Neighbor sports

Tryouts and clinics for community sports groups, plus sporting events and tournaments, skate competitions, public appearances by sports stars in the area, autograph signings, sports conventions, etc. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Umpires wanted: Palatine Youth Baseball/Softball is looking for umpires, male or female, for the 2009 season. No past experience is needed. Training classes will be provided at the Palatine Park District starting Feb. 23. Visit pyb.com, click on the umpires tab and complete the preliminary questionnaire or pick up a form at the Community Center, 250 E. Wood St., during business hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Deadline for application is Feb. 16. (846) 705-5123, ext. 232.

Drop-in volleyball: 6-7:45 p.m. for ages 13-17; 8-10 p.m. for ages 18 and older, Sundays through Dec. 21, Schaumburg Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road. $4 for residents; $6 nonresidents. (847) 891-1266.

Summer baseball leagues: The South Barrington Park District is currently accepting registration for summer baseball leagues. The park district offers in-house baseball leagues for children ages 5-10. Leagues will be formed for T-ball, ages 5-6; Coach Pitch, ages 7-8; and Kid Pitch, ages 9-10. Practices begin in mid-April and games will be scheduled starting in May. Games will be played on various weekday evenings at 6 p.m., with Saturday game times to be announced. Sibling discounts and coaching opportunities available. Call, (847) 381-7515 or ebpd.net.

Dec. 19

Winter Nationals Dodgeball Tournament: Saturday, Jan. 3, Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg. Title of National Amateur Dodgeball Association Indoor National Champions is on the line at this Winter Nationals. Multiple divisions exist for men, women, youth and co-recreational teams. Fees range from $105-$125. Deadline to register teams is Dec. 19. For information, (847) 985-2120 or dodgeballusa.com.

Dec. 20

YMCA Basketball Camp: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, Campanelli YMCA, 300 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg. Open to children in grades one-eight. Drills to improve rebounding techniques, shooting skills, dribbling stance and posture, defensive techniques. $15-$30. Register online at campanelliymca.org or call Ryan or Sheila at (847) 891-9622.

Holiday Hoop Fest: 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 20; Northridge Preparatory School in Niles. Open to boys in grades five through eight. One-hour basketball skills clinic; 3-point, free throw, hot spots shooting contests and double elimination 3-on-3 tournament. Admission is free. Pre-register at phunt@northridgeprep.org or visit northridgeprep.org.

Tour Holiday Cup: Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21, Hat Trick Hockey, 647 Consumers Ave., Palatine. Salt Creek Park District host this inline roller hockey tournament for ages 8-adult. Call (847) 394-8806 or visit Hat-Trick-Hockey.com.

Dec. 22

Schaumburg Showdown Soccer Tournament: Saturday, Dec. 27 and Sunday, Dec. 28, Schaumburg Park District Sport Center,1141 W. Irving Park Road. Three-on-three indoor soccer tournament. Multiple divisions based on age, gender and skill levels. Age ranges U10-U14. Register in person before Monday, Dec. 22, at the Sport Center. ((847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

Chicago Storm Lil' Kickers Holiday Camps: 1-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22-Tuesday, Dec. 30 for ages 3-16 years. Camps include Lil' Kickers Camp for ages 3-6; Chicago Storm Holiday Camp for ages 7-16; and Chicago Storm Striker/Keeper Camp for ages 10-16. Cost vary, register at ChicagoSportsZone.com. (708) 410-1301.

Holiday Hoops: Dec. 22 and 23; Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 Thacker St., Des Plaines. Holiday Hoops basketball clinic for boys and girls grades four through eight. Grades four and five meet 9-10:30 a.m. and grades six through eight meet 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Residents: $40, nonresidents, $48. For details, or to register, call (847) 391-5711 or visit desplainesparks.org

Winter Break Baseball Clinic: Noon-2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 for grades 4-6; Tuesday, Dec. 23 for grades 7-10, The Sports Academy's Multi-Sport Facility, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove. Buffalo Grove High School's varsity baseball coach, Jeff Grybash, will join TSA's Baseball professionals to run players through a training session. Parents are encouraged to come and meet the coach and attend a 30-minute question and answer session following the 11/2-hour skills camp. $40 per player. Call (847) 279-3934, visit TSANorthwest.com or e-mail Info@TSANorthwest.com.

Salt Creek Park District Hat Trick Hangout's: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 and 29; and Tuesday, Dec. 23 and 30, Hat Trick Hockey Inline Hockey Arena, 647 Consumers Ave., Palatine. Open gym, inline hockey, Shinny Stick Hockey, Scooter Hockey and video games. (847) 394-8806.

Holiday Baseball Camps: Session One is 8:30 a.m.-noon, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23; Session 2 is 8:30 a.m.-noon, Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29 and 30; Play Ball USA, 208 Graceland Ave., Des Plaines. Includes use of Digital Motion Analysis to allow athletes to make adjustments with their throwing or hitting. Cost is $100 per camp or $175 for both camps. Open to ages 7-13. Call (847) 375-0840 or visit playballdirect.com

Winter Break Sports Equipment Drive: Bring your new/gently used Baseball and Volleyball equipment to The Sports Academy, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove, during TSA's Winter Break Youth Sports Camps on Dec. 22 and 23 and Dec. 29 and 30. TSA's Team America will distribute the equipment to youth groups in need during their spring break tournament and travel to Puerto Rico. Visit .TSANorthwest.com, or call (847) 279-3934.

Dec. 29

Fremd Volleyball Camp: 1-3 p.m. Monday Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. Led by Curt Pinley, Fremd High School varsity volleyball coach. Improve your skills or learn to play. $62-$65. (847) 934-6300.

All sports and dodgeball camp: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, North Park Gym, 300 N. Highland Road, Inverness. For grades one-five. $32-$35. (847) 934-6300.

Chicago Bulls Winter Break Camp: 9 a.m.-noon Monday, Dec. 29-Wednesday, Dec. 31, Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg. For ages 6-14. Chicago Bulls Training Academy staff coaches give boys and girls an opportunity to receive the same instruction taught to the pros. Players will be grouped by age/ability level and be eligible to compete in the Bulls Skills Competition at the United Center in fall 2009. $150. For information, call (847) 891-1266.

Jan. 5

Lil' Shots: 5-5:45 p.m. Mondays Jan. 5-Feb. 23: Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Children ages 4-5 will be instructed on the basics of basketball. Practice dribbling, passing, shooting and rebounding with drills. $37-$52. (630) 894-4200 or roselleparkdistrict.com.

Small Shots: 5:50-6:50 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 5-Feb. 23, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Children ages 5-6 learn the basic rules, skills and strategies of basketball with drills, relay races and other activities. $49-$64. (630) 894-4200 or roselleparkdistrict.com.

Jan. 6

Youth volleyball: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 24, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Children ages 9-13 bump, set, spike and learn to score. (630) 894-4200 or roselleparkdistrict.com.

Junior High Color Guard class: 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 6-Feb. 24, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Children in grades five-eight learn basic flag, dance and equipment skills. Flags provided for class use. (630) 894-4200 or roselleparkdistrict.com.

Jan. 7

Lil' Shots: 5-5:45 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 7-Feb. 25: Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Children ages 4-5 will be instructed on the basics of basketball. Practice dribbling, passing, shooting and rebounding with drills. $37-$52. (630) 894-4200 or roselleparkdistrict.com.

Small Shots: 5:50-6:50 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 7-Feb. 25, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. Children ages 5-6 learn the basic rules, skills and strategies of basketball with drills, relay races and other activities. $49-$64. (630) 894-4200 or roselleparkdistrict.com.

Chili Open: 10 a.m.-noon; Jan. 10; Lake Park Course, Howard Ave. at Touhy Ave., Des Plaines. Hosted by the Des Plaines Park District. Play six holes of golf and fill up on chili, coffee and hot cocoa. Prizes include 10 play passes, golf balls and range cards for Golf Center Des Plaines. Residents: $15 for golf and lunch, $8 lunch only; nonresidents, $20 golf and lunch, $8 lunch only. Call (847) 391-5711 or visit desplainesparks.org

Jan. 31

2009 Super Bowl Shootout: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, Lake Barrington Field House, Lake Barrington and Harper College, Palatine. For information, call Northwest Youth Sports Association, (847) 963-9600 or nwyouthsports@gmail.com.

Feb. 14

Salt Creek Park District's Hat Trick Hockey open house: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Inline Hockey Arena, 647 Consumers Ave., Palatine. (847) 394-8806.

March 23

Palatine Celtic Soccer winter indoor camp: March 23-27, Birchwood Gym, Palatine. For ages 6-13. Camp will concentrate on a foundation of footwork skills geared toward both beginning and experienced players with an emphasis on ball mastery. For times, fees and information, visit palatinecelticsc.com.

April 11

2009 Easter Celebration Shootout: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, April 11, Lake Barrington Field House, Lake Barrington and Harper College, Palatine. For information, call Northwest Youth Sports Association, (847) 963-9600 or nwyouthsports@gmail.com.

May 9

2009 Respect Mom Shootout: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Lake Barrington Field House, Lake Barrington and Harper College, Palatine. For information, call Northwest Youth Sports Association, (847) 963-9600 or nwyouthsports@gmail.com.

The Athletic Barn: The Athletic Barn is now open to rent for local baseball/softball and basketball teams. Offers 10,000 square feet of gym space, two batting cages, two pitchers mounds and two basketball courts. Hosts team practices and training sessions. Rental space available. Call (847) 290-1330 or e-mail trevor@athleticbarnchicago.com

Kane County Phantoms 17U baseball: The Kane County Phantoms 17U baseball team is seeking a few additional players for the 2009 season. The Phantoms play in local, state and out of state tournaments on weekends after the high school spring season is completed. If you are interested in a tryout or information, call Ernie Colombe at (630) 664-2223 or e0mail e.colombe@mchsi.com.

Substitute bowlers needed: The Wednesday Senior Men's Bowling League seeks seniors age 55 and older interested in bowling as a substitute when regular teams are missing bowlers. The league bowls at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Elk Grove Bowl, Higgins and Arlington Heights roads. Cost is minimal. League luncheon and prize awards at the end of the season. Call Bill Piscitello, (847) 439-4386 or e-mail wpiscitello@aol.com.

SAA Travel Baseball: The 13U Schaumburg Flyers Blue is looking for several "A" level baseball players to complete its roster. Residency not required. Call Bill Grzelak for tryout information. (847) 584-4556.