If you’re into BMX bikes, then you’ll want to make sure to be at Antioch’s Schwinn City on Saturday, May 7 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. for the BMX Bicycle Stunt Show by the Young Guns Posse.

The event will also feature a wax release party by Li’l Mikey Beeswax, plus free hot dogs and drinks, free LMB swag, free parts give-away, free BMX goodies from Animal Bikes, Primo, Demolition and FIT BIKES and Lil’ Mikey Beeswax, plus a FREE Raffle to win a FIT BF 1 BMX bike worth over $350!

By Tami Barrera

The amazing volleyball feats of Deer Valley High School student Jason Agopian have paid off – he signed today to accept an offer to play for UC Irvine.

When Jason, who is the son of Antioch City Councilman Gary Agopian, started high school he joined the football team and was good at that sport as well. What father would not want their son to aggressively pursue a career in football when you have a well rounded athlete like Jason?

But as sophomore year hit, it became a deep-seeded thought in Jason’s mind to try his hand at volleyball. As Jason became more and more involved in the sport he began to notice that he had a passion for the game and approached his mom and dad, Robin and Gary, saying that he wanted to do volleyball only, not football.

Jason’s parents asked him to please sleep on this decision and come back to it again later. Jason did sleep on it and at the end of sophomore year he left football and focused on volleyball.

Just this year Jason was asked to try out for the Junior USA Volleyball Team. Unfortunately, he had to turn it down as he had broken his arm. This mishap did not hold him down, however, and with last year’s MVP award under his belt Jason had prestigious college recruiters looking at him.

Jason received offers from UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, BYU, Hawaii, Long Beach and many others. But Jason had his eye on UC Irvine because he not only respects the school, but believes in it as much as he believes in its coach John Speraw.

Gary Agopian said, “Although there were financial and personal sacrifices for our son to achieve his dream, it is all worth it in the end. To see your child succeed when given the chance is just awe-inspiring.” He added, “Parents need to support their children” in their dreams because you never know what they are capable of unless you give them a chance.

Jason plans to walk in the footsteps of the volleyball greats that have preceded him, including Matt Webber from Liberty who went on to play for Team USA and Evan Patek who hails from Foothill. Jason wants to do Antioch proud, and would love to be a part of the Olympics in his future. Good luck, Jason.

Just in Time for Baseball & Softball Season

Thursday, April 7 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Deer Valley High School, Gymnasium 4700 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

Parents, players, and coaches are invited to join us at this FREE event to help keep players’ arms at optimal performance and injury free.

With wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries on the rise, find out what you can do to keep your child in the game.

Come and hear orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Benjamin Busfield, M.D., discuss:

– Counting practice throws

– Treating a sore arm for optimal recovery

– Keeping little league players safe

– Softball – hidden dangers

This event is provided by Sutter Delta Medical Center in partnership with Deer Valley Baseball. Light refreshments will be served. Please call (925) 779-3608 if you have questions, or e-mail Lombaa2@sutterhealth.org.

Antioch Little League Vice President Dennis Felix, with scissors, is joined in cutting the ribbon on the refurbished ball field by representatives of those who helped with the effort, including Former 49er Brent Jones of TLC for Kids Sports, KNBR Morning Show Host Brian Murphy, O.C. Jones, Antioch Sports Legends, Delta Antioch Rotary, as well as 2008 Olympic Softball Silver Medalist Vicky Galindo and Congressman Garamendi's office.

More information will be posted later.

Plus A’s & Giants Baseball, Followed By Live Music, Tonight!

By Terry Karp, Proprietor

It’s Final Four Saturday, VCU vs. Butler at 3PM, followed by UConn vs. Kentucky at approx. 5:45pm. Come see if the controversial live mascot, Butler’s Bulldog, “Blue II,” bites anybody or intentionally leaves a puddle on the hardwood in attempt to make the VCU players slip!

After the game at about 9PM, it’s another live entertainment night by the popular band, MamaLuke! We have plenty of TV’s to show all the baseball games too! This should be another great night, so come out to Bases Loaded and catch all the fun! 400 G St., Downtown Rivertown Antioch!

Saturday, April 2 · 10:00am – 1:00pm

Location: Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 West 10th Street

Opening Day/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Antioch Little League Field at the Fairgrounds in Antioch. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 at 10:00 am. The dedicatory Challenger game will take place at 11am. The Challenger Invitational will be held that day, with games immediately following the opening ceremonies. Teams from all over the area will be participating. We have sent invitation letters to Federal, State, County, and Local public officials. At our last grand opening for a Little League field in San Jose, public officials were in attendance as well as prominent athletes.

Aaron Miles signs autographs at the Sports Legends event at the Antioch Historical Museum in February.

He IS the 25th Man

By Allen Payton, Publisher

After signing with the Dodgers in February, to their minor league organization, Aaron Miles, an Antioch High School graduate and 2006 World Series Champion with the St. Louis Cardinals, proved his ability, hustle and skills during the pre-season to make it back to the Bigs, this year, playing at Third Base.  The Dodgers just activated him,  on Wednesday, March 30.

Aaron Miles' 2006 World Series Championship ring, he earned while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

With a .321 average during his 26 pre-season games, Miles got 17 hits during 53 at bats, including two homers – one against the Oakland A’s in a loss, and the other in a 7-1 win against the Brewers on March 8. During the entire pre-season he had three doubles, two triples, three RBI’s, only five strike-outs, a .345 On Base Percentage and a nice .528 Slugging Percentage.

Demonstrating his hustle, in another game against the Brewers on March 19, Miles made a great back-handed, sliding catch to prevent the runner at third from scoring, and threw out the batter at first base. See a highlight video of it here.

Aaron Miles speaks to the Antioch Rotary Club in February

To the consternation of some Antioch Giant’s fans, Miles is wearing Dodger Blue (see a great photo of him in his new uniform, here). What’s worse is they beat our 2010 World Series champion Giants, last night – on Opening Night for the 2011 Regular Season, even – by a score of just 2-1. Ouch! (He got a few friendly guffaws, when he announced his new team while speaking at the Antioch Rotary Club lunch, in February).

Although he didn’t start last night, Miles set a new goal to get back to the Majors this year, and he did it. His dream of playing Major League Baseball is still alive. Even if it is with the dreaded Dodgers from down south in La-La-Land, I say congratulations! Have a great year, Aaron. We wish you well in beating the Padres, Diamondbacks and Rockies!