Neighbor Sports

Neighbor sports

Baseball

Coaching clinic: The Sports Academy-Northwest Multi-Sport Facility, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove, will host a free, professionally-directed training program from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday for volunteer baseball coaches. The clinic will teach coaches the latest methods to develop fundamentally sound players and teams.

The workshop will be led by speaker and baseball consultant Peter Caliendo, technical director of TSA Baseball.

To reserve a space, call (847) 279-3934 or e-mail info@tsaNorthwest.com.

Pitchers camp: Fastball USA Training Centers is open for registration for the Summer Elite Pitchers Boot Camp designed for college and high school pitchers. Participants will take part in daily advanced conditioning, and pitching-specific training to improve throwing velocity and throwing distance. Applications must be submitted by March 15.

Session I runs from June 2 to July 3; and Session II, July 7 to Aug. 8. Participants can also register for an unlimited summer pass.

For more information, including locations, call (630) 532-5107 o visit Web site at fastballusa.com.

Spring camps: Elmhurst Youth Baseball, Elmhurst Extreme Baseball and Fastball USA are teaming up for a spring throwing and pitching camp for players ages 7 to 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 and 4 to 6 p.m. April 12. A step-by-step approach to throwing and pitching mechanics will be followed. The camp, held at Fastball USA in Elmhurst, will be run by a Fastball USA instructor with assistance from members of the Elmhurst Extreme 12-year-old team and Blackbelt pitching students.

The cost of $60 includes a camp T-shirt. For more information or a registration form, call Kevin Ryan at (630) 359-3126 or e-mail him at kpryan26@comcast.net.

Vintage team: The Chicago Salmon Vintage Baseball team has players from the entire Chicago area, including Rockford and Springfield. Anyone may join the 2008 team either as a player or a "crank."

Players range in age from 18 to 59, and play according to the rules of 1858. The team plays without baseball mitts, using a 9ˆ½-inch "lemon peel" style baseball. There is no stealing and more differences from the modern game to challenge players.

This year the Chicago Salmon will play approximately 27 games. More teams from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio have been added to this year's schedule.

For more information or to sign up, call Gary Schiappacasse at (847) 362-9364, or send e-mail addressed to salmon@chicagosalmon.org, or visit chicagosalmon.org.

Basketball

Spring teams: Next Level Basketball Academy is now forming boys spring AAU basketball for fifth- to 11th-grade teams. For more information, call (847) 508-2721 or send an e-mail to NLBA1@yahoo.com.

Golf

2008 leagues: Streamwood Oaks Golf Leagues for all interested players are forming for the 2008 season. Meetings will take place at 6 p.m. March 19 for the Wednesday Night Men's League, 6 p.m. March 20 for the Thursday Night Ladies League and 9 a.m. March 20 for the Men's Senior League. All meetings will be held at the Streamwood Oaks clubhouse. For more information, call (630) 483-1881 or e-mail streamwoodgolf@sbcglobal.net.

Ladies league: The Arlington Chippers Ladies 9-hole golf league has openings for both new members and substitutes. The league plays at 8:15 a.m. Thursdays at Arlington Lakes Golf Club, 1211 S. New Wilke Road, Arlington Heights. The season runs from April 24 through Sept. 4, and players do not need to be residents of Arlington Heights to join. There will be a kickoff breakfast meeting at 9:30 a.m. April 17 at the golf club. Anyone interested who is unable to attend, call Jayne at (847) 934-4751.

Couples league: The Friday night couples "fun golf" league seeks golfers. The league plays at the Mount Prospect Golf Club from May through August with tee times starting at 5:20 p.m. There are weekly themes and an end-of-the year banquet. Weekly play is not mandatory and substitutes are not required. For information, call Karen and Mark Ackermann at (847) 394-3524 or e-mail k.ackermann@comcast.net.

Mixed golf league: The Monday twilight mixed "fun golf" league seeks new golfers. The league plays at Old Orchard Country Club 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 nonresidents. Call Len Digate, (847) 870-7070 or send e-mail addressed to ltd_financial@wideopenwest.com.

Soccer

Holiday tournament: Grove United Soccer Association, a not-for-profit organization, will hold its annual soccer tournament May 23-26 at Willow Stream Park. The tourney will help raise scholarship money giving less fortunate kids an opportunity to play soccer at a competitive level.

The cost for the Memorial Day Shootout is U8-U11, $425 and U12-U19, $475. Multi-team club discounts available

Early registration discounts

For more information, send an e-mail Joel at manning824@aol.com or Dayna at dlucas@ameritech.net. For more information on the tournament or scholarships, visit the Web site at www.groveunitedsoccer.com

Softball

Player openings: Hanover Park Little League seeks players to fill openings in its girls softball program. Girls ages 7 to 12 from Streamwood, Hanover Park, Bartlett, Schaumburg or Carol Stream are welcome to call (630) 830-4951. Teams are being formed now. Last year the Angels softball team was undefeated.

Swimming

Tryouts: The Tiger Sharks, a Palatine Park District swim program, will hold open tryouts for the upcoming 2008 Long-Course swimming season from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Fremd High School Natatorium, 1000 S. Quentin Road, Palatine.

The team will also hold early bird registration for the upcoming 2008 Long-Course swimming season at 6 p.m. Monday at the Birchwood Recreation Center Gymnasium, 435 Illinois Ave., Palatine. Registrants attending will be eligible for a $15 per family discount off the park district registration fee.

The Palatine Swim Team is a multi-ability level program offering competitive opportunities, technique development and fun for swimmers ages 6 and older. The team is divided into progressive groups. Coaches make the final determination for group placement and advancement to the next level.

The team's purpose is to enable and encourage individuals who indicate an interest in competitive swimming achieve self-determined levels of skill and competency. The team also provides enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment to athletes, positive peer support, personal growth and character development

Practices during the school year may be held beginning at 4 p.m., Monday-Friday and beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at various pools depending on group assignment.

Visit www.ppdswim.org for more information or contact Swim Team Coordinator Andy Rose at (847) 202-3240 or headcoach@ppdswim.org.