Okay, so I had this great idea to create a neighborhood resource where everyone could read highlights and scheduling information on youth sports. I wanted to create another local piece, kind of like the infamous "Syd Sez" column for the sports parent and a place where youth sports organizations could get a free chuck of publicity. So in my first article, I asked everyone to help by sending me information. As I said, this is a chance for all of you to tell me about your daughter's four soccer goals or your son's no-hit pitching performance in his first outing. So I ran around the ballparks, hanging out at basketball courts talking to anyone who would listen. Everybody I talked to thought this was a great idea and committed to send me stuff. And although I waited anxiously by the fax machine nothing happened. So I figured there would be all sorts of E Mails waiting for me in the office, and again, nothing. Be patient, I told myself, relax, be calm, I am sure that someone other than my family actually read the article and in time would respond. I knew or at least I thought I knew that those people I had talked to were actually listening. But then again maybe I shouldn't take it so personally after all it is the holiday season and perhaps people are just too busy getting gifts, going to parties and the like to worry about sports. Or, and most likely (at least hopefully for my sake) this is something that will take a little bit of time to catch on and that as people start reading the article they'll get a kick out of it and want to contribute. Well, the good news is that I do have some stuff to write about and here it is:

HIGHLIGHTS
The Optimists Fall Basketball League at Suniland Park is underway. If you ever get a chance stop by the Park while the games are going on. It's always fun and the games are exciting. The teams are well coached, the officiating is good and the kids hot dog it up just enough.
In the Freshman B. Division, Coach Crumpton's Knights prevailed in the second game which was hard fought and

took a total team effort to win in overtime. Statistics: Niko Syropoulos led the way with 10 points and 1 rebound; Derrick Crumpton had 5 points and 8 rebounds with a key basket in overtime; Joel Perez had 4 points and 3 rebounds with another key overtime hoop; Chris Griffen had two rebounds 2 and 2 steals and an overall stellar defensive effort; Eric Havlin had 2 points, 2 rebounds; Jeremy Lewis had 2 points and 2 rebounds; Andrew Menendez grabbed 1 rebound and gave a good effort; and Gregg Steinman had two points including the game tying shot with three seconds left in regulation and 4 rebounds.

SCHEDULES:
HOWARD-PALMETTO KHOURY BASKETBALL LEAGUE
1/24/00 ­ Season Commences
5/12/00 ­ (approx.) ­ Season Ends
 
PINECREST YMCA YOUTH
SPORTS LEAGUES
1/14/00 Registration Due (Call 305-254-0310 for Application and Details)
 
1/29/00 ­ Season Commence
 
3/18/00 ­ Seasons End
 
Soccer: Pre-K (4 yr. Old-K), (1-2), (3-4) and (5-7) Girls Only (3-4) and (5-7).
 
Basketball: (1-3), (4-6), (7-9) and (10-12)
 
T-Ball: Pre-K (4 yr. Old-K)
 
Coach Pitch Baseball (1-3)
 
Minors Baseball ­ (3-4)
 
Majors Baseball ­ (5-&)
 
Girls Softball ­ (3-4), (5-6) and (7-8)
 
Cheerleading: (1-12)
 
The column will be published every month and can only be successful with support from the community. So I would ask all of you to chip in for my next column, which will begin on the first edition in December, by forwarding all information to me via facsimile at 305-668-9376 or at my e-mail <jstei@carltonfields.com>.