Neighborhood Sports

Baseball

Registration: Schaumburg Athletic Association will hold walk-in registrations for the 2008 in-house baseball season from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at Jane Addams Junior High, 700 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg.

Walk-in registrations are open to children ages 5 to 17, based on the child's age as of Sept. 1, 2008. Those over the age of 17 should visit the Web site for registration information.

The SAA is an all-volunteer organization providing sports activities for area youths. The baseball program is designed to be an instructional platform for children of any ages with the focus on sportsmanship, fair play and teamwork.

For additional information, visit the Web site at www.saa-online.com.

Throw Faster Clinic:ŒFastball USA, near the York and Grand intersection on Diversey in Elmhurst, will host a one-day clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21. Pre-registration is required.

The clinic will teach baseball players how to throw harder and farther while improving overall throwing ability. The class will be led by former college coaches and baseball scouts.

The class will also teach players almost the opposite of what they have generally learned using methods that build arm strength and throwing velocity. The satisfaction guaranteed clinic will give players a great start at building and enhancing throwing velocity.

Discounts are available for the first 12 students that register. Sub-groups are created to accommodate youth players and high school players.

Call (630) 532-5107 or log on to www.fastballusa.com for more information.

Basketball

Free throw contest:ŒAll 10- to 14-year-old boys and girls are welcome to participate in the local level competition for the 2007 Knights of Columbus, Council 4483 (Arlington Heights) Free Throw Challenge.

The competition will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Saint Viator High School, 1213 Oakton Ave., Arlington Heights. Registration is between 1 and 1:30 p.m. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent.

For additional information call Ken Kudla at (847) 358-2862 or Randy Baker at (847) 255-6503.

Softball

Registration: The Schaumburg Athletic Association (SAA) will hold walk-in registration for the 2008 softball season from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at The Barn, 231 Civic Drive (just off Carver between Weathersfield Way and Schaumburg Road).

SAA offers a girls softball program that provides wholesome summer activity for girls ages 5 through 19 from Schaumburg and surrounding communities. The program is committed to instruction and promoting good sportsmanship.

Anyone who wants to have fun, make new friends and learn the game may come to registration, which costs $120 per player and includes a complete uniform. Each team is required to find one sponsor for the amount of $150.

The league structure is: Tee-Ball (Pre-K and Kindergarten), must be 5 by March 31, 2008; Pee Wee (1st and 2nd grade), player pitches 2, then coach pitches 3; Juniors (3rd and 4th grade), modified fast pitch; Intermediate (5th and 6th grade), modified fast pitch; Majors (7th and 8th grade), fast pitch; and Seniors (high school or up to 19 years of age), fast pitch.

In the T-Ball and Pee Wee leagues, girls are placed on teams based upon school/area and preferences. Juniors through Majors are placed on teams based on results of their evaluations held in February. Fast pitch rules have been established for Juniors through Majors and vary depending upon the level. Evaluations are not held for players in the Senior league.

SAA Softball is an all-volunteer program including commissioners, coaches and parents who work to provide a positive environment for the girls while developing fundamentals, teamwork, commitment and sportsmanship.

Anyone with questions, call Lou Anderson at (630) 872-1320 or check the Web site at www.saa-online.com.

Miscellaneous

Poms clinic:ŒGirls in kindergarten through eighth grade are welcome to attend the Poms Clinic, dance with the Prospect Poms and perform at halftime during the Jan. 26 basketball game. Registration is at 11 a.m. and the clinic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 in the cafeteria at Prospect High School.

Registration is $30 per girl. The clinic includes a T-shirt, drink and snack. All girls will perform a dance routine at halftime of the boys' varsity game which begins at 6 p.m. Girls need to arrive at 5:45 p.m.

Checks made payable to Prospect High School should be sent to the school at 801 W. Kensington Road, Mount Prospect, IL 60056. Anyone who pre-registers will receive a free CD. For more information or to R.S.V.P. by Jan. 21, call Mrs. Fleaka at (847) 550-9931.