Motivational seminars Wednesday at Portage
PORTAGE | Travis Brown, "Mr. Mojo", will speak during separate motivational seminars Wednesday for Portage athletes and their parents in the east auditorium. The athletes' seminar starts at 4 p.m., and the parents' seminar begins at 6 p.m. For details, call (219) 764-6049.
Wheeler taking baseball applications
UNION TWP. | Wheeler High School is taking applications for its varsity and junior varsity baseball coaching positions. Interested individuals should send a resume to athletic director Randy Stelter at Wheeler High School, 587 300 North, Valparaiso, IN 46385.
Valpo Americans offer fall ball
VALPARAISO | Valpo Americans fall baseball for ages 9-12 will run Aug. 28 through Sept. 25. Players will receive a hat and T-shirt. To register, go to www.valpoamericansbaseball.org. Mail registration forms to Valpo Americans c/o Brian Rafferty, 250 Moncrief Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46385. Fee is $50. Checks should be made payable to Valparaiso Americans Baseball.
Indiana Raiders 16U tryouts begin Sunday
PORTAGE | Tryouts for the Indiana Raiders 16-and-under softball team will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 21 at Imagination Glen Park. For details, call either Gary Warwick (219-406-3399), Brittany Cain (219-246-8810) or Jeff Boardman (219-663-601).
Valpo High School scrimmages today
VALPARAISO | Valparaiso High School's boys soccer and boys tennis teams will hold scrimmages today. The boys soccer team meets Plymouth at 10 a.m. at Viking Arena, while the boys tennis team meets Plymouth at 10 a.m. at the Viking Courts. Admission to either contest is a canned good, paper product or monetary donation. Proceeds will go to a local food pantry.
Stars of Tomorrow soccer training at Elks Lodge
HOBART | Stars of Tomorrow, a training program for recreational soccer teams and players taught by Eclipse Select's professional licensed coaches, begins on Aug. 27 and will be held every Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 3580 W. 61st Ave., Hobart. For more information, call (219) 712-2061 or e-mail EclipseSelect@yahoo.com.
Indiana Wolves 13U baseball teams tryouts
VALPARAISO | Tryouts for the Indiana Wolves 13U baseball team will be from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 21 at Washington Twp. High School. For more information, call Jim Keene at (219) 246-0425.
Popcorn Panic registration under way
VALPARAISO | Registration is under way for the Popcorn Panic 5-mile run and 5K walk. The races will take place at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 11. Fees are $20 by Sept. 9, $25 after. For details, call (219) 462-5144 or go to www.valparaisoparks.org.
Portage Porpoise tryouts begin Aug. 23
PORTAGE | Tryouts for the Portage Porpoise swim club will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 23-24 and 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 28 at Portage High School. For details, go to www.ppscswim.com.
Portage Y middle school gymnastics tryouts Aug. 26
PORTAGE | The Portage Twp. YMCA will have its middle school gymnastics tryouts from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26. For details, call Janet Grant at (219) 762-9622, or e-mail janet@ymcaofportage.org.
T.J. to start cross country Monday
VALPARAISO | Thomas Jefferson Middle School cross country practice will start Monday and continues each day from 5 to 6 p.m. Starting Aug. 23rd, practices will be from 3 to 4:15 p.m. All athletes need to either have a physical turned into the office or bring one to their first practice. Runners should meet between the two gyms at the school. For details, contact Molly Joll at (219) 477-2071 or mjoll@valpo.k12.in.us.
Ben Franklin announces fall start dates
VALPARAISO | Ben Franklin Middle School cross country will meet from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Monday. Volleyball will meet from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday. All athletes must have a current physical form on file to be eligible to participate.
VHS sports passes on sale
VALPARAISO | Season passes for Valparaiso High School sports are on sale. Athletic office hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $80 for adults, $40 for students. A 10-event pass is available for $40. For details, call (219) 531-3080.
PYB signups today
PORTAGE | Signups for Portage Youth Basketball will be held from 9 a.m. to noon today and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Fegely Middle School. There is a mixed instructional league for children in pre-kindergarten, separate boys and girls leagues for grades 1-8 and a new freshman boys league. Cost for all divisions is $70 and $30 more for additional family members. For details, call Andy Maletta at (219) 763-1589 or go to www.portagebasketball.com.
Gymnastics classes at VHS
VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Gymnastics Club will offer general classes, training team and competitive team options at the high school this fall.
General classes are for students ages 5 and older. Registration is from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Aug. 31 in the fieldhouse. The seven-class sessions will take place at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 7. The fee is $35.
Training team is a beginning Level 3 competitive squad for girls ages 5 and older. Enroll by Aug. 30. Practices will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning Aug. 31 and run through November. Competition at intrasquad and local meets is available.
Gymnasts interested in Level 4 through optional competition may try out for the competitive team. Practices are three to four times a week throughout the school year and five times a week in the summer. For details, call (219) 464-8018.
Horizon GymJam classes available
VALPARAISO | Registration for Horizon Gymnastics Center's GymJam classes will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 17. GymJam classes are recommended for children ages 6 and older. GymMagic classes are open to those ages 18 months through kindergarten. For details, call (219) 477-6542, or go to www.horizongymnasticscenter.com.
Scarecrow Festival Classic Sept. 24-26
UNION MILLS | The Scarecrow Festival Classic will take place Sept. 24-26 at South Central High School. Tournaments will be held for both 12- and 14-and-under girls softball teams. Entry fee is $350. For details, contact Rich Patterson at either (219) 926-2376, (219) 508-4733 or dancer@netnitco.net.
Indiana Raiders holding 12U softball tryouts
SOUTH HAVEN | The Indiana Raiders Black is holding tryouts for its 12U softball team from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at Field of Dreams. For details, call Shaun McConnell at (219) 689-6966.
South Central sets schedule
UNION MILLS | South Central junior high football will begin at 3 p.m. Monday. Junior high volleyball and cheerleading will start after school Aug. 23. All athletes must have completed physical forms dated on or after May 1 on file before they can participate. Packets are available in the corporate office or on the school website. For details, contact athletic director Chad Haschel at chaschel@scentral.l12.in.us.
Perch Fest offers three events
PORTAGE | A kiddie kickball tournament, being held in conjunction with Perch Fest, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. today near the Little League complex. The event is for children ages 6-12. The cost is $5 per player.
Also, a 5K run/walk will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday at Founders Square Park. Cost is $20. A $1 discount is available for Calumet Striders members. Also, a one-mile race for children ages 12 and under will begin at 5:15 p.m. Cost is $10. For details, go to www.ci.portage.in.us/parks.
Youth bowling registration at Stardust II
MERRILLVILLE | Stadust II, 3925 E. Lincoln Highway, is holding youth bowling registration for the fall season from 1 to 4 p.m. today. For details, call (219) 942-0432 or e-mail stardust2@bowlstardust.com.
OE bowling night Monday
MERRILLVILLE | Opportunity Enterprises will host a charity bowling night Monday at Stardust Bowl II. Donate $2 to OE and bowl for $1.50 per game. For details, call Stardust Bowl at (219) 942-0432.
Portage Y offers fall sports
PORTAGE | The Portage YMCA is offering outdoor soccer and flag football for boys and girls, with the activities running from Aug. 30 to Oct. 16.
Soccer is open to children ages 3-8. Flag football is open to children ages 5-7. Practices are held one night a week with games on Saturday morning. Cost is $26 for primary plus members, $36 for program members and $72 for non-members. For details, contact Ryan Penrod at (219) 762-9622 or ryan@ymcaofportage.org, or go to www.ymcaofportage.org.
Warriors baseball tryouts Aug. 22
LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS | The Warriors traveling baseball club will conduct tryouts for its 2011 10-, 11-, 12- and 14-and-under teams Aug. 22 at the fields within the Lakes of the Four Seasons community. Tryouts for 10U and 11U teams will run from 1 to 3 p.m., while tryouts for the 12U and 14U teams will run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For details, call either David Anderson at (219) 613-7240 or Wayne Borowski at (219) 306-3565, or go to www.warriorsyouthbaseball.com.
Wooden Bat League at Portage High School
PORTAGE | Diamond Kings is running a Wooden Bat Fall Baseball League of high school players at Portage High School. The league will run from Aug. 29 through Oct. 17, with games being played on Sundays. Each player will receive a batting cage membership to Diamond Kings during the league, team dri-fit shirt, fitted hat and college recruitment advice from Showcase U. Registration deadline is Aug. 21.
To register, call (219) 558-2273, or visit www.TrainDK.com.
Wolves 11U looking for baseball players
MICHIGAN CITY | The Michigan City Wolves 11-and-under baseball team is searching for players for next season. For details, call Dave Shinn at (219) 331-9357.
Valpo Phoenix 10U, 12U tryouts in August
VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Phoenix will hold tryouts for its 10- and 12-and-under softball teams at Bicentennial Park. Tryouts for 10U will run from 3 to 5 p.m. today. Tryouts for 12U will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 18. Also, interest is being sought for a 9U squad. For details, call Donald Seifert at (219) 916-9243 for 10U information, e-mail lthomas862@msn.com for 12U info or go to www.valpophoenixsoftball.com.
Raiders Silver tryouts slated
SOUTH HAVEN | The Indiana Raiders Silver 10- and 12-and-under travel softball teams will hold tryouts today at the Field of Dreams Complex. Tryouts for 12U will run from 10 a.m. to noon, while tryouts for 10U will run from noon to 2 p.m. For 12U details, contact Randy Shafer at either (815) 347-8386 or drshafer2000@yahoo.com. For 10U details, contact either Matt Skura (219-306-0549, skura21@sbcglobal.net) or Robert Adamczyk (219-406-1576).
Illusion tryouts today
VALPARAISO | The 12-and-under Illusion girls travel softball team will hold tryouts from noon to 2 p.m. today at Bicentennial Park (Field 1). Players should arrive a few minutes early to register. Private tryouts are available. For details, call Scott at (219) 728-7680.
Chesterton Cougars baseball tryouts Sunday
CHESTERTON | The Chesterton Cougars baseball organization will hold tryouts for its 10-and-under through 13U teams Sunday at Bailly Elementary School, 800 S. 5th St. Tryout times for 10U and 11U teams will run from 1 to 3 p.m., while the times for 12U and 13U teams will run from 3 to 5 p.m. For details, call Jody Wadding (10U) at (219) 926-8236, Scott Dunnett (11U) at (219) 241-0155, Matt Driskill (12U) at (219) 512-6875 or Rich Arndt (13U) at (773) 551-1185.
Duneland Flyers 11U baseball tryouts slated
BURNS HARBOR | The Duneland Flyers 11-and-under baseball team will hold tryouts for the 2011 season Aug. 19 (6-8 p.m.) and Sept. 11 (2-4 p.m.) at Lakeland Park. Potential players should arrive 30 minutes early to register and bring a copy of their birth certificate. Children must be 11 years old prior to May 1, 2011. There is a registration fee of $100, which is refundable if the child is not chosen for the team. For details, visit www.dunelandflyers.com (select "Flyers 10" in the drop-down menu), or call Max at (219) 395-0744.
Duneland Flyers 9U tryouts Aug. 21, 28
CHESTERTON | The Duneland Flyers' 9-and-under baseball tryouts will start at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 and 28 at Bailly Elementary School. For details, call Tom at (219) 608-1366.
Valpo Parks offering Harry Danning RailCats Day
VALPARAISO | Valparaiso Parks is offering Harry Danning Day RailCats tickets for a 2 p.m. Aug. 22 game at The Steel Yard in Gary. Tickets are $7, $1 from which goes toward the Park Department Youth Program Fund. Tickets are available for purchase at the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation, 3210 N. Campbell St. For details, call (219) 462-5144.
Lit'l Kernel Puff race taking signups
VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Park Department is accepting registration for the Lit'l Kernel Puff Race, which takes place at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 11. The race is open to ages 2-9 (as of Sept. 11). Cost is $11. Register in person at the park office or call the park office using debit or credit at (219) 462-5144. Same-day registration is not available. For details, call the park department, or visit www.valparaisoparks.org.
Kouts Country Classic race Aug. 28
KOUTS | The 29th annual Kouts Country Classic four-mile road race will take place at 8 a.m. Aug. 28. Pre-registration is $15, while race-day registration is $20. For details, call (219) 766-2231.
Cops for a Cure 5K Sept. 18 in Portage
PORTAGE | Registration is being taken for the "Cops for a Cure" 5K run and family walk Sept. 18. The Portage Twp. YMCA will work in conjunction with the Portage Police Department to run the event. Race-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The race starts at 7:30. For details, call (219) 762-9622, or e-mail ryan@ymcaofportage.org.
Hammond Chiefs holding exposure team tryouts
HAMMOND | The Hammond Chiefs are starting a fall underclass exposure team for high school players of Lake and Porter counties. The league is for players will be juniors or younger this fall school year. The tryouts will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 21 at Riverside Park, followed by two games starting at 1 p.m. Aug. 22. Team will be selected after the games. The team will participate in numerous exposure tournaments in the fall, including the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Tournament held Oct. 8-11 in Ft. Myers, Fla.
For details, call Dave Sutkowski at (219) 852-9461 or visit www.hammondchiefs.com.
Indiana's Finest forming girls hoops team
MERRILLVILLE | Indiana's Finest is forming an eighth grade/13-and-under elite girls basketball team to play in leagues and tournaments this fall and next spring and summer with a goal of competing at the state and national level. The team is coached by Alan Gardner, who has 20 years of experience at the camp, AAU and high school level. Tryouts will be held at The Fieldhouse-Merrillville from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Practices start the following week, with games beginning Aug. 28. For details, contact Gardner at (219) 331-3157 or agardner@ctclc.com.
Chesterton to honor first football team
CHESTERTON | Chesterton High School will honor its first football team on the 50th anniversary of its season during its Aug. 27 game against New Prairie. Preliminary plans are for a pre-game tailgate party for 1960 players and cheerleaders and their families, to be followed by on-field introductions. Alumni are asked to contact Joe Drozda (drozda@tailgatershandbook.com) or Mike Anton (mranton@antoninsurance.com). For details on the reunion, go to www.tailgatershandbook.com. Go down the left column, and click CHS.
Ninth annual Tour de LaPorte Aug. 22
LAPORTE | The ninth annual Tour de LaPorte bike, walk and run event will take place Aug. 22 at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. Cyclists can opt for routes ranging from 5 to 100 miles. Walkers and runners can complete a 5K route. Open registration runs from 6 to 7:30 a.m. The 5K shotgun start is at 8. Breakfast will be served until 10 a.m. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bike race fees are $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12. Costs for the run or walk are $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12. Proceeds help The LaPorte Hospital Foundation's work with local cancer patients. For details, call either (219) 326-2471 or (877) 265-4539.
Hospice Hustle bike ride set for Sept. 26
CROWN POINT | Registration is open for the Hospice Hustle, a non-competitive bike ride to benefit Hospice of the Calumet Area. Participants may select one of two routes, traveling 25 or 62 miles through southern Lake County. Both routes begin and end at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point. Cyclists may check in starting at 7 a.m. Sept. 26. Riding begins from 8 t0 10 a.m.
Entry fee is $25, $30 the day of the event. Cyclists are encouraged to solicit pledges for each mile ridden. Registration brochures may be downloaded at www.hospicecalumet.org.
For details, call (219) 922-2732 or (708) 895-8332.
Puckerface 5K Sept 11 in Highland
HIGHLAND | The Zest Fest's fourth annual Pucker Face 5K Race/2.5 K Walk will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at Main Square Park. Cost is $20 for the run and $15 for the walk through Aug. 29, with each increased by $5 after Aug. 29. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each class. All participants will be entered to win raffles and prizes. Those who pre-register are guaranteed a poly-dri running shirt. Register at www.midwestzestfest.com. For details, call (219) 923-3666; visit the website, or e-mail mary@highlandchamber.com.
Softball tourneys in Plymouth
PLYMOUTH | Plymouth will be the site for slowpitch softball tournaments in August and September. Men's and coed round-robin tournaments will run Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 25-26. The Blueberry Festival men's and coed tournaments will run Sept. 1-6. Entry fees are $100. If a team plays in a second round-robin tournament, the second fee is $75. For details, call (574) 780-6865.
OE hosts Pack-A-Thon
VALPARAISO | Volunteers are invited to help Opportunity Enterprises as it packs 45,000 runner bags for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 at OE, 2801 Evans. Scout troops, sports teams, youth groups and school clubs are all invited. Volunteers are asked to register in advance at www.oppent.org.Click on the Pack-A-Thon register button. For details, contact Cathy Kuchenmeister at (219) 464-9621, ext. 283, or cathy.kuchenmeister@oppent.org.
Taekwondo classes offered
PORTAGE | Eight-week Taekwondo classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Aug. 31 in the Blue Spruce Room at Woodland Park. Ages 3-5 will meet from 4 to 4:30 p.m.; ages 6-12 will meet from 4:40 to 5:30, and ages 13 and older will meet from 5:40 to 6:30. Cost is $50 per resident for ages 3-5, $55 for non-residents. Cost is $80 per resident for ages 6 and older, $90 per non-resident. Registration deadline is Aug. 30.
Tumbling Tuesdays in Portage
PORTAGE | The Tumbling Tuesdays class will run Sept. 14-Oct. 19 at the Portage Yacht Club. Ages 2-3 will meet from 5 to 5:50 p.m.; ages 4-5 will meet from 6 to 6:50 p.m., and ages 6 and older will meet from 7 to 7:50 p.m.. Cost is $35 for residents, $40 for non-residents. Register at Woodland Park. Deadline is Sept. 13.
Bowling for children in Portage
PORTAGE | Strike Busters Bowling is a six-week program for children ages 4-12. The first session will run from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Camelot Lanes. The program wraps up with a pizza party. Cost is $35 for residents, $40 for non-residents.
Triple Crown has new owners
VALPARAISO | Triple Crown Baseball and Softball Training Center has opened under new management. Teams can reserve facility usage by calling (219) 462-3927, (219) 462-1695 (Kari) or (219) 733-2196 (Bill).
Ultimate Frisbee tourney Sept. 11
PORTAGE | A 7-on-7 ultimate Frisbee tournament will take place at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at Imagination Glen Park. Cost is $50. Registration deadline is Sept. 7. For details, go to www.ci.portage.in.us/parks.
Adult dodgeball league starts Oct. 13
PORTAGE | An adult dodgeball league will start Oct. 13 at Woodland Park. Games will run from 8 to 10 p.m. Cost is $150 per team. All players must be at least 15. Registration deadline is Oct. 8.
Open gym basketball in August
PORTAGE | Open gym basketball will be played from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through August at Woodland Park's Oakwood Grand Hall. Cost is $3 per resident, $5 per non-resident.
Adult yoga classes in Portage
PORTAGE | Adult yoga classes will be held from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Sycamore Hall. Saturday morning yoga classes will run from 9 to 10 at the Lakefront Pavilion through Sept. 25. For details, call Cynthia Smith at (219) 762-1675, ext. 305.
Steel Wheels BMX season under way
PORTAGE | The Steel Wheels BMX season runs through September. Practices run 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Races take place Thursdays and Saturdays. Thursday fees are $5 for class/cruiser divisions and $2 for open. Saturday fees are $10 for class/cruiser and $5 for open. Also, new riders clinics run at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. For details, go to www.steelwheelsbmx.com.
Porter County tennis group plays Saturdays, Mondays
VALPARAISO | The Adult Tennis Group of Porter County plays matches Saturday mornings and Monday evenings. For details, call either Cheryl at (219) 477-9980 or Karen at 464-9506.
