High school sports: Swing for Life succeeding

Raising any money in these economically challenging times would be considered a success, but the softball players who participated in the annual Swing for Life hit-a-thon have exceeded expectations in even the best of circumstances.

"We're up to $32,000 so far," said co-founder of Swing for Life and Rowland Hall head softball coach Kathy Howa. "I still have seven schools and five colleges to collect from."

"It's going so well," said Howa.

The Salt Lake Bees will host a Pink Game on May 15 in their game against Omaha. The game starts at 6:35 p.m., and fans can bid on players' specially designed pink jerseys.

In the seven years since Howa and Rowland Hall athletic director Kendra Tomsic started Swing for Life, the organization has raised more than $312,000 for cancer research. All of the money collected is donated to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Kearns and Riverton high school softball teams will be playing a Pink Game on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Riverton High.

FORMER KEARNS PLAYERS TO BE HONORED: Kearns High is going to retire the numbers of former baseball players Brandon Duckworth, Jared Fernandez and Kevin Gates in a ceremony prior to the Cougars' baseball game against Hunter at 6 tonight.

Duckworth is a 1994 graduate of Kearns and is currently pitching for the Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League. He has made 134 career pitching appearances in MLB. Fernandez is a 1990 Kearns graduate and a retired pro who earned a few pitching appearances with the Cincinnati Reds.

Gates financed Kearns' Gates Field, the Cougars' sparkling home field that's widely regarded as the best in the state.

AMERICAN LEGION STILL ACCEPTING TEAMS: The state's American Legion summer leagues are still accepting teams for the 2009 season. Last season, there were Salt Lake Valley teams, northern teams and independents. For more information contact senior state commissioner Les Wells at 801-597-6153.

COMMITMENTS: Lone Peak senior Tommy Tebbs signed a basketball scholarship with Snow College, while Former Lehi guard Drew Robinson, who played for Salt Lake Community College, signed a scholarship with the University of Alaska Anchorage. Tebbs' teammate Dillon Smith verbally committed to play basketball for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

BASKETBALL CAMP: Jordan High boys basketball coach Rob Geertsen will host a basketball camp on May 20 at Jordan High School. The camp is open to all boys grades 7-12. For more information about the camp, please visit www.jordanbasketball.net or register at Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation.

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com