Keep busy with area sporting activities

It's that time of year when kids drive moms and dads crazy.

With no school to occupy the daylight hours, parents often scramble to find something for their children to do. My dear mother always came up with a list of activities each day during the summer:

1. Go play outside.

2. Don't hurt one another.

Following those two activities wasn't as easy as you'd think. Between scraped knees and sweltering heat, my siblings and I often stayed indoors and quickly became well acquainted with peroxide and The Price is Right.

Even though the classroom doors are closed, there are still plenty of activities and events going on in this county, especially in the world of sports. Here are a few to look forward to:

Today: FireBall soccer

Today is Father's Day, and the Augusta FireBall (Columbia County's first professional sports team) is honoring all you dads with free admission to this afternoon's game at Patriots Park. Game time for the minor league soccer match is set for 3 p.m.

Tuesday and June 27: CSRA Swim League

Watch your neighborhood swim team compete in the final two regular season meets of the year. For information, go to www.csraswim.org.

Thursday: Hank Aaron

He won't be crushing home runs, and he certainly won't be taking steroids, but the home run king will be playing golf at Jones Creek in The Augusta Players Golf Classic. The golf tournament will benefit the Augusta Players, and Aaron will play one hole with each participating team. For more info, call (706) 826-4707.

July 2, 9, 16: FireBall

The Augusta FireBall will play on three consecutive Sundays in July at Patriots Park to wrap up the regular season.

July 3-7: PPA Week of the Nationals

Any other week of the year, it's a casual game, but during the first full week of July the Professional Putters Association will take over for a serious professional tournament. It's not just putting tournament. It's the putting tournament, with $60,000 on the line.

Aug. 9-15: PDGA World Championships

The Professional Disc Golf Association calls Wildwood Park in Appling its home. The World Championships will take place at four courses in Augusta and North Augusta.

Aug. 10: Football returns

Augusta Christian will take on Heathwood Hall in the county's first football scrimmage of the 2006 season.

Did I miss an upcoming sports event? Give me a call at (706) 863-6165, ext. 116.