Sporting events are at a standstill at the Center of Anna Maria Island while the schools take a winter break.
But soon the players who participate in the annual rounds of soccer, basketball, football and volleyball will start up again, with the winter flag football leagues starting matches Jan. 11.
Meanwhile, there’s horseshoes and the pitchers in Anna Maria don’t slow down their game for the holidays, they celebrate them.
Dec. 22 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria horseshoe pits saw two teams advance to the knockout stage after posting 3-0 records during pool play.
Tim Sofran walked his way to the winner’s circle thanks to a game-ending double-ringer that put an exclamation point on his 26-15 victory over Tom Skoloda and Bob Palmer.
Action Dec. 24 saw Sofran again draw the walker chip and, once again, he found himself in the middle of a playoff. The team of Adin Shank and Ed Thorp drew the bye into the finals and watched as Sofran defeated Bob Rowley in a battle of walkers. The finals saw Shank and Thorp rally for a 21-20 come-from-behind victory over Sofran, ending his bid for a perfect week and giving Shank and Thorp the day’s bragging rights.
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.
At the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach, the week got going with the men taking the links Dec. 20 for their weekly modified-Stableford system match. Don Corrigan carded a plus-5, 5 points above his average quota points, to take the win. Herb Clauhs and Hoyt Miller were both a point back in second place.
The women usually play an individual-low-net match on Tuesday mornings but a brisk, heavy rain put a damper on their plans.
But the members took over the course Dec. 23 for a nine-hole scramble. The team of Don Corrigan, Nelson Eagle, Ken Nagengast and Larry Pippel combined on an 8-under-par 24 to seize clubhouse bragging rights for the day. Second place went to the team of Joe Cassese, John Cassese and John Kolojeski, who finished one stroke back.
On another pitch, at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton, registration has begun for the spring season of MAYSO.
The Manatee Area Youth Soccer Organization is one of the area’s oldest youth soccer clubs, first started in 1976 with the help of notable Islanders Ken Trent and Loretta Lease.
The club offers recreational play for ages 4-13 and the opportunity to compete with Manatee Magic, select travel teams for players ages 8-17.
Cost for the nine-week spring season is $125, which includes a full uniform. The season starts Jan. 24 with player evaluations.
Check in for the evaluations and team selection begins at 5:30 p.m. at G.T. Bray, where practices will start Feb. 14. The matches begin Feb. 26 and conclude May 7.
To register, go to mayso.org, create an account and add a participant.
Evaluations, by age, are scheduled as follows:
Jan. 24: U6 (2016-2017 birth years)
Jan. 25: U8 (2014-2015 birth years)
Jan. 26: U10 (2012-2013 birth years)
Jan. 27: U12 and up (2008-2011 birthyears)
For more information, contact Mayso at info@mayso.org or call me at 941-896-5720.