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 Monday, 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 Monday, Feb. 16. (846) 705-5123, ext. 232.

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.

Boys basketball: A limited number of spaces are available for the third and fourth grade boys basketball league sponsored by the Bartlett Park District. Season runs January through March with games on Friday and Saturday. The fee is $85-$105. For information on registration stop by the Bartlett Community Center registration desk, 700 S. Bartlett Road. (630) 540-4800 or bartlettparks.org.

Live Hitting League: Play Ball USA in Des Plaines offers its live hitting league starts again in January. Teams of four to six compete weekly. Pitchers face live hitters in a simulated game over the span of five weeks, with a single elimination tournament to wrap up the season. Open to ages 11-18. For fees and details, call (847) 375-0840 or e-mail matt@playballdirect.com.

Jan. 8

Badminton anyone?: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursdays, Jan. 15-Feb. 5, South Barrington gymnasium, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. For adults of all skill levels. Learn to play, meet new people, get exercise. $12-$15. Registration required before Thursday, Jan. 8. (847) 381-7515 or sbpd.net.

Jan. 9

Chicago Muskie Show: Noon-9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11; Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin Roads, Palatine. Products and Seminars. Adult admission, $10; children under 13 are free; three-day pass $20. Tickets at the door chicagomuskieshow.com; (847) 328-6200.

Twain's Tumbling Show and Holiday Sing-A-Long: 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9; Mark Twain School, 515 E. Merle Lane, Wheeling. This event was canceled before the winter break due to inclement weather and is now rescheduled.

Jan. 10

SAA girls softball registration: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 10 or 17, The Barn, 231 Civic Drive, Schaumburg. $120 per player, includes uniform. For girls ages 5-19. Call Lou, (630) 872-1320 or saaonline.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

Youth Baseball and Softball registration: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10; 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17; RecPlex, 420 W. Dempster St., Mount Prospect. $25 late fee applies after Jan. 17. New players must present a birth/baptismal certificate at registration. For fees and details, call (847) 899-1619 or visit mppd.org/youthbaseball/softball.

Mount Prospect Council Knights of Columbus Youth Free Throw Championship: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10; St. Emily's gym, 1400 W. Central, Mount Prospect. Open to boys and girls ages 10 through 14. Winners will progress through local, district, and state competitions. Participants will need to furnish proof of age and written parental/guardian consent. Call (847) 253-4845, knights6481@unionplus.net.

Jan. 12

Tae Kwon Do: 6:30 p.m., Mondays, Jan. 12-March 16 or Wednesdays, Jan. 14-March 18; West Park Fieldhouse, Wolf Road and Greenview St., Des Plaines. Open to ages 6-12. Ages 13 and older meet at 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12-March 16 or 6:30 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 14-March 18. Residents, $60; nonresidents, $72 for one class. Residents: $105, nonresidents $126 for both classes. Call (847) 391-5700 or visit desplainesparks.org

Jan. 13

Volleyball and basketball leagues: Registration for the Schaumburg Park District's volleyball and basketball leagues closes Jan. 13. Registration is accepted only at the Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road. Volleyball is a co-recreational league with A, B and corporate league options. Contests are held from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Tuesday nights beginning Jan. 27 through April 28. Cost is $300-$375 per team. Men's basketball offers A and B league options. Games are held Thursday nights from 6:30-11 p.m. beginning Jan. 29 through April 8. Coast is $650-$725 per team. Call (847) 891-1266 or parkfun.com.

Jan. 14

Water polo training: 6:15-7 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 14-Feb. 25, South Barrington indoor pool, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. For sixth grade through 15 years old. Learn the water polo skills needed to join a team. Includes conditioning, warmup, cool down, swimming skills, ball handling, and making goals. $76-$88. (847) 381-7515 or sbpd.net.

Jan. 18

Youth basketball free-throw challenge: 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 18; Saint Viator High School, 1213 Oakton Ave., Arlington Heights. Open to boys and girls ages 10-14; local level competition sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Holy Rosary Council 4483. Participants are required to furnish proof of age and written parental consent. Call Ken Kudla, (847) 358-2862 or Randy Baker, (847) 255-6503.

Jan. 19

Open swim at Splash Central: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Lap and leisure pools. (630) 540-4800.

Jan. 24

Youth Football and Cheerleading registration: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday Jan. 24; Rolling Meadows Community Center, 3905 Pheasant Drive. Visit rmmustangs.com

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.

Feb. 26

Baseball skills and drills clinic: Thursdays, Feb. 26-March 19, South Barrington gymnasium, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Basics including fielding, hitting, throwing and pitching will be covered. Ages 5-7 from 6-7 p.m.; ages 8-10 from 7:15-8:15 p.m. $35-$40. Participants should being a mitt. Register at (847) 381-7515 or sbpd.net.

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.

World Class Basketball Association: The World Class Basketball Association is looking for players for the 2008-09 Winter AAU/travel basketball season. Players in fifth-eighth grade, who are serious about the game of basketball and have a desire to play high school basketball in the future, are being sought. For information visit worldclassbasketball.org or call Dan, (847) 529-9392 or coachkrauser@worldclassbasketball.org.

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.

FSC Aquatics teams open registration: Open registration is being held for the FSC Aquatics swim, diving and polo team. No tryouts required, all welcome. Must live within the District 211 high school boundaries. Practices are held at Palatine High School. Program fee is $300-$375. For information, call Ed at (815) 788-5156 or Mauro at (847) 345-8667.

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.

Basketball tournaments: There is a new basketball tournament organization that has various tournaments for boys and girls teams fifth grade through senior high school. The tournament directors have over 60 years of tournament running experience between them and include a former college coach and current high school varsity coach. To obtain information including a complete tournament listing, visit worldclasstournaments.com or call (847) 594-4040.