Sports Shorts

The Howell-Jackson Knights of Columbus Council 6201 will be holding their ninth annual Charity Golf Scramble on Friday, Oct. 26, at Gambler Ridge Golf Club in Cream Ridge. This yearly event supports the council's Holiday Food Basket Program, which provides aid to local families in need during the upcoming holiday seasons. The cost is $80 per player, which includes continental breakfast, greens fees and cart, lunch back at the council home on Bartley Road, prizes, contests and gift auction. The tournament will be a scramble format with four-person teams, beginning with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Teams or individual golfers are welcome. Anyone interested in playing, please contact Steve at (732) 901- 1954 as soon as possible to reserve a spot.

Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co. LLC will sponsor the second annual Knights of Columbus Punt Pass & Kick Competition and Tailgate Party on Sunday, Oct. 7, starting at 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus building, 401 Bartley Road, Jackson Coinciding with the Jets vs. Giants football game that kicks off at 1 p.m., the event will feature special guest Keith Elias, former New York Giant and Indianapolis Colt.

"The Knights of Columbus Tailgate Party is all about the kids," said Peter Grandich of Trinity Financial. "I am so happy to be able to bring my good friend and corporate advisory board member Keith Elias to help encourage the youngsters."

According to Bill Mitchell, the purpose of the event is to raise money for the Knights of Columbus' programs, which benefit numerous children's charities.

"There will be punt, pass and kick competitions for children in age groups 5 to 7 years old, 8 to10 years old, and 11 to13 years old. Medals and trophies will be awarded to the best competitors in each age group," he said. "The parking lot opens at 11 a.m., the grill opens at noon, and the game kicks off at 1 p.m."

"What a treat for us to have former New York Giant Keith Elias with us for the party. He'll be a great inspiration for kids and adults alike. We are honored to have him attend," Mitchell added.

Monmouth Park and NJ Transit have combined forces in an effort to encourage fans to use public transportation to the racetrack during Breeders' Cup Week, Oct. 24-27.

NJ Transit has scheduled expanded service to the racetrack for Breeders' Cup Week. The special service on the North Jersey Coast Line includes hourly departures and arrivals at the Monmouth Park train station all four days. On Saturday, Oct. 27, NJ Transit will operate two additional trains during the morning from New York to Monmouth Park, and two additional trains after the races from Monmouth to New York.

There are five passes available. The fourday pass, which is valid on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Breeders' Cup Week, is priced at $50. The three-day pass, good Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, is $40, and the two-day pass for Friday and Saturday, is $30.

Also available is a one-day pass for Friday, and a one-day pass for Saturday, each priced at $20.

Racing fans from outside the United States must email Sophia Mangalee in the Monmouth Park Marketing Department to purchase NJ Transit passes. The email address is smangalee@njsea.com.

The Monmouth Park station on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line is located on Port Au Peck Avenue. A new gate into the racetrack will be available across the street from the train station.

The Lakewood BlueClaws, class-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, have announced their schedule for the 2008 season. The year begins on April 3 with a sevengame homestand against the Lake County Captains and Hagerstown Suns.

The 140-game season will conclude on Sept. 1 with and even mix of 70 home and 70 road games. Lakewood will play 14 of the 16 teams in the South Atlantic League and fans at FirstEnergy Park will have a chance to see 13 different opponents.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees affiliates will be in town from Aug. 11-18. The Savannah Sand Gnats (Mets) open the eight-game homestand with four against the BlueClaws on the 11th while the Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) finish it up with a four-game series beginning Friday the 15th.

The BlueClaws will have a total of 31 weekend dates and begin both halves of the season at home. Lakewood has 11 Friday games, 10 Saturday games and 10 Sunday games.

The 49th annual SAL All-Star Game will take place in Greensboro, N.C., on Tuesday, June 17 with leaguewide off days before and after the event.

BlueClaws home games played Monday through Thursday in April and May will be at 6:35 p.m., and Friday games will begin at 7:05 p.m. Saturday and Sunday games in April will begin at 1:05 p.m. Saturday games in May will start at 4:05 this season with Sundays remaining at 1:05 p.m.

Games in June, July and August will begin at 7:05 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sundays in June will begin at 1:05 p.m. and in July and August will start at 5:05 p.m.

Four games in 2008 will be played at 11:05 a.m. April 17, May 21 and July 9 and 30 will all be morning games.

The Lakewood BlueClaws welcomed 442,256 fans to FirstEnergy Park during the 2007 season, which included becoming the fastest team in New Jersey and SAL history to hit the three million fan mark. They have led the South Atlantic League in overall attendance in each of their seven seasons.

Season tickets are on sale now. For more information call 732-901-7000 or visit the BlueClaws Web site at www.BlueClaws.com.

Jerry Izenberg, former columnist and sports reporter for The Star-Ledger, will be the featured lecturer Oct. 18 at the third annual Jacob W. Needle Lecture in History. The free event will be held at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. Izenberg's topic will be "In From the Cold: The Story of the Eight Hall of Famers from the Newark Eagles Baseball Team of the Negro Leagues." His lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Warner Student Life Center, Navesink Rooms I and II. Parking is most convenient in lot 7.

"We are pleased to honor Professor Needle through a lecture subject of personal interest that includes history and an American favorite, baseball," said Professor Jess Levine.

The presentation is sponsored by the Brookdale History Department, Student Life and Activities, College Relations and the Athletic Department. For more specifics regarding the lecture, call 732- 224-2975 or e-mail to jlevine@brookdalecc. edu.