Sports have always been a natural outlet for kids and this year the sporting community in Charleston will come together at the Family Circle Cup to promote physical fitness. Charleston sports teams from the Battery (Professional A-League Soccer), Lowgators (NBDL Basketball), RiverDogs (Single A baseball), Stingrays (ECHL Hockey) and Swamp Foxes (Arena 2 football) will join forces and lead the charge in this year's "KidZone" event. Each team will sponsor activities in the KidZone that will entertain children of all ages.

"Physical fitness should be an important part of any child's life and sports can be such a natural outlet," commented Frankie Whelan, Executive Director of the Family Circle Cup. "We really appreciate the support we have received from our local sports teams. With their help this year's KidZone will be a fun and entertaining area for kids of all ages."

Throughout the week, mascots from each of the sporting organizations will be on-site in KidZone interacting with the children. Along with ACE, Family Circle Cup's new tournament mascot, the following loveable mascots will be in attendance: Cannonball (Battery), AL (Lowgators), Charlie (RiverDogs), Cool-Ray (Stingrays) and Sly (Swamp Foxes).

During the tournament week, children can stop by KidZone and the following activities will be sponsored by Charleston's local sports franchises.

• Sports Team Activity Charleston Battery Speed Kick Contest - by kicking a soccer ball into a blow-up goal, kids learn the speed of their kicks.
• North Charleston Lowgators Basketball Shooting Contest - kids will test their basketball skills by trying to sink a basketball through a regulation size hoop.
• Charleston Riverdogs Fast Pitch Contest - by throwing a baseball into a blow-up, kids can learn the speed of their throw by radar.
• Charleston Stingrays Hockey Goal Contest - kids will attempt to hit a hockey puck by a blow-up goalie
• Charleston Swamp Foxes Football Toss - kids will try and hit various targets with a football.

A photograph is available featuring all the mascots together. If you would like this photo sent to you then please email your request to Robin Reynolds at rreynolds@gjusa.com or call at 843-849-3157.

This year's Family Circle Cup will feature seven of the Top 10 players in the world including top stars like Serena Williams, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Daniela Hantuchova and Monica Seles. The tournament will be held April 5-13, at the Family Circle Tennis Center at Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina.

The tournament, owned and operated by Family Circle magazine, will be held April 5-13 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina. The Family Circle Cup, one of the longest running women's professional tennis events in the United States, will mark its 30th anniversary in 2003.