Newark American Little League’s baseball tradition runs deep in the local community with generations of kids having proudly donned the uniform to “play ball!”
But there’s never been an opportunity for the girls living within the Newark American boundaries to play softball. That is, until now.
“We’re very excited to bring girls’ softball to the greater Newark area for the first time ever,” said Chuck Bonadio, vice president of softball for the league.
And when Bonadio says “to the greater Newark area,” he is referring to the fact that the league has opened up registrations to girls who live within the boundaries of neighboring Newark National and Midway Capital Little Leagues.
“As a league, we wanted to be able to better serve all of the young athletes in our community, and this program will do just that,” he added.
The league will field three different levels of competition, including coach pitch instructional for girls ages 7-9, competitive kid-pitch for ages 8-11; and a majors division for ages 10-12, which is the most competitive statewide.
Teams will play other programs around the northern New Castle County area, and games will be held at Folk Park and Fairfield Park.
Registration is now open online at newarkamericanlittleleague.com and questions can be directed to cbonadio@newarkamericanlittleleague.com.
Red Lion football
commitments
Red Lion Christian Academy senior Ray Romano has committed to play football at Albright University in Pennsylvania. Romano also received the Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association Sportsmanship and the Maxwell Football Club Mini Max awards. Romano plans to major in psychology.
Johnny Woodfield will play at Quincy University (Illinois) and major in aviation and music. Carter Rasin has committed to play at Delaware State University, where he will major in computer science. Breon Sims plans to play at Eastern University located in St. Davids, Pa.
WilmU hoops
milestones
Wilmington University men’s basketball Dan Burke won his 100th game on Jan. 28 in a win over Felician University. Burke is in his ninth season at Wilmington and is the first men’s basketball coach to reach the milestone.
The Wildcats’ 92-57 win included season-highs in total points, shooting percentage (57.6) and three-pointers (14).
Local updates
Newark Charter’s swimming team has won five straight meets, and the Unified basketball team is 2-2 midway through its season.
Newark High’s boys’ basketball team has won three of its last four games, with Jahsir Robertson-Hamilton scoring 16 points and Tivon Woolford 13 in the Yellowjackets 44-37 win over Early College School at DSU. The girls defeated First State Military 54-26 behind the double-digit scoring of Sanaia Hayman (18), Alyssa Thomason (16) and Leah Blake (13). The swimming team has won two of its last three meets heading into their final one against Dickinson on Feb. 2. Blue Hen Conference Championships are Feb. 4 at McKean High School.
Hodgson’s boys’ basketball team has won two straight to up its record to 7-6. After a tough start, the girls’ team has won four of five games and is 5-9 heading into the home stretch of the season. Sanaa Saunders-Young (16 points), Thailys Torres (14) and Hope Smith (10) led the Silver Eagles to a 59-36 win over MOT Charter on Jan. 30.
Caravel Academy’s boys’ basketball team has won two straight, most recently a 67-56 victory over the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pa. John Clemmons led all scorers with 29 points while Trevor Webster scored 14. Dominique Wyatt and Miles White each chipped in with 11. … The girls’ team (9-4) has won five straight games. Anaya Price led all scorers with 15 points, and Brycelyn Stryckning and Chastity Wilson pitched in 13 points apiece in a 64-33 victory over St. Elizabeth. Stryckning also recorded a game-high 14 rebounds and Jasiyah Crawford dished out eight assists.
In my opinion only
For any local Bengals fans who don’t think that late hit should have been called toward the end of the game, just remember that if it was your team’s quarterback who was on the other end of it, you’d be screaming for a flag. It’s a play that in modern day football is going to be flagged every time, regardless of the enormity of the game. … It’s a shame that the average-income football fan has no shot to attend the Super Bowl. It sounds like it would be a $10,000-plus trip for one person from start to finish. And that might be low-balling it. It’s cheaper to go to Disney, and that’s something I never thought I’d ever be able to say about any destination.
Wrapping it up
Delaware linebacker Johnny Buchanan has been named to the 2022 Walter Camp FCS All-America Team. The selection marks the seventh All-America nod for Buchanan this season and the eighth for the Blue Hens. … The Phillies have invited former Saint Mark’s and UD baseball player Billy Sullivan to spring training as a non-roster invitee.
Until next time … have a great sports week!
Have a sports tidbit to share? Email JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow on Twitter @SportsBuzzPost.
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