wash, and Piggly Wiggly. Individual supporters were Mike King, Ron Harsha, Jerry Moss, Reggie Black, Mike Cheatham, David Poag, Luke Hart, Russ Hart, Pat Alexander, Emmy Moss, Ed Jeter, Ken Coleman, Robert and Kathy Stapleton, Virgil and Claudine Taylor, and Joe and Susie Brown.
According to the tournament planner, Jimmy Moss, the tournament was once more successful. Every team was a winning team because the money raised will go to support the Lord’s work. Several golfers gave unexpected donations after the tournament as a way of saying thanks for their hearty breakfast.

For more local news and events, see your weekly local Hometown News paper.

The Woodruff News/Middle Tyger Times/Inman Times/The Chesnee Tribune/Boiling Springs Sentry/Blacksburg Times/Spartanburg County News/Whitmire News

Boys Basketball Camp
June 21 - 25, 2010  9:00 am - Noon
Ages 7 - 12

Boys Lacrosse Camp
July 26 - 29, 2010  9:00 am - Noon
Ages Rising 2nd - 9th grade

Blue Belle “Mini Camp” Dance Camp
July 27 - 30, 2010  9:00 am - Noon at Dawkins Middle School
Ages 5 - 14

• Landrum Cardinal Basketball will host two youth Basketball Camps this month.
Grades:  1st - 5th grades Boys and Girls Fundamental Camps
Dates:       June 9th-11th
Time:         3:00-5:30
 Grades:      6th-8th grades Positions Camp
Dates:        June 21st-23rd
Time:          1:00-4:00
 For more information Contact Coach Lyn Smith lyn.smith@spart1.org or call  864-415-4487

• The Bobby Bentley Quarterback/Receiver Camp will be held at USC Upstate June 28-30. Camp staff includes Bobby Bentley, Trey Elder (Byrnes/Appalachian State), Sam Wyche (former NFL coach), Brian Lane (Woodruff High head coach), Homer Weekly (Morgan County, Ohio), Chris Liner (Ninety Six), Blake Elder (Byrnes, Appalachian State), David Crane (Southeast Whitfield, Ga.), Alan Rodemaker (Valdosta, Ga.), Scott Earley (Lexington), Greg Martin (Easley), Tyler Thigpen (Coastal Carolina/Miami Dolphins), Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State/Carolina Panthers), Xavier Dye (Byrnes, Clemson), Mark Cann (Landrum, Marshall), Harold Bullard, Randy Dill, and Antwain Glenn.
For more information or to register for the camp, visit www.bobbybentley.com.

• Spartanburg Methodist College will host a 2010 Spartanburg Baseball Day Camp in June. The week-long camp will be offered June 7-11 and June 14-18, and is open to ages 8-12. For more information and to register please visit www.gosmcpioneers.com/pages/BaseballCamp or call coach Tim Wallace at (864) 587-4267,

• The Mike Ayers Football Camp for rising 9th-12th graders will be held June 13-15 and June 20-22 at Wofford College. Call coach Shiel Wood at 597-4148 for information.

• The YMCA will host several summer sports camps, open to both members and non-members. There is a fee for the camps, which will take place from 9 a.m. - noon each day. The schedule is as follows: ; Soccer camp, June 28-July 2; Basketball camp, July 12-16; Football camp, August 2-6. For more information, please contact the YMCA at 585-0306.

• Boiling Springs High School will host Bulldog Baseball Camp for ages 6-12 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 14-17. The camp will be held at the Boiling Springs High School baseball field. Registration will be held from 8:30 - 9 a.m. on June 14. Contact Jeff Lipscomb at 578-5954 or 237-2559.

• USC Upstate Softball camp for players 8-18 will be held June 21-24. The fee for the camp includes housing and meals, or a day camp including lunch is available. For more information, call Ciria Ochoa at 503-5792.

• Byrnes will host the 7th Annual Bill Eubanks Memorial Rebels Youth Football Camp at Beech Spring School Fields on July 5-7, 2010. The camp is open to rising 3rd - 8th graders. Please contact Tony McAbee at 439-1881 or tonymcabee@yahoo.com for more details.

Hosting a summer camp? Send info to jedblackwell@bellsouth.net

Photo By Jed Blackwell

Photo By Leon G. Russ
Chesnee’s Brandon Henderson will pitch for the South Carolina select team this weekend at Myrtle Beach.

 Senior athletes from around the area will get one last chance to show their stuff as high school players this week, as three all-star games will take place this weekend.
Spartanburg will play host to the South Carolina Soccer Coaches Association’s North-South Classic, with a pair of games scheduled for Wofford’s Snyder field beginning Saturday at noon. In the girls’ contest, Dorman’s Aubrey Danielson and Kim Kesler and Woodruff’s Paige Sumner and Shaquana West will represent the North squad.
There are no local players in the boys’ game, but Dorman head coach Matt Brophy will lead the team from the sidelines.
The South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association will host their All-Star weekend festivities this weekend at Myrtle Beach. Chesnee’s Brandon Henderson and Spartanburg’s Luke Weber have been chosen to play on the South Carolina Select team, a team of the state’s best that will take on a squad of all-stars from North Carolina in games on June 17 and 18.
Four more players have been named 4A/1A North all-stars and will play games against a pair of teams from the South. Chase Norman from Blacksburg, Boiling Springs’ Huner Rice, Dorman’s Ian McKinney and Byrnes’ Justin Adams were all named to the squad.
The South Carolina Coaches Association of Women’s Sports will also host its North-South all-star weekend. All-stars will travel to USC Aiken to participate, with games following the 4A/1A and 3A/2A format much like the baseball event.
Gaffney’s Julie Sarratt, Byrnes’ Chasity Davis,and Boiling Springs’ Brittney Smith will play on the 4A/1A team. Woodruff’s Jennifer Jones and Chesnee’s Morgan Greene have been selected for the 3A/2A squad.

Photo By Jed Blackwell
A pitcher with the Carolina Thundercats fires toward the plate during Sunday morning action at the Memorial Day Hall of Fame qualifier held last weekend at the 295 complex. Teams from North Carolina and Georgia joined a strong in-state field at the tournament, one of many prestigious travel softball events to be held this summer in Spartanburg.