Youth: Alfonso, baseball greats to give expert coaching tips

To that end, Alfonso has organized a three-hour, coaches-only session scheduled for Jan. 10.

The location is still to be confirmed.

Alfonso says that his list of clinic assistants will include famed knuckleballer Joe Niekro, his son, Lance Niekro, Cookie Rojas, and Gene Clines. Also will be participating will be Naples High grad Jeff Smith, now with the Texas Rangers organization, as well as assorted local high school coaches.

"We're going to cover everything," Alfonso said this week. The 1968 Naples High grad has just completed his 17th season in the Giants' organization. "We have some great guys coming to help and I know the coaches will get a lot out of it."

Proceeds generated from the clinic will go to the competition dance team at Naples High School, where is daughter, Danielle, is a sophomore.

Alfonso says he has contacted area Little League presidents.

Those who would like to participate or wishing to find out more may leave him a voice message at 888-206-8069.

The Naples Community Sailing Center will be hosting the Naples Cup Regatta this weekend at Lowdermilk Park. Approximately 160 youth sailors are expected to compete in the annual event hosted by the NCSC, which was founded in 1991.

The NCSC youth racing team is comprised of sailors ranging from ages 8 to 18, and some of the older sailors will be sailing full rig lasers.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., on Saturday and the first warning signal is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

The boats will be on the water until about 4 p.m., and racing will start again Sunday morning at 9:30.

For more information on the NCSC call (239) 825-4528.

The Naples Sharks Under-10 East boys soccer team won the Black (Premier) Division of the Largo Halloween Tournament held Oct. 25-26 in Largo.

Naples upset the reigning Region C Division I champion Central Pasco Spartans, 3-2, in the championship match. The Sharks made it into finals with a 2-0-1 record, opening with a 4-4 tie against the St. Petersburg Raiders and following up with wins over the Blackwatch soccer club (5-0) and the New Tampa Comets (6-1).

Diego Vargas, Sam Pettit, Austin Gagnon, Ryan Gingras, Owen McCorkle and Jonathan Lama all scored goals in the tournament. Cole Dubois, Hugo Paredes, Brian Marulanda, Brian Rapacz and goalkeeper Elio Gorrostieta all played well defensively.

The U-10 East boys begin their regular season next weekend in Division I of the South Florida United League against the Coral Springs Storm. John Aponte and Elio Gorrostieta, Sr. will coach, and the team will be trained by Rob Gemert.