South Lee sports briefs: June 17, 2006

Baseball camp

Team Turco Baseball Camp for ages 6-17 will be held at Estero High School July 10-14 and July 17-21. Sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Cost is $125 per week, or $230 for both weeks. To register, call Estero High baseball coach Frank Turco at 826-7088.

Mustangs to hold registration

Estero Mustangs Youth Football and Cheerleading will hold registration for the fall 2006 season on June 17, July 1, 15, 22, and 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mustang Field on Williams Rd. in Estero. The program is open to boys and girls ages 5-15 (as of Aug. 1, 2006). Cost is $135 for football and $160 for cheer. A current picture copy of original birth certificate, proof of residence (utility bill, etc.), copy of 2005-06 fourth quarter report card and physical dated 2006 are required. The season starts August 1. Volunteer coaches are needed. For more information contact Paul (football) 949-0093 or crz4fbch@earthlink.netor Emily (cheer) 949-7226 or EMCD1040@aol.com.

Miracle reading program starts

The Fort Myers Miracle have teamed up with Dunkin Donuts to promote reading for kids in Southwest Florida. The program called "Books and Bats" asks students to read four books over the summer. Students may pick up a bookmark from Lee County public school teachers, Lee County public librarians, the Lee County Sports Complex or Dunkin Donuts locations. They will record what books they have read on the bookmark, then return the completed bookmark to any Lee County Dunkin Donuts (some exceptions may apply). Students will receive their choice of two Dunkin donuts or a Dunkin Donuts smoothie and two tickets to a Miracle Baseball game for Monday, June 19 or Tuesday, July 18.

The Miracle have promoted summer reading with the "Books & Bats" program for the past seven years and this is the first year Dunkin Donuts has been a sponsor.

Miracle tickets can be used by both children and parents. All students 12 years of age and younger are eligible to participate in the "Books & Bats" program. Students can participate as many times as they want during the summer. For more information contact the Miracle office at 239-768-4210.

Local golfers advance to 4-Ball final The team of Ben Lane and Kevin Johnson fired a 68 at Gateway Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers to lead four teams who advanced to the 57th Florida State Four-Ball Championship at the Westin Innisbrook Golf Resort on July 8-9.

Lane of Fort Myers and Johnson of Naples earned medalist honors shooting a 68. The Bradenton pair of Jack Klomp and Roger Osterling shot a 69 to qualify as did Bradley Schuchat of Bradenton and Eddie Bass of University Park. Jason Camp of Naples and Keith Martin from Riverview claimed the final spot in a playoff after posting a 70.

Gulf Coast League starts June 20

The Gulf Coast League will begin June 20 when Minnesota Twins rookies host Cincinnati Reds rookies at the Lee County Sports Complex in south Fort Myers at noon.

The Red Sox's home opener will be June 21 against the Pirates at the Red Sox Player Development Complex on Edison Ave. in Fort Myers.

The remainder of the Twins home schedule is: Pirates (June 23, 29, July 7, 13, 21, 27, Aug. 4, 10, 17), Red Sox (June 24, July 3, 8, 17, 22, 31, Aug. 5, 12, 19), Reds (June 27, July 5, 12, 18, 25, 26, 8, 16).

The remainder of the Red Sox home schedule is: Reds (June 23, 29, July 7, 14, 21, 27, 28, Aug. 10, Aug. 17), Twins (June 26, Aug. 1, 10, 15, 24, 29, Aug. 7, 14, 21), Pirates (June 28, July 4, 12, 18, 26, Aug. 1, 9, 15).

All GCL games start at noon.

Former NBA player to speak at YMCA

Former NBA guard Wali Jones will host a free basketball clinic at the Bonita Springs YMCA on Aug. 5 from 3-5 p.m. Jones works for Tournament of Champions, Inc. For more information call 813-340-7657.

Summer camps at FGCU

The Florida Gulf Coast University Athletic Department is offering day and overnight camps in volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and cheerleading. All camps take place on the FGCU campus. Overnight campers will be housed in on-campus air-conditioned student housing with constant supervision. The FGCU summer camps are designed to introduce basic game strategy, teach the fundamentals of sports, and enhance skills that each participant will be able to use to reach his or her potential. For more information visit www.fgcu.edu/athletics.

Benefit golf

The Healthy Start Annual Golf Classic will be held June 24 at West Bay Club in Estero. The four-man scramble will include breakfast, lunch and awards. To register, call 425-6920.

Fitness program at Wa-Ke Hatchee

Boys and girls ages 11-13 are invited to participate in a wellness and fitness program at Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, 16760 Bass Road in Fort Myers. The three day, nine-hour program will assist youths in developing a healthy lifestyle plan that will cover the impact of positive and negative peer pressure, low/high self esteem, the seven healthy lifestyle factors, the decision-making process and how to identify healthy lifetime activities through recreation and fitness. All activities will be age appropriate. Sessions are July 11, 18, and 25 from 2-5 p.m. in the Lexington Middle School complex off Summerlin Road. Cost is $10. To register, call 432-2154.