FTNFebruary202613-24 by Family Time News

SENIOR MUSINGS

miles an hour, should be easy enough.

With all this talk about youth sports and fun vs. competition, it’s about time us old guys get to weigh in.

Being a big baseball fan and long time Yankees supporter, the off season brings hope that next season they will raise that 29th world championship banner. It also creates an itch! It creates an itch that only donning a pair of cleats and digging into the batter’s box can scratch.

So, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I took my old bones down to the softball diamond to play a little weekend warrior softball with younger guys that are all out of shape. My head tells me that I am in good shape and despite my age, can still run with the young bucks. However, my body has a slightly different opinion and therein lies the rub!

Hitting a softball that some fat guy hurls at you at a blazing speed somewhere around 18

Well, the first couple of swings would seem to contradict that statement. After flailing away at a couple of slow moving pitches, the barrel of my bat accidentally crashes into the ball, sending it screaming down the third base line. I come flying out of the batter’s box and am really moving (in my own mind)!

I round first while some middle aged accountant jogs after the ball in left field. As I approach second, I realize that a triple is within reach!

I make the turn at second and stare down the accountant in left, challenging his gun against my wheels and dash for the bag

as the accountant uncorks a rocket towards third. As I arrive, so does the ball and I slide under the tag... Safe! is the call. The old guy legged out a three bagger!

The next morning I awake with great anticipation, I have defied father time and I feel great! As I arise from my slumber, my thighs begin screaming at me and the challenge for the day will be how will I ever be able to tie my shoes.

So, for this Weekend Warrior it’s not so much about fun vs. competition, it’s about walking vs. not walking!

‘til next month, thenThe Senior Muser

YFSN

SPORTS MEDICINE UPDATE

If baseball continues to be “America’s Pastime,” prevention of injury needs to become the number one priority.

For years, the arm injury rate in youth baseball has been on the rise. Due to this trend, several years ago, dramatic steps were taken by Little League Baseball® to make youth baseball a safer and healthier sport. This effort has been successful in curtailing many of traumatic injuries due to overuse. However, there is much more work to be done.

The initial step taken at Little League to decrease arm injuries was the development of the pitch count rules, with which everyone reading Family Time News, needs to be familiar! The pitch count rules were generated after long periods of study and research at USA Baseball and the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI).

With regard to overuse injuries that occur in youth baseball, fatigue continues to be the driving factor. There is a 36 to 1 increased incidence that players can injure their throwing shoulder and/or elbow. Parents should remember the jeopardy they’re putting their young players in when fatigue occurs. Little League International has done a lot to educate their coaches, players, parents and grandparents about the risks involving fatigue and arm injuries, and what

steps need to be taken to play the game safely. It’s also important to note that Little League also passed rules to limit “pitcher moving to catcher” and vice versa, in the same game, to limit additional throwing.

The number-one risk factor of arm injuries for our youth continues to be year-round baseball or softball. If parents understand the injury risk factors, it only takes common sense to be able to recognize what to do to decrease injuries. In the case of year-round baseball or softball, it is recommended that young players have at least 2 months off each year where they are not playing any type of overhead sports. Preferably, it is recommended 3 to 4 months off each year. Even professional baseball players get that period of time off, and certainly our kids are more vulnerable to injury than our mature professional players!

The second risk factor is playing in more than one league at the same time. Certainly, for those parents that have their children participating in Little League, they should try to make sure their children do not participate in more than one league at the same time. When multiple leagues are played in the same season, there are few safeguards and the chance of

overuse injuries goes way up.

Some showcases are very well organized and have the health and well-being of the young players as their top priority. There are other showcases, however, that are not well organized and carry a high injury rate. Today’s parents, unfortunately, and mistakenly, consider showcases as a way for their child to get scouted for both college scholarships and professional play.

Showcases don’t mean nearly as much as parents think they do, and they can produce serious injuries over a concentrated weekend period.

Youth pitchers should avoid curve balls. The problem with curve balls at an early age is that it is a highly sophisticated neuromuscular controlled pitch that is difficult to throw. Not throwing curveballs until old enough to shave is recommended. That means pitchers have gone through puberty and their bones have matured.

Poor mechanics continue to cause injuries, so working on good mechanics for any position in youth baseball is extremely important. While seeking out a pitch coach to learn good mechanics sounds like a good idea, there is a caution involved here as well. Pitching lessons add an additional work load that could cause harm.

WHAT’S UP IN FEBRUARY?

CLEARWATER

PARKS AND RECREATION (727) 562-4800

THE MARKET MARIE

Saturday, February 14th

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

710 Court Street, Downtown Clearwater

Shop local at The Market Marie with over 85 small business owners every second Saturday in Downtown Clearwater.

Enjoy live music, delicious food, art, clothing, jewelry, henna, handmade candles, soap, pet treats, home goods and more. Event is located next to the City of Clearwater Municipal Svcs Bldg,

SUMMER CAMP 2026 CAMP BY THE SEA

Parking is FREE and can be found throughout downtown. The closest parking garage is the city employee parking garage located diagonally from the field. The garage is FREE on the weekends.

FUNTASTIC FRIDAYS AT COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION CENTER

Morningside Camps are the place to be this summer, where children learn, grow, and make lifetime friends and memories. With our Camp by the Sea theme, each day is filled with creativity, adventure, and hands-on fun that keeps kids engaged and excited

It’s the perfect mix of learning and laughter, all wrapped up in a summer experience they’ll be talking about long after it ends.

For more information, call (727)562-4280 or email

Kelsey.Mccray@myclearwater.com

SUMMER CAMP: JUNE 1 - AUGUST 7

GRADES 1-7; 7:30AM TO 6PM

COST:

$990 W/ REC CARD PLUS $1 125 W/ REC CARD

562-4280

Friday, February 27th| 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM Join Countryside Recreation Center for their monthly parent’s night out! Drop your kids off at Countryside for a fun night of pizza, games, and excitement! Cost $7 with recreation card, $8 without a recreation card. For More Info Call (727)-669-1914

2026 CLEARWATER SEA-BLUES FESTIVAL

Saturday-Sunday , February 28th| and March 1st 2:00 PM to 11:59 PM Clearwater’s signature waterfront blues event @ Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St. in Clearwater.

Tutoring & School

Be Smart Summer Classics Camp

JUNE AND JULY 2026

Join us for classic summer fun + built-in learning!

Daily math & reading blocks, art, STEAM, outdoor games and weekly themes.

Experienced certified tutors + low ratios • Ages PreK-6

9a-4p • Aftercare until 5:30p • Limited spots so reserve now!

727.344.9279 NE St Pete location www.besmarttutoringandschool.com besmarttutoringandschool@gmail.com

Make a splash this summer with Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Marine Science Summer Camps! Where education meets real-world exploration!

Each week-long camp is packed with hands-on activities, exciting animal encounters and unforgettable experiences designed to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates. Campers will explore Florida’s coastal ecosystems through activities that may include snorkeling in seagrass beds, kayaking through estuaries and discovering marine life in its natural habitat - all depending on camp theme and age group. Campers will also get to know our resident animals while learning about marine biology, conservation and animal care.

Morning & Afternoon Camps for Ages 5-11

Full Day & 1/2 Day Camps for Ages 12-18

• Camps are fun, educational and unforgettable! •

The FREE festival is known for its amazing blues performances, outdoor casual vibes and unbeatable seafood tastings.

Artists and Lineup for 2026: (All artists and times are subject to change.)

Saturday, February 28th

2 p.m., Ben Prestage

3:15 p.m., Angela Easley

4:30 p.m., Selwyn Birchwood

6 p.m., Mathias Lattin

7:30 p.m., Robert Jon & The Wreck

Sunday, March 1st

2 p.m., Ben Prestage

3:15 p.m., Parker Barrow

4:30 p.m., Piper & The Hard Times

6:15 p.m., Gypsy Blue Revue

7:30 p.m., North Mississippi Allstars

Special thanks go to the Suncoast Blues Society for sponsoring the Local Spotlight Stage. For More Info Call (727) 562-4700

DUNEDIN RECREATION (727) 812-4530

WELCOME BACK BLUE JAYS

Saturday, February 14th from noon to 3pm. @ TD Ball Park

The City of Dunedin welcomes back the reigning American League Champion Toronto Blue Jays for Spring Training with an open house event at TD Ballpark. All are welcome for the FREE event on Saturday, February 14 from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. The event kicks off with a golf cart parade coordinated by Dunedin Goes Carting around

downtown Dunedin with the parade concluding at TD Ballpark. Bring your creativity, community spirit and Blue Jays pride for a day full of fun and festivities.

Parade staging will begin at 11 a.m. at the Mease Dunedin Parking lot. The parade will kick off at 12:30 p.m.

Inside the stadium, attendees can enjoy live music, games, prizes, exclusive photo opportunities, and free hot dogs while supplies last. There will also be a TD Ballpark garage sale featuring unique Blue Jays items to add to your collection, which will benefit Jays Care Foundation Florida. For More Info Call 727-733-9302

MARDI GRAS

Tuesday, February 17th | 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM Celebrate Fat Tuesday in downtown Dunedin with an evening full of music, food, and classic Mardi Gras energy. Dunedin Mardi Gras takes place on Tuesday, February 17, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The City of Dunedin will host the Mardi Gras parade, featuring colorful floats traveling along Douglas Avenue from Beltrees Street to Skinner Boulevard. The parade begins at 7 p.m. and is a longtime community favorite.

The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is organizing the street festival portion of the evening, bringing live music, musical artists, and a festive downtown atmosphere to complement the parade. Visitors can enjoy

food and drinks from local businesses, live performances throughout the night, and the excitement that fills the streets before and after the parade.

This is a community-wide celebration designed for residents and visitors to enjoy downtown Dunedin together. For everyone’s safety and comfort, pets and coolers are not permitted. For parade information or to be a part of the parade, contact alicia. castricone@dunedin.gov.

SEMINOLE

LARGO CENTRAL PARK TRAIN RIDES

Saturday and Sunday February 7th & 8th

Join us for a ride around beautiful Largo Central Park on our miniature railroad on the first full weekend of the month.. The accurately modeled scale locomotives pull you and your family along a mile-long loop through great scenery, the spooky tunnel, and our waterfall pond. Fun for all ages!

There is no charge for this family-fun activity, but donations are welcome. Your contributions keep the trains running.

FEBRUARY CURTAIN CALLS

AMERICAN STAGE

RAYMOND JAMES THEATRE

163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. (727) 823-PLAY (7529)

THE SCARLET LETTER by Kate Hamill based on the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne Closes February 15th

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening curtain is at 7:30pm

Friday and Saturday evening curtain is at 8 pm

Saturday and Sunday matinee curtain is at 3 pm

FREEFALL THEATRE

6099 Central Avenue St. Petersburg 727-498-5205

HIMSELF AND NORA

book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Brielle

January 30th - March 8th

Wednesdays and Sundays, 2:00 pm Thursdays, 7:00 pm

Fridays and Saturdays, 8:00 pm

JOBSITE

THE

COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare Closes February 8th

jobsitetheater.org

For tickets go to tickets@jobsitetheater.org or call the Straz Center Box Office at 813.229.STAR

STAGEWORKS

1120 E Kennedy Blvd Tampa 813-251-8984

COMING

MARCH

EIGHT O’CLOCK THEATRE

Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo (727) 587-6793

MY FAIR LADY book & lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner music by Fredrick Loewe February 27th - March 8th

FRANCIS WILSON

PLAYHOUSE

302 Seminole Street, Clearwater 727-446-1360

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING by Frank Loesser February 12th - March 1st

ST PETE CITY THEATRE

4025 31st Street S, St. Petersburg 727-866-1973

JAKE’S WOMEN by Neil Simon February 6th - 15th

Save some time and fill out the waiver online. (Note that this resets each day, so please only fill it out just before you arrive).

THE LARGO EVENING MARKET

Saturday February 28th

Join them on the 4th Saturday of the month and wander through different tents adorned with artisanal goods, from handmade jewelry to organic produce, all while enjoying the music from local musicians. There will be food trucks onsite for purchase.

Please email TheLargoEveningMarket@ gmail.com for vendor inquires for this market.