David Prown of Prown’s Home Improvement will be providing free equipment for young Red Bank residents who take part in the spring season sports programs of Red Bank Parks and Recreation, every Sunday from this weekend through the end of May. Read on for details. (2011 file photo by Dustin Racioppi)
For school-age kids, saying there’s “nothing to do” is no longer an option — not with Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Track and Field, Lacrosse, and Camp on the schedule for the coming months. And for those who say they’ve “got no gear” — well, it turns out that’s no longer an excuse either.
Even adults who are in need of working off some of that winter wonderweight will be hard pressed to find reasons why not, as Red Bank Recreation announces a full seasonal slate of programs for borough residents of all ages.
It’s a season that begins this weekend, with the March 29 start of Developmental Lacrosse League activities — to say nothing of the looming registration deadlines for several of the other programs and services offered. There’s still time for Red Bank boys and girls to join players from all local towns in a “Count Basix” Spring Lacrosse Clinic, designed for both beginners and more advanced players of one of America’s fastest growing youth sports. Coaches from United Lacrosse will be on hand at Count Basie Field on Henry Street for eight Saturday sessions that commence on Saturday morning and continue through May 24 — a “fun and energizing environment” that hosts sessions for players in grades 5 to 8 between 10 and 11:30 am, with grades K through 4 taking the field from 11:30 am to 1 pm.
Participants can bring their own equipment (helmet, stick, gloves, shoulder pads, arm/elbow pads and mouthpiece for boys; protective eyewear, stick and mouthpiece for girls) or it can be provided by the program. Cost for the Count Basix lacrosse clinic is $45-$55 for Red Bank residents depending on age group, and $150-$200 for non-residents. Call (732)530-2783 to get in on the action this weekend — and click READ MORE for the rundown on all other seasonal programs from Red Bank Rec.
 The annual Easter Egg Hunt in Eastside Park signals the rain-wind-or-shine, prime-time heart of the spring season for Red Bank Parks and Recreation programs. Borough kids…and adults…are being encouraged to sign up now for seasonal sports and fitness programs, well ahead of the Easter Bunny’s schedule. (2011 file photo by Dustin Racioppi)
Red Bank Parks and Recreation is looking to form teams for both Spring and Fall sessions of Travel/ Pre AAU Basketball, with teams being organized for boys and girls in grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8. Workouts are 6 pm Fridays, April 4 and 11, at Red Bank Middle School — and anyone interested in learning more and attending tryouts should call (732)530-2782 or email [email protected].
It’s last call for boys ages 5 through 16 to sign up for the newly formed Two River Little League Baseball — with the slate of competitive, home- and away-game play throwing out its first pitch on April 6. Call (732)530-2782 to be a part of this historic inaugural season.
Ages 5 through 18 are invited to take part in a range of Track and Field activities, with practices held every Monday and Wednesday at 5:30 pm, from April through May 31.
Did you know princesses wear cleats? Girls of ages 5 through 16 are invited to register for Girls Softball team play, with the season starting the week of April 12 — and a chance to travel and play competitively with teams from other towns.
The borough is also putting out the call for “all Runts, Rascals and Rumblers,” ages 3 through 15, to “get your sunscreen ready” and register for Red Bank Recreation Summer Camp beginning April 1. Camp dates for 2014 are July 14 through August 22; the program has limited space, so participants are urged to sign up early by calling (732)530-2782 or emailing [email protected].
A favorite event of Red Bank’s youngest residents — and one that, for parents, “starts on time and is over in a flash” — the annual Easter Egg Hunt returns to the lawn of Eastside Park, Harrison Avenue on Saturday, April 5 at 12 pm sharp — and this year there’s a rain date of Sunday, April 13, in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s relocation indoors. Also promised are great prizes, with the Easter Bunny scheduled to make a special appearance as well — so bring a basket and a camera.
Tryouts for the Monmouth Ocean Soccer Association (MOSA) Travel Soccer League will be held on Saturday, May 17 at Count Basie Field, with boys and girls teams organized for ages 8 to 16, and more information available by emailing [email protected]. As coach Rob Birn points out, the Red Bank United Boys U14 team — composed primarily of Red Bank Charter School and Red Bank Middle School students who have been playing as a team since they were 9 years old — has finished at or near the top of its division each year; starting at the lowest-level Division 7 and winning the top bracket division in its most recent outing.
David Prown, longtime undisputed champion cheerleader for Red Bank’s youth sports programs and young athletes, is providing free sports equipment to borough residents who participate in Parks and Recreation activities, every Sunday through the end of May. The gear can be picked up at Prown’s Home Improvements (135 Monmouth Street) between the hours of 8 am and 12 pm; text or call (908)902-2203 for additional information.
Call (732)530-2782 or go here to sign up for (or obtain additional info on) the spring and summer programs of the Red Bank Parks and Recreation department.
Adults of all ages can also take advantage of Adult Open Gym sessions that take place during youth sports season, between the hours of 8 pm and 10 pm at Red Bank Middle School’s gymnasium. Red Bank residents pay a per-year member fee of $60, with non-residents welcome at a per-year fee of $80 (all memberships must be paid within four visits). Also offered are full court basketball games for players 21 and over on Mondays and Wednesdays, with half court games for 35 and over hosted on Thursdays ($6 daily play).
