WATCH FOR Florida Senior Athletes to compete in local senior games events leading up to the 2013 Florida International Senior Games & State Championships.
The Tampa Bay Senior Games are in full swing this week with events daily. The Tampa Bay Games began on Saturday and continue through Friday, October 18. Pickleball will be held October 25-27 and registration is still available.
Two athletes who will compete in the Tampa Bay Games Powerlifting competition on Friday will have a full schedule through October 18.
A regular competitor in the Games is 92-year old Edith Traina, sandwiched in between her Powerlifting, Traina will be in Shuffleboard, Bag Toss, Billiards and Darts events, according to Tampa Bay Senior Games Director Mary Clements Fowler.
Traina set a Florida Masters Powerlifting record at the 2012 Florida International Senior Games & State Championships (photo above) and has set new goals for the Tampa Bay Senior Games, a 115-pound dead lift and a 65-pound bench press.
Wesley Chapel’s Otis Perry (at right with family) will participate in 12 events. The first on his list was the 1 Mile Walk on Saturday and he continues this week with Table Tennis, Darts, Billiards, Horseshoes, Dominoes and compete in Basketball Shooting, Bag Toss. In the track and field events he will do the long jump, shot put and discus.
Besides showing his athletic prowess, the former school administrator and athletic director is showing off his cooking talents in the baking contest. He plans to make a Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Louisiana Pecans.
Perry won a gold medal in the Powerlifting 70-74 age group in 2012 with an 80 lb bench press and 115 lb deadlift.
Also WATCH FOR the Gainesville Senior Games taking place October 11-19 and the Kissimmee/St. Cloud Senior Games October 12-19.
Follow the Florida Senior Games on Facebook and Register Online..
WATCH FOR a pair of NHL home openers for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers on Friday and Saturday night.
The Lightning host the Panthers on Friday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum and the Panthers open their home schedule on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the BB&T Center in Sunrise.
Prior to their season opener, the Panthers introduced their new ownership, Vincent Viola as Chairman, Principal Owner & Governor of SSE, the Florida Panthers and the Broward County-owned BB&T Center.
In addition, Douglas Cifu assumes the role of Vice Chairman, Partner & Alternate Governor, while Michael R. Yormark has been promoted to the position of President & Chief Executive Officer of the organization.
Read about the New Era in Florida Panthers Hockey in a blog by Yormark.
Heading into the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning broadcast crew provided a preview. Hear what Rick Peckham, Dave Mishkin and Bobby “The Chief” Taylor have to say about the Lightning and what fans can expect in 2013-14.
WATCH FOR construction at the Lee County Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium as the Minnesota Twins and Lee County have broken ground on $48.5 million in renovations at the team’s spring training complex.
Groundbreaking was held Thursday, October 3 at the Lee County Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.
The complex serves as the Twins’ Florida Grapefruit League home as well as the team’s year-round player development operations, including the franchise’s Florida State League affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle.
The renovations will be completed in two phases. The first phase includes
· A new residential player development academy
· Renovations to the Minor League clubhouse and administrative areas
· A new Gulf Coast League playing field
· A new agility field
· Completion of a 360 degree boardwalk and concourse at Hammond Stadium, including new berm seating in left field
· Expansion of Hammond Stadium’s seating capacity of 8,000 to 9,300
· A new parking lot
Phase One should be completed by spring 2014. The second phase includes upgraded concourses and improved concessions at Hammond Stadium by February 2015.
The Twins have been training at the Fort Myers complex since 1991.
The Weekly “What to Watch For in Florida Sports,” is compiled by Florida Sports Foundation Director of Communications, Nick Gandy. Follow the Florida Sports Foundation on Facebook and on Twitter #fla_sports. Visit http://www.flasports.com for more information about the Florida Sports Foundation and the vibrant sports industry in the Sunshine State. Florida is Where The World Comes to Play.
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