Big Pine Athletic Association

BPAA Bits

Apr 07, 2008

Yep neighbors, the colds fronts are slowing down but the Big Pine Athletic Association activities are heating up. Big Pine Little League Baseball season is under way, AYSO soccer is holding pickup soccer games on Sundays, elections for Keys Cudas Swim team have taken place and the After School Program at Blue Heron Park is watching over many of the children of our area.

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the BPAA and sponsored by First State Bank, the Barometer and Tropical Freeze was a rousing success. Easily one hundred Moms, dads, and children invaded Blue Heron Park early on Saturday morning for a free-for-all Easter Egg Hunt. One lucky child found that special egg containing a $50.00 savings bond donated by the First State Bank. This was truly a wonderful family event that the BPAA is happy to bring to our community.



While the BPAA must have a few employees for our daily programs this organization and the associated sports groups could not exist without volunteers. These good people are the strength of any non-profit. It may take some of their time but believe me when I tell you they reap the reward of seeing our children mature before their eyes. I?’ve been around to see it myself, kids that I coached as youngsters I see becoming leaders of their peers in high school or coming back and coaching or officiating for the younger children. You can join us in this pleasure. Don?’t be shy; you?’re a local like the rest of us out there. Ask anyone at a game who to speak to. They will point you in the right direction. No, you don?’t have to be a great ball player and become the head coach. Walk up to the concession stand and help out selling hot dogs so that a Mom can come from behind the counter and watch her daughter get her first hit in softball. Maybe make a few phone calls to sell sponsorships to local business. Heck, you can drop off a couple rolls of paper towels at Blue Heron Park anonymously and you will be a part of helping our children grow into the adults we hope they will be. It feels great, try it.


As the BPAA approaches our 30th anniversary year we would like to honor one individual who is now and has been an exemplary volunteer. This man is our own Volunteer of the Year and his name is Bob Mock. Yep, he is the dark haired, rugged individual you?’ve seen for 8 years wearing the cap decorated like a soccer ball while he coaches AYSO soccer. But wait, is that all Bob does you ask, no, not by a long shot. Season after season Bob trades his trademark hat for the yellow jersey of referee to officiate other games before and after his team has taken the field, in fact in 2001 he became a regional referee, 2005 - referee administrator, 2006 - became an intermediate referee and referee instructor. When regular season is over he has been selected as Head Coach of the AYSO State team. He traveled to Wellington, FL to coach his U12 team in 4 games and then officiates more games in an action packed weekend. Bob has sat on the AYSO Board of Directors for 5 seasons helping to make this stellar soccer program a reality. Is this enough for Bob, nope, he has been a Little League Baseball coach as well. Still not enough for him, Bob also sits on the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Advisory board for which he travels the length of the Keys to attend monthly meetings encouraging and advising on improving and placing more recreational facilities for the residents of this island chain. Next time you see Bob, walk up and shake his hand because where ever the youth of our community need a helping hand and role model there is Bob Mock and for this we, the BPAA, most heartily thank him.
For more BPAA information call Scott Wade at 872-0292
See ya at the game.
Scott