Field hockey fans retreat from Little Big House battle

Local interest groups, in particular the field hockey lobbies, have backed down from their attempts to save “The Little Big House,” a building this group labeled Lingo Gym because there were more hurdles than Edwin Moses could clear in his career. There was no mixing of public and private interests because of the necessary monies in the millions neither could produce on out-of-balance bank sheets. Up in Philadelphia, Ed Snyder, Comcast-Spectacor chairman and owner of the Flyers, announced Snyder’s Youth Foundation, in collaboration and cooperation with city government, would take over the three city ice hockey rinks scheduled for demolition. Snyder’s foundation will also fund programs for Philadelphia school-aged kids as part of their physical education program. All in all, this involves about eight rinks that will run around the clock. Snyder said, “But more significant are the thousands of young people who will learn the importance of staying in school, staying on a progressive path and the need to give back to their communities. These children will someday help to build a stronger Philadelphia.” Back in Lewes, it’s all about asbestos abatement and retrofitting!

OFFCIAL BUSINESS - Bill Thomas of IABO Board number 129 Basketball officials from Seaford was awarded the NFHS Officials Association Boys Basketball Official of the Year Award at the University of Delaware Saturday, March 14. This was Bill’s 11th nonconsecutive year officiating the boys final basketball game.  He was presented the award at the closing ceremonies at the Carpenter Center by DIAA President Kevin Charles. William Penn defeated Caesar Rodney in the final game 67-54, although downstate Bill tried to keep in closer. Just a joke - I never met an official who cared about the outcome of a game. Bill Thomas is “simply the best” although I like them all for different reasons, none of which involve the words “bar tab.”

COLLEGE STUFF - Ryan Reed clubbed a two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to lift the University of Delaware baseball team to a 10-8 victory over Marist at Bob Hannah Stadium Friday, March 13. Reed finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. And then Ry-Dog just walked off in a “How you like me now?” strut. No, that’s me imagining I’m him. Last Sunday, Scott Shockley, former Cape player and an uncle away from the Phillies, left the yard in an 8-3 win over Marist as the Blue Hens improved to 9-6 on the season. This Cape connection has a combined seven home runs on the young season.

Delaware State’s Donte Holmes with a personal best of 1:48 in the 800 meters ran a disappointing 1:53 in the preliminaries and did not place at last weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships. Dwight Barbiasz, a University of Maryland freshman, placed third in the high jump, leaping 7 feet. I wonder if he can dunk? The Oregon men and Tennessee women won team championships. Liz Carpenter has four goals on the season for the Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team. The Hokies have won their last four games to even out at 4-4 on the season. Tyler Townsend leads 9-4 Florida International in batting average at .487 and total bases at 33 with a .571 slugging percentage. Delaware Valley College sophomore outfielder Bethany Pavlik, of Lewes and Sussex Tech, was recently one of 10 student-athletes named to the 2008 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Softball Team. Erin Fox, former Cape outfielder, is a freshman on the Aggie roster. Sean Tappan of Milton is a starting pitcher for the Del Val baseball team. Sean allowed just one hit over five innings and fanned seven in a 16-0 win over Lancaster Bible College. “Put the Bible down and swing the bat!” Brienna Faust is a sophomore on the 3-0 Old Dominion Lady Monarchs lacrosse team that will play at ninth-ranked North Carolina Wednesday, March 18. Brooke Bennett is the leading defender for the 2-2 Wesley women’s lacrosse team. Brooke also scored a pair of goals in a recent win over Savannah College. Kathryn Riley, a former Indian River athletic and academic superstar, continues to pitch for the Garnet of Swarthmore University. Jimmy Gill is the starting right fielder and left-handed short reliever for the Swarthmore baseball team that won a pair of come-from-behind games against SUNY-IT last Sunday at Clothier Fields — must be a Strawbridge thing. Ian Stewart and Red Killpack are playing lacrosse for Dowling College in Long Island. The two tickets on my refrigerator tell me there is a flapjack fundraiser Saturday, March 21, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s. The cost is $5 for all any reasonable person would care to eat. You can pay at the door if you can fit through.