Last week was a washout for high school baseball and softball, which meant another week inside the gymnasiums of Windham County instead of playing outdoors.
“Gymball” is an unavoidable part of baseball and softball in Vermont. Coaches can only hope that March ends with warm and dry weather so the snow can melt, the frost can come out of the ground, and the fields can firm up and begin the spring growth cycle.
At the beginning of March, Tenney Field in Brattleboro was free of snow and looked almost ready to go. By month's end, two snowstorms and a lot of rain left it a soggy mess. Thankfully, this week's warmer weather improved conditions enough to get teams out of the gym and on to the field.
At least the sports that can be played indoors were able to be in action last week.
• Brattleboro opened the girls' tennis season with a 5-2 win over Otter Valley on April 6. The match was played indoors in Rutland due to the rainy weather.
The Colonels' No. 1 singles player Jazmin Smith won in straight sets over Bridgid Enright., 6-1, 6-0, but Otter Valley's Molly Fisher got a a 7-6, 6-1 win over Camille Gunzberg at No. 2 singles.
Brattleboro ran the table the rest of the way in as No. 3 Annie Takacs beat Ghislane Robin, 6-2, 6-3, No. 4 Pilar Rivera beat Brenna McCullough, 6- 4, 6- 1, and No. 5 Colette Anton won by forfeit.
Both of Brattleboro's doubles teams were playing their first-ever varsity match. Camden Haskins and Bela Takacs nearly knocked off the Otters No. 1 tandem of Brittany Danforth and Meghan Chaney, a team with several years experience playing together.The Otter Valley pair won in a close third set tiebreak set, 10-5 after the two teams split the first two sets.
At No. 2 doubles, Brattleboro's Alissa Walkowiak and Paige Starkweather beat Maddie Fuller and Ella Chaney 6-3, 6-4.
• In Unified basketball action on April 3, Brattleboro dominated the boards to defeat Springfield, 43-31, at the BUHS gym.
Brattleboro's Zach Smith led all scorers with 20 points and Jacob Williams added 15 for Brattleboro. Both kept Springfield from getting many second-chance baskets.
Cam Colon led Springfield with 10 points and Lance Robinson added 9.
Bowl For Kids' Sake raises more than $30,000
• Families, friends and teams from work braved snow and ice on April 1, to celebrate the 36th Annual Bowl for Kids' Sake to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windham County.
More than half of the 47 teams which had registered had full or partial teams bowling.
The top Business team was Ray Massucco's Law Office team, Johnny's Gutter Kings which have brought in $1,210 so far closely followed by the County Mounties team of Windham County Sheriff's Department. The top fundraising individuals to date are Ray Massucco at $985, Chris Norton at $850, and Rylan Ernst $575. The teams with the most bowlers were River Valley Credit Union and PCL.
The total raised on April 1 was $30,398, short of the $50,000 goal, but Big Brothers Big Sisters says it expects teams that couldn't make it will still submit the money they raised so pledge money will be trickling in the coming weeks.
Bowl For Kids' Sake is the primary fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windham County, a Youth Services' affiliated program that matches youth in need of a one-to-one relationship with caring adult mentors.
More than 60 local children benefit from the program each year. Forty others, from Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Marlboro, Newfane, Putney, Vernon, and West Halifax, are eagerly waiting to be matched with an adult mentor and are on their waiting list, according to Big Brothers Big Sisters director Kimberley Diemond.
To make a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windham County, call 802-257-0361 or visit bbbsvt.org/bowl-for- kids-sake- 2017.
Tulip Trot set for May 13
• The fifth annual Green Street School Tulip Trot 5K Run/Walk and half-mile Sprout Run will be held on Saturday, May 13, at 10 a.m.
Last year, more than 50 area businesses sponsored or donated to the event and more than 300 enthusiastic participants enjoyed this family-friendly run and fitness walk that starts and ends at Green Street School in Brattleboro.
The route covers 3.1 miles of road and wooded trails that winds through neighborhood streets before entering the scenic Retreat Trails at the base of the Harris Hill ski jump. Younger children can enjoy a half-mile “Sprout” fun-run around the school's campus.
If you choose not to run or walk, you are encouraged to cheer on the runners. After the race, runners and spectators can enjoy music and refreshments.
The 5K event is run by the Green Street School Parent Teacher organization, and is the culminating event to an eight-week long running and fitness program designed to promote healthy habits and encourage kids to get out, exercise and maintain a fun and healthy fitness routine.
All proceeds go directly to the school's Winter Sports program and other PTO enrichment programs. To register, donate, volunteer, or be a race sponsor for the 2017 event, call 802-254-3737 or visit www.tuliptrot5k.com.
Grace Cottage 'Spring into Health' 5K set for May 13
• Also on May 13 is the eighth annual Grace Cottage Hospital “Spring into Health” 5K, which starts at 8:30 a.m. on the Townshend Common. The race will be timed for competitors, but is open to all, whether you run, walk, roll, or stroll. The course is 3.1 miles of mainly flat, paved road along Grafton Road (Route 35).
After the race, there will be awards, raffles, and general merriment. There is also a free Fun Run for kids 8 and under on the Common at 9:15 a.m. The event, held rain or shine, wraps up around 10:30 a.m.
Register online for an early bird rate of $12/adults, $5/kids at www.gracecottage.org/events or by calling 802-365-9109. Online registration closes at noon on Wednesday, May 10. The first 100 to register will receive a free performance t-shirt. You can register at the race ($20 for adults, $10 for kids), but no guarantees on getting a t-shirt.
This event raises funds for the non-profit hospital. For more information, visit www.gracecottage.org/events or call 802-365-9109.
Take a hike on the West River Trail
• The Manchester Section of the Green Mountain Club will lead three spring hikes on the West River Trail in Jamaica and Londonderry. All three hikes will take place on Sunday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m.
The first hike is on April 23 to Hamilton Falls, about 6 miles. The second hike is on April 30 to Angel Falls, about 5.5 miles. The third hike is on May 7 to Winhall Brook Campground, hiking the lower trail along the river out and upper trail back, about 5.5 miles.
These hikes are moderate hikes with the Hamilton Falls hike having about a mile of uphill walking. These hikes will follow, for the most part, the 11 mile West River Trail Run that will be held on June 3. For specifics and RSVP, contact Joe Ninesling at [email protected] or 802-289-2801.
Rec. Dept. has school vacation events
• The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department is offering several activities over the spring school vacation on April 17 to 21.
The Rec. Dept. and the Brattleboro Bowl will co-sponsor a Bowling Day on Wednesday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will take place at the Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. An adult must accompany children under 10. The cost per person is $7 and includes two games, shoes, plus a hot dog and a drink.
The Rec. Dept. is also sponsoring “Pitch, Hit & Run” and “Home Run Derby,” a baseball and softball program for youth ages 7 to 14 on Wednesday, April 19, at 10 a.m., at West River Park on Route 30.
Participants hit, field, and throw for a composite point total. Local champions will advance to sectional competitions sponsored by Major League Baseball in our area. Sectional champions advance to Team Championships hosted by all the Major League teams. For more details, visit www.mlb.com/pitchhitrun.
There will also be additional open gym and game room hours between April 17 to 21, from 1:30 to 5 p.m., at the Gibson-Aiken Center.
Open gym and game room is a free program for any school-aged child. It is fully-supervised with a variety of activities to choose from. Along with basketball, there is foosball, air hockey, bumper pool, and arts and crafts. Feel free to check your kids in with the Rec. & Parks Staff or stay and play with them.
Call the Recreation & Parks office at 802-254-5808 if you have any questions about any of these activities.
Senior bowling roundup
• With three weeks left of the winter season of the Brattleboro Senior Bowling League, Team 2 (37-23) leap-frogged Team 7 (36-24) to take control of first place. Team 10 (34-26) is not far behind in third, followed by Team 6 and Team 9 (both 33-27), Team 4 and Team 1 (both 32-28), Team 5 (24-36), Team 8 (22-38), and Team 3 (17-43).
Sandy Ladd had the women's high handicap game (262), and series (635), while Ed Curtiss had the men's high handicap game (251) and Bob Wistrom had the men's high handicap series (670). Team 5 had the high team handicap game (886) and series (2,512).
Warren Corriveau Jr. (629) had a 600-plus series with a 203 and a 236 game. Jerry Dunham (560), Charles Marchant (559), Wistrom (535), Tom Johnson (525), Marty Adams (556), Fred Ashworth (524), and Wayne Randall (543) all rolled 500-plus series. Dunham (214), Marchant (203), Randall (208), and Johnson (212) all had 200-plus games.