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Monday, April 8, 2013

Alonso’s Fernandez Shines in Major League Debut

Jose Fernandez’s Miami Marlins lost to the New York Mets, but the young starting pitcher still stole the show.

Jose Fernandez, 20, made history Sunday, April 7, when he took the mound as the starting pitcher for the Miami Marlins. While the New York Mets won the game 4-2, according to NJ.com, Fernandez, a former standout Alonso High School player, assured his name would appear in the record books. Fernandez’s pitching performance was “historic,” according to the Sun-Sentinel. “He became just the seventh starter under age 21 since 1916 to strike out eight or more in his major league debut.” His debut on the mound also made Marlins’ history. He’s the youngest starter in the team’s history and the third youngest player ever on its roster. During his time as an Alonso Raven, Fernandez made headlines helping his team win two state titles in three years…

Friday, March 29, 2013

Moms, Babies Invited to Get Fit at Westfield Citrus Park

The mall is hosting Fit4Mom classes each morning from 9 to 10 a.m., starting March 29.

Between diaper changes, feedings and sleepless nights caring for a fussy baby, exercising is often the last thing on a new mom's mind. However, Fit4Mom, the country's largest fitness program for moms, is making it easy for local women to stay fit while juggling the care of children by offering daily classes at Westfield Citrus Park mall. Starting Friday, March 29, Fit4Mom Tampa Bay is offering Stroller Strides fitness classes each weekday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. The classes allow moms to stay physically and mentally fit while spending quality time with their babies. Moms meet by Dick's Sporting Goods at the mall, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center Blvd., Tampa, and participate in a workout that includes power walking and intervals of strength …

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Bryant Golf Classic Tees Off April 21

The golf tournament will benefit the Mary Bryant Elementary School PTA.

Golfers are urged to sign up now for the Bryant Golf Classic scheduled for Sunday, April 21 at the Westchase Golf Club, 11602 Westchase Golf Dr., Tampa. The deadline to register is April 16. The tournament, organized by the Mary Bryant Elementary School PTA, will begin with check-in at 12:30 p.m., followed by a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. The day will include a sack lunch, games, prizes and dinner. To sign up, visit the tournament website. For more details, click here. Got an event of your own? Post word of it for free in the Westchase Patch events calendar. ______________ Westchase Patch is an interactive community site, and we want you to get involved. Post a comment at the bottom of any story. Upload your photos to our Pics & Clips …

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

USF Bulls Women's Team Makes NCAA Tournament

This is the second time in its history the basketball team will take part in the tourney.

The University of South Florida women’s basketball team has reason to celebrate. For the second time ever, the Bulls have made the NCAA tournament cut, according to Tampa Bay Times. The Bulls are ranked No. 10 and faceoff in their first tourney game Saturday, March 23 against Texas Tech in Lubbock. "We're just so happy to be in the tournament,” The Tampa Tribune quoted USF forward Inga Orekhova as saying. “We don't know much about Texas Tech, but we're going to find out a whole lot more.'' If the Bulls defeat Texas Tech, they’ll move onto the second round of post-season play, which runs March 25-26. The Division I semifinal and championship games take place this year April 7 and 9 in New Orleans. To check out the brackets, visit the NCAA …

Monday, March 18, 2013

Has March Madness Taken Over Your Life? Help Us Tally Westchase’s TVs!

With the NCAA tournament now in full swing, Westchase Patch is on a mission to determine which venue in the area has the most TVs.

If you’re a college basketball fan who just can’t get enough hoops action, chances are you’re sticking close to the television as March Madness continues. But, where are you watching all the action delivered in this year’s NCAA tournament? Westchase Patch is wondering which sports bar in the area has the most TVs. Is it McDivot's? World of Beer? Maloney's? If you're at one of these establishments, or any other bar in town, over the next few days, help us count. Tell us in the comments where you are and how many TVs are hanging from the walls. We'll add them up faster than you can ask "How's your bracket?"

Saturday, March 9, 2013

USF Bulls 2013 Football Schedule Now Out

The season opener is set for Aug. 31 at Raymond James Stadium.

Westchase area football fans who are ready to forget last year’s lackluster University of South Florida Bulls season have a date to put on their calendars. The Bulls return to the gridiron Aug. 31 under the direction of new head coach Willie Taggart. The game is set for 7 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium, so fans won’t have to travel far. Taggart was announced as the new head coach in December following the ouster of Skip Holtz. The Florida native returned to his home state after coaching in Western Kentucky. Here’s the schedule, according to the University of South Florida website: Are you excited for the 2013 season? How do you think the Bulls will do? Are you happy with the choice of Taggart? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Monday, February 25, 2013

All-Stars Have Something New to Cheer About

The Cheer Express All-Stars brought home three national championships.

The Cheer Express All-Stars competed in Cheersport, one of the largest All-Star cheerleading competitions in the world, Feb. 16-17 in Atlanta, bringing home three national championships. Six teams from the Oldsmar cheerleading academy competed against nearly 1,000 other teams from around the world. The Junior Red, Junior White and Senior White teams took first-place honors while the Senior Silver received a bid to compete in the Cheerleading and Dance Worlds at Disney World for the seventh year. For more details, see the announcement posted on Westchase Patch. Got an announcement of your own? Post word of it for free on Westchase Patch. ______________ Westchase Patch is an interactive community site, and we want you to get involved. Post a…

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Westchase Stampede Lacrosse Featured on YouTube

The local youngsters are featured in a new YouTube video posted this week.

A search of new and local videos uploaded to YouTube.com this week revealed a great montage of clips from a recent preseason lacrosse jamboree held in Clearwater.  The Westchase Stampede Under-11 and Under-9 teams are featured in the video. These teams are part of the Westchase Stampede Lacrosse Club. What do you think of the teams and the recent surge in popularity for the sport of lacrosse?

Monday, February 18, 2013

Tips to Get Started Paddleboarding

Want to try paddleboarding? Here are tips to get you started off on the right foot!

Paddleboarding is one of the more popular watersports today. It's fun and a great way to get fit, too. If you're looking to hit the waves on a paddleboard, Prescott Metcalf, a paddleboard instructor with the Suncoast Surf Shop in Treasure Island, offers these tips: Want to give paddleboarding a try? Check out one of these Hillsborough County shops: Solstice Sports 408 North Howard Avenue Tampa, FL 33606 (800) 320-9463, Ext. 701 Urban Kai 305 North Willow Avenue Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 598-1634 Dick's Sporting Goods - Brandon 901 Brandon Town Center Mall Brandon, FL 33511 Dick's Sporting Goods - Tampa 8100 Citrus Park Town Center Tampa, FL 33625 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Is High School Football Too Risky for Kids?

We want to know what you think, Tampa Bay!

With Super Bowl championships occupying the top three slots in most-watched telecasts in U.S. history, it seems football is as popular as ever. Yet the sport is at the epicenter of a national debate on the long-term effects of concussions and whether tackling is safe for youngsters. President Barack Obama recently threw his two cents in, saying if he had a son he would think twice before letting him get on the gridiron. And Boston University researchers last year released a comprehensive study showing there is a link between permanent brain injury and repeated blows to the head, according to the Boston Globe. Of concern to some is the prevalence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in some older athletes. Often referred to as simply CTE, …

Chuck R

6:50 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013

Your child can start playing tackle football at age 5, but most play flag first. When these very young kids run into each other, it's not much of an impact to be honest. I'm not saying they never give each other a good hit because it happens occasionally. I never thought of it as dangerous, though. One important note; if the helmet is making the hit, the kid is doing it wrong, and the coach will …   more ›

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