Veteran trainer Ben Stafford Sr. of Voorhees has been chosen vice chairman by his fellow members of the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board of Trustees. This is his first time on the board. Stafford is also a member of the board of directors of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, Manalapan.
A total of 119 colts and 146 fillies are eligible for the 2003 Lou Babic Memorial Open Pace and Babic Memorial Filly Pace for 2-year-olds at Freehold Raceway.
Squaw’s Fella, a son of Pacific Fella, leads the eligible colts. He won the $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship final at the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, in 1:53.4. The $150,000 Lou Babic Open will be Sept. 1. Whig Party, a daughter of Artsplace, is among those eligible for the $70,000 Babic Filly Pace on Aug. 30. Whig Party won the N.J. Sire Stakes Championship final for 2-year-old fillies in 1:55 at the Meadowlands last month.
Elimination races are scheduled for Aug. 22 for the Babic Filly and Aug. 23 for the Babic Open.
The Manalapan Belles, a 10U fastpitch softball team, won the Millennium League championship, defeating South Brunswick, 8-4. Megan Scanlon was named the Most Valuable Player of the game. Scanlon, Caris Cook and Caitlyn Silk were a formidable pitching trio for the Belles. Catcher Tracy Buffer anchored a strong defense that included Maggie Tabacchi, Cassie Leo, Nicole Saggiomo and Sam Essner. Jessica Gribbon, Jesse Denza, Kathryn LiBrizzi and Beth St. John made significant contributions as well.
Tom Silk, John Saggiomo and Barbara St. John coach the Belles.
The Freehold Tornado, a girls’ fastpitch traveling softball team, will be holding tryouts for the 12U and 14U teams on Aug. 6, and again on Sept. 6, on Field No. 1 at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Private workouts will be accommodated. The team is looking to provide serious players with an opportunity to play with a high-level softball team. Interested players should call Joseph Musolino (14U coach) at (732) 308-3507, or Tim Kelly (12U coach) at (732) 625-8450.
The Howell Heat girls’ 14U softball team is looking for several dedicated players, including a pitcher, for the 2004 season. Eligible players must be age 14 or younger on Dec. 31, 2003. There is no residency requirement. Interested players should call (732) 938-6023 or e-mail hgslvpus@aol.
com.
PlayBall Sports, Morganville section of Marlboro, will host A.J. Brack’s Baseball Clinic Aug. 23, and Coach Kelvin’s Basketball Clinic Sept. 8. PlayBall Sports is currently conducting registration for both clinics.
Brack, a left-handed pitcher who was a member of the 2002 Northern League champion New Jersey Jackals, will conduct a pitching session from 9-11 a.m., and a hitting and fielding session from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Cost for one session is $100, or $175 for both. Brack will provide an individual analysis report for each player.
Coach Kelvin’s Basketball Clinic will be held over eight weeks in one hour sessions, and registration must be done in person. Cost is $99 per session. The clinic is for boys and girls of all levels from beginner to advanced. Players will be put in classes according to their skill and age level.
PlayBall Sports is located on 712 Ginesi Drive, and in-person registration must be done Monday through Friday from 2:30-5 p.m. For additional information, call (732) 536-4900.