Neighbor sports
Baseball, softball
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 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 through 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.
Registration:ŒThe Arlington Heights Youth Athletic Association will hold walk-in baseball/softball registration from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 at Frontier Park, 1929 N. Kennicott, Arlington Heights.
A.H.Y.A.A. offers coach pitch softball for boys and girls who are in first and second grade now. Girls' Softball and Boys' Baseball is offered for those in third through 12th grade.
More information is available from 1 to 4 p.m. any Monday, Wednesday or Friday at (847) 870-0081.
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: 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 between the age of 4 and 18 of all skill levels. The league fee is $90 for Elk Grove Village residents and $108 for non-residents.
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 non-residents.
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 information, call Patti Siwicki at (847) 437-5388 or visit the Web site at www.egvsports.com.
Miscellaneous
Baggo signup: The Wheeling Park District Adult Baggo League begins at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and continues for eight weeks through March 20. The fee for Baggo is $20 per team. This session, the league will move to the Gable Grill at Chevy Chase Country Club on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling.
All those 18 years and over may sign up for the league as a team of two. The game of baggo involves throwing the bean bag through the seven-inch hole in a wooden board to score three points or on the surface for one point. The first team to 21 wins. Refreshments are available for purchase starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Gable Grill bar.
Register at the Guest Service Desk at the Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, or at www.wheelingparkdistgrict.com.
Rugby
Sign-up Day: The Arlington Stallions Rugby Club will be holding its Sign-Up Day for the 2008 spring season from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Northwest Community Hospital's Wellness Center, 900 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights. Practice will begin on Feb. 25 for the High School squad and March 31 for the Middle School squad. The season ends in early June.
Membership is open to all middle and high school boys in the greater Arlington Heights area. Dues are $160 for high school members and $60 for middle school members. Questions can be directed to Paul Bergman at (847) 590-8536 or Mike Pateras at (847) 259-4173.