Never disappoint The Chief.
Next week, The Roanoke Star presents its quarterly Total Market Coverage edition and the sports department knows The Chief wants a banner performance by all. Thus, we’re hitting the field running with everything from baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and awards to this Sunday’s race at the Franklin County Speedway.
Make a point to check out the expanded pages of The Star sports section.
I’m also challenging Star crossword puzzle maker Don Waterfield to slip my pants sponsor into an upcoming puzzle. Here’s your clue; 9-letter word for Wild Bill’s pantaloons. For those curious, pantaloons are wide stylish breeches, a stock character the brunt of a clown’s jokes in pantomime, or the character in the commedia dell’arte portrayed by a foolish man in slippers. (See, you always learn something when you read this column). By the way, the puzzle answer is Loudmouth and I don’t own any slippers.
On to sports where we return to Callaway this Sunday for the 3:00 p.m. green flag at The Franklin County Speedway 8-event afternoon. Late model stock and a bounty on multi-winner Danny Bush in the Street Stock highlight the bump-and-run action where bad blood is boiling over after recent crashes at FCS.
The FirstTee Roanoke Valley continues to sell tickets to the 5th annual Greenbrier Classic PGATour golf tournament and The Greenbrier Concert Series, featuring Maroon 5 and Jimmy Buffett, all playing out the first week of July. For $ 60 you can get a badge to the golf tournament every day plus a ticket to either of the two concerts. Contact FirstTee at 540-563-1835 to purchase your ticket as well as support our local FirstTee chapter.
Shannon Taylor’s Next Level Football Camp hits the North Cross campus Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8th. An on-field football camp for boys ages 8-14, Taylor is an All-ACC linebacker at UVA with five years experience in the NFL. Camp cost is $ 95 and all levels are welcome with football experience not necessary. Contact [email protected] for more information.
The Scott Robertson Memorial opens Friday, May 16th for its 3-day run at Roanoke Country Club. Many of the best junior golfers and future PGA and LPGA Tour players will compete.
Now, to the Wild Bill ” Big-11 ” Top-5 baseball and softball
BASEBALL
#1: Hidden Valley- The 13-1-1 Titans met the challenge by knocking off #2 Northside 4-2 Wednesday afternoon to complete the regular season sweep of the Vikings.
#2: Northside- Northside ( 12-5 ) stays firmly in the #2 spot despite their loss to Hidden Valley. A state playoff run seems to be in the cards for the Vikings.
#3: Patrick Henry- PH ( 9-8 ) holds on to the third spot after their win Tuesday over River Ridge foe Blacksburg. The Patriots will be tested in the 6A playoffs.
SOFTBALL
#1: Cave Spring- The 15-1 Knights are the runaway choice for the top spot. At 9-0 in the River Ridge, Cave Spring points to a pair of games next week against rival Hidden Valley.
#2: Northside- The Vikings remain #2 at 15-2 after their extra-inning win over Lord Botetourt. Northside is 10-0 in the tough Blue Ridge District.
#3: Lord Botetourt- The 10-5 Cavaliers came close to upsetting Northside on Tuesday. Don’t be surprised if Botetourt pulls an upset in post-season tournament action.
Until next week, when we return to visit the mailbag, send your questions to [email protected]
Slippers? You kidding me? I only own 2 pairs of SHOES.
– Bill Turner
