sept. 1, 2011 sports feature

INDEXChurch 5A

Classifieds 7B

Clubs/Parks 3B

Crime Reports 8B

Commentary 9A

Community Calendar 2A

Legals 8B

Sports 1B, 5B, 6B & 7B

T.V. Guide 9B

Crossword Puzzle 8A

Weather 3A

Zephyrhills News

SPORTSThe PPALÕ s

Bulldogs scrimmage at

Raymond James Stadium. Pasco

Sheriff Chris Nocco dispels PPAL merger

talks. Zephyrhills beats Brooksville

Central in preseason

football game. Bulldogs defeat Gulf in season

opener for boys golf at Silverado.

PAGE 1B

COMMENTARYColumnist

Steve Lee recalls the late Chris

Bounnell. Student columnist Lindsay

Daughtry writes about Zephyrhills

High School policy changes.

PAGE 9A

Thursday, September 1, 2011 99th Year - No. 49 Y O U R H O M E T O W N N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 11

ONLY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN ZEPHYRHILLS, “CITY OF PURE WATER”

I’m For A Friendlier Florida

Gail Emmanuel turns the key to a new opportunity

Tears of joy fl owed down the face of Gail Em-manuel Saturday as she ac-cepted the keys from her mother to her new Habitat for Humanity home.

Emmanuel took own-ership of her Long Ave-nue, Dade City home dur-ing a special dedication ceremony in front of family, friends and Habitat for Hu-manity volunteers.

ÒT his means I have my own home,Ó said Emmanu-el, who lived with her fam-ily members prior to the home dedication. ÒI love my family and this is my opportunity to be a home owner.Ó

ÒH abitat gives people like me an opportunity,Ó Emmanuel said. ÒI am a single woman who doesnÕ t make a lot of money. Habi-

tat has given me a chance.ÓHabitat for Humani-

ty of East Pasco President/CEO John Finnerty said the Emmanuel home is just an-other step in bringing op-portunities to people and revitalizes communities.

ÒT his is the third house in Tommytown in a six-week period. It has always had a reputation of being one of the worst neigh-borhoods in Pasco County and it is really transform-ing,Ó said Finnerty. ÒT o see

new family and new hous-es coming is really reward-ing.Ó

Finnerty said the house presented to Emmanuel will

Habitat for Humanity presents another homeCollege theme highlights grade school curriculum

Woodland Elementarystudents learn all about

college preparations

DonÕ t be fooled by the college and uni-versity banners, Woodland Elemen-

tary remains a school for kindergarten through the fi fth-grade students.Only now, however, learning about

education beyond the high school lev-el is part of that Zephyrhills-based schoolÕ s curriculum.

Ò You start college preparedness in kindergarten,Ó said principal Kim Poe, who introduced the program to her teachers in August. Ò You donÕ t wait un-til high school.Ó

Poe attended a Title I conference at the Tampa Convention Center last win-ter and has been working on the project ever since.

Ò A lot of what (educators and ad-ministrators) shared there was parentsÕ

�WOODLAND: See Page 2A

BY STEVE LEENews Reporter

A World Series title with the Yankees, this Bulldog knows

thereÕ s no place like home

Wherever Dave EilandÕ s career of nearly 25 years in professional baseball took him, home is where his heart was.

Whether it was on the mound as a player, in the dugout as a coach or trav-eling to minor league ballparks to scout talent, the Zephyrhills High standout al-ways refl ected back to his days of Little League baseball at Krusen Field, hav-ing a catch with his dad, former Police Chief Bill Eiland or spending time with his daughters Natalie and Nicole and his wife Sandi.

According to the 45-year-old, his hometown memories fl ooded into his mind as he leaned against the top rail of the Yankees dugout in the top of the ninth in Game 6 of the 2009 World Se-ries.

He was the pitching coach for the Bronx Bombers. His Yanks were leading the Phillies 7-3 and were two outs away from the World Series title. His pitcher and former teammate Mariano Rivera was ready to close it out.

With 50,315 screaming fans ready for another title, the thought of playing Little League baseball for coach Don-

nie Nelson entered EilandÕ s mind. Toss-ing a ball in the yard with his late father jumped in there too. He then thought of his wife and family and all the sacrifi ces that helped get him to this point.

Then Rivera got Shane Victorino to ground into a double play and Eiland snapped back to reality and joined the Yankees on the fi eld to celebrate.

Ò A day doesnÕ t go by when I donÕ t think back on those days in Zephyrhills where it all started,Ó Eiland said. Ò When you are in Little League, thatÕ s what you dream about. I wasnÕ t playing, but I was the pitching coach of the soon-to-be world champions. I was thinking back how this all happened.

Ò You think back and I was just a kid from Zephyrhills. I was so thankful for being that kid and so thankful for my family.Ó

He canÕ t even drive past the Zephy-rhills High School baseball fi eld, where he played for coach Craig Milburn with-out getting emotional.

Ò I drive by there and I still get but-terfl ies, Eiland said. “There are a lot of blood, sweat and tears there. There are a lot of memorable moments there with coach Milburn and my father.

Ò It was a big part of my life. ItÕ s where the foundation was laid. I always tell guys never forget where they came from. I never forgot where I came from and I never will.Ó

Bill Eiland, the former police chief Wearing his World Series Championship ring he won as the pitching coach for the New York Yankees, Dave Eiland is back home again.

Dave Eiland never forgets where he came from

�EILAND: See Page 7A

BY DAVE WALTERSNews Reporter

Registrations are up as Girl Scouts prepare for centennial

As the Girls Scout organization pre-pares to enter its 100th year in 2012, troops

are fl ourishing in Zephyrhills.Registration for the Daisies

(kindergarten to fi rst grade), Brownies (second and third

grade), Juniors (fourth and fi fth grades) and Ca-

dets (sixth and seventh) took place Sunday at the Shepard Park Scout Hall.

Registering girls got a taste of what Girl Scouts do during the

event and then got the sweet taste of ice cream.

Ò This is a good turn-out,Ó said Melodie Parks,

Zephyrhills Girl Scouts orga-nizer. The past couple of years

have been kind of slow.ÓParks said girls joining scouts will learn

courage, confi dence and character while

Girls and boys join together to make special snacks at the Brownies table in Scout Hall at Shepard Park. Inset photo: Kaylin Miller takes part in the coloring station after she signs up for Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout tradition continues in Zephyrhills

�GIRL SCOUT: See Page 6A



�HABITAT: See Page 6A

DAVE WALTERS

DAVE WALTERS



are fl ourishing in Zephyrhills.



(kindergarten to fi rst grade),



grade), Juniors (fourth

dets (sixth and seventh) and fi fth grades) and Ca-

dets (sixth and seventh) and fi fth grades) and Ca-

took place Sunday at the Shepard Park took place Sunday at the Shepard Park took place Sunday

Scout Hall.

got a taste of what Girl Scouts do during the got a taste of what Girl Scouts do during the got a taste of what Girl

event and then got the Scouts do during the

event and then got the Scouts do during the

sweet taste of ice cream.

out,Ó said Melodie Parks, Zephyrhills Girl Scouts orga-

nizer. The past couple of years Zephyrhills Girl Scouts orga-

nizer. The past couple of years Zephyrhills Girl Scouts orga-

have been kind of slow.Ónizer. The past couple of years

have been kind of slow.Ónizer. The past couple of years

Members of the East Pasco Quilters present Gail Emmanuel a symbolic quilt to be used in her new Dade City home. DAVE WALTERS

INSIDE This seasonÕ s

expanded football tab previews the Zephyrhills High

School teamÕ s upcoming season.

Additionally, previews are

included for the Pasco Pirates,

Wesley Chapel Wildcats and

Wiregrass Ranch Bulls. Stories,

photos, rosters and schedules are part of this

keepsake edition.

NEW ERPasco Regional Medical Center

expands emergency room.

PAGE 2B

Zephyrhills News | Thursday, September 1, 2011 7 A

Right: A hall of jerseys and caps from the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays line the hallway at home.

Below: Dave and Sandi Eiland are spending more time together since Dave took a position with the Tampa Bay Rays.

DAVE WALTERS

in Zephyrhills, instilled a strong work ethic in his son and that is what made him into the man he is today. He passed away 15 years ago and Dave Eiland hears that voice in his head every day.

Ò When I was a 9-year-old, I was helping him cut the grass and it was hot,Ó Eiland re-called. Ò I stopped and got a drink and then I was ready to go inside. He stopped me and asked where I was going.

“I told him I would fi nish it later. He told me to fi nish it now. He said if you start some-thing, you fi nish it.

Ò Those words stuck with me ever since.ÓEiland’s journey through professional base-

ball started in 1987 when he was chosen by the New York Yankees in the seventh round. The righthander pitched parts of 10 seasons in the majors from 1988−2000 for the Yankees (two stints), San Diego Padres and Rays. He had great minor league numbers: 16−5 with a 2.87 ERA in Triple A in 1990 and 109 wins in 14 seasons. In the majors, though, Eiland had a career record of 12−27 in 92 games (70 starts) and a 5.74 ERA.

He retired in 2000 with Tampa Bay, coming back to his family’s home in Wesley Chapel.

Eiland is still the only player in major league history to give up a home run to the fi rst batter he ever faced (Paul Molitor) and hit a homer in his fi rst career at-bat (off Bob Ojeda), though the latter came four years later when he got to the National League.

“If God blessed me with two or three more mph,Ó Eiland joked. Ò I may never have gotten into coaching. I didnÕ t quite have enough talent to get to the big leagues as a player and establish myself as a frontline pitcher. With the God-given ability I did have, I shouldn’t have made it.

“It goes back to the work I put in and the perseverance. I studied fi lm of hitters and my-self. I knew what adjustments and changes had to be made as the years went on. It never came easy. I was never afraid to work.”

He went to spring training with the A’s in 2001. But he blew out his elbow and had Tom-my John surgery. After nearly 11 months of re-hab, he was back with Oakland the next spring, but blew out his elbow again in his second game, one week shy of the anniversary of his fi rst in-jury.

“I was able to lay on the pillow at night knowing I gave it all I had,” said Eiland. “I left it all out there. I ran the gamut. I went out there un-til my arm literally broke twice and it was over.

“There’s no regrets or what-ifs. I did all I could to make it back. A higher power was tell-ing me your playing days are over and I was okay with it.Ó

Working for the Rays now as a special as-sistant to General Manager Andrew Friedman, Eiland travels to the Rays minor league teams to check out prospects and work with young pitch-ers. He plays an active role in looking into play-ers prior to the draft and trade deadlines.

“The best part of all is I am based out of home,Ó Eiland said with a smile. Ò I got to swim in my pool for the fi rst time since we had it. I was always gone during the summer and by the time I got back it was too cold to swim.

The highlight of his new home-based as-signment was being able to around for the fi rst day of school for his daughters. Nicole entered her senior year and Natalie started her freshman year at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

“It’s the fi rst time ever I’ve been here for the fi rst day of school to send them off in the morn-ing and be here when they got home,” Eiland said. “I missed a lot, but that is the one big sacri-fi ce you make. You miss a lot of family time and special stuff. It’s what I do and it’s how I make a living. You have to make so many sacrifi ces.

Ò No matter what I am doing or where I am, I will be here to see my daughter graduate in May. There’s no doubt about that.”

He credits his family’s support throughout his career for making him the man, player and coach that he has become.

His wife spent 17 years as a single parent for half the year while Eiland was playing or coach-ing.

Ò ItÕ s tough to put into words how great it is having him home,Ó Sandi Eiland said. Ò It takes a lot of work to manage a family when he was gone half the time.

Ò WeÕ re a team too and we had to make sure we were both on the same playing fi eld to make this work.Ó

Eiland knows who gets the credit.“That’s a testament to her and I’m thankful

to her because not just any woman could handle that lifestyle,” Eiland said. “It’s not all fame, for-tune and glory. That’s for sure.

“I’ve been lucky on and off the fi eld. I can’t complain.Ó

Eiland guided the Yankees pitching staff to a World Series title in 2009 and reached the American League Championship Series in 2010. He was the pitching coach for the 2010 American League All Star team.

Eiland’s experience as a coach in New York gave him everything he wanted as a player. He has his world championship ring, his replica World Series trophy, the key to New York City presented during a ceremony after the champi-onship parade, his treasured jerseys and hats. He and the Bronx Bombers met President Obama at the White House.

He watched history and was a part of it.And soon he was history in New York. At

the end of the 2010 season, Eiland was let go by the Yankees as a result of what he calls a “differ-ence of opinion” with Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman.

“It happens when you have a difference of opinion with the person who calls the shots. You’re not going to win that battle, but it worked out good,” Eiland explained. “I have no com-plaints.

“It was a good experience and that chapter is over. ItÕ s gone.Ó

Eiland has quickly moved on to his posi-tion with the Rays and his knowledge and tal-ents have been acknowledged and appreciated by his former team.

They have welcomed and treated me bet-ter than anywhere I’ve been in the last 25 years,” Eiland said. Ò Things have worked out and I couldn’t be happier.”

Eiland was on the fi eld for 24 years and is viewing the game from a different perspective as a part of the management team.

He says the “blinders are off.” He sees how a team is put together from player evaluations to money issues.

It is defi nitely a big change from working in the Bronx where the Red Sox could be in town one night and Kansas City Royals are in town the next night and there are 50,000 fans in the seats for every game.

“They have the fans, the history and tradi-tion. It’s second to none. I am thankful to have been a part of it.”

Having won a World Series with the Yan-kees, it just makes Eiland hungrier for another one. He is not going to sit back and enjoy hav-ing a championship ring. He is going strive for another.

Ò It was a good run and itÕ s something no one can take away from me,” Eiland added.

What has been taken away is the pressure Eiland felt on the diamond on a day-to-day ba-sis. His position with the Rays lacks that pressure in the competitive atmosphere that he thrived on for 24 years.

“I miss the pressure of having to produce and win every single night,Ó Eiland said. Ò I think any competitor especially a professional athlete that doesn’t thrive on pressure is probably one that is not going to be around very long.

“The anxiety and the butterfl ies before a game is what it’s all about. I miss that. There’s different pressure on me now. It’s something I’m not used to. I’m used to being down there in the trenches, rolling my sleeves up and being part of the game-day stuff.”

Eiland is offering opinions and guidance for the Rays. He is helping young pitchers and the Major League staff.

He has guided pitchers like Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson from the minor leagues onto the Yankees staff. In fact this is the fi rst season for Hughes where Eiland wasnÕ t his pitching coach.

“It is gratifying. That is what coaching is all about,” Eiland said. “There is no substitute for playing, but as a coach you do everything for your players succeed.Ó

One thing Eiland is most proud of is know-ing that everything he accomplished he earned.

“More than anything and more than the jer-seys and trophies and that other stuff is knowing I got it honest. I wasn’t the most talented, but no one was going to outwork me or prepare more than me.Ó

He is quite pleased with how things have turned out so far in his career and his life.

“Anything else beyond what has already happened is gravy from here on out,” he said.

�EILAND: From Page 1A

DAVE WALTERS

A replica of the World Series trophy and the World Series ring sit on Dave Eiland’s desk in his Wesley Chapel home.

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Right: As a constant

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an engraved brick honoring

him from his hometown of

Zephyrhills sits proudly in his office.

sept. 1, 2011 sports feature

Documents

emmanuel home

humanity home

home dedication

doesn t

home owner

high school lev

new habitat

new family