Bakersfield.com Local Sports

Blaze entering unfamiliar territory by boasting winning record into July

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:16:30 PDT

Look at me, look at me/Hands in the air like it's good to be/Alive

-- "Handlebars", The Flobots

July 9 fish report

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:20:45 PDT

BAKERSFIELD AREA CATFISH DERBY Bob's Bait is having a month-long catfish derby with the largest cat weighed in during July winning a $100 cash prize. There are 255 entries so far. The catfish derby will be followed by a striper derby in August. For information, call Bob's Bait at 833-8657.

LAKE ISABELLA The crappie bite is finally slowing down, but boat and float tube anglers fishing in the South Fork Arm of the lake can still catch some fish on small jigs and minnows. The bass bite has improved with a fair to good bite on plastics, minnows, and cranks. Trout action is still very good, with a lot of limits reported on spinners and Power Bait, with fish up to two pounds and some bigger. Best action at the cemetery and the auxiliary dam. DFG trout plant this week. The trout are moving to dee p water quickly. Catfish are also pretty good, mostly on frozen shad, clams, and Sonny's dip bait. Very good action on bluegill, mostly on wax worms. Carp have moved into the shallows mudding for clams near the river mouth with the flooding of the flats as the lake comes up.

Steve Merlo: Time to Stop Congressional Pillaging Of DFG Funds

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:22:25 PDT

I hate politics with a purple passion, but every once in a while, I find myself pushing for legislative changes that I think will benefit all wildlife and also outdoor-oriented people. There is now on the Sacramento table one of those rare opportunities to do exactly that, and despite the ongoing budget battle, one that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

For more years than I care to remember, some members of the California State Legislature have literally been stealing funds directed solely for use within the California Department of Fish and Game. These monies have been illegally misdirected into other coiffers without the benefit of due process. In other words, hunting and stamp licensing fees have been shamefully stolen and misused on pet projects by raiding state congressional bigwigs not interested in the protection and management of our wildlife by their rightful keepers.

Junior Olympic championships coming to town

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:46:08 PDT

The state's track stars of tomorrow are coming to Bakersfield this week when the USA Track and Field brings its Region 14 Junior Olympic Outdoor Championships to town.

The event starts today at Cal State Bakersfield. Today will be mostly preliminaries and the schedule runs from 4 p.m. until about 8.

Robert Gautney: Father and son from Tehachapi shine at SCGA event

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:54:45 PDT

The trip from the Tehachapi Mountains down to San Juan Capistrano was well worth the time and effort for the Father/Son team of Victor and Blake Keesey.

The duo, who represented Oak Tree Country Club, participated in the SCGA Parent/Junior Championships at Marbella CC on Monday and came away with an equal fourth-place finish as they shot a net 4-under 66 in the Vice President's Flight.

Delano to induct 14 into football hall

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:35:11 PDT

The first class of the Delano High School Football Hall of Fame will be honored Aug. 29 in the school's gym.

Only players from 1939-1969 were eligible for selection in the first class. Players from later seasons will be considered in future years.

Bowling column: Twelve local junior bowlers compete in World Team Challenge

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:37:37 PDT

By Bette Addington & Mike Hefley

The largest group of junior bowlers ever assembled from Bakersfield traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the elite 14th annual Junior World Team Challenge tournament June 25-28 at Sun Coast Hotel Bowling Center.

Hobson, Bell earn first-team All-State

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:04:12 PDT

Ten local baseball, softball players receive CalHiSports honors

Roth to coach, Johnson to play on D-League all-star squad

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:43:15 PDT

Former Bakersfield Jam coach Scott Roth is getting a chance to coach against NBA competition.

At his command will be an all-star team of NBA Developmental League players, including the Jam's own Trey Johnson.

Powerball potential for local product

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:15 PDT

Stockdale High graduate Grant Desme 'strikes fear in opposing pitchers' in first full season in Oakland Athletics' farm system

Blaze's hot start proves to be too much for Ports

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:07:33 PDT

Stockon's Grant Desme, a Stockdale High grad playing his first Class A game at Sam Lynn Ball Park, walks twice and strikes out twice in loss

Butler homers twice in Blaze win

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:34:25 PDT

Blaze 7, Nuts 3

At Modesto

Fresno pierces Brigade's defense

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:30:23 PDT

Bakersfield Brigade coach Francisco Gomez found his team lacking in a couple of important facets of its game early in the second half against the visiting Fresno Fuego on Friday night at Bakersfield Christian High School.

And according to Gomez that allowed Fresno to score three quick goals en route to a 3-0 victory, avenging a 2-0 loss earlier in the season to the Brigade (2-8-2).

Desme hoping for 'home-cooking' at Sam Lynn Ball Park

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:30:16 PDT

Grant Desme remembers coming to Sam Lynn Ball Park as a kid, but he wasn't exactly the type to idolize the California League players he saw.

"I remember going, 'These guys are terrible,'" said Desme. "Now I'm going to be playing there."

Nuts edge Blaze 8-7

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:02:17 PDT

Nuts 8, Blaze 7

At Modesto