Neighbor Sports
Baseball, softball
Pitchers' clinic: Former winning MLB relief pitcher Juan Acevedo will conduct a Professional Training Clinic for Serious Pitchers Only at The Sports Academy, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove (in Chevy Chase Business Park). The clinic covers pitching strength, pitcher's fielding practice, mechanics, mental toughness, the pitch selection, grip and delivery.
The clinic for pitchers ages eighth grade through high school will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to noon Sundays through Feb. 20.
For the cost, registration form or more information, call TSA at (847) 279-3934 or go e-mail info@tsanorthwest.com.
Elk Grove Travelers: Elk Grove Travelers will be holding try-outs for 8U and 9U from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 20. Tryouts are being held at Elk Grove High School. Tryouts for 8U will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 9U will be from noon to 2 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive early to sign in.
Part-time baseball runs from January through July. Practice is one to two times a week and play 15-30 games in a season.
Players must be Elk Grove residents and must play in the Travelers' House Baseball program.
For more information, visit www.elkgrovetravelers.com or e-mail Steve Brandt at sjbrandt@sbcglobal.net.
Throw Faster Clinic:ŒFastball USA, near the York and Grand intersection on Diversey in Elmhurst, will hold a one-day clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21. 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.
Discounts are available for the first 12 students that register. Subgroups are created to accommodate youth players and high school players.
Call (630) 532-5107 or visit www.fastballusa.com for more information.
Hitting clinic: Professionals at The Sports Academy, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove (in Chevy Chase Business Park) will work with athletes on aspects of fine tuning bat mechanic for optimal game-time performance. Sessions will be held Jan. 27 to Feb. 24 from noon to 1 p.m. for second to fourth grade and 4 to 5 p.m. for fifth to eighth grade. The cost is $150.
For a registration form or more information, call TSA at (847) 279-3934 or e-mail info@tsanorthwest.com.
New players wanted:ŒThe Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League is seeking new players for the upcoming 2008 season. This is baseball using MLB rules, not softball. There are four age divisions: 25 and over, 35 and over, 45 and over, and 55 and over. The season runs from May to September with between 25 and 30 games, played at fields in Des Plaines, Northbrook and Bensenville.
The signup deadline is Feb. 28. A leaguewide new player evaluation session will be held at 1 p.m. March 1. The cost per player is approximately $300 for the season. For more information or to sign up, contact Mike Bryskier at (773) 592-1575 or cnmsblppd@comcast or visit playbaseballagain.com.
Travel openings: The Northwest Crushers (formerly the Stone Authority Crushers) U13 Boys Travel Baseball Team has openings for the 2008 travel season. Non-Hoffman Estates residents are also welcome to try out. Contact Coach Ed Korus for an indoor tryout.
Players must be no older than 13 on or before May 1. The team plays a competitive schedule from April to July in the Mid-Suburban Baseball League, which includes a total of approximately 50 games, including two out of town weekend tournaments. Home games are at Cannon Crossing in Hoffman Estates. For more information, call Korus at (847) 202-1970.
Hockey
Spring registration: Inline hockey will hold registration for the spring season from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Rainbow Falls in Elk Grove Village. A special guest will be at registration courtesy of the Chicago Blackhawks. The program is open to players between the age of 4 and 18 of all skill levels. The league fee which includes 12 games, practices, playoffs, mid-season tournament and a hockey jersey is $90 for Elk Grove Village residents and $108 for nonresidents.
The Mighty Mite program of skill development and guided scrimmages is available for children in preschool or kindergarten. The fee is $40 for residents and $50 for non-residents.
Players in first through 12th grade play in one of five divisions depending on their age. Games are played at three outdoor inline hockey rinks in Elk Grove Village. Extra skills clinics are offered during the season at no additional charge.
Boys and girls play on mixed teams. There are also no blue lines or red lines.
Registration is also available at the Elk Grove Park District Pavilion through the end of January. For more information, call Patti Siwicki at (847) 437-5388 or visit the Web site at www.egvsports.com.
Miscellaneous
Baggo signup: The Wheeling Park District Adult Baggo League begins at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 and continues for eight weeks through March 20. The fee for baggo is $20 per team. This session, the league will move to the Gable Grill at Chevy Chase Country Club on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling.
All those 18 years and over may sign up for the league as a team of two. The game of baggo involves throwing the bean bag through a hole in a wooden board to score three points or on the surface for one point. The first team to 21 wins. Refreshments are available for purchase starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Gable Grill bar.
Register at the Guest Service Desk at the Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, or at www.wheelingparkdistgrict.com.
Rugby
Sign-up Day: The Arlington Stallions Rugby Club will be holding its Sign-Up Day for the 2008 spring season from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Northwest Community Hospital's Wellness Center, 900 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights. Practice will begin Feb. 25 for the high school squad and March 31 for the middle school squad. The season ends in early June.
Membership is open to all middle and high school boys in the greater Arlington Heights area. Dues are $160 for high school members and $60 for middle school members. Certified coaching and refereeing is provided and a certified athletic trainer attends every match. The club is a member of USA Rugby and the iYRA. For more information, call Paul Bergman at (847) 590-8536 or Mike Pateras at (847) 259-4173.