BRIEFS

LOCAL GROUP LAUDS NANTZ

Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, who has covered several sports for the CBS television network since 1985, will be honored as Sportsman of the Year when the Costa Mesa-based Orange County Youth Sports Foundation roasts him at a special banquet set for Jan. 26 at the Anaheim Marriott hotel.

The event begins with a reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7.

Nantz serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for, “The NFL on CBS”; anchor of CBS’s golf coverage, including the Masters and the PGA Championship; and lead play-by-play announcer for college basketball, including the Final Four and championship.

In 2007, Nantz completed a rare broadcasting triple in a 63-day span. Starting with his call of Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, 2007, he became the first commentator in history to broadcast the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and the Masters.

Since 1971, the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation has a tradition of celebrating the accomplishments of sports figures as a means of raising funds for boys and girls in Orange County. Tickets for this year’s banquet are now available. The cost for a table of 10 is $1,500, corporate tables of 10 are $2,500 each and individual tickets are $250. For information about this year’s banquet and silent auction or to purchase tickets, call (714) 250-8437, or visit www.ocysf.org.

PONY SIGN-UPS TODAY

The Costa Mesa Pony League will hold registration for the spring season today from 9 a.m. to noon in front of the main gym at Costa Mesa High.

The Pony Division is for players ages 13 and 14. Fees are $185 per player.

Tryouts for the upcoming season will be Jan. 19 at the freshman baseball field at Costa Mesa High. For more information call, (714) 318-3482.

— From staff reports