April 24, 2008

SPORTS

Charger baseball playoff hopes are still alive

But it’s the bottom of the 9th with two out

Drew Marino decides to return to second base. Photo courtesy of Kevin Jones

Leland’s baseball fortunes have been in a lump for the past month, having lost nine of their last 11 games. After being swept by Leigh and Live Oak, the Chargers split with Westmont and were hoping to get healthy on cellar dweller Piedmont Hills. But the Pirates had other designs as they too swept Leland and now Piedmont Hills, Branham and Leland sit at the bottom of the MHAL league standings.

Leland was hoping to win two quick games this week as they finished a continuation tie game with Santa Teresa from Feb. 27 and then proceeded to play the third game of their series at Leland on Monday. Again, the baseball gods did not look favorably upon the Chargers as they lost both games 10-9 and 3-0. Errors and a lack of offense continue to plague the team.

Nate Jones runs down a fly ball to centerfield. Photo courtesy of Kevin Jones

"I was somewhat concerned coming into the week, everyone had sort of taken the Pirates for granted, but they had been very competitive of late, said coach Tim Thompson. “I know they had given one of the top teams, Live Oak, all it could handle the week before so they had some confidence. In high school athletics a confident team is a very dangerous one, and I thought we missed an opportunity in the first to knock down some of that confidence. As for the season, that week was crippling, it put us in a very tough position moving forward as I really expect to see four outcome games this week against four Number One starters. For a variety of reasons it was a tough week that made for a long weekend of “what ifs.”

Going forward the Chargers are going to have to play the kind of ball that they started the season with if they expect to advance to the CCS playoffs. “I really want to make it; I really have a great admiration for all our seniors especially Nate, Kevin and Drew,” Thompson said. “They are such great young men that I want to see them go out with a chance in the tournament. I think we need to go 5-3 over the next three weeks to get in; 6-2 and I would sleep well the night before the meeting, but 4-4 and we are not eligible,” said Thompson.

A combination of wins for Leland and losses for the other teams they are tied with may give them new life. The Chargers wrap up week with the Mustangs at Pioneer. Games with Live Oak, Leigh, Westmont and Piedmont Hills will close out the 2008 regular season campaign.

City to proclaim May 1 ‘Paint Our Town Purple Day’

The city of San Jose will be awash in purple on May 1, thanks to volunteers from the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life, a community event against cancer.

In fact, Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmembers Nancy Pyle, Forrest Williams and Pierluigi Oliverio next week will proclaim the date “Paint Our Town Purple Day” as part of a special proclamation. There will be Relays For Life in Almaden, Blossom Valley and Willow Glen this year.

Throughout California, towns, schools and businesses will paint the town purple to celebrate cancer survivorship and bring attention to the yearly event, which in Almaden will be held June 28 at Leland High School.

“We’re using the power of purple to bring good news to cancer survivors and mobilize the community,” said Patti Gahagan, event chair for the Almaden Relay For Life. “Paint Own Town Purple Day is a time to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, and to have some fun with the color purple to bring attention to the American Cancer Society’s many programs and services in our community.”

Former and current cancer patients, those who have lost a loved one to cancer, families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part in this exciting team event. It is a family-oriented event where participants enjoy the camaraderie of a team and also raise funds to help eliminate cancer. Participants camp out at the Relay site, and when they are not taking their turn walking, they take part in fun activities and enjoy local entertainment. The event helps communities celebrate those who have faced cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

Teams from companies, churches, organizations, hospitals, and schools collect donations and can win individual and team prizes for their efforts. “Relay For Life brings the progress against cancer to the forefront,” said Gahagn. “Many participants are our family, friends, and neighbors who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been not only reducing death rates, but also in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

The American Cancer Society invites everyone to join the fun, simply by logging onto the Web site www.paintourtownpurple.org to find ideas on how to “Paint Our Town Purple” at a school, town, college or workplace. The Web site encourages participants to spread hope in their community. Whether you are a homeowner, a restaurateur, or a retail business operator/owner, there are plenty of ideas for painting our town purple on May 1, such as:

- Decorate your home or store windows with a purple display.

- Display a purple yard sign in your front yard.

- Decorate your front entrance, your fence, or your door with purple balloons.

- Paint your porch light purple or insert a purple bulb.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

High School Sports Schedule April 25 – May 1

Leland

Friday—Baseball vs. Pioneer at 3:30 at Pioneer (JV on opposite field)
Friday—Softball vs. Leigh at 3:30 at Leland (JV on opposite field)
Friday—Tennis’ last day of league finals
Friday—Swimming vs. Santa Teresa at 3 at Leland

Monday—Golf BVAL team playoff

Tuesday—Golf—BVAL individual championships
Tuesday—Badminton vs. Oak Grove at 3:30 at Leland
Tuesday—Volleyball vs. Leigh F/S at 6, varsity at 7 at Leland

Wednesday—Baseball vs. Live Oak at 3:30 at Leland (JV at opposite field)
Wednesday—Softball vs. Santa Teresa at 3:30 at Leland (JV on opposite field)
Wednesday—Diving finals at Live Oak at 3 p.m.
Wednesday-Friday—Tennis League Team finals

Thursday—Badminton vs. Evergreen at 3:30 at Leland
Thursday—Track division finals at Lincoln
Thursday—Girls swimming trials at 1 p.m. at Live Oak
Thursday—Volleyball vs. Willow Glen F/S at 6, varsity at 7 at Willow Glen

Pioneer

Friday—Baseball vs. Leland 3:30 at Pioneer (JV on opposite field)
Friday—Softball vs. Evergreen at 3:30 at Pioneer (JV on opposite field)
Friday—Swimming vs. Leigh at 3 at Pioneer
Friday—Tennis--last day of league finals

Monday—Golf vs. BVAL team playoffs

Tuesday—Golf—BVAL individual championships
Tuesday—Badminton vs. Branham at 3:30 at Branham
Tuesday-Thursday—Track division finals at Lincoln
Tuesday—Volleyball vs. Oak Grove, Varsity only at Oak Grove

Wednesday—Softball vs. Piedmont Hills at 3:30 at Piedmont Hills (JV on opposite field)
Wednesday—Baseball vs. Leigh at 3:30 at Leigh (JV on opposite field)
Wednesday-Friday—Tennis League Team Finals
Wednesday—Diving finals at Live Oak

Thursday—Girls’ swimming trials at Live Oak at 1 p.m.
Thursday—Badminton vs. Gilroy—at 3:15 at Pioneer
Thursday—Track vs. Westmont at 3:30 at Westmont
Thursday—Volleyball vs. Westmont at 3 p.m. at Pioneer

For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: www.phsathletics.com
Leland Athletics: www.lelandathletics.com
Blossom Valley Athletic League: www.bval.org

Sports Briefs

Walk For Life / Charged Up For Life 5K Run
Community Pregnancy Centers will hold its annual fundraising “Walk For Life & Charged Up For Life” 5K Run at Almaden Lake Park, Arroyo Picnic Site in San Jose on Saturday, April 26.  Take a beautiful walk around Almaden Lake or Run on the Los Alamitos Creek Trail. This year’s event will offer exciting activities for the whole family, including a light continental breakfast, kid’s zone, bingo, and a raffle. The event is being sponsored by C28 and KLOVE.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Community Pregnancy Centers, and will help to make the community aware of the many important services offered at CPC’s throughout Silicon Valley. All services are available to the community without charge and are confidential. You may register, or download a registration brochure on-line at www.mycpc.org or you may register on site at 8:30 a.m. The walk/run begins at 9 a.m. For additional information please contact Paula at 229-9836 or at paula@mycpc.org.

San Jose area residents participate in 2008 WALK MS for Multiple Sclerosis
Hundreds of San Jose area residents will make great strides in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS) at Walk MS San Jose, held Saturday, May 3 Organized by the Northern California Chapter of the National MS Society, San Jose is one of 11 Walk MS locations throughout Northern California.

Walk MS participants can chose between a 5K or 10K walk along the Guadeloupe River Trails starting and finishing at Arena Green Park. Walkers will be greeted at the festive finish line with a free lunch provided by Subway and live entertainment provided by MOViN 99.7 and the Los Gatos High School Steel Drum Band. There will be a special victory martial arts demonstration led by San Jose Walk Ambassador, Laine Meyer. Funds raised will go towards critical research and programs for the 20,000 Northern Californians living with MS.

Registration begins at 8 a.m.; the walk starts at 9 a.m. For more information and to register online, visit nationalMSsociety.org/walkMS or call 1-800-FIGHT-MS.

Free city wide Youth Track Meet
The City of San Jose and San Jose Police Amateur Athletic Foundation are sponsoring the City Wide Youth Track Meet for boys and girls born between 1994-1999 (ages 9-14), on May 18, 2008 at Evergreen Valley High School, 3300 Quimby Road, San Jose. The event is free for all participants. For more information or to pre-register, please call Steve Ryan at 871-3825 or via email steve.ryan@sanjoseca.gov or Meet Director: Judi Baxter via email at judibax@sonic.net.

Evergreen Valley Soccer summer camps
EVS will be offering two soccer camps this summer. Sessions begin June 22 -26, with the All Girls Academy. The Academy is designed to help players develop all aspect of their game and topics will include: Ball mastery / Beginning and intermediate technical skills / Small-sided games / Offensive and defensive team tactics / Training for speed, agility, quickness.

Eligible girls are ages 8 – 17 and the fee is $145 per person (team discounts are available). Academy hours are 4 – 7 p.m.

The “Little Hawks” Academy is designed for players age 5 – 8 and focuses on having fun while learning new soccer skills. Coached by members of the EVC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Team, campers will participate in a variety of soccer games and activities. Session one is Aug. 4, 6 & 7 and Session two is Aug. 11, 13 &14. The fees are $90 fro one session, $140 for both. Hours are 9 – 11 a.m.

For additional information or to register, call Felicia Perez at 274-7900 x6910 or email Felicia.Perez@evc.edu.

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