New year brings new sports season to island center
Out with the old, in with the new — sports season that is. The beginning of a new year brings more than resolutions, it brings the start of another round of youth and adult sports at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
The adult volleyball league got started Jan. 7 and continues through March 18 with playoffs and a championship match.
The NFL flag football league gets started Jan. 8 with the 18 and over division boasting six teams. All of their games take place on Wednesday evenings and the season runs through the March 20 Pro Bowl.
The 30 and over division, which also has six teams, gets started Jan. 9 and plays Thursday evenings. Its season concludes March 20 with Super Bowl and Pro Bowl games. The Pro Bowl will pit all stars from the 18 and over division against all stars from the 30-plus division.
And that brings us to the youth flag football league. The center boasts 24 teams in four age groups, topped by the 14-17 division with eight teams on the schedule.
The youth league gets started Jan. 11 with Tailgate Spirit Day. Coaches, fans, players and parents are encouraged to dress in team colors, and the team that shows the most spirit and creativity will win the spirit prize.
Starting at 11:30 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m., teams will play half games in a jamboree format. There will be a concession stand with food and refreshments and snow cones, activities, including a bounce house, and fans are encouraged to set up camp gear and spend the day tailgating to celebrate the upcoming season.
The youth leagues games will be played Monday through Friday evenings, some Saturday mornings and afternoons, leading up to the Super Bowl matchups March 21.
For more information, contact the center at 941-778-1908.
Horseshoe news
Outright champions opened a new year of horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits Jan. 1. Hank Huyghe and Bob Mason earned the only 3-0 pool-play record and were the day’s champs.
Two teams emerged from pool play during Jan. 4 horseshoe action and were left to battle it out for the day’s bragging rights. Bob Mason and Tim Sofran took out Bill Wright and Bob Palmer 23-14 in the finals. Mason remained perfect on the year with his second championship of the week.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
NFL Flag Football League schedule
5-7 Division
Jan. 11 11:30 a.m. Beaches Real Estate vs. Air & Energy
Jan. 11 11:45 a.m. Air & Energy vs. Miller Electric
Jan. 11 Noon Miller Electric vs. Beaches Real Estate
Jan. 13 6 p.m. Beaches Real Estate vs. Air & Energy
8-10 Division
Jan. 11 11:30 a.m. Dolphins vs. LPAC
Jan. 11 Noon Beach Bum vs. Manatee Diagnostic
Jan. 11 12:30 p.m. Beach Bistro vs. Beach Bums
Jan. 11 1 p.m. Cowboys vs. Tyler’s Ice Cream
Jan. 13 6 p.m. LPAC vs. Beach Bistro
11-13 Division
Jan. 11 1:30 p.m. Beach to Bay Const. vs. Will C. Photos
Jan. 11 2 p.m. Sandbar vs. Ravens
Jan. 11 2:30 p.m. LPAC vs. Eat Here
Jan. 13 7 p.m. Ravens vs. LPAC
Jan. 13 8 p.m. Sandbar vs. Eat Here
14-17 Division
Jan. 11 3 p.m. Integrity Sound vs. Swordfish Grill
Jan. 11 3:30 p.m. Jaguars vs. The Feast
Jan. 11 4 p.m. The Sun vs. Waterfront Restaurant
Jan. 11 4:30 p.m. Galati Yacht Sales vs. Bengals
Jan. 14 6 p.m. Jaguars vs. vs. Galati Yacht Sales
Jan. 14 7 p.m. Swordfish Grill vs. Integrity Sound
Jan. 14 8 p.m. The Feast vs. Bengals
18 and Over Division
Jan. 8 7 p.m. Slim’s Place vs. Beach Bistro
Jan. 8 8 p.m. Agnelli Pool vs. Duffy’s
Jan. 8 9 p.m. Waterfront vs. Beach to Bay Const.
30 and Over Division
Jan. 9 7 p.m. Jessie’s vs. Ross Built
Jan. 9 8 p.m. Tyler’s vs. Agnelli Pool
Jan. 9 9 p.m. IRE vs. Island Gourmet
Adult Volleyball
Jan. 14 6:30 p.m. Duncan Real Estate vs. Southern Greens
Jan. 14 7:30 p.m. Southern Greens vs. FL Discount Signs
Jan. 14 8:30 p.m. FL Discount Signs vs. Duncan Real Estate