Mom and Pop Hutchinson have done quite a job of child-rearing in San Diego. Oldest son Chad plays quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, calling the plays from under center. The younger Hutchinson, Trevor, is the newest pitching phenom to come down the Florida pike, currently slaying Double-A hitters for the Jupiter Hammerheads.
Trevor is off to a quick start during this '03 campaign, winning nine of his first ten decisions with a trim 2.87 E.R.A.
With such success, you have to keep reminding yourself that just last year, Hutchinson was a promising young prospect at Berkeley. He was taken in the third round of the 2002 draft, and, according to him, the hardest part of pro ball is adjusting to the increased everyday grind. "It's hard to give 100 percent every fifth day," he says. "It takes a toll both mentally and physically."
If pitching standouts like Hutchinson aren't enough of a reason to go to Roger Dean Stadium (4751 Main St., Jupiter) at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, the Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals offer one more enticement to get you off your butt and out to the park: The first 1,000 people through the gate will be given "diamonds," and one of those lucky fans will receive a real half-carat rock. It's all part of the "Diamonds in the Rough" promotion. Tickets cost $7 to $20. Call 561-799-9596. -- Russ Evans
SAT 6/21
Bam! Pow! Thwap!
Local fight-night impresario John Morrison brings his latest edition of USA Extreme Challenge to War Memorial Auditorium (800 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale) at 7 p.m. The marathon format of Morrison's fights is the same as ever, with two rounds of bare-knuckle karate followed by two rounds of Thai kickboxing and two rounds of combat submission grappling; but this time, to paraphrase Mad Max III: Beyond Thunderdome, eight men enter, and only one man leaves. Along with the bone-crushing violence this promises, audiences will thrill to a light-middleweight kickboxing title fight and a superheavyweight bare-knuckle karate fight. Tickets cost $25 to $100. Call 954-828-5380. -- Dan Sweeney
FRI 6/20
Go Fish
Calling all fishermen. The inaugural Power 96-DJ Laz Fishing Tournament is coming to Port Everglades on Friday. Benefiting the Hollywood Police Athletic League, the event kicks off at 7 p.m. with a "captain's party" at Harbor Town Grille in Fort Lauderdale. The competition then begins Saturday bright and early, with a 7 a.m. shotgun start just outside Port Everglades. Poles are allowed in the water up to 50 miles out, with the final weigh-in at 4 p.m. The best total weight of any three fish wins a first prize of $2,000. Second nets $1,000 and third $500. Heaviest dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, and tuna could also win you $250. Registration is $50 per angler. Call 954-444-3311. -- Russ Evans
THU 6/19
Go Swim
There's going to be a whole lot of lapping going on this week. More than 1,000 swimmers of all ages dive into the pool Thursday to Sunday to compete in the 2003 International Age Group Swimming Invitational. The event, held at the Hall of Fame Aquatic Complex (501 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale), offers age-specific divisions ranging from 10 and younger through ages 15 to 16. There is also an open group in which anyone from 3 to 83 can compete. Thursday's session is a time final, while Friday through Sunday offers a morning preliminary session and an afternoon finals session. Tickets are $4 per session, and a four-day pass is available for $22. Call 954-828-4581. -- Russ Evans
