Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
FOOTBALL
+ Beloved PCD president Bennett dies
Buddy Bennett, president of the Plant City Dolphins football and cheerleading organization, died Tuesday morning, team sources confirmed.
Bennett, who worked tirelessly with the Dolphins for 21 years, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013. Even in the face of the diagnosis, Bennett was known for toughing it out in order to be with the teams at all times.
Anyone who wishes to talk about Bennett for an upcoming story can contact Sports reporter Justin Kline via email by Monday, Feb. 16.
+ Ward resigns from PCHS varsity team
Plant City High School head coach Wayne Ward has stepped down from his position for personal reasons, the school and coach confirmed on Tuesday.
Ward, the program’s head coach for the last six years, says that he decided to step down in order to devote more time to family matters.
“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Ward told the Times & Observer on Tuesday.
He will continue to teach at Plant City High.
Ward first announced his resignation with a Facebook post, addressed to both players past and present and his coaching staff.
“Having had the ability to positively help change the lives of so many young men through the game of football has been such a tremendous blessing and (an) opportunity I do not take for granted,” Ward wrote. “I have taken this program as far as I could take it and I look forward to the next chapter of my life.”
Athletic director Traci Durrance has not yet hired Ward’s replacement, as of press time, though it is likely that the school could choose to promote from within the current coaching staff.
BASEBALL
+ PCLL holding Senior/Big League sign-ups
Plant City Little League is bringing back Senior and Big League Baseball for boys age 15-18.
Anyone who wishes to play must be registered by Saturday, March 7. Contact Jeffrey Jacobsen for registration information at (813) 468-9362 or email jakesteraider@yahoo.com.
MARTIAL ARTS
+ Robertson defeats Vorce by decision
Plant City-based mixed martial arts fighter Kristi Vorce had her second consecutive title fight Saturday, Feb. 7, but did not leave with a new strap.
Gillian Robertson won the rematch by split decision, after surviving a third-round barrage of Vorce’s flying fists, and kept her strawweight title.
Vorce’s next fight is already scheduled for March 7 at Rival Fight League, in Lakeland, though her next opponent has not yet been determined.
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
+ Collegiate tourney returns to P.C.
The National Club Baseball and Softball associations are coming back to Plant City for the annual Spring Training Showcase tournaments.
This year marks the tenth time the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World has hosted the events, and full schedules have recently been released for online viewing. Plenty of big names will be participating, such as Florida, Ohio State, Indiana, Kentucky, Penn State, UCF, Virginia Tech, Florida State and Florida Gulf Coast.
For info on the baseball tournament, visit http://ncbaspringtraining.weebly.com/. For info on the softball tournament, visit http://ncsaspringtraining.weebly.com/.