Neighbor Sports

Baseball

Pitchers clinic: Former MLB relief pitcher Juan Acevedo is conducting a Professional Training Clinic for Serious Pitchers Only for ages eighth grade through high school from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Sundays through Feb. 20. Clinics are held 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.

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

Travel openings: The Northwest Crushers (formerly the Stone Authority Crushers) U13 Boys Travel Baseball Team has openings for the 2008 travel season. Non-Hoffman Estates residents are also welcome to try out. Contact Coach Ed Korus for an indoor tryout.

Players must be no older than 13 on or before May 1, 2008. The team plays a competitive schedule from April to July in the Mid-Suburban Baseball League, which includes a total of approximately 50 games, including two out of town weekend tournaments. Home games are at Cannon Crossing in Hoffman Estates. For information, call Coach Ed Korus at (847) 202-1970.

Hockey

Spring registration: In-line 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 between the age of 4 and 18 of all skill levels. The league fee which includes 12 games, practices, playoffs, mid-season tournament and a hockey jersey 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.

In-line hockey is a way to experience the speed and fun of hockey without the expense of most ice hockey programs. In-line or roller hockey is one of the fastest growing team sports in the country and will be a medal sport in the Beijing Olympics. Because there is no checking, boys and girls play on mixed teams. There are also no blue lines or red lines so learning the game is fun and easy.

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