Denny Walling, the ex-Howell High School and Brookdale Community College star who enjoyed an 18-year Major League baseball career, will hold a two-day Batting Clinic at the Lakewood BlueClaws’ FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, Jan. 29-30. Walling, who was the New York Mets batting instructor the last two years and is currently a roving hitting instructor for the Baltimore Orioles, will host the clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. In addition to the hitting clinic, Walling will sign autographs. Registration for the clinic is $60 each day and interested parties should call Jon Book at (732) 363-8084 for more details.
Walling, who was an All-American at Clemson University, was a first-round draft choice of the Oakland Athletics. He went on to play in Houston and St. Louis, spending the bulk of his career as a Houston Astro.
The Lakewood BlueClaws 2005 season opener is April 7 at 6:35 p.m. Tickets are now on sale. Call the BlueClaws ticket office at (732) 901-7000, option two to purchase tickers or visit the team’s Web site at lakewoodblueclaws.com.
A Monmouth County boys U13 travel baseball team is seeking players for the 2005 season. The team plays in competitive leagues and tournaments. Pitches and catchers are preferred. Call (732) 863-1313 for additional information.
East Coast Connection, a Jersey Shore Baseball League wood bad team, is looking for an experienced manager to coach this team of Division I college players for the month of June and July. Interested candidates should call (973) 445-3703. References are required.
Coast to Coast Athletics is currently assembling a team of America’s best 11- and 12-year-old players to represent the United States in an international baseball competition in Puerto Rico this summer (June 29 to July 5). One team of 14 players will compete in the weeklong series of games. Only four roster spots remain open. Interested players should call (740) 373-4455 for an application or additional information. To learn more, visit the CoastToCoastAthletics.com Web site.
Applications for 10 Star All-Star Basketball Camp are currently being accepted. Among the graduates of 10 Star are Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, Vince Carter and Antawan Jamison. For a free brochure, call (704) 373-0873 at anytime.
Christopher C. Casten, who has had extensive experience in racing with racetracks and horsemen’s associations, has been appointed to the position of executive director of the New Jersey Sire Stakes Program in the state Department of Agriculture.
A graduate of Rutgers University and Seton Hall University School of Law, Casten most recently served as executive director of Harness Horsemen International.
He is responsible for preparation of the group’s budget and financial statements, Web site, meetings, newsletter and insurance programs for members. He resides in Columbus.
Rainbow Blue, one of the top harness racehorses in the nation, who won 20 of his 21 starts in 2004, was named the New Jersey Standardbred of the Year. This prestigious award goes annually to a New Jersey-sired standardbred and is presented by the Equine Advisory Board of the state Department of Agriculture upon the recommendation of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, which registers all stallions.
A daughter of Artsplace, Rainbow Blue won 15 consecutive races during the year and posted a lifetime mark of 1:49.2. Among her biggest wins were the $610,000 Breeders Crown Championship, $543,543 Fan Hanover, the $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Championships and the $120,000 Glen Garnsey. Rainbow Blue was driven during the year by Hall of Famer Ron Pierce, Peter Wrenn and Jim Morand.
For her career, Rainbow Blue has won 26 of her 28 starts and earned $1,297,684.
St. John Vianney High School needs two coaches for boys lacrosse. Fax a resume to (732) 739-0824 or mail to Ken Szyarto, St. John Vianney High School, 540 Line Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.