Neighbor sports

Baseball

Gagewood Lions: Gagewood Lions Boys Baseball is taking mail-in registration for the in-house program for boys ages 6 to 14 as of Aug. 1 for the upcoming season. Openings will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Mail-in registration will close on Jan. 31. Registration forms and details can be found at www.gagewoodbaseball.com. Fill out the form, print and mail to the address on the Web site.

Hitting clinic: Professionals at The Sports Academy, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove, in Chevy Chase Business Park, will work with athletes on aspects of fine tuning bat mechanics for optimal performance. Sessions will be held Jan. 27 to Feb. 24 from noon to 1 p.m. for second to fourth grade and 4 to 5 p.m. for fifth to eighth grade. The cost is $150.

For a registration form or more information, call TSA at (847) 279-3934 or go to the Web site at info@tsanorthwest.com.

Pitchers' clinic: Two-time Fireman-Award winning MLB relief pitcher Juan Acevedo will conduct a Professional Training Clinic for Serious Pitchers Only at The Sports Academy, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove, in Chevy Chase Business Park. The clinic covers pitching strength, pitcher's fielding practice, mechanics, mental toughness, the pitch selection, grip and delivery.

The clinic for pitchers in eighth grade through high school will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Sundays, this Wednesday to Feb. 20.

For the cost, registration form or more information, call TSA at (847) 279-3934 or go to the Web site at info@tsanorthwest.com.

Spring Training: Zion Benton High School will hold a six-week Spring Training 2008 baseball program for players in first through 12th grade from Jan. 20 to Feb. 24. Zion Benton High School head coach Heath Cummings will direct the program in conjunction with Midwest Baseball Academy. Sessions will be offered in advanced hitting and pitching at a cost of $99 for six weeks. Space is limited. Registration is now under way. For more information, call (866) 622-4487, or visit www.baseballacademy.net.

Warren Township Girls: Warren Township Girls Softball will hold 2008 Season Registration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 13 at Warren High School -- Almond Campus, 34090 Almond Road, Gurnee. All registration is walk-in only on this date. For details, visit www.warrengirlssoftball.com. To save time, players are advised to fill out the forms in advance.

Football

Early registration: The Wauconda/Island Lake Falcons will hold early registrations for the 2008 football season at Wauconda High School, 555 N. Main Street, Wauconda at the following times and days.

• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 24.

The program is dedicated to teaching children ages 5 to 14 the fundamentals of football in a fun and educational environment. An emphasis is placed on individual skills development, confidence, teamwork and good sportsmanship to help aspiring young athletes become better football players and citizens.

For registration details, call Scott Coyne at (847) 487-1306. For more information about the Falcons Football program, visit the Web site at www.falconstravelfootball.com.