Neighbor Sports

Baseball

Pitchers camp: Fastball USA Training Centers is open for registration for the Summer Elite Pitchers Boot Camp designed for college and high school pitchers who want to advance to the next level. 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.

The summer mission is to help college pitchers return to school in the fall with better velocity, conditioning levels, arm strength and to be more explosive. At the same time high school participants will receive exposure to colleges and universities, while all students work with or be evaluated by pro scouts.

Limited applicants are accepted to this program designed for those who embrace hard work, and have the desire to pitch at the next level. Session I runs from June 2 through July 3; and Session II, July 7 through Aug. 8. Participants can also register for an unlimited summer pass.

For details, including locations, call (630) 532-5107 or go to the Web site at www.fastball.usa.com.

Spring camps: Elmhurst Youth Baseball, Elmhurst Extreme Baseball and Fastball USA are teaming up for a spring throwing/pitching camp for 7- to 12-year-olds 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 Elmhurst Extreme 12-year-old team and Blackbelt pitching students.

The cost of $60 includes a camp T-shirt. Early registration is recommended as spots are limited. For 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 Chicago Salmon vintage baseball team either as a player or a "crank."

Players range from 18 to 59, and play according to the rules of 1858. The team plays without baseball mitts, using a 9½-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, player/coach at (847) 362-9364, or e-mail salmon@chicagosalmon.org, or visit the team's Web site at www.chicagosalmon.org.

Basketball

Travel tryouts: AJBA Blue Devils Basketball will hold tryouts for the 2008 spring-summer travel basketball teams at the following times.

• March 12 -- 11-U boys (5th grade) and 12U boys (6th grade), 6 to 7:30 p.m.; 14-U boys (8th grade) 7:45 to 10 p.m. at Nerge School. 660 Woodfield Trail, Roselle.

• March 13 -- 15U boys (9th grade ) and 17U boys (11th grade), 6 to 8 p.m. at Keller Jr. High, 820 Bode Road, Schaumburg.

• March 18 -- 15U boys (9th grade) and 17U boys (11th grade), 6 to 8 p.m. at Frost Jr. High (320 Bode Road, Schaumburg.

For information, to register for summer tryouts in March, or for coaching opportunities, call the hotline at (847) 494-1166 or visit the Web site, www.bluedevilsacademy.com.

3 on 3 tourney: The Rolling Meadows Athletic Booster Club will hold its 13th annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament April 6 at Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 W. Central Road, Rolling Meadows. All boys and girls from third grade through high school are eligible to participate. Entry fees are $100 for teams that register prior to March 21, and $120 for those that register after that date. The registration deadline is March 31. Space is limited to the first 150 teams. For information, call Tom Conlin at (847) 670-8933.

Spring tournament: North American Youth Sports still has openings in its April 18 through 20 spring youth basketball tournament at Lake Geneva High School. The entry deadline is March 28.

The tournament has 10 different brackets, including both 5th and 6th grade boys and girls, 7th grade boys and girls, and 8th grade boys and girls. There are also teams for boys and girls in 9th and 10th, and 11th and 12th grade boys and girls. All grades are based on the grade in which a student is currently enrolled. The entry fee is $120 per team with a guarantee of a minimum of two games. Awards will be presented in each bracket.

For information or an entry form, call the NAYS spring tournament hotline at (866) 352-5915 or tournament director Forest Larson, (262) 348-1000.

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

Cheerleading/ dance

2008 registration: The Schaumburg Athletic Association is looking for girls to join its cheer or poms program for the 2008 season. The SAA Cheer and Dance program is open to girls in kindergarten through eighth grade as of Sept. 1, 2008. The program is designed to provide a positive learning environment that focuses on having fun, building self esteem and developing teamwork. No previous cheer or dance experience is required. No tryouts will be held. Placement is on a first-come first-served basis. When all Cheer (K-8th) and Poms (5th to 8th) teams have been filled, a waiting list will be established for each grade level.

Open registration will continue through April 3. Forms for registration are available on the SAA Web site under "Cheerleading." Additional details regarding on the program can be found on the Web site at www.saa- online.com/cheerleading.

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 information, call (630) 483-1881 or e-mail streamwoodgolf@sbcglobal.net.

Senior league: The Schaumburg Park District S & H Seniors Golf League is open to seniors 55 or older. Enrollment in the mixed handicap league is being taken, and the registration fee is $30 per player. An organization and registration meeting will be held at 1 p.m. April 1 in the gym at CRC, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg.

The league meets Tuesday mornings at the Schaumburg Golf Course with rotating tee times rotated. During the season there are six special golf events that give members a chance to win money or trophies that are presented at the banquet in October.

For information about the league, go to the Web site at www.snhsgl.com. Pictures of league members and the events that were played in 2007 are also included. The Senior Center phone number is (847) 490-7026.

Ladies league: The Arlington Chippers Ladies 9 hole golf league has openings for both new members and substitutes. The league plays Thursday mornings at 8:15 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 be a kick-off 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.

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.

Couples league: The Friday night couples "fun golf" league is seeking new 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.

Soccer

Registration:ŒThe Inverness Soccer Club (ISC) will hold registration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at Holy Family Community Church, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness. ISC offers recreational soccer for boys and girls in kindergarten to eighth grade. The fall season runs from August through October. The cost is $75 for Inverness Park District residents and $85 for non-residents. Early sign-up is also available for the ISC/MLS Soccer Camp to be held Aug. 4 to 8. A late registration fee of $35 applies after April 26. The program is open to residents of Inverness, Palatine, Barrington, Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows. For current details, check the Web site at www.invernesssoccer.com or call (847) 289-4390.

Holiday tournament: Grove United Soccer Association, a non-for-profit organization, will hold an annual soccer tournament May 23 to 26 at Willow Stream Park. The association wants to raise money for scholarships to give 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 and early registration discounts available

For information, e-mail Joel at manning824@aol.com or Dayna at dlucas@ameritech.net. For information on the tournament, scholarship programs or sponsorship opportunities, visit the Web site at www.groveunitedsoccer.com.

College Showcase: The Buffalo Grove Soccer Association's U-16 Grove United Revolution Select Girls team went undefeated in three games of pool play in the Ohio Elite College Showcase in Cincinnati. The only other team representing Illinois was the Eclipse Select.

Katie Caplis started the scoring in the first game, scoring off a serve by Sam Gavin across the box. Defender Olivia Stangret stifled the Toledo Strikers' on defense. Marlee Luskin finished the scoring, making a shot off the goalie into the near side of the net for a 2-0 final score against the Toledo Pacesetter Premier team.

In the second game at Xavier University the Grove United Revolution team was matched against the Columbus Lady Warriors. Taking a free kick just outside the box after being taken down from behind, Missy Loretto placed a shot just under the crossbar off the keeper's fingertips for a goal. Stopper Liz Vlahos, Allison Kluvers and Mackenzie Bonnem helped the team effort. After receiving a back pass from Julie Kopriva, Loretto made a shot off the crossbar and Jo Jo Kurth beat the keeper to the rebound to score for another 2-0 victory.

In the final game, Dayton's Delaware County 16's posed the biggest challenge to the Grove United Rev's.

Taylor Paoulos created scoring opportunities for Grove United. Marking back Jeanette McNichols' tackling denied Dayton's top striker from scoring and sweeper Alex Low kept Dayton from setting up shots on goal. Keeper Victoria Perizes came up with two big saves to preserve her third shutout of the weekend. With two minutes left in the game, a diving save by Dayton's goalie kept a ball by Gavin out of the goal to preserve a 0-0 tie for the game.

The team is coached by Martin Low and coach/trainer Dick Smurlo.

Softball

Player openings: Hanover Park Little League is looking for players to fill openings in girls softball program. Girls who are 7 to 12 years old from Streamwood, Hanover Park, Bartlett, Schaumburg and Carol Stream are welcome to call (630) 830-4951 as soon as possible. Teams are being formed now. Last year the Angels softball team were undefeated throughout their season.

Swimming

Registration: The Arlington Alligators Swim Team is currently holding registration. The Alligators, a year-round competitive USA-ASCA certified program in the Northwest suburbs, is open to all swimmers age 5 and up who can efficiently swim 25 yards Freestyle and Backstroke.

High school swimmers from all districts are also welcome to train with the Alligators in their off season. The training prepares these swimmers for a successful high school season. Last season, the Alligators had swimmers from 16 different high schools represented on its team, and many qualified for State.

A registration/parent meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. March 17 at the St. Viator High School-Resource Room, 1213 E. Oakton St. (use main entrance), Arlington Heights All levels begin on April 1. Practices are held at St. Viator High School, Recreation Park Pool, Harper College and Plum Grove Pool in Rolling Meadows. Registration forms are available on the Web site, www.arlingtonalligators.org. Anyone with questions call the Alligator hotline at (847) 749-4900.