BASEBALL

BASEBALL
Pirates' fanasks for votes
Fanfare:
As one voice of the Valley, I am coming to you with a plea.
Yes, I know it's been awhile since the Pittsburgh Pirates have been in contention -- 13 years, to be exact -- but this could be the year they break out. Even with their bad start, they may finish well.
The Pirates are playing well. They're surprising quite a few people and teams. And now it is All-Star voting time.
Printing this will get the message out to all Pirate fans. Please vote for Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez.
These two "Batting Bucs" are the heart and soul of the New "Lumber Company."
So please go to MLB.com until June 29 and get out your vote.
All Pirate fans vote for these two Bucs. Tell your friends, your friends' friends and tell them to tell their friends to vote for Bay and Sanchez.
Ronald "Red" Baker
Struthers
FOOTBALL
Chaney campthrills youths
Fanfare:
On Saturday, June 3, Ron Berdis and his football coaching staff at Chaney High School conducted a youth football camp for boys 8-12 years old. I happened to have two grandsons who attended this camp. They came away from this football camp absolutely thrilled with the knowledge and skills they acquired.
This football camp was so organized and it was certainly a thrill for all of the kids who participated to meet and work on their skills with former NFL stars Michael Zordich and Jerry Olsavsky and college players and coaches Matt Cavanaugh, Keilen Dykes, Brian Terlesky and Justin Hood, among others.
Each camp attendee was given a football camp T-shirt and a group picture. More importantly, they took with them the sense of tradition, pride and knowledge.
As a former football player and student of Chaney High School, it made me proud to know the tradition and pride at the school is still being carried on through activities such as this one.
The west side of Youngstown can certainly be proud of the Chaney football tradition. Once again, Mr. Berdis conducted this youth football camp just like he conducts his football teams, with discipline, respect, tradition and organization.
Special thanks again to all who contributed with their time and hard work to make this camp a memorable one for all the boys.
Edward Gayan
Youngstown