From Staff Reports

   
Hosts for Pirates players still needed for summer
   The Athens Pirates baseball team is still seeking volunteer host families for the 2002 Summer season. There are approximately 12 players seeking a family to live with for the summer.
   The season begins in June and ends the last week of July. Each host family player has a summer job through a jobs program with Ryan's Steakhouse. Let your Little Leaguer spend the summer being tutored by an all-star player.
   In the past four years, the Pirates have had 18 players sign Major League contracts. The following are currently in Class A ball: Jeff Keppinger (Hickory Crawdads), Ben Hudson (Everett Aqua Sox), Chris Crawford (Charleston River Dogs), Anthony Boughner (Bluefield Orioles), Zack Wyckoff (Eugene Emeralds), Matt Gunderson (Kalamazoo Kings) and Chris Warren (Sarasota Red Sox).
   For more information, contact Bill Park at (706) 354-6789.

Victoria Bryant ready for May 15 re-opening
   Highland Walk at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston will re-open May 15 after completing a year-long renovation and expansion project.
   The course was converted from a nine-hole to an 18-hole layout. Georgia's own Denis Griffiths designed an entirely new layout for the 6,421-yard, par 72 course that incorporates steep hills and towering pines. Water comes into play on four holes and the course includes 28 bunkers.
   The fairways are Tif 419 Bermuda and the greens are Tif Eagle Bermuda. Additional improvements include a new 4,000-square foot clubhouse and 4.5 acre practice facility with golf range and large putting green.
   The 18-hole fee with a cart is $28 Monday through Friday and $33 on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Golfers 62 and older are eligible for a senior discount of $5 off the 18-hole rate. The cost for juniors, 18-and-under, is only $5 except for weekend mornings.
   For tee times and more information call (706) 245-6770.

Ex-Yankee to host Showcase Baseball Clinic
   Ron Blomberg, a former New York Yankee and the first designated hitter in major league baseball history, will host a ''Showcase'' Clinic for college transfers, junior college players and high school varsity players at Norcross High School June 8-9.
   There are three different sessions: Session I -- 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on June 8; Session II -- 1:30-5:30 p.m. on June 8; and Session III -- 1-4:30 p.m. on June 9. Saturday's sessions will be for hitting and fielding and Sunday's session will be for pitching and catching.
   Pro scouts and college recruiters will be in attendance. Cost for all sessions is $125. For Saturday only it is $100 and for Sunday only it is $50. For more information, call (770) 649-0488 or e-mail CJDespagni@aol.com.

Big Kahuna Nationals just one week away
   In one week, motorcycles take over the Road Atlanta race course in Braselton when the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals come to town May 17-19.
   Honda's Nicky Hayden is the defending championand currently 60 points ahead of Anthony Gobert, followed by Aaron Yates of Milledgeville two points behind in third.
   Yates will run both the Superbike and Pro Honda Oils Supersport races at Road Atlanta. He won this third straight Supersport race aboard his Blimpie Yoshimura Suzuki Sunday at Sears Point and is the points leader. Yates also finished second two weeks ago to Hayden in the Superbike race at Sears Point.
   Tickets for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals areavailable by calling 1-800-849-RACE or by visiting www.roadatlanta.com.

Franklin Co. soccer camp scheduled for June
   Soccer coaches nationally licensed in Great Britain will lend a cultural accent to the Challenge Sports British Soccer Camp being held this summer in Franklin County.
   Sponsored by the Franklin County Soccer organizations, the soccer camp will be held June 10-14 at Franklin County Middle School. Fees range from $86 to $136, depending on the age of the child and whether he or she will attend full-day or half-day sessions.
   Full days run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children ages 9 to 19. Half days from 5-8 p.m. are for children ages 5-8.
   For information call Ricky Whitworth at (706) 356-0381.