MADISON- While headed into the mid-summer weeks of 2020, an overview of athletics can give and update on several events and situations among the local sports scenes.

June 21 is Father’s Day and what better way to help dear-o-dad then with a favorite among outdoor sports enthusiast then with a pair of well-designed athletics geared sunglasses. A perfect pair of sunglasses for any sport will keep your eyes comfortable when the sun is shining down upon the activities of the day.

Sunglasses designed for athletes are lightweight, fit snuggly and black glare. Throw in reflective lenses and a touch of modern style and you have a pair of shades that can go onto any sporting event for the weekend warrior. Fleet Feet of Huntsville, and soon-to-be Madison, have pairs that are especially designed for athletes, especially runners.

Trash Pandas Baseball Camp

The Rocket City Trash Pandas will be hosting their second of two summer baseball camps for youths ages 7-14. The camp is scheduled for June 22-23 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a fee of $200 per child. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

The camp is designed to provide the baseball loving youths with the next level knowledge of the game crafted for those who want a more advanced and technical experience. Daily sessions will include outfield play, infield instructions, pitching, base running, throwing development and hitting instructions, along with games segments. The games experience is “coach pitch” for an emphasis on contact and action. The low-pressure atmosphere allows for many offensive and defensive opportunities to provide a great learning experience.

Information and registration details are available at www.trashpandasbaseball.com.

Swimming/Diving Rules

In attempt to provide more clarity on a proper race finish and official timing procedures are among the noteworthy high school swimming and diving rules changes for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

A total of six rules changes were recommended for approval by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee during its recent annual meetings. Rule 1-1-1 was edited to profile the end wall in more detail including the new definition to include “the vertical portion of the pool, contiguous surface of the deck and overflow gutter, the front of the starting block or platform, or the touchpad at the end of the course.” The additional language provides clarity on what constitutes the end wall.

According to the NFHS, swimming and diving is the tenth most popular sport in high schools across the United States.

Winter Sports Alignments

The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has approved some major changes among the winter sports alignments for the 2020-2021 seasons. The sports of bowling and wrestling made the most significant changes.

Wrestling approved reorganizing the three divisions for championship action- classification alignments are now Class 1A-4A, Class 5A-6A and Class 7A.

Bowling, which will be beginning its sixth season, will now have two divisions for championship play. Continued growth of the sport among high schools across Alabama justified creating two divisions instead of one division, which had been used in the first five years of the sport. The upcoming school season will now feature Class 1A-5A and Class 6A-7A for both boys and girls divisions.

Basketball alignments will remain 16 areas in Class 1A-6A and eight areas in Class 7A. One big change locally is the fact Madison Academy’s teams, which were in Class 5A, will move up to Class 6A for the upcoming campaign.

Athlete Physicals Accepted Through August 20

The AHSAA Medical Advisory Committee unanimously approved to accept all athletic Pre-Participation Physicals through the first fall contest date of the 2020-2021 school year. Therefore, all physicals that are set to expire during the usual mandated school closures or summer months can now be accepted through Aug. 20. After that date, all physicals must be renewed.

SAT/ACT Prep

Selected by the NFHS as its official SAT/ACT Prep Project for all 19,5000 member high schools and 12-million students is entering its 17^th year with the AHSAA.

Students only pay a one-time fee between $19.99 to $49.99 for all of their SAT/ACT Prep. The usual value is between $350 and $1,500. All fees are reinvested to improve the program and reach more deserving families as the Project does not create a profit.

The AHSAA approved Prep Project features all professional educators with advanced degrees and hundreds of online videos and thousands of details explanations and includes a “Live Teacher Chat.”

Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, a revamping of the tests schedules were changed. The newest upcoming dates are- ACT: July 18 and Sept. 5; SAT: Aug. 29.

Additional information on this service is available at eknowledge.com/AHSAA.

No Boundaries Cotton Row Run Training

The No Boundaries training program hosted by Fleet Feet Sports is beginning a training regimen for the postponed 2020 Cotton Row Run 5K/10K races now scheduled for Labor Day, Sept. 7 after being postponed from its usual Memorial Day running.

The training sessions will be held each Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Registration fee is $110.

The training program is for any runner looking to improve their times in a 5K or 10K race, particularly the 2020 Cotton Row Run. Participants will train for the September race and learn to run a proper pace and running form all while working to cross the finish line faster and increase knowledge about the sport. If setting a personal best in the Cotton Row is the goal, the No Boundaries program is just the program to help set that PR.

Participants must be at least 14 years of age and mentors and participants will meet in small groups of no more than 10. Visit Fleet Feet Sports-Huntsville website for details.