The high school baseball season in Vermont wrapped up this week, which means the American Legion Baseball season is not far behind.
The seven Southern Division teams from last season all return this year with Brattleboro Post 5 and Bellows Falls Post 37 competing along with Bennington Post 13, Manchester Union Underground, Lakes Region, Rutland Post 31, and White River Junction Post 84.
Brattleboro, the state runner-up in 2021, began its season on June 14 at Manchester Union Underground, and opens its home season on June 19 at Tenney Field with a doubleheader against Lake Region. Eric Libardoni returns as the manager.
Bellows Falls starts its season with a homestand at Hadley Field with their opener on June 21 against Lake Region, and scheduled games against Rutland Post 31 (June 23) and Bennington Post 13 (a doubleheader on June 26).
After the sudden death last fall of manager Bill Lockerby, his assistant Shawn Burke will lead Post 37 this season.
Brattleboro and Bellows Falls will have their first meeting of the season on July 2 in a doubleheader at Tenney Field.
The Vermont American Legion baseball tournament will be based in Rutland County again this summer. It is set to start on July 27 at Castleton University's Spartan Field, the summer home of Lakes Region, and Rutland's St. Peter's Field, the home park of Rutland Post 31.
Rec. Dept. offers full slate of youth summer programs
• The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department has a full schedule of activities for youths planned for this summer. To register for these programs, stop by Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., at the Gibson Aiken Center on Main Street, or go online to register1.vermontsystems.com/wbwsc/vtbrattleboro.wsc/splash.html.
Here's some of what's available this summer:
• Tennis Camp for youths 11 to 15 years old this summer at the Harris Tennis Courts at Living Memorial Park. Girls will have their camp on June 20 to 24, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., while the boys will have camp July 11 to 15, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The fee is $110 for Brattleboro residents and $125 for non-residents. Led by coach Ed Powers, campers will learn proper technique, play games, and focus on becoming a great tennis player. No experience necessary. Equipment loans are available for new players on a limited, first come first serve basis.
• A track & field program for youth ages 6-14 will be offered June 21 through July 21, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Brattleboro Union High School track. The fee is $35 for Brattleboro residents and $50 for non-residents, and includes a t-shirt. Participants will take part in various races and events from individual to small groups. Dashes, sprints, mid-distance running, running relays, long jumps, etc. This group meets three times a week and at the end of the season participants have the option to participate in the VRPA Track & Field Meet if they fall within the age requirements.
• Hoop It Up Basketball Camp with Jay Cudworth and Todd Bell will be held June 27 to July 1 at the Gibson-Aiken Center's third floor gymnasium. The camp is co-ed for youths entering grades 1-8. The fee is $100 for Brattleboro residents and $115 for non- residents, which includes a t-shirt for each participant. For those entering grades 1-4, the camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will focus on the development of motor skills and give each child the opportunity to practice specific skills in a structured and fun setting. Camp for those entering grades 5-8 runs from 1 to 4 p.m., and will focus on the development of motor skills as well as provide opportunities to practice team skills in game situations.
• BUHS varsity coaches and players will lead a youth field hockey camp for those in grade 3-8. This camp will run on Tuesday nights from June 28 to Aug. 9, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., at West River Park on Route 30. The fee is $60 for Brattleboro residents and $75 for non-residents. The camp is for players of any level. Coaches will be working with campers on fundamentals and increasing knowledge of the game. Bring your own stick, goggles, mouth guard, shin guards, and water bottle. A limited number of sticks will be available for those without them.
• A boys' lacrosse camp led by Chris Sawyer and BUHS varsity lacrosse players will be offered for players in grades 3-8 from June 29 to Aug. 3. The camp will take place at West River Park on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The fee is $55 for Brattleboro residents and $70 for non-residents. Participants will be trained in the fundamentals of lacrosse, with personal attention toward skill improvement and knowledge of the game. Campers should come with cleats/sneakers, a water bottle, lacrosse stick, and a snack.
• Morgan Derosia and Brianna Paul will lead a girls' lacrosse camp for those in grades 3-8. It will be run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays between June 29 and Aug. 3 at West River Park. The fee is $55 for Brattleboro residents and $70 for non-residents. Participants will learn some skills and drills and work on fundamentals and knowledge of the game. Bring your stick, goggles, mouth guard, water bottle, and cleats/sneakers.
• Youth softball camp for those in grades 3-8, led by Jay Cudworth, will be offered during the week of July 25 to 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Living Memorial Park lower field. The fee is $125 for Brattleboro residents and $140 for non-residents. With a focus on fundamentals, the camp will help participants develop good habits and proper technique. All participants should come with a glove, sneakers/cleats, and a bat if you have one, and pack a snack for a morning break.
• Baseball camp, led by Jay Cudworth and Chris Groeger, will take place over two sessions on the lower field at Living Memorial Park. Session one, for those 7-10 years old, will run from July 11 to 15. Session two, for those 11-14 years old will run from July 18 to 22. Both sessions will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $125 for Brattleboro residents and $140 for non-residents. Coaches will train participants in the fundamentals of baseball. Each camper will receive personal attention to help improve their skills using proper playing habits. All participants should bring a glove, sneakers/cleats, water, and a bat if you have one.
• Gymnastics camp takes place at the Gibson-Aiken Center for those 5-13 years old. Camp weeks will be held as follows: week 1: July 5 to 8 (4 days), week 2: July 11 to 15, week 3: July 18 to 22, week 4: July 25 to 29, week 5: Aug. 1 to 5, and week 6: Aug. 8 to 12. Due to week one being only four days, the fee for this week is $88 for Brattleboro residents and $103 for non-residents. The fee for weeks two-six is $110 for Brattleboro residents and $125 for non-residents. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to noon (sharp), Monday through Friday. Participants should bring a nutritious snack, water bottle, and wear tight-fitting clothes.
• Voltage Soccer Camp, for those 5 to 14 years old, will be offered on July 5-8, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Aug. 1-5 from 9 a.m. to noon, at West River Park Field on Route 30. The fee is $135 for Brattleboro residents and $150 for non-residents. Discounts are available if desired for multiple kids/weeks of Voltage Camp. All participants are required to bring their own shin guards and water bottle. Attention will be given to the instruction of good ball control habits and movement techniques in challenging drills and simulated match situations, along with conditioning methods to prevent injuries and improve coordination and flexibility.
• Skateboard Camp at Perseverance Skate Park at Living Memorial Park will be offered on July 25-29, from 9 a.m. to noon, for those 8-12 years old. The fee is $100 for Brattleboro residents and $115 for non-residents. Participants must bring sneakers, a snack, water, skateboard, and a helmet. Elbow and knee pads are recommended.
• Mountain Biking Camp, for those in grades 4-8, led by Michael Davern and Nate LaChance, will run Aug. 22 to 26 (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 5 to 7 p.m. Participants will meet at Living memorial Park-Lower Parking Lot. The fee for this program is $60 for Brattleboro residents and $75 for non-residents. Participants must have their own bikes. Campers will learn how to ride farther and with more confidence, and will also learn how changes in body position, footwork, and where are looking affect the way one's bike behaves. Rides will cover local terrain and trails.
Kudos for senior athletes
• It was a good spring for two senior athletes from Windham County.
Rosalind Fritz of Newfane set two world records in the America Power Lifting Competition, which was held in Brattleboro at Supreme Fitness on April 30.
Fritz, 74, set the world record in her age group for deadlift and bench press. She lifted 205 pounds in the deadlift event, and 90 pounds in bench press, breaking her own national records that she had set in the past.
And Gurudharm Singh Khalsa of West Dummerston claimed the singles gold medal at the National Senior Games Association yearly pickleball tournament on May 14. A rookie to the national stage, Khalsa went undefeated in his 70-74 age bracket pool of 26 players.