Free Baserunning Clinic in Smithfield

A free baseball baserunning clinic will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center. Former South Johnston standout John Raynor, a professional player in the Florida Marlins' system, will be the featured speaker. Monty McLamb, the director of the Miracle League of Johnston County, will also be on hand to provide information on the new league, which gives children with special needs a chance to play baseball, and to discuss volunteer opportunities. For more info, call Jan Ashley at 934-1408.

Campbell Legends of the Game Dinner

Campbell University will host a Baseball "Legends of the Game" dinner at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Gilbert Craig Gore Arena in the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center. The Campbell baseball staff has assembled a program full of visiting baseball greats from Eastern North Carolina. Scheduled to appear are Clyde King, a former MLB manager, player and consultant to George Steinbrenner, Goldsboro native Jerry Narron, a former MLB manager and player, and Jim Perry, a former Campbell player and three-time MLB All-Star. This dinner will also serve as the kickoff to the 2010 Campbell baseball campaign. There will also be a special announcement concerning the future of the Campbell baseball program and facility improvements to Taylor Field, which has been home to the program since its inception. The cost is $25 per person, which includes dinner and time for autographs and photos. For ticket information, call the Campbell baseball office at (910) 893-1354 or send an e-mail to Justin Haire at hairej@campbell.edu.

Pitching instruction with Michael Rogers

Former N.C. State all-American pitcher Michael Rogers is offering private pitching instruction during the week and on weekends. For more info, contact Michael at mrog24@yahoo.com.

Pitching Instruction with Earl Stephenson

Private pitching instruction is now available from former major league pitcher Earl Stephenson. For more info, contact Stephenson at 625-7077 or earlspitchingschool@yahoo.com.

Hitting Instruction with Johnny Narron

Johnny Narron, a hitting coach with the Texas Rangers, will offer individual hitting lessons using The Mental Visual Physical Approach to Hitting from October until February in Smithfield. Lessons are $100 per session. For more info, visit narronprohitting.com or call Johnny at (919) 202-6365.

Outdoors

Boy Scout Council hosting Thanksgiving Deer Hunt

Deer hunters are invited to participate in a Thanksgiving weekend hunting tournament which will raise funds for the Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The cost is $75 for the open division or $10 for the youth division. The tournament runs Nov. 26-28. Visit bsang.org online to download a registration form. For more info, contact the Tuscarora Council office at 734-1714 or info@bsanc.org.

Basketball

Johnston County Men's Fellowship Basketball League

Registration for the 2010 season of the Johnston County Men's Fellowship Basketball league is now open. Games will be played in Clayton and Smithfield this season. Teams can include up to 15 players; players must be 16 or older by Feb. 1. The entry fee is $400 per team. Kingdom Builders Fellowship International Ministries organizes and conducts the league. Activities in addition to the games will include gospel entertainment, ministry a mini job fair and All-Star Games during the season. Registration and fees are due by Dec. 15. For registration info, contact Larry Williams at 934-2005 or Steve Sanders at 209-5221.

Miscellany

Raw Power Bench Blast

The 2009 Raw Power Bench Blast will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, at North Johnston High School. The weightlifting event will present prizes to the top three finishers in seven different categories (men under 200 pounds, men 200-250, men over 250, women under 135, women over 135, seniors and high school lifters). The entry fee is $25 for adult lifters and $12 for high school students. Admission is $5 for fans or free for kids 12 or under. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics of Johnston County. For more info, contact Mike Wolbert at 934-7554 or Mike Sellers at 631-4025.

Horsemanship Clinic scheduled for area

A half-day horsemanship class will be conducted from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, by Blaine McLaughlin in Four Oaks. A maximum of five riders can participate in each session, and the issues that will be covered will be determined by the riders. The cost is $75 per rider and pre-registration is required. For more info, contact Blaine McLaughlin at 934-1344 or sileeno@ipass.net or visit www.ipass.net/blaine_mclaughlin.

Johnston County Horse Show Series

The Johnston County Horse Show Series is back for another season of events at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield. The fun but competitive shows are open to riders of all ages (classes of competition are: 12-and-under, 13-17 and 18 and older) and experience. Multiple classes of competition are available and the cost is $7.50 to enter each class of competition. A negative Coggins test is required to compete. The final show for 2009 is scheduled for Nov. 21 (a double points event). The show begins at 8:30 a.m. For more info, contact Blaine or Michelle McLaughlin at 934-1344 or sileeno@ipass.net or visit www.ipass.net/blaine_mclaughlin. The Series' year-end award banquet will be held Jan. 9.

Submissions

Area sporting announcements are published free of charge, weekly on a space-available basis. All announcements are due by noon on Friday for publication the following week. E-mail announcements to cbest@nando.com or submit via fax at 934-8803.