Neighbor Sports

Baseball

Hitting Bash: Fastball USA in Elmhurst will hold a Presidents Day Hitting Bash from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 18. It includes a three-hour hitting clinic plus free hitting time for one hour after the clinic. All players will be tested on bat speed, exit speed, timing and technique. A video evaluation, along with classroom session, is included. Students will learn drills to maximize technique and how to improve timing to increase percentage of hard hit balls. An online video lesson will be added for students to review technique and drills at home.

The Hitting Bash at Fastball USA, 137 Diversey, Elmhurst, will be led by an associate scout with the Seattle Mariners, Coach Mike Ryan. Discounted registrations will be honored for the first 12 registered. Call (630) 532-5107 or go to www.fastballusa.com.

Players wanted: The Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League is seeking new players for the 2008 season.

The league uses MLB rules. There are four age divisions: 25 and older, 35 and older, 45 and older and 55 and older. The 25- to 30-game season runs May to September and is played at fields in Des Plaines, Northbrook and Bensenville.

The signup deadline is Feb. 28, and the league-wide new player evaluation session will be at 1 p.m. March 1. The cost is approximately $300 per player for the season.

Players come from throughout the area and have a range of baseball backgrounds. For details or to sign up, call Mike Bryskier at (773) 592-1575, e-mail cnmsblppd@ciomcast.net or visit playbaseballagain.com.

Fishing

Members wanted: Midwest Bassbusters, a bass fishing club, is seeking a few new members at any level of experience. The group fishes one weekend a month from April through October, and monthly meetings are held at Where Else Lounge, Higgins and Lively roads in Elk Grove Village. For information, call Len Digate at (847) 870-7070 or e-mail him at ltd_financial@wideopenwest.com.

Football/cheer

New program: Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation's largest youth football and cheer organization, is expanding into the Des Plaines/Mount Prospect area. Pop Warner offers travel football, cheer and academic rewards for boys and girls 5- to 15-years-old. Chicagoland Pop Warner is a part of Mid-America Pop Warner which serves an 11-state region. The winner of the regional championships in both football and cheer travel to Disney for the Pop Warner Superbowl as seen on ESPN.

The Maine Township Warriors will serve Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge and the surrounding area. Teams are being formed now. There are no tryouts and all players are welcome regardless of experience.

Board members are also needed to help with the program. Anyone who would like to be a part of the Pop Warner program, call (847) 534-6238 for details, e-mail cpwfc@comcast.net or go to the Web site at www.popwarner.com.

Golf

Mixed golf league: The Monday twilight mixed "fun golf" league is seeking new golfers. The league plays at Old Orchard Country Club from May through August with tee times starting at 4:15 p.m. Weekly play is not mandatory, and discounted greens fees are available for Prospect Heights non-residents. There are contests each week, and an annual tournament in September at another course with cash prizes awarded based on handicapped foursome performance.

For information, contact Len Digate, (847) 870-7070 or ltd_financial@wideopenwest.com.