PORTER COUNTY SPORTS BRIEFS: Nativity K of C champs crowned

Nativity K of C champs crowned

PORTAGE | Nine area youths won titles Sunday at the Nativity of Our Savior Knights of Columbus Council 9114 Free Throw Championship at Portage High School.

Girls winners were Kristen Cravens (age 10, Jones Elementary, 6-of-15 free throws made), Payton Barragan (11, Kyle Elementary, 8-of-15, 4-of-5 tiebreaker), Hannah McPherson (12, Hobart Middle School, 10-of-15) and Vianca Velez (13, Willowcreek Middle School, 2-of-15).

Boys winners were Juan Torres (10, Kyle Elementary, 9-of-15), Nick Alonso (11, Kyle Elementary, 10-of-15), Max Clemons (12, Willowcreek Middle School, 6-of-15, 3-of-5), Jared Humphrey (13, Hobart Middle School, 15-of-15) and Joseph Huber (14, Portage High School, 13-of-15).

The winners will compete at the district level at 10 a.m. Sunday at Portage High School.

Gymnastics classes offered at VHS

VALPARAISO | Enrollment for the next session of general gymnastics classes for students aged 5 and older will be held from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Valparaiso High School fieldhouse. There are classes available at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. on Mondays or Tuesdays. There are six classes in the Monday session, starting Feb. 6, with a fee of $36. There are seven Tuesday classes at a cost of $42.

Winter golf available at Creekside

VALPARAISO | Creekside Golf Course and Training Center's outdoor 12-hole course is open, weather permitting. Cost is $10, $15 with a cart. The driving range is also open. For details, call (219) 531-7888.

State Park sign-ups slated

CHESTERTON | Sign-ups for State Park Little League will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Chesterton Town Hall, 726 Broadway. Registration fees for every division except Challenger include a $50 fundraiser fee. Challenger (boys and girls aged 5-21) is $35; T-ball (boys and girls 5-6) is $120; Instructional Baseball (boys 7-8) is $130; Minor Softball (girls 7-9), Minor Baseball (boys 9-10), Major Softball (girls 10-12) and Major Baseball (boys 9-12) are all $140, while Junior/Senior (boys and girls 13-16) is $150. First-time league members will need a copy of their birth certificate. Most divisions based on a player's age as of April 30, 2012. For details, visit www.stateparklittleleague.com or contact Audra Peterson (926-2571/peter1107@comcast.net) or Jen O'Keefe (916-0223/jcaj16@hotmail.com).

Union Township Little League slates sign-ups

UNION TOWNSHIP | Union Township Little League will hold sign-ups from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Wheeler High School fieldhouse.

Kouts Youth Baseball sign-ups Saturday

KOUTS | Kouts Youth Baseball sign-ups for Minors (ages 9-10) and Majors (11-12) will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kouts Public Library. The fee is $70 per player, with additional players from the same family at $60 each. For details, call Kelli Ketchmark at (219) 766-0059, or contact Paul Kropp at (219) 766-6022 or pekropp@yahoo.com.

Valpo Americans registration Saturday

VALPARAISO | Sign-ups for Valpo Americans baseball will be taken from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Valparaiso High School's Cafeteria B. Registration is $65 for T-ball (ages 4-6), $85 for Denim (7-8), $100 for Minors (9-10), $110 for Majors (11-12), $120 for Juniors (13-14) and $150 for Seniors (15-16) and Big League (17-18). A $10 discount will be applied for additional sibling sign-ups. For details, call Rob Zborowski at (219) 531-1114 after 6 p.m., or visit www.valpoamericansbaseball.org.

Valpo Parks registration blitz Saturday

VALPARAISO | Sign-ups for Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball plus softball will run from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Valparaiso Parks Office, 3210 N. Campbell St. Cal Ripken baseball is for players aged 9 to 12; Babe Ruth baseball is for players aged 13 to 15 as of April 30, 2012, while softball is for players aged 5 to 16 as of Dec. 31, 2011. For details, call (219) 462-5144, or visit www.valpoparks.org.

LOFS/Winfield Little League deadline Saturday

LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS | Sign-ups for Lakes of the Four Seasons/Winfield Little League will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the LOFS clubhouse. Players aged 5 to 18 are eligible. Registration deadline is Saturday. A $30 fee will be added to any late sign-ups. For details, visit www.lofsll.org, or contact Dan Kukulski at (708) 903-3724 or mfdkuku@comcast.net.

LOFS softball sign-ups start Saturday

LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS | Sign-ups for the Lakes of the Four Seasons Softball League will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 18 at the LOFS pro shop. Players aged 5 to 18 are eligible. Registration fees are $125 for the first child, $115 for additional children. For details, call (219) 644-5702, or visit www.lofsgirlssoftball.com or www.facebook.com/lofsgirlssoftball.

C.P. Babe Ruth sign-ups slated

CROWN POINT | Crown Point Babe Ruth will hold sign-ups for players aged 16 to 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 11 at the Crown Point Babe Ruth Field. Players will be accepted from Lake, Porter, Newton and LaPorte counties. Cost is $190 per player, which includes $25 raffle tickets. For details, call Mike Glover (13-15) at (219) 313-4815, or Jerry Tromp (16-18) at (219) 663-4316.

Ice fishing derby Saturday

WALKERTON | The Fish Lake Property Owners Association will hold its 39th annual ice fishing derby from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion Post, 302 Lakeside Drive. Registration will run from 5 to 10 a.m. Saturday. For details, call (219) 369-1235.

K of C free throw contest Sunday

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Knights of Columbus Council 738 will sponsor a free throw contest for boys and girls aged 10 to 14 at 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul's gym, 1755 W. Harrison Blvd. Gym shoes and a copy of the participant's birth certificate are required. For details, call Paul Flisiak at (219) 464-2850.

Puma Volleyball League taking registration

RENSSELAER | The St. Joseph's College Puma Volleyball League for grades four to 12 will be held at the Richard F. Scharf Alumni Fieldhouse on Sundays in February and March. Cost is $50. For details, contact Jill Schopieray at (219) 866-6334 or jills@saintjoe.edu.

Horizon Gymnastics sign-ups begin Monday

VALPARAISO | Sign-ups for the next round of classes at Horizon Gymnastics will begin Monday. Registration times are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon Sunday. The session will run from Feb. 20 through April 7. For details, call (219) 477-6542, or visit www.HorizonGymnasticsCenter.com.

South Haven Little League sets sign-ups

SOUTH HAVEN | Sign-ups for the South Haven Little League will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 and 25, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 10 at the South Haven Boys and Girls Club, 723 Longrun Road.

The league will host a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament Feb. 18 at the Sportsman's Lounge, 381 U.S. 6. For details, call league president Phil Saylor at (219) 331-0033.

Junior Miss sign-ups scheduled

PORTAGE | Portage Junior Miss Softball sign-ups will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Willowcreek Middle School cafeteria. Fees are $45 for T-ball (age 4), $60 for Coach Pitch (5-6), $75 for Gingham (7-8), Juniors (9-10), Minors (11-12) and Majors (13-16), and $95 for Seniors (17 and older). Additional siblings will be charged $40.

Morgan Township sign-ups Feb. 11

MORGAN TOWNSHIP | Morgan Township Summer League sign-ups will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 11 in the high school foyer. Boys aged 6 to 15 and girls aged 6 to 16 are eligible.

Valentine's 5K Feb. 12 in Valpo

VALPARAISO | The Valentine's 5K Run is set for 10 a.m. Feb. 12 at Valparaiso High School. Registration fee is $20. Runners can compete as an individual or as a couple. The race will begin in the north parking lot at VHS and finishes in the fieldhouse. Proceeds will benefit the VROOM running club. For details, visit www.thtiming.com.

Wheeler hosts softball clinic

UNION TOWNSHIP | The Wheeler softball team will conduct a youth clinic for grades kindergarten to eight on Feb. 11 and 12, and Feb. 18 and 19 at the high school fieldhouse. Cost is $25 per girl. All campers will receive a T-shirt. For details, call Marc Bruner at (219) 759-2561, ext. 2283.

Girls softball clinic in Hobart

HOBART | A girls softball clinic for players aged 4 to 13 will be held on Sundays from Feb. 12 through March 18 at the Hobart Community Center, 705 E. Fourth St. The clinic will focus on fundamentals and pitching. Cost for the entire six-week session is $30. For details, call Kelly at (219) 873-4923.

Y youth basketball taking sign-ups

PORTAGE | Sign-ups are under way for the Portage Township YMCA's youth basketball program. Children aged 4 to 13 are eligible. Play will run Feb. 20 through April 7. Games are on Saturday mornings. Cost is $26 for YMCA primary-plus members, $36 for primary and $72 for non-members. For details, call (219) 762-9622, or visit www.ymcaofportage.org.

FC Mystique to hold soccer skills training classes

FC Mystique will hold indoor soccer training classes twice a week in February for boys and girls aged 5 to 12. For details including dates, times and cost, call (219) 608-3183, or email soccercoach3@hotmail.com.

True Lacrosse to hold clinic

CROWN POINT | True Lacrosse will hold an All Pro Clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 at Fuel Fitness, 1516 North Main St. Cost is $50. To register, go to www.truelacrosse.com, and click on "Indiana." For details, email ecimoch@truelacrosse.com.

Andrean Hall of Fame induction Feb. 19

MERRILLVILLE | Andrean will hold its 12th Sports Hall of Fame induction Feb. 19 in the school's cafeteria. The event will start with cocktails from 4 to 5 p.m., dinner at 5 p.m. and induction after dinner. Cost is $35 per person. To make reservations, call (219) 887-5281, ext. 241. The 2012 inductees include Leo Campbell, Mike Holcomb, Phil Lee, Len Matela, Gretchen Messenger Miller, Jamie Gutowski, Casey Nowinski and the 2005 state champion baseball team.

Youth indoor tennis starts Feb. 29

PORTAGE | A youth indoor tennis program will begin Feb. 29 and run six consecutive Wednesdays at Woodland Park's Oakwood Grand Hall. Divisions will be held for players aged 8 and under as well as 10 and under. Cost is $35 per Portage resident, $40 for non-residents. Registration deadline is Feb. 17. For details, call (219) 762-1675, ext. 308, or visit www.facebook.com/portageparks.

Valpo Parks youth sports sign-ups begin

VALPARAISO | Registration is under way for several of the Valparaiso Parks Department's youth programs. Sports available are spring soccer (ages 4-12), kick-start soccer (3-5), Cal Ripken baseball (9-12), Babe Ruth baseball (13-15), girls softball (5-16), coed T-ball (5-6) and Cal Ripken Rookie League baseball (7-8). For details, call (219) 462-5144, or go to www.valpoparks.org.

K.V. Pop Warner sign-ups Feb. 18

WHEATFIELD | Kankakee Valley Pop Warner football and cheer sign-ups for boys and girls aged 5 to 14 will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Wheatfield Library. The next K.V. Pop Warner board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Wheatfield Library.

FC Mystique holding soccer registration

FC Mystique is holding spring soccer registration for the following boys and girls age groups: 7-8 (Skills Development Program), 8-9 and under-9 and U10 (Competitive Academy), 10-11 and U12 (Competitive Academy) and 14-15 and U16 (Competitive). For details, call (219) 608-3183, or email mystiquesoccer.com.

Bullseye Bombers meet on Saturdays

VALPARAISO | Bullseye Bombers Junior Olympic Archery meets Saturdays at the Deep River Bowmen Archery club on Ind. 149. Archers aged 6 and older are eligible. Cost is a $12 initial fee, $10 yearly membership fee and $8 for equipment -- if needed. For details, call Robert (916-3304), Corrine (405-7050) or Teri (252-9761), or email bbjoad@yahoo.com.

Tiny Tigers classes available at Valpo ATA

VALPARAISO | Tiny Tigers classes for kids aged 4 to 6 are available at Valpo ATA. Classes run from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. For details, email valpoata@gmail.com.

Gump's Dugout offers lessons

KOUTS | Gump's Dugout Baseball/Softball School is available for team practices and one-on-one lessons. For details, call Andy at (219) 766-3109.

Ice Skating Plaza open at Deep River Waterpark

HOBART | The Deep River Waterpark Ice Skating Plaza is open through Feb. 26, weather permitting. For details, call (219) 947-7850, ext. 604, or go to www.DeepRiverWaterpark.com.

East giving shooting lessons

MERRILLVILLE | Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer and former Merrillville coach Jim East is offering shooting lessons at the Fieldhouse-Merrillville. Lessons will be scheduled for the convenience of the player. Groups up to four players may be scheduled. For registration and costs, call (219) 662-8157 or (219) 308-5504.

True Lacrosse to hold President's Day Tournament

True Lacrosse will host its annual President's Day Tournament on Feb. 20 for youth and high school boys teams. The under-11, U13 and U15 division 7-on-7 games will be held at Lake Barrington Field House, 28156 West Northpointe Parkway. Cost per 14-player-max team is $450. The junior varsity and varsity division games will be held at Max McCook Sport Center, 4750 South Vernon Ave., McCook. Cost per 25-player-max team is $850. For details, go to WWW.TRUELACROSSE.COM.

Bowl-a-thon March 11 at Camelot

PORTAGE | Portage Township YMCA's 23rd annual bowl-a-thon will take place at noon March 11 at Camelot Bowl. Entry fee is $60 per five-person team. For details, call (219) 762-9622, or visit www.ymcaofportage.org.

Hobart Storm needs 12U baseball players

HOBART | The 12-and-under Hobart Storm baseball team is looking for two elite players for the 2012 season. Those interested should call Scott at (219) 789-5470 or Matt at (219) 898-1567 for a tryout.

Raiders in need of softball players

The Indiana Raiders 10-and-under girls travel softball team is looking for a few players to complete its roster. They will play in NSA and ASA tournaments and will finish the season at the NSA World Series in Northwest Indiana. For details, contact Matt Skura at (219) 306-0549 or skura21@sbcglobal.net

Region Red Sox seeks adult players

The Region Red Sox are seeking  players for the 2012 Hoosier Baseball League season. Players must be at least 28 years old to play. League fees and uniforms are supplied by a team sponsor. For details, contact Mike at regionredsox@yahoo.com.