Blaze 5, Nuts 2

At Sam Lynn Ball Park

Local anglers Dennis Polm and Don Crabtree easily outdistanced the rest of the 22-boat field at last weekend's Kern County Bassmaster 2-day tournament. Nailing 14-plus-pounds for Saturday and a mere third place for day one, the duo shocked the rest of the teams by bringing in nearly 26 pounds on Sunday. Anchored by Crabtree's giant 12.25-pound biggest bass of the event, their 39.50-pound, 10-fish, two-day limit easily took them over the top and onto a well-earned victory.

Using smoke colored Yamamoto Senkos, the duo found lots of bass on isolated cover throughout the North and South Forks. The fish were attracted by shad and crappie fry just below the surface, and the team had their limit, and the tournament won, by 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Kern County, southern San Joaquin Valley

BOB'S BAIT CATFISH DERBY: The month-long Bob's Bait Catfish Derby kicked off July 1 with a $100 cash prize going to the angler who weighs in the biggest catfish at Bob's Bait in Bakersfield during July. The current leader is Henry Romero, Bakersfield, with a 14-pound cat from the aqueduct. Pre-registration required.

Daniel Richardson, who attended Patriot School last year and competes for Team RAW (Ready and Willing) Track Club, placed second in the Midget Boys Division pentathlon Thursday at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.

Richardson battled all day with the eventual winner Austin Hornbaker of the Arizona Cheetahs Track Club, and amassed 2,493 points - just shy of Hornbaker's 2495.

Sherri Cruse of Bakersfield will be seeking gold today in women's Super X motocross competition.

Cruse, an ESPN Summer X-games silver medalist in 2008, injured her wrist in May and has not competed since.

Getting the monkey off your back, no longer being a bridesmaid or finally breaking through. There are a lot of phrases used for doing something you haven't done for a while or for the first time. This past weekend at Sundale Country Club, Chris McCracken not only won his first amateur golf tournament, he did it with flair -- a 4-under 32 on the the last nine holes when it seemed like Manav Shah had the tournament almost locked up.

McCracken, the 24-year-old ex-basketball player from Stockdale High who just completed his sophomore year on the Bakersfield College golf team, trailed Shah by four shots as the final group made the turn and after Shah birdied the par-5 14th, he trailed by three. But the smooth-swinging lefty holed birdie putts on the 15th and 17th holes, then 2-putted from just off the fringe for a birdie on the par-5 finishing hole to beat Shah and Greg Patchett by a single stroke. McCracken, who will be going to Cal State Stanislaus in the fall, shot 68-69 for a 7-under 137 total.

Blaze 10, Nuts 3

At Sam Lynn Ball Park

Sam Marcus was back where it all began on Tuesday to announce the next chapter of his basketball career.

Sitting at a table next to three of his former coaches and with his family and numerous former teammates in attendance inside the Bakersfield United Gym, the recent Liberty graduate signed a ceremonial letter of intent with Cal State Stanislaus.

Announcements
Baseball
Bakersfield Southwest Baseball League is taking sign-ups for the fall season, ages 5-16 as well as club and travel teams. Play is for 10 weeks on Saturdays or Sundays. Visit bswb.org
Cycling
Local sponsorship information for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California is now available online at BakersfieldAmgen.com and at the Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, 515 Truxtun Ave., the Bakersfield Sports Foundation and the Local Organizing Committee announced. Local organizers are seeking to secure community support before submitting a bid to AEG, owners and operators of the Amgen Tour of California. The Local Organizing Committee plans to submit a bid to AEG in mid-August and expects the announcement of host cities to be made in October. The LOC hopes to attract the largest professional cycling race in North America to Bakersfield for the second consecutive year. Stage 5 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California finished atop the Panorama Bluffs in front of Bakersfield College on May 20 with an estimated 15,000 people in attendance. The largest cycling event in America, the 2011 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, which challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 15-22, 2011.
Golf
The Kern River Men’s Golf Club’s next tournament is for Aug. 1 at Kern River. The format: Handicapped individual stroke play. Entry fee includes green fees, lunch and proximity contests. Optional Skins competition also available. To enter visit the pro shop or call (661) 872-5128.  
Soccer
Bakersfield Velocity club is having open tryouts for its U16 boys team 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Garden Park this week and next. Call 302-9601.
Bakersfield Gunners boys U16 team is looking to finalize its roster for the upcoming season. The team will be playing in the Coast Soccer League. If you are interested in becoming a member of the team, contact coach Valentine Sanchez (661) 345-6388 for a tryout.
Softball
Bakersfield Rebels Softball Organization will be hosting tryouts for 10U and 12U players 9 a.m.-noon July 31 at the Rebels softball field behind Olive Drive Church (5500 Olive Dr.). In addition, open workouts and tryouts will be held in August for all ages. Dates will be posted soon. Visit eteamz.com/bakersfieldrebels or contact Marlece at 665-0229.
Central Cal Intensity (CCI) 12U travel fastpitch team will have a tryout Aug. 7 at Standard Park, on East Minner Ave. east of N. Chester behind Standard School. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.  CCI 12U is seeking strong players with birth years of 1998 or 1999. Call Coach Kelly Olson (661) 978-5068. CCI also will be holding tryouts for the 10U, 12U, 14U. 16U and 18U traveling teams Aug. 14 at Standard Park.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.  Call Greg Craley (661) 247-5751 or John Fitz-Patrick (661) 204-1769 for details.
BASA Girls Softball fall ball sign-ups Aug. 10, 12, 17, 18 and 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Rosedale North Park (BASA fields). Ages 7-15. Cost: $65. League runs Sept-Nov., Sunday games only.  Call (661) 392-2061.
Bakersfield Select 12U fall travel ball tryouts, 10 a.m.-1 .m. Aug 14 at Dave Frye fields. Call (661) 747-1881 or 428-2988.
Bakersfield Nitro 12U girls traveling team tryouts 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 8 at North Highland Park. Call Remy Cruz (661) 304-5336, Paul Whitten 364-7326 or  Albert Martinez 378-1942
Better Days fundraiser tournament. Men’s July 31, coed Aug. 1 in Taft. Cost is $170 per team or $300 if you enter both days.  First place gets paid entry into Josh Robertson Softball Tournament. Based on eight teams entering. Three-game guarantee. Call (661) 817-0684 or email coach_p@live.com. Deadline is July 29.  Proceeds go to "Better Days" A youth- focused organization.    
Tournaments this weekend: Men’s July 31, coed Aug. 1 at Green Acres, Jewetta. $220 per team. Call Tom (661) 209-2669.
Central California Krush Fastpitch fall tryouts Aug. 21-22. 18 Gold, Central East High School 1 p.m.; 18U, Central East High School, 1 p.m.; 16U, Central East High School, 10 a.m.; 14U, Central High School 1 p.m.; 12U, Central High School, 10 a.m. Call Sal Cervantes (559) 786-5174, Joe Garcia (559) 681-4535 or Shawn Moss (559) 706-3785. The Krush also is seeking coaches for the fall season for 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U and 18 Gold. Call Sal (559) 786-5174 or Joe Garcia (559) 681- 4535.
Volleyball
Centennial High School 18th Annual Golden Volleyball Camp Aug. 3-6 for grades 4-12. Two sessions offered: morning (10 a.m. - 1 p.m. is designed for girls with less experience. Afternoon session is 2-5 p.m. and for those with considerable experience. Cost is $125, payable to Golden Volleyball Camp. Camp at Centennial gym, 8601 Hageman Rd., 93312. Call (661) 204-7444. Space limited.
Dana Burkholder Setter’s Camp, Aug. 7-8. Former University of Arizona All-American setter Dana Burkholder will be holding a setter’s camp at the Club Jamba Volleyball facility, 4450 A California Ave.,  next to the old Mervyn’s. Cost of the camp is $125 and includes two days of advanced setter’s instruction. There will be an intermediate and an advanced session. The advanced session will be for incoming high school freshmen through seniors.  Intermediate sessions will be for girls in junior high or younger.  For information and pre-registration call Tom Clarke at (661) 717-6121 or (661) 836-3120 or show up the morning of the camp and register prior to the camp. Advanced sessions will be 9-11:30 a.m. Aug. 7-8. Intermediate will be 1-3 p.m. Aug. 7-8.
Dance
The Bakersfield Jam pro basketball team of the NBA D-League will have tryouts for its dance team on Aug. 7 at the Jam Events center, 1400 Norris Rd. Registration and warm-up is at 8 a.m., with auditions starting at  9. Must be 18.  Only dance shoes or athletic shoes with non-marking bottoms are allowed. For details, call Christine Blanton (661) 615-6550 or e-mail christina@bakersfieldjam.com
Results
Kern County Junior Golf tourneys  
June 29, North Kern Golf Course
18 Holes
Boys 16-17 —  1. Patrick Carmichael 74; 2. Riley Boylan 75; 3)Carlos Fernandez 77; 4. Blake McPherson 78
Boys 14-15 —  1. Christian Sanders 78; 2. Jason Torres 79; 3. Tyler Whitehead 80; 4. William Naworski 80
Boys 12-13 —  1. Tyler Burnes 81; 2. Jared Kinoshita 88; 3. Tanner Dalton 90; 4. Tyson Hays 92
Girls 14-17 —  1. Tavia Rutherford 74; 2. Malea Miller 81; 3. Abby Marina 82; 4. Michelle Martel 87
9 Holes
Boys 10-11 —  1. Jesse Baze 47; 2. Jason Yang 48; 3. Garrison Chavez 51
Boys 9U — 1. Dheer Patel 44; 2. Jacob Maran 48; 3. Nathan Roodzant 53
Girls 13U — 1. Ella Poljak 41; 2. Vanessa Watkins 44; 3. Bridget Boylan 46
July 7, Kern River Golf Course
18 holes
Boys 16-17 —  1.  Riley Boylan 72; 2.  Blake McPherson 74; 3. Suraj Patel 74; 4. Jaysun Gomez 75
Boys 14-15 —  1. Dalton Weaver 72; 2. Tyler Whitehead 73; 3. William Naworski 76; 4. Christian Chavez 79
Boys 12-13 — 1. Tyler Burnes 79; 2. Tyson Hays 82 3. Jared Kinoshita 88; 4. Matthew Sanders 95
Girls 14-17 —  1. Meghan Shain 75; 2. Jordanne Barr 80; 3. Malea Miller 82; 4. Tavia Rutherford 82
9 Holes
Boys 10-11 —  1. Garrison Chavez 44; 2. Carson Balfanz 47; 3. Michael Barnett 49
Boys 9U —  1. Dheer Patel 47; 2. Jacob Maran 56; 3. Daniel Tobias 59
Girls 13U — 1. Ella Poljak 47; 2. Bridget Boylan 49; 3. Jessica Park 53
July 12, Sycamore Canyon Golf Course
18 Holes
Boys 16-17 —  1.  Blake McPherson 72; 2. Travis Milwee 76; 3. Carlos Fernandez 76; 4. Gavin Shih 76
Boys 14-15 —  1. Jason Torres 78; 2. Mitchell Jackson 78; 3. Christian Chavez 81; 4. Paul Cooper 81
Boys 12-13 — 1. Tyler Burnes 84; 2. Kai Ellis 86; 3. Tanner Dalton 90; 4. Anthony Starbuck 92
Girls 14-17 —  1. Meghan Shain 75; 2. Jordanne Barr 76; 3. Cambria Ullrich 78; 4. Jasmine Rodriguez 85
9 holes
Boys 10-11 — 1. Blake Keesey 47; 2.  Jesse Baze 49; 3.  Garrison Chavez 49
Boys 9U — 1. Dheer Patel 49; 2. Jacob Maran 52; 3. Austin Watkins 55
Girls 13U — 1. Vanessa Watkins 44; 2.  Aleesha Somani 52; 3. Taytlyn Alvarez 57
Baseball
Kern County Adult Baseball  
Standings
Upper Division East — Gravy 5-3, Angels 4-5-2, Wasco 3-9, Bakersfield 1-1
Upper Division West — Dodgers 10-1, Diablos 7-2-1, Crackers 6-4-1, Bears 3-7
Lower Division — La Raza 10-2-2, Arvin 9-1-1, Orioles 7-5-1, Rangers 2-9-1. Shafter 2-3, Athletics 1-8, Tomateros 0-2-1
Last week’s scores:
Arvin 11, Athletics 3
Orioles 17, Tomateros 10
Diablos 6, Angels 6
Dodgers 16, Angels 1
Crackers 10, Wasco 6
La Raza 6, Shafter 5
Orioles 6, Arvin 4
Tomateros 9, Rangers 9

Chris McCracken picked a fine time to win his first golf tournament.

McCracken, 24, who just completed his sophomore year at Bakersfield College, shot a 4-under par 32 on the inward nine at Sundale Country Club on Sunday to win the 31st Bakersfield City Amateur golf championship.

Golf has become a high-tech sport. Club shafts are designed specifically for each player, golf balls are made to go farther and spin less (or more) and oversized drivers are now commonplace to help players improve their games. There are even view finders that help players determine how far they are from the pin. But with all that high technology, it usually just comes down to who can make the putts.

Saturday afternoon at the Sundale Country Club, Rich Gilkey may have had the hottest putter on the course in the opening round of the 31st Bakersfield City Amateur golf championship. The Bakersfield College sophomore made seven birdies and knocked home one par saving putt after the other on his way to a 5-under-par 67 that gives Gilkey a one stroke lead heading into today's final round.

Brad Pounds lived up to his nickname once again Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway.

The "Dominator" won his heat race before stretching his IMCA Modified points lead with a series-leading fifth feature win of the season.

Tyler Painton, The Californian's All-Area Baseball Player of the Year after an outstanding senior season at Centennial High, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of San Diego.

Painton, a left-handed pitcher, was selected in the 13th round of the first-year player draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and has until Aug. 16 to sign a professional contract.

Bakersfield High wrestler Coleman Hammond reached the USA Wrestling Cadet National Freestyle Championship this week in Fargo, N.D., before losing a tight match to Pennsylvania's Chance Marsteller in Friday's title match at 145 pounds.

Hammond was 7-0 in the round-robin stage of the tournament with a pin and three technical falls before losing 0-6, 5-0, 6-0 in the final. The cadet division consists of high schoolers who have been freshmen or sophomores.

The Sundale Country Club will host the 31st Bakersfield City Amateur Golf Championship this weekend and for the second consecutive year the defending champion will not be back to defend their title.

Last year, 2008 champ Brady Baguio did not defend his crown as he was not eligible since he had turned professional a few months earlier. This time around, Danny Hoff, who won last year's tournament with a fine 6-under par 138 score, will not be in the field as he is still suffering the effects of a broken wrist he sustained a couple months ago.

The strike of an albacore tuna eating a live sardine hooked to the end of one's free-spooled line begins with a tiny 'bump' on the rod tip and then a rapidly accelerating rotation of the reel's spool. Faster and faster, line melts off the spinning, thumb-controlled line-holder, then, after a few seconds to allow the fish to completely engulf the bait, the reel is placed into gear and the hook is set, firmly and with decisive conviction.

At this point (right after the "with decisive conviction" part), tuna fishing takes on a whole new indecisiveness for those lucky enough to be there.

The late Gil Bishop is on the short list of the most influential Bakersfield people since the end of World War II.

Bishop died in 2002 at the age of 88 but his influence on countless individuals continues to this day.

The late Gil Bishop is on the short list of the most influential Bakersfield people since the end of World War II.

Bishop died in 2002 at the age of 88 but his influence on countless individuals continues to this day.

Kern County, southern San Joaquin Valley

BOB'S BAIT CATFISH DERBY: The month-long Bob's Bait Catfish Derby kicked off July 1 with a $100 cash prize going to the angler who weighs in the biggest catfish at Bob's Bait in Bakersfield during July. The current leader is David Kiel, Bakersfield, with a 6-8 cat caught from the aqueduct.

A new banner was hanging in Cal State Bakersfield's Icardo Room on Wednesday afternoon and it had only three words:

"It starts now."