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The National Fastpitch Coaches Association recently announced former Woodland High School standout, Randi Wimpy, the 2015 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year for NAIA. Wimpy, a NFCA and NAIA first team All-American at Reinhardt University in Waleska, has been a team leader with the Eagles for the past two seasons. Wimpy had a tremendous junior campaign as she was named Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the second time. The Cartersville native finished fifth in NAIA with a .912 slugging percentage and 22nd with 57 RBI. She led the Lady Eagles with a .447 batting average to go along with 16 doubles, 11 home runs, 53 runs scored, 42 walks and .575 on base percentage. The Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year award is presented annually to the top catcher from an NFCA member institution in each of the following divisions: NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), NAIA, NJCAA (Divisions I, II and III), Cal JC, NWAC and high school. A committee comprised of head coaches in each of the 10 divisions determined the winner of their respective award. The other winners of the 2015 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year award include: NCAA Division I LEXIE ELKINS – LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE NCAA Division II MARLA REITER – DIXIE STATE UNIVERSITY NCAA Division III KIERIN STEVENS – UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT TYLER NJCAA Division I MORGAN OLIVER – JEFFERSON COLLEGE NJCAA Division II BRITTANY PLIMMER - KANKAKEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE NJCAA Division III VIVI MARQUEZ – ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE Cal JC LEILANI AKAI — COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO NWAC SIDNEY HAZEN – WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE High School REAGAN HATHAWAY — OLATHE NORTHWEST (KANSAS) HIGH SCHOOL Visit www.nfca.org for more information.

Hart County Little League pounded out 16 hits on their way to an 18-4 opening round victory over Cartersville Little League at the Georgia 11/12 Little League State Tournament. The state tournament is being held at Holland Park Youth Sports Complex in Athens. Hart County, playing as the visitors, used an RBI double and a 2-run homer in the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead, but Cartersville responded with a pair of runs of their own. Ethan Wolfe walked to open the inning and Christian Martin drove him in with a 2-run blast over the right field wall. That would be as close as Cartersville would come. Hart County added two runs in both the second and third innings to extend their lead to 7-2. They added four more runs in the fourth and closed out the game with a seven-run top of the fifth. Matthew Surrett hit a solo homerun in the third inning for Cartersville and Nick Bailey singled home Jackson Norris in the fourth for Cartersville’s other runs. Hart County out hit Cartersville 16-5 in the contest and played error free. Norris suffered the pitching loss for Cartersville in two innings of work. He allowed nine hits, no walks, and struck out a pair. Micah Earwood, Bailey, and Martin also spent time on the mound. In other action, Northern Columbus edged Warner Robins American West 3-2; Smyrna held off Elbert County 12-10; and Athens routed Midway Heights 16-1. The tournament continues Sunday. Elbert County plays Warner Robins American West and Peachtree City takes on Northern Columbus. Both games are scheduled for 1pm starts on the two fields at Holland Park. Cartersville returns to action Monday at 8pm in an elimination game against the Elbert/Warner Robins winner. Other games Monday include Athens against the Peachtree City/Northern Columbus winner; Hart County against Smyrna; and the Peachtree City/Northern Columbus loser against Midway Heights in an elimination game. The double-elimination tournament continues through Friday, July 31 with an ‘if needed’ game scheduled for Saturday morning.

Back to school plans may already be taking place locally, but baseball is still in full swing at Perfect Game Park South in the LakePoint Sporting Community in Emerson. The park has played host to many different travel baseball events this summer, including the WWBA National Championships with more than 300 teams in each age category. Even though those larger events have determined their national champs, there are plenty of titles yet to be determined at the park for teams from all over the country. Below is the baseball scheduled through August 3 at LakePoint: Continuing through July 28 — 2015 13u Perfect Game World Series Continuing through July 28 — 2015 14u Perfect Game World Series Continuing through July 29 — 2015 16u Perfect Game World Series July 26-30 — 2015 15u Perfect Game World Series July 29 - August 2 — 2015 Perfect Game Evoshield Classic (13u - 18u tournaments) July 29 - August 3 — 2015 Super 25 for 15u and 16u

Cartersville High School rising sophomore, Anthony Seigler, was named tournament MVP as he led the East Cobb Astros to the 2015 15u World Wood Bat Association National Championship. Seigler, an ambidextrous pitcher, threw four innings in the national semifinals and was the starting pitcher in the championship game. In all, he tossed 14 scoreless innings in the tournament and totaled 11 strikeouts. Seigler finished the tournament with a .414 batting average that included a homerun, nine RBI, and six runs scored. For more details, visit 'East Cobb Astros win 15u title' at Perfect Game USA. Photo credit: www.perfectgame.org

Bartow Sports Zone's weekly radio coaches show launched today (Fri., July 24) with hosts Charles Wilson of BSZ and Jason Greenberg of The Daily Tribune News. The guests for inaugural show were head football coach Bobby Hughes of Cass and head football coach of Adairsville Eric Bishop. The show airs each Friday morning (7AM to 8AM) on AM1270 WYXC in Cartersville. Click on the "play button" at the top of the page at www.bartowsportszone.com or click on the Bartow Sports Zone logo attached to this story (on left) to listen to a replay of the archived show and find our broadcast schedule and more. The coaches show and our game broadcasts will be linked on Bartow Sports Zone. All four of the local high school football coaches will be regularly featured guests on the weekly radio show and the hosts will also preview and review each week's big games. Get your local high school football fix each week with Bartow Sports Zone presented by Johnny's Pizza of Cartersville. Bartow Sports Zone and AM1270 WYXC will also broadcast 13 local high school football games during the 2015 regular season. The broadcast schedule begins with Adairsville at Ridgeland (Friday, August 21, 7pm), followed by Woodland at Adairsville (Thursday, August 27, 7pm); Cartersville at Cass (Friday, August 28, 7pm); and Cass at Coosa (Friday, September 4, 7pm).

The Adairsville Tigers football team has been to the state playoffs each of the past four years. Coach Eric Bishop’s squad was 10-2 last season and compiled a 7-4 mark the year before. With the momentum of four consecutive playoff seasons in hand, the Adairsville head coach is as excited as ever about his 2015 squad. “We actually bring back more starters this year than last and these guys have worked very hard,” the coach remarked. Four of those leaders recently shared comments about their summer workouts and the upcoming season with Bartow Sports Zone. Junior offensive lineman, Jeb Simerly (6-2, 310) and senior receiver Marquel Lane (5-7, 150) represented the Tigers’ offense. “We’ve worked hard,” said Simerly. “We’re going to make some people notice. We’ve gotten better on the field and in the weight room.” added the lineman. Lane agreed, “We’re ready to show folks what we can do. We’ve spent so much time together and pushed each other. We’ve had a good summer.” Football summers are not always fun, however. There are sacrifices. “Getting up early is always tough,” noted Lane. “It’s summer, so you want to stay up or sleep in, but you have football and we know the work will be worth it.” The Tigers will open the 2015 season with a new signal caller. “We lost a 3-year starting quarterback in Marcus Childers,” noted head coach Bishop, “those are obviously some big shoes to fill. But we have Torrey Hale (5-9, 190, Sr.) and Roger Redd (Jr.) competing and working very hard to fill the quarterback position.” Hale will be a two-way player. He will also play defensive back. “Bonding with our teammates is the best part of the off-season and the summer workouts,” said Hale. “The running and conditioning in the sun is tough, but we know it is getting us ready.” Senior free safety, Chris Blackston (5-10, 180) agreed. “Dealing with the heat just makes us better. People will not want to miss this team. We are going to surprise some people this year,” Blackston added. Coach Bishop also pointed out the important role for Sydnee Johnson (5-9, 210, Sr.) this year. “Sydnee was a top rusher for us last year even in limited work in some games. His number of carries will probably go up this time. We hope he can stay healthy and carry this team offensively.” added the coach. Adairsville and all other GHSA member football schools begin a mandatory week of conditioning practices next week (July 27-31) in helmets only. They will then begin work in full pads. The Tigers host Cass in a controlled preseason scrimmage August 14 and then hit the road for their season opener August 21 at Ridgeland. The four leaders that spoke with Bartow Sports Zone stressed the importance of all their games in 2015, but most agreed there is something special about the Calhoun and Sonoraville matchups. “Those two games just have a great atmosphere,” said Blackston. “We know what happened in those games last year, so we’ll be ready,” the senior concluded. After the season opener at Ridgeland, the Tigers host Woodland on Thursday, August 27 before moving into their Region 6-AAA slate. Adairsville has region away games at Riggold (Sept. 11), Sonoraville (Sept. 25), Murray County (Oct. 9), and North Murray (Oct. 23). The Tigers’ home schedule includes games with Calhoun (Oct. 2), Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe (Oct. 16), Coahulla Creek (Oct. 30), and Gordon Central (Nov. 6). You can listen to high school football coverage live on your computer, on your mobile device, on your radio this season via Bartow Sports Zone and AM1270 WYXC Cartersville. On this site, just use the menu at the top of the page to select ‘Football Broadcasts.’ Then click the play button on the screen. That will connect you with our radio partner AM1270 WYXC Cartersville. The broadcast schedule includes games involving all four Cartersville and Bartow County football schools — Adairsville, Cartersville, Cass, and Woodland. Bartow Sports Zone and AM1270 WYXC will also broadcast a Friday morning (7am to 8am) coaches show throughout the entire high school season (starting July 24). Coaches from all four local programs are scheduled as regular guests to talk about their teams, upcoming games, and high school football in gneral. Charles Wilson will host the weekly coaches show and perform the play-by-play duties on the games. Coach Eric Bishop will be one of the featured guests on the Bartow Sports Zone radio show Friday, July 24.

Woodland High School head football coach Tony Plott and the Wildcats are looking to turn things around in 2015 following a winless season. In Plott's first season as head coach at Woodland, players and coaches alike agree their approach has changed. Bartow Sports Zone will visit with the Wildcats next week at practice to bring you more details. Meanwhile, find out more in David Royal's story ' Wildcats put chemistry in pigskin equation,' at The Daily Tribune News

The Georgia High School Association released a reminder today regarding changes in contact rules during traditional fall football practices. The new restrictions on contact at practices go into full effect this season. Next week (July 27-31), member schools begin a week of conditioning practices in helmets only. Practices in pads begin the following week. Below is the reminder: All football coaches and ADs are reminded that the GHSA State Executive Committee adopted new contact restrictions which go into effect this fall. With practice starting soon, this is a good time to review these rules and requirements (which are found of page 68-69 of the 2015-16 Constitution & By-Laws): Full contact should be limited during practices as well as during activity outside of the traditional fall practice. (Note: No limitation is placed on activities defined below as “AIR, BAGS or CONTROL” contact.) (a) For purposes of this by-law, the following definitions shall apply: AIR - Players run a drill unopposed without contact; BAGS - Players run a drill against a bag or another soft-contact surface; CONTROL - Players run a drill at assigned speed until the moment of contact and one player is pre-determined the “winner” by the coach. Contact remains above the waist and players stay on their feet; THUD - Players run a drill at competitive speed through the moment of contact with no pre-determined “winner.” Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill; LIVE ACTION - Players run a drill in game-like conditions and is the only time that players are taken to the ground; FULL CONTACT - Contact which meets the definition of Live Action or Thud. (b) Pre-Season Practice: 1) Full contact shall be allowed in no more than 2 consecutive practice days per week; 2) Full contact during practice shall be limited to not more than 45 minutes per day; 3) Full contact during practice shall be limited to not more than 135 minutes per week; and 4) During any twice-daily practice, only one session per day shall include full contact. (c) Regular & Post Season Practice: 1) Full contact during practice shall be allowed in no more than three (3) practice days per week; 2) Full contact during practice shall not be allowed on more than two (2) consecutive days; 3) Full contact during practice shall be limited to not more than 30 minutes per day; 4) Full contact during practice shall be limited to not more than 90 minutes per week. (d) Written Practice Plans: A written practice plan in compliance with this by-law shall be prepared in advance by the head coach prior to every practice and maintained by the school for a period of at least twelve (12) months. Such practice plans shall be made available to the GHSA upon request. (e) Violations: The penalty to be imposed upon any member school found to have violated this by-law in any substantial manner shall be as follows: 1) First Offense: A fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2500 per violation at the discretion of the Executive Director. 2) Second Offense: The school shall be placed on probation and shall not be eligible to participate in post season play.

Cartersville Little League will be offering a Fall season of baseball which will begin Tuesday, August 25th. The age classifications will be 12u & 10u. Registration will be conducted on Saturday August 1st & 8th from 9am - 12pm at the upstairs field house located in Atco on Cross Sreet. The cost per child is $60 and the fee Includes jersey and hat. Each team will play two games each week (days to be determined) for six weeks for a 12 game schedule. Season will end in the first week of October.

Although the Georgia State University Panthers football program has struggled in the Football Bowl Subdivision, former Cass standout Tarris Batiste is excited for his team entering his redshirt senior season. Batiste has been one of the leading tacklers for the Panthers each of the last two seasons. Learn more about Tarris Batiste by checking out his 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' link on this site. For the full story, see Jason Greenberg's story, 'Former Colonel Batiste entering final season,' at The Daily Tribune News.

Information from the Cartersville Recreation Department and the Bartow County Recreation Department regarding registrations for football and football cheerleading this Fall. The county is also promoting registration for Fall volleyball and soccer. Cartersville Recreation Department Registration for Football & Football Cheerleading will be July 27 – Aug. 16 at the Dellinger Park office or online at www.cityofcartersville.org. Birth certificate required (unless previously submitted). Parent Orientation Class is required prior to registering. Pee Wee Flag Football: Ages 4-6 Age Control Date: Age prior to Sept. 1, 2015 Fee: $60 July 27 – Aug. 16 $70 Aug. 17 - Space Available Only +$20.00 Non-residence fee (if applies) Game Season Begins: week of September 14, 2015 Football: Ages 7-12 Age Control Date: Age prior to Sept. 1, 2015 Fee: $90 July 27 – Aug. 16 $100 Aug. 17 - Space Available Only +$20.00 Non-residence fee (if applies) Game Season Begins: week of September 14, 2015 Football Cheerleading: Ages 5-12 Age Control Date: Age prior to Sept. 1, 2015 Fee: $95 July 27 – Aug. 16 $105 Aug. 17 – Space Available Only +$20.00 Non-residence fee (if applies) These fees include pom poms, uniforms and socks Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department The Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting sign-ups through July 31 for the following sports: Flag Football ( 5-6 year olds)- $55.00 8 under, 10 under, 12 under football- $85.00 Cheerleading 6-12- $60.00 Volleyball- 6th, 7th, 8th grade Girls- $70 Soccer- U6 (co-ed), U8 Boys, U8 Girls, U10 Boys, U10 Girls, U12 Girls, U12 Boys, U14 Co-ed $80 For more information, call the BCPRD office at 770-387-5149 or visit their office at 31 Beavers Drive. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm. The office is closed on Sundays. Online registration is available at bartowcountryparksandrec.org.

Adairsville High School head football coach Eric Bishop begins his third season at the helm of the Tigers in 2015 and brings back a solid portion of the roster that went 10-2 last season and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the Georgia High School Association playoffs. After a 9-1 regular season and a region runner-up finish in Region 6-AAA behind Calhoun, Adairsville cruised past Cedartown 52-14 in the first round of the state playoffs. The Tigers fell the next week to eventual semi-finalist, Blessed Trinity, in the second round. Bishop is excited about the outlook for this year’s team. Especially on defense. “We actually return more starters, especially on defense, than we did going into last season. Our big task on the defensive side of the ball is to replace four defensive linemen.” the coach said. On offense, Bishop knows he and his staff have more of a challenge. “Offensively, we know we have our work cut out for us. We lost a 3-year starting quarterback in Marcus Childers, but we have Torrey Hale (5-9, 190, Sr.) and Roger Redd (Jr.) competing and working very hard to fill that position.” noted Bishop. Bishop has been encouraged by his quarterbacks’ preparation. “Our two quarterbacks have shown constant progress. They are working option drills and throwing the ball in 7-on-7s. They are doing everything we ask of them.” he added. “They are getting ready.” He also has seen his offensive line improve during the off season. “Our linemen have really worked hard. They’ve had a great off season working on speed, footwork, and agility.” Bishop stated. The Adairsville head coach noted the overall strength improvement of his club. “Strength-wise, we have really accomplished a lot in the weight room. Our guys continue to surprise us with their strength gains and that’s been going on since the end of last season.” said Bishop. Coach Bishop knows the 2015 edition has playmakers returning. He elaborated on a couple. “Marquel Lane (5-7, 150, Sr) is a senior who has started every game since arriving at Adairsville as a freshman. Some of our opposing coaches may think he’s never going to graduate.” Bishop joked. “He’s played 35 games so far in his career and he’s pretty specia.” Bishop added on Lane. “He’s done some really good things over the years and has stepped up as a leader this off-season. He will be a two-way player for us at receiver and corner plus help out on special teams.” Sydnee Johnson (5-9, 210, Sr.) is another key returnee for the Tigers. “Sydnee was a top rusher for us last year even in limited work in some games. His number of carries will probably go up this time. We hope he can stay healthy and carry this team offensively.” added the coach. The Tigers will continue their July workouts the remainder of this week. They have been practicing four days each week, Monday through Thursday, but will switch to the GHSA-required helmets only workouts next week (July 27-31). “We will do mostly install-type work during those helmets only, two-hour practices. We will get a lot of our offense, defense, and special teams installations completed.” Bishop responded. Adairsville will host Cass in a preseason scrimmage August 14 and open the season at Ridgeland August 21. “Since we play a regular season game a week before most everyone else, we will have twelve days in full pads to get ready for the Cass scrimmage. We have to make the most of that available time.” noted Bishop. “Then we go to Ridgeland the next week to open up, so we’ll use that next week to polish things up.” Bishop is sure fans will not want to miss seeing this year’s team perform. “We pride ourselves on being physical, especially on defense. We are going to really run to the football and take pride in handling big third down plays. Our goal is the three-and-out every offense, every series.” he said. “I also think we run an exciting offense,” continued the coach. “We will be in the pistol set, run the triple option, and throw the ball. I used to think it would be difficult to run the triple option and throw the ball well, but I think our learning curve over the years has allowed us to develop a way to do both successfully,” added Bishop. After the season opener at Ridgeland, the Tigers host Woodland on Thursday, August 27 before moving into their Region 6-AAA slate. Adairsville has region away games at Riggold (Sept. 11), Sonoraville (Sept. 25), Murray County (Oct. 9), and North Murray (Oct. 23). The Tigers’ home schedule includes games with Calhoun (Oct. 2), Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe (Oct. 16), Coahulla Creek (Oct. 30), and Gordon Central (Nov. 6). You can listen to high school football coverage live on your computer, on your mobile device, on your radio this season via Bartow Sports Zone and AM1270 WYXC Cartersville. On this site, just use the menu at the top of the page to select ‘Football Broadcasts.’ Then click the play button on the screen. That will connect you with our radio partner AM1270 WYXC Cartersville. The broadcast schedule includes games involving all four Cartersville and Bartow County football schools — Adairsville, Cartersville, Cass, and Woodland. Bartow Sports Zone and AM1270 WYXC will also broadcast a Friday morning (7am to 8am) coaches show throughout the entire high school season (starting July 24). Coaches from all four local programs are scheduled as regular guests to talk about their teams, upcoming games, and high school football in gneral. Charles Wilson will host the weekly coaches show and do the play-by-play on the games.