Chicago Bandits to hold open tryout May 25 at Judson

Ever dream about becoming a Bandit? The Comcast Chicago Bandits professional softball team will be holding open tryouts on Sunday, May 25 at Judson University from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m.

The Bandits are looking for exceptional players 21 or over to fill two roster spots. Owners Bill Conroy and Bill Sokolis along with the Bandits coaching staff will be on hand to scout the talent. Make your dream come true, mark this date in your calendar. For questions, call 877-7BANDIT or e-mail chicagobanditsmedia@gmail.com.

Lightning camp: The Northern Illinois Lightning, Judson University and Elgin Community College will team up to host their second annual softball skills camp June 9-12 at Judson.

The camp, which will run from 9 to 11 a.m. each day, will be designed for 8-14 year olds and will include instruction in hitting, slapping, bunting, pitching, baserunning and defensive skills.

Camp instructors will include ECC coach Anne Vogt, Judson coach Becky Bruns, Howie Bierman and Colleen Cotton of the Lightning coaching staff and Lightning 18 & over players Jaci Corn and Courtney LaFerle.

Cost of the camp is $125 for all four days, with an early registration fee of $110 if paid by May 25.

Campers should bring their own softball equipment and water. Each camper will receive a T-shirt.

Each camper will also have an opportunity to purchase tickets for the June 6 Opening Night of the Chicago Bandits at Judson at a discounted price.

For further information or to register, contact John Radtke at (847) 812-1522 or via e-mail at radtke.john@sbcglobal.net.

South Elgin activities meeting:; On Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m. there will be an opportunity for all incoming freshman and new students to South Elgin High School to find out what acitivities, groups, and athletics are available to them. Meetings will be held in the commons and the main gym and will include advisors, coaches and student athletes/participants.

For further information, call the athletic office at (847) 289-3670 ext. 3691 or e-mail melindaleman@u-46.org.

Jacobs basketball camp: Jacobs High School will be hosting a summer basketball camp for boys grades 6-12 on June 18-19, June 23-26, July 1-3 and July 8-10 at Jacobs High School.

Prospects must currently be enrolled in grades 6-11. For current 6-7 graders, camp will run from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. The freshman/ sophomore team camp will run from 1-2:30 p.m. There will be a position camp for all high school players from 2:30-3 p.m. and varsity team camp will run from 3-4:30 p.m.

All players from high school teams are to attend this 30 minute session each day. Varsity candidates will also have camp Tuesday and Thursday until the summer league (Harper), tournaments and more are completed. There will be work outs twice a week after regular camp is completed.

Camp cost will be $75 for the entire camp and $50 to attend part time. For more information, contact Jim Hinkle at (847) 658-2500 ext. 199.

FVSA, Chicago Bandits and Rockford Thunder camp: The Fox Valley Sports Academy, the Chicago Bandits and the Rockford Thunder will team up for another one-night softball all-skills clinic on Friday, May 16 at the Fox Valley Sports Academy Field House.

Players will work in a group-lesson environment and participate in different skill and drill areas in a 'circuit training' rotation. In addition to a great night of instruction with professional softball players, youth softball players that attend a clinic will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Chicago Bandit and Rockford Thunder players as well as participate in an exclusive autograph session following each session.

All skills clinic sessions are available for players 12U (12 and under) as well as 14U (14 and under). Cost for a one and a half hour clinic is $45 per player/per session and includes a camp T-shirt. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session is limited to the first 36 players that register.

The inaugural clinics held in April were sold out.

Players may register for all Fox Valley Sports Academy programs by visiting the academy website at www.foxvalleysportsacademy.com. For more information, or to register by phone, call (847) 622-8700.

Streamwood boys basketball summer shootout: The Streamwood Sabre Summer Shootout is back at Streamwood High School on Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12. The tournament will consist of 24 teams, and each team will be guaranteed at least 5 games.

All games will be officiated by certified IHSA officials. Each team will play two games on July 11 at either 3-4, 5-6 or 7-8 p.m. On Saturday, each team will play at least three games in a double elimination tournament schedule beginning at 9 a.m.

Space may be limited. Please fill out and return registration form (with deposit or full amount) as soon as possible to guarantee your school a spot in the shootout. Upon receiving deposit, you will get a phone call to confirm your spot. The team entry fee is $250. Please make checks payablee to Streamwood High School. Admission for fans will be $3 for one day or $5 for a two-day pass. All teams are asked to have reversible jerseys for the shootout.

For more information, contact Streamwood head boys basketball coach Tim Jones at (630) 213-5500 ext. 85 81 or (847) 921-1715. You may also contact Jones via email at timjones@u-46.org.

FVSA outdoor baseball/ softball camps: The Fox Valley Sports Academy is holding outdoor baseball and softball summer camps for boys and girls ages 8-12. Most summer camps run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and are located in different communities in and around the Fox Valley area including: Elgin, South Elgin, Bartlett, Dundee, Hoffman Estates, Algonquin, Barrington and Schaumburg.

Students will learn proper fundamentals in hitting, pitching and fielding through structured drills and station work. Players will then utilize their skills in afternoon game time situations, where they are encouraged to play multiple positions.

Cost is $150 (may vary by Park District) per player and includes camp T-shirt and lunch on final day of camp. Sign up before May 15 and receive at $25 discount for most locations.

Online registration and or links to appropriate park districts are available for most camp locations. For more information, as well as a complete list of camp dates and locations, visit www.foxvalleysportsacademy.com or contact the academy at (847) 622-8700.

FVSA adds pro pre-game junior baseball camps: The Fox Valley Sports Academy has added junior baseball summer camps for players 12-14 years old.

These new junior camps will be held exclusively at Trout Park, home of Elgin Babe Ruth, and concentrate on advanced skills designed to assist players with advanced game-play. Drill stations and game situations will be utilized to teach players: proper lead-offs, pick-offs, infield pivots, outfield relays, bunt plays and bunt coverage as well as position specific skill-sets.

Pro Pre-Game Junior Baseball Summer Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until noon and are located at Trout Park on Elgin's northeast sidel There are two weekly sessions scheduled June 16-20 and July 7-11.

Cost for junior camps is $150 per player, per session and includes a camp T-shirt and lunch of the final day of camp. Sign up before May 15 and receive a $25 discount.

Online registration is available for these junior summer baseball camps. For more information, visit www.foxvalleysportsacademy.com or call the academy at (847) 622-8700.