Sports Shorts

The Jersey Shore Stars of Brick Township, competing in Monmouth Youth League U12 Girls Division, have a 5-1 record through first half of season. The Stars are coached by Don Warn, Wayne Ball, Vinny Butka and Bob McElroy. The players on the team are co-captains Bethany Butka and Stephanie Fish, as well as Jessica Ball, Kristin Brown, Nicole Casey, Nicole Brower, Nicole Binetti, Chelsea Stanford, Lauren McElroy, Kayla Warn, Raven Jones and Samantha Babo

The Lakewood Men’s Wilbur Thompson Slow Pitch Softball League has openings for the 2005 season to commence in April. All games are played Monday through Saturday nights, under the lights, at the Pine Park Field Complex. For information, call the Lakewood Community School at (732) 905-3685.

Denny Walling, the ex-Howell High School and Brookdale Community College star who enjoyed an 18-year Major League baseball career, will hold a two-day Batting Clinic at the Lakewood BlueClaws’ FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, Jan. 29-30. Walling, who was the New York Mets batting instructor the last two years and is currently a roving hitting instructor for the Baltimore Orioles, will host the clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. In addition to the hitting clinic, Walling will sign autographs. Registration for the clinic is $60 each day and interested parties should call Jon Book at (732) 363-8084 for more details.

Walling, who was an All-American at Clemson University, was a first-round draft choice of the Oakland Athletics. He went on to play in Houston and St. Louis, spending the bulk of his career as a Houston Astro.

East Coast Connection, a Jersey Shore Baseball League wood bat team, is looking for an experienced manager to coach this team of Division I college players for the month of June and July. Interested candidates should call (973) 445-3703. References are required.

Coast to Coast Athletics is currently assembling a team of America’s best 11- and 12-year-old players to represent the United States in an international baseball competition in Puerto Rico this summer (June 29 to July 5). One team of 14 players will compete in the weeklong series of games. Only four roster spots remain open. Interested players should call (740) 373-4455 for an application or additional information. To learn more, visit the CoastToCoastAthletics.com Web site.