As two-time defending champions, the Santa Barbara Foresters are assured of playing in the National Baseball Congress World Series. But they do not want to go back to Wichita, Kansas, as also-rans in the California Collegiate League. The Foresters are currently in third place in the CCL North with a 7-6 record. This week they have two games against the San Luis Obispo Blues (9-4) and a game against the Conejo Oaks (8-6). On the weekend, the Foresters host a three-game series against the Major League Baseball Academy Barons of the CCL South.
The sands of Santa Barbara and the streets of the western Santa Ynez Valley will be busy this weekend. The California Beach Volleyball Association will hold its open tournaments for men and women at East Beach. The Firestone Walker 805 Criterium will bring day-long bicycle racing festivals to Buellton (Saturday) and Lompoc (Sunday). It is the largest criterium event in California with $33,000 in cash and merchandise prizes. There will be food, a beer garden, bounce houses for children and a special kids’ tricycle/bicycle races (ages 4-12, sign-ups at 11 a.m.).
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 25
Baseball – San Luis Obispo Blues at Santa Barbara Foresters, UCSB Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, June 26
Running / swimming – Nite Moves Summer Sunset Series (1k swim, 5k run), Leadbetter Beach, 6 p.m. Continues every Wednesday through August 28. runsantabarbara.com.
Baseball –Santa Barbara Foresters at San Luis Obispo Blues, 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 27
Baseball – Conejo Oaks at Santa Barbara Foresters, UCSB Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 5 p.m.
Swimming – Reef & Run Summer Swim Night (500m, 1k, 1-mile), East Beach Bath House, 5:30 p.m. Continues every Thursday through August 30. sbrunning.org .
Friday, June 28
Baseball – MLB Academy at Santa Barbara Foresters, UCSB Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 5 p.m.
Saturday, June 29
Cycling – Firestone 805 Avenue of the Flags Criterium, Buellton, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. ridesb.com.
Beach volleyball – CBVA Men’s Open, East Beach, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Baseball – MLB Academy at Santa Barbara Foresters, UCSB Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 30
Cycling – Firestone 805 Valley of the Flowers Criterium, Lompoc, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Beach volleyball – CBVA Women’s Open, East Beach, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Baseball – MLB Academy at Santa Barbara Foresters, UCSB Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, 5 p.m.
SEMANA NAUTICA 2013
July 3-15 – Semana Nautica (“marine week”) began in the 1930s when Santa Barbara residents organized sporting activities with visiting Navy seamen. It evolved into an annual sports festival open to the public around the July 4 holiday. There is no charge for spectators at any event, but the festival’s primary objective is to encourage participation. Events in the 76th Semana Nautica include age-group and masters swimming, ocean swims, flying disc competitions, a 15-kilometer run, beach volleyball, beach soccer, softball, tennis, and a cardboard kayak race. Information: semananautica.com.
SPECIAL EVENT
JULY 6 – Primo Boxing Club Fight for the Youth, Page Youth Center, 5 p.m. FightForThe Youth.org.
RUNNING, WALKING, CYCLING
Information for most events: sbrunning.org.
JULY: 4 – Semana Nautica 15K, San Marcos High. 14 – Chuck’s 6-mile Beach Run, Leadbetter Beach. (687-4417).
AUGUST: 15 – Westmonster 5K, Westmont College. 18 – McConnell’s Endurance Events, Goleta Beach. 24 – Santa Barbara Triathlon, long course. 25 – Santa Barbara Triathlon, sprint course.
SEPTEMBER: 1 – Pier to Peak Half Marathon, Stearns Wharf to La Cumbre Peak. runsantabarbara.com. 15 – Goleta Education Foundation 4-Miler, Lake Los Carneros. 28 – Elings Park Terrain Series 5K. 29 – Carpinteria Triathlon, Carpinteria Beach.