Nationwide 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon set for September

Council Bluffs, IA — How long can you fish? Find out at the 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon on Sept. 10-11 and you could also help improve the very same waters you fish in.

Now in its second year, the event pits teams of anglers across the country against each other for a good cause that raises funds to help support responsible fishing and improve fish habitat. Teams also compete for top prizes such as the fishing trip of the lifetime, a guided trip with a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) tour-level pro, or a getaway to a remote lodge. Additional prizes include tackle from Berkley and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

This year the event is co-sponsored by BoatUS Angler, an advocacy and services association for recreational boat owners. It offers on-the-water towing, roadside assistance and angler’s boat insurance.

“Anglers will fish around the clock and around the nation to raise awareness of problems facing our fisheries, as well as raise money to help solve those problems,” said organizer Teeg Stouffer, executive director of Recycled Fish, a non-profit organization committed to responsible fishing practices. Proceeds are donated to Recycled Fish and the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water to support responsible fishing practices and waterway stewardship programs. The BoatUS Foundation has supported grassroots boater and angler educational programs for nearly 30 years and awarded over $1.1 million in grants to local boating and environmental organizations.

The 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon is open to freshwater anglers in all 50 states. To participate, anglers begin by becoming a Fish-A-Thon Ambassador / Team Leader at www.RecycledFish.org/FishAThon, and sign up their team of two to four anglers. After they receive their Fish-A-Thon welcome kit in the mail, each team member’ next step is to secure pledges from family, friends or co-workers for each hour they fish, which typically range from $10 to $75 an hour.

Next they go fishing. Lines are cast at 6 p.m.  Sept. 10 until 6 p.m. Sept. 11. During the event anglers are also encouraged to pick up any trash and use tackle that is easier on the environment, such as lead-free weights or biodegradable baits and lures, and practice good catch-and-release tactics.

Every team raising a minimum of $100 will get a complimentary 24-Hour Fish-A-Thon shirt. Additional prizes include tackle, apparel and gift cards.

Participating anglers take photos of their fish and self-score their catch at the online Angling Masters Fish Calculator, then submit their score to the Fish-A-Thon administrator. Top prizes go to the team with the most funds raised and the team with the highest score based on their best five fish photos. Additional prizes include tackle packages, apparel and gift cards. Prizes are also given for the best photos, the most ‘unusual’ trash picked up and more.

For complete Fish-A-Thon information and rules, go to www.RecycledFish.org, or contact Buddy Johns at buddy@recycledfish.org.

Unity to host baseball camp

The Unity baseball program will host a camp for youth interested in improving their skills on the diamond next weekend, May 1-2 at the high school. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 

Cost is $25 for K-4 students and $35 for 5-8 students. There is a discount for multiple participant families, and all campers receive a t-shirt. For more information on the camp and a copy of the camp entry form, click here and then click on the baseball camp page. 

The camp form says the deadline for the camp is April 27, but the Rockets will take late admissions. Please contact Unity High School (485-6230) and Coach Dan Cunningham for more details.

Veterans welcome home to be at Chiefs game

The VA Illiana Health Care System will have a welcome home event for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Saturday, Aug. 7 at a Peoria Chiefs baseball game in Peoria.  There will be food, prizes, children’s entertainment, live music, baseball, fireworks and information on Veterans benefits, programs and services.

The event is for Iraq and Afghanistan returning Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, National Guard and Reserve Members and their Families.

This year the welcome home planning committee is kicking things off with a t-shirt design contest. 

Any Veteran, Active Duty Service Member, National Guard or Reserves that would like to participate in this contest can do so through the entire month of April 2010.  Winners from this contest will be announced on May 3, 2010.  

For more information about the t-shirt design contest rules and regulations or the Aug. 7 welcome home event, please contact Heather Ketchem at 217-554-4315.

There will be a limited number of tickets given out for this event.

EIU to host baseball hitting camps

CHARLESTON — The Eastern Illinois baseball program will hold a spring clinic this year for area youth looking to improve their baseball skills. 

The Panthers’ camps take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 12, 19 and 26 at Coaches Stadium, and cost $90 per person. The camp is taught by EIU coaches and players and is open to boys and girls between grades 1-8. The camp is entirely focused on hitting.

For more information, contact EIU assistant coach Drew Locascio at (630) 302-1102.

Heritage to host alumni shootout

BROADLANDS — The 2010 Alumni/Staff Shootout will be held on Saturday, April 10th at the Heritage High School in Broadlands.

This shootout will be open to any Heritage, Homer or ABL Alumni. Donations will be accepted regardless of Shootout participation with all contributors donating $20.00 receiving a 2010 Alumni Shootout T-shirt.

Please send your name along with your donation to Andy Place or Dave Jones by March 31st in order to participate. Checks may be made out to Heritage Basketball and dropped off or mailed to Heritage Elementary School, 512 W. First St. Homer, Il. 61849. Contact Dave Jones at 637-7533 or Andy Place at 714-8206 with any questions regarding the 2010 Alumni Shootout.

All proceeds benefit the Heritage Basketball program.

Heritage JV wins

The Heritage varsity softball team didn't play last week, but the Hawks junior varsity topped Tuscola. This story did not make the Leader, so it's been posted here.

By DAN CUSACK

For the Leader

The Heritage High School softball team did not play last weekend after the Storm Classic in Catlin was rained out on Saturday. The team took a break from playing games because of spring break and the tournament was not rescheduled.

The junior varisty played Mattoon on Monday night and won the game 7-4. The Hawks led by as many as six, but surrendered three runs in the sixth inning.

"I thought we did a good job since we had not played in a long time," Boyer said, "Mattoon is a good time and is comparable to a smaller schools varsity program. We played well and got to get alot of players in."

The Hawks varsity will play two games next week, both of which are on the road. On Thursday they will travel to play Okaw Valley High School at 4:30 p.m.

On Monday they will travel to Villa Grove for another 4:30 p.m. start time.

The varsity is coming off of two wins a 12-0 victory against  against Oakwood on March 23, where the Hawks had twelve hits and Hillary Smith had the shutout. On March 26, the Hawks defeated Tuscola 3-1 and gave up no walks and no errors in the game.

The Hawks will play Martinsville on the road before hosting South Piatt on April 15. The next day they will host Arthur Lovington for a game with a designated hitter.