Neighbor sports

Baseball coaching assistants: Palatine Youth Baseball and Softball is seeking volunteers to assist their coaches for the 2008 season. Volunteers can help 7- to 12-year-old girls learn the fundamentals of softball. Anyone who played softball in high school or college and would like the chance to develop talented young players is welcome. PYB/S is an affiliate of the Palatine Park District.

For information, contact Robin, the volunteer coordinator, at PYB.com or e-mail boisvert3967@comcast.com.

New players wanted:ŒThe Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League is seeking new players for the upcoming 2008 season. This is baseball using MLB rules, not softball. There are four age divisions: 25 and over, 35 and over, 45 and over, and 55 and over. The season runs from May to September with between 25 and 30 games, played at fields in Des Plaines, Northbrook and Bensenville.

The signup deadline is Feb. 28. A league-wide new player evaluation session will be held at 1 p.m. March 1. The cost per player is approximately $300 for the season. For information or to sign up, contact Mike Bryskier at (773) 592-1575 or cnmsblppd@comcast. For additional information go to playbaseballagain.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 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.

Basketball

2 Ball Competition: Get a partner and join the Chicago Bulls and Palatine Park District for the free 2 Ball Competition on Feb. 18 at the Community Center Gym, 250 E. Wood Street, Palatine.

Participants will compete as a team of two for one minute trying to score as many points as possible from eight designated spots on the court. Divisions will include boys, girls, and adult and child. Ages of children eligible range from 9 through 14 years. Pre-registration is recommended partners must be listed on the entry form. The online registration deadline is Feb. 11. Children must bring a birth certificate the day of the event. Registration will only be available at the Community Center on the day of event.

For more information, call the Palatine Park District at (847) 991-0333.

AAU tryouts:ŒThe Netburners will hold tryouts for boys and girls on Feb. 29 at Birchwood Recreation Center, 435 W. Illinois Ave., Palatine at the following times.

• 4th and 5th Grade Girls and Boys -- 6 to 7 p.m.

• 6th and 7th Grade Girls and Boys -- 7 to 8 p.m.

• 8th, 9th and 10th Grade Girls -- 8 to 9 p.m.

The registration fee at door is $10 or $5 by e-mail before Feb. 27. Call Lonnie Welch at (847) 338-7099, e-mail Lo nie.netburners@gmail.com or go to the Web site at Ne tburners.com.

Football/ cheerleading

Registration:ŒRolling Meadows Youth Football and Cheerleading registration will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Jan. 26 at Rolling Meadows Community Center, 3705 Pheasant Drive. For more details go to Web site at www.rmmustangs.com.

Pop Warner registration: Hoffman Estates Hawks Youth Football and Cheer will hold early registration from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 9 at Eisenhower Junior High School, 800 Hassell Road.

Pop Warner is the largest youth football and cheer organization in the country. For information go to www.popwarner.com.

There are several levels of tackle football and cheer for ages 5 to 14 based on experience. Flag football is also offered for youngsters 5 to 8.

Hoffman Estates is also forming Challenger program flag and cheer teams for 5- to 14-year-olds with disabilities. The Chicagoland Pop Warner conference champions of football and cheer will qualify for the Mid-America regional championships made up of an 11-state region. The region winner travels to Disneyworld for the Pop Warner Superbowl seen on ESPN.

For more information, e-mail hawkpres@comcast.net or go to the Web site at www.hoffmanhawks.org for online registration.

Miscellaneous

Poms clinic:ŒGirls in kindergarten through eighth grade are welcome to attend the Poms Clinic, dance with the Prospect Poms and perform at halftime during Saturday's basketball game. Registration is at 11 a.m. and the clinic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the cafeteria at Prospect High School. Registration is $30 per girl. The clinic includes a T-shirt, drink and snack. All girls will perform a dance routine at halftime of the boys' varsity game which begins at 6 p.m.

Checks made payable to Prospect High School should be sent to the school at 801 W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. For details, call Mrs. Fleaka at (847) 550-9931.