Neighborhood sports

Baseball

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 ages eighth grade through high school will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Sundays from today 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.

Basketball

Skills and development program: Three-time NBA champion Dickey Simpkins will be leading a basketball skills and development program for fourth- to seventh-graders Sundays, starting Sunday through Feb. 24 at the JCYS Northwest Family Center, 1700 Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove.

The program will include fundamental basketball skills and a controlled competitive game at the end of every session. Each player will have the opportunity to play a significant amount of minutes in every game. The fee is $95, which includes a jersey and basketball.

The JCYS is an independent, nonprofit agency that provides educational and recreational programs nurturing individual growth and promoting responsibility to others.

For more information, call (847) 279-0900 or visit www.jcys.org/northwest

Hockey

Spring registration: Inline Hockey will hold registration for the spring season from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Rainbow Falls in Elk Grove Village. A special guest will be at registration courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks. The program is open to players ages 4 to 18 of all skill levels. The league fee, which includes 12 games, practices, playoffs, mid-season tournament and a hockey jersey, costs is $90 for Elk Grove Village residents and $108 for nonresidents.

The Mighty Mite program of skill development and guided scrimmages is available for children in preschool or kindergarten. The fee is $40 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.

Players in first through 12th grade play in one of five divisions depending on their age. Games are played at three outdoor inline hockey rinks in Elk Grove Village. Extra skills clinics are offered during the season at no additional charge.

Registration is also available at the Elk Grove Park District Pavilion through the end of January. For more information, call Patti Siwicki at (847) 437-5388 or visit www.egvsports.com.

Softball

Registration: The Schaumburg Athletic Association will hold walk-in registration for the 2008 softball season from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday or Jan. 19 at The Barn, 231 Civic Drive (just off Carver between Weathersfield Way and Schaumburg Road).

SAA offers a girls softball program that provides wholesome summer activity for girls ages 5 to 19 from Schaumburg and surrounding communities. The program is committed to instruction and promoting good sportsmanship. Anyone who wants to have fun, make new friends, and learn the game, may come to registration, which costs $120 per player and includes a complete uniform. Each team is required to find one sponsor in the amount of $150.

The league structure is: T-Ball (pre-k and kindergarten), must be 5 by March 31, 2008; Pee Wee (first and second grade), player pitches 2, then coach pitches 3; Juniors (third and fourth grade), modified fast pitch, Intermediate (fifth and sixth grade), modified fast pitch; Majors (seventh and eighth grade), fast pitch; and Seniors (high school or up to 19 years of age), fast pitch.

In the T-Ball and Pee Wee leagues, girls are placed on teams based upon school/area and preferences. Juniors through Majors are placed on teams based on results of their evaluations held in February. Fast pitch rules have been established for Juniors through Majors and vary depending upon the level. Evaluations are not held for players in the Senior league.

SAA Softball is an all-volunteer program including commissioners, coaches and parents who work to provide a positive environment for the girls while developing fundamentals, teamwork, commitment and sportsmanship.

For more information, call Lou Anderson at (630) 872-1320 or visit www.saa-online.com.