Tradition says a column suggesting gift ideas would be appropriate this week.
Because I know readers of this column are smart and have completed their holiday shopping well before today, I will instead look ahead to several projects in the works for our community in the coming year.
Let’s start with a party.
Tom Lampkin, the retired major league catcher who coaches Union High School baseball, is working to secure scoreboards for all of the varsity baseball and softball diamonds at the high schools of Evergreen Public Schools.
To do that, he has revived a popular event of a few years back.
The 2010 Western Night with the Stars will be held on Jan. 23 at the Clark County Fairgrounds to raise funds for the Clark County Youth Sports Foundation, a not-for-profit Lampkin helped found in 2003.
The foundation staged successful Western-themed dinner and auction events in 2003 and 2004. Money raised during those events funded grants that assisted some 30 Clark County organizations involved with youth sports.
The foundation’s mission is to assist sports programs with facility and equipment improvements that make programs safer and more fun for kids.
After a less successful event in 2005, the CCYSF decided to take a break from fundraising projects.
The decision to try again started with Lampkin’s desire to use some CCYSF funds to help improve the drainage at several area high school baseball diamonds — including Union’s. When Lampkin learned that the Union project was covered by the school district’s long-range plan (and scheduled to be complete in time for the coming season) the foundation’s board of directors turned to the idea of adding scoreboards at high school diamonds.
Lampkin hopes to clear the $80,000 needed to install eight scoreboards. He said the scoreboards will benefit youth teams as well as the high school programs, noting that club teams use the high school fields.
The CCYSF has lined up a band, an emcee, and a variety of auction items. As was the case at past parties, Lampkin has invited some of his baseball pals to appear — though he’s not ready to name names.
To learn more, or to buy a $55 ticket, visit the Clark County Youth Sports Foundation at www.ccysf.org.
Lacrosse anyone?
Another stick and ball sport continues to gain popularity here, and Manju Mayachar hopes to ride that momentum. He has formed the Southwest Washington Youth Lacrosse Club (www.swwashingtonlacrosse.org).
Maychar coaches youth teams in Portland. A Clark County resident, he wants to increase the sport’s footprint here beginning in the spring.
Describing the sport as a mix of football, hockey and soccer, Maychar said part of the attractions of lacrosse is that just about any kid can play.
“As long as the kid is somewhat fast and a little coordinated, they’ll do well in lacrosse,” he said.
King’s Way Christian School introduced boys lacrosse to Clark County five years ago, and has done quite well with the sport. The King’s Way program (www.kingswaylacrosse.org) has about 100 youth players in grades 5-8 and varsity, junior varsity, and JV-2 high school teams. For the spring 2010 season, the King’s Way varsity is jumping to the top level of competition in the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse Association.
The King’s Way teams are open to anyone who lives in Clark County, including boys who attend other high schools.
Dave Holler, the King’s Way head coach, said he welcomes another program in Southwest Washington.
“I hope he’s successful,” Holler said, explaining that he supports any attempt to grow participation in the sport.
Maychar plans to start with a team for boys in grades 5-6 and one for boys in grades 7-8. He also hopes to form a team of girls and boys in grades 3-4.
He will get the ball rolling with a clinic on Jan. 16, and is busy collecting used equipment so that players can give the game a shot before investing in lacrosse pads.
He is confident that kids who try the sport will stick around.
“The sport itself will get the kids playing,” Maychar said. “All I have to do is get them here.”
Watch for …
— Clark County Youth football has opened up online registration for its fall 2010 season. Through Jan. 31, register online for $150, a $50 discount, at www.ccyf.com.
— Area Little Leagues will be signing up players for the 2010 season in January. A list of registration times will be published next Tuesday in the Sports section.
— The Vancouver Lake Half Marathon will run as scheduled on Jan. 24. Though county parks are closed to vehicles during the winter, the Clark County Running Club’s permit will be honored and the parking lots at Vancouver Lake Park will be open during the race — which is full. Russ Zornick of the Clark County Running Club said the race likely will move to the spring after this year.
Paul Danzer covers Community Sports for The Columbian. Reach him at 360-735-4521 or paul.danzer@columbian.com.
