Special Olympics

Maryland/Special Olympics held its annual Sports Leadership Conference recently at Dr. Lenny Berger's Sheraton Hotel in Ocean City. The weekend event gives volunteers from all over the state a chance to exchange ideas for the coming year.One of highlights of the weekend was the Sports Leadership Banquet, where Basketball Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, executive vice president of the Washington Bullets, was the guest speaker. Unseld will be working with this group next year as the Honorary Coach of Maryland Special Olympics Basketball.

RATTLEWOOD GOLF Course will be the gathering place for 40 Special Olympics golfers at 3 p.m. Sunday. The athletes will play the first tournament in a series of nine that will conclude in a championship round at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 28. The event is sponsored by Professional Golfers Association of America, Nissan Motor Manufacturing and NFL Charities, and draws many Special Olympics participants from Howard, Carroll, Frederick...

The count to Keith Pitts was one-and-two, with runners on first and second. Time to just make contact, move the runners up."Just try to hit it," the third base coach yelled, encouraging.But Keith gave the next pitch a full, violent cut, fouling the ball off.L "Keith. Just make contact. You don't have to kill the ball."The 18-year-old from Baltimore's Cherry Hill neighborhood looked over, nodded, then stepped back in to face the pitcher. All advice aside, he knew it was his moment. He swung wildly at the next pitch, sending the ball on a frozen-rope line to the depths of center field.

Harford County law enforcement and correctional officers will act as assistant servers helping the wait staff during a Cops and Lobsters fund-raiser for Special Olympics Maryland from noon to 3 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and April 23 at the Bel Air Red Lobster, 615 Bel Air Road. When the bill comes, diners will be asked to donate to Special Olympics. The donation is not part of the bill or tip. If the diners wish to make a contribution, they will be given an envelope for the donation and asked to deposit the contribution in a special box at the greeters' desk.

Taneytown Police Chief Melvin Diggs will perform karaoke at a benefit for the Maryland Special Olympics from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 120, 9 Broad St., Taneytown.The second annual fund-raiser features singing, dancing, food and raffles.Admission is a donation to the Special Olympics.Information: 410-751-1150.FiresWestminster: A Taneytown resident told police that someone broke into her business at Carroll Plaza and stole $150 Thursday.Reese: An employee of Bell Atlantic in Woodlawn told police that someone stole a pay telephone from the vacant carnival grounds in the 1700 block of Baltimore Blvd.

Taneytown police Chief Melvin Diggs raised $1,806.62 for the Maryland Special Olympics in nine hours as a performer and master of ceremonies of a karaoke program.The Aug. 10 program was part of a statewide fund-raising effort by police chiefs.The Taneytown American Legion donated proceeds from food and drink sales. In addition, food counter and drink servers donated $45 they received from tips.FireTaneytown: Firefighters responded at 1: 49 p.m. Monday to a truck fire on Mayberry Road at Route 140. Units were out 41 minutes.

The 22nd annual Maryland Special Olympics return to Towson State University this weekend. Competition was to begin at 1 p.m. today, and opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. at Minnegan Stadium. Competition tomorrow begins at 9:15 a.m., and closing ceremonies at Minnegan are slated for 4 p.m.The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round training and competition in a variety of Olympic sports for all individuals with mental retardation. More than 1,100 adults and children 8 years and older are scheduled to participate in the Maryland Special Olympics, which have been held at Towson State since their inception in 1970.

ST. MARY'S CITY - In blustery conditions, 52 athletes with developmental disabilities competed in the Special Olympics Maryland sailing regatta over the weekend. For two days, the sailors were partnered in "unified teams" by non-disabled skippers. The round-the-buoys racing produced close starts, exciting finishes, and several capsizes. The competition was on two levels: At level one, the special athletes were responsible for handling the jib while the skippers controlled the boats; at level two, the athlete shared the sailing control with the skipper.

Kai Mosby won't have to travel to Atlanta or wait until next month to fulfill his Olympic dream. He and more than 1,200 other athletes with developmental disabilities will get their chance to go for the gold in this weekend's Maryland Special Olympics Summer Games at Towson State University.The 27th annual event begins with tonight's opening ceremonies, which include the lighting of the torch, a parade of athletes and a fireworks show. Tomorrow and Sunday, the athletes will compete in a variety of sporting events, including aquatics, power lifting, equestrian, track and field, softball and volleyball.