Around Funkstown

January 20, 2009|By SUSIE HOFFMAN / 301-790-2413

Hello, fellow snowmen and women

First came the ridiculously frigid temperatures and then the smattering of snow.

I know, I know, this is what January is about. Personally, I like to think January is a great month for birthdays; two in our house fall in this month.

It's also great for reminding us just how much we appreciate the other three seasons.

Before you know it, and I say that with the hope that it will be here before we know it, it will be time to dig out the cleats and bats, and dust off home plate.

You know, that sure does put a smile on my face.

Little League clinic set for Tuesdays in Feb.

Every game has rules, some more than others, some a tad more involved.

Baseball is one of those.

What works for the major leagues is not the case for Little League.

There is probably nothing more frustrating to an umpire than to hear a voice from the dugout or stands citing a rule that does not apply to that particular level of play.

Wouldn't it be nice if that were never the case?

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 3, and running every Tuesday in February, a Little League baseball clinic will be held.

The sessions will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Church of Christ on Leitersburg Pike.

Local umpires Denny Hockensmith and Dave Grams will again be covering the rules of Little League baseball, paying special attention to new rules and rule changes.

If you are considering purchasing a new bat for your future all-star, for instance, you need to know the Bat Performance Factor (BPF), which must be stamped on all bats.

All managers are encouraged to attend, as well as umpires and those desiring to be umpires.

For more information, call Denny at 301-416-2841 or Dave at 301-791-1687.

Girls softball league to hold registration

Starting to warm up yet with all this talk of baseball?

Well, let's keep it going with a little information on softball.

The Washington County Girls Softball League will hold registration for girls in grades three through eight at Dick's Sporting Goods in the Centre at Hagerstown (Wal-Mart Shopping Center) on the following dates:

Saturdays, Jan. 31; Feb. 14 and Feb. 28; from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and at Extra Innings in Hagerstown on Wednesdays, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration costs $40, due at signup. For more information, call 301-223-9078 or go to www.eteamz.com/wcgsl.

A historic day

Now for the obvious ... whether you are a Republican or Democrat or liberal or any other political affiliation, today is a day to be an American. Today is the day to come together with strength and determination and watch as a new president takes office and takes the nation in a positive direction. Forget the party lines, forget the first this or that.

Remember that we as a nation elected and we as a nation should support. How fabulous would it be if all the bickering and fighting and finger pointing and blaming were set aside and we all supported and believed. I am so very hopeful for positive change and I am going to embrace just that.

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