Sidelines

+ Ranch Little League registration under way
Registration for the Lakewood Ranch Little League 2013 fall season is under way.

Registration is open to all players ages 4 to 15. Cost is $75 for T-ball and coach pitch; $130 for AA machine pitch; $175 for AAA and Minors; and $190 for Majors and Juniors.

This fall, the league also will offer a Majors open-base division for players ages 10 to 12. Tryouts for the division are mandatory.

Tryouts are scheduled for Aug. 24 with a makeup day Aug. 26. The 18-game season will run Sept. 9 through Dec. 6, with practices scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 26.

For more information and to register, visit www.lwrlittleleague.com.

+ New Balance to hold Cross-Country Day
New Balance will hold a cross-country and track day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 24, at its University Park store, located at 8204 Tourist Center Drive, University Park.

Representatives and special guests will be on site at the event, which is geared toward high school runners.

Guests will enjoy refreshments, giveaways, discounts and more.

The coach who brings in 75% of his cross-country roster and the most athletes will receive a free pair of shoes and $200 in New Balance gift certificates to use toward future fundraising events. Coaches who bring in 50% of their rosters will be eligible for a $100 gift certificate.

To RSVP, call 921-3696 or visit newbalance.com.

Tampa Elite scores national bid
The Tampa Elite U13 boys lacrosse team captured its second-consecutive qualifying championship at the Georgia Southern Shootout July 13 through July 14.

Tampa Elite defeated teams from Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee to claim the title.

With the championship, the team received a bid to the national championship Dec. 29 through Dec. 31, in Pasco County.

“The Tampa Elite U13 team’s terrific showing in back-to-back out-of-state national tournaments is a testament to these players’ skills being the best in the South and on par with the powerhouse programs of the lacrosse hotbeds in the Northeast,” says former professional lacrosse player and Tampa Elite Coaching Director Brian Lemon.

Local players include:
Dakota Dickerson, defender, The Out-of-Door Academy
Caleb Ward, midfielder, Haile Middle School
Clark Flessner, attacker, Student Leadership Academy
Eric Martin, defender, Incarnation School