Santa Rosa County Public Works has spruced up the crosswalk on Gulf Boulevard connecting the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp to the parking area of the fishing pier, and Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association (NBLRA) President Peter Birckhead is not happy about it.
Jon Boddy paced back and forth a few times in the dugout, the head coach of Navarre crossing his arms as he did so. The players leaned on the railing of the fence in front of the dugout, shouting words of encouragement to their teammates on the field, hoping their season wouldn’t run out of breath.
Just another inch or two and the ball is fair and probably good for an extra-base hit. Instead it goes foul, and University of West Florida (UWF) softball player Callan Taylor steps back up to the plate to take another swing at a pitch during a game against Valdosta State two weeks ago.
Eighteen games. That’s all Taylor Sparks played in last season with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. A rash of injuries, including a broken wrist, derailed his opportunity to showcase his talent in his second season with the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Robert Fletcher isn’t your average retiree. In fact, the Navarre resident didn’t officially enter the retirement life until last Friday, the day before his 88th birthday.