Items for What’s Happening must be received by noon Thursday before publication. Send information to Karl Zinke, sports editor, including daytime telephone number, to What’s Happening, Sports Dept., The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051, fax it to 816-254-0211 or send by e-mail (karl.zinke@examiner.net). Please include deadline or date notice should be taken out and please indicate what sport the announcement should be listed under. Dates are subject to change. Examiner is not responsible for tryouts. Please contact people listed for detailed information. The Examiner reserves the right to edit for length and content and remove any listings.
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Baseball
■ Tryouts, 10U competitive Blue Springs baseball team. For tryout details, call Kevin at 816-694-0506.
■ Tryouts, Blue Springs Junior American Legion Baseball is looking for 2 to 3 additional players for 2010 season. Players ages 15-16, who attend Blue Springs High School or Grain Valley High School and live north of Interstate 70 and west of Buckner Tarsney Road in Grain Valley, are eligible to try out. Tryouts will be held 4 p.m. Feb. 23rd and 5 p.m. February 25 at SportsCity in Blue Springs. For more information, contact John at jadirtysocks@aol.com or 816-820-0353.
■ Tryouts, 9U Independence Thunder comp team will play league and tournaments, will be having a tryout on Feb. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Truman High School (3301 South Noland Road) in Independence. Contact Jeramey Mabie at 816-694-9551 or thunderbaseball@rocketmail.com for more information.
■ Tryouts, 13U AA Shockers Baseball Team is looking for 2-3 players. Team plays in Blue Springs competition league plus 6-7 tournaments. For tryout dates, contact Steve by e-mail at stevehellon@hotmail.com or call 816-509-9353 for more information.
■ Tryouts, Blue Springs Marlins 13U AAA, seeking 1-2 players for 2010 season. League and tournaments, 50-plus games, pitching is a plus. For more information contact Todd Bissell at 668-4991 or tbissell@fortosage.net.
■ Tryouts, Blue Springs competitive baseball 15/16 YOA boys team looking for few talented players for this summer. Call 816-522-0222 for tryout details.
■ Tryouts, The Yard 9U competitive team is looking for one more player to fill out roster. Team will play 2-3 tournaments a month. Practicing 2 times a week indoors starting now at The Yard. To set up tryout, please email theyard@theyardkc.com.
■ Tryouts, Blue Rocks, 13U AAA/Major team is seeking 1 player to complete roster for 2010. Team will play league, 6-7 tournaments, including state and possibly a national tournament or world series. Player cannot turn 14 before May 1, 2010. For more information, call Garry Anderson at 816-289-0246.
■ Tryouts, Blue Chip Talent Angels, 13U AA/AAA team, seeking 2-3 players to round out team for spring 2010. Will play about 8-9 tournaments with league. Looking for utility players and corner outfielders, pitchers a plus. For tryout, call Nick Marquez at 816-616-7297.
■ Kansas City Youth Pitching Academy, Inc., is looking for new or used baseball equipment donations. Donations will be used for families who can’t afford to supply their children with baseball equipment for next year’s baseball season. Bats, gloves, helmets, shoes, pants and other items are accepted. Kansas City Youth Pitching Academy, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping develop injury-free youth pitchers through education, research and instruction. If you have any baseball gear taking up space in your home, please contact Russ Barker at rbarker@kcyouthpitching.com or 816-517-1828.
■ Tryouts, 12U AA/AAA team looking for players for 2010 season. Team will play in league, 7-8 tournaments, state and world series. Pitching/catching is a plus. For information contact Jon at 816-935-0024 or jonathan-henry@sbcglobal.net.
■ Tryouts, Blue Springs Orioles, 13U AA/AAA team, seeking 2-3 players to round out team for spring 2010. Will be playing about 10 tournaments with no league. For tryout, call Rob Boothe at 913-400-1299.
■ Tryouts, KC Saints, 13U Major, winner of MOKAN D1 state in 2009, looking for pitching, middle IF and corner OF for 2010. Cannot be age 14 before May 1, 2010. Highly competitive team building toward high school showcase team once 15. Contact Scott for a workout at 816-582-6409 or scott@pinnaclellc.org.
Basketball
* ■ Tryouts, The Bill Waris Blue Jays (5th grade boys right now) looking for 5th grade boys to join competitive basketball team. Seeking a couple of players for the 2010-2011 season. Tryouts scheduled for March 1, 7:45 p.m., at Bernard Campbell Middle School on Colbern Road in Lee’s Summit. Contact Mark Mauer at markmauer@att.net or 816-214-2200 for details.
* ■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department/Blue Springs Elks Lodge No. 2509 Hot Shot Basketball Contest, March 20 at the Blue Springs Freshman Center. Boys and girls ages 8-13 are eligible for this free competition. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Participants shoot from seven locations in two 1-minute timed rounds. For diagram with distances and shot locations, go to www.bluespringsgov.com/parks. Boys and girls compete separately. Competition begins at 9 a.m. for ages 8-9; at 9:45 a.m. for ages 10-11; and at 10:30 a.m. for ages 12-13. For more information or to register, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com).
■ Tryouts, new fifth grade boys competitive team forming. Practice near 291 and Colbern. Tourneys and competitive league. Contact Mark Mauer at markmauer@att.net or 816-554-6153.
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs Athletic Association Basketball League. For more information contact, Steve Hyde at 816-228-4994 or visit bsaabasketball.com.
■ Ongoing: AAU basketball. For more information, write to the Missouri Valley AAU, 1815 South York, Independence, Mo. 64058 or call 816-796-8605.
BMX/Cycling
■ KMA Indoor Cycling Training , through March 25, meeting weekly on Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30-8:15 p.m. Three-month training program for all levels of cyclists from expert to beginner to prepare you for 2010 cycling season. Classes will be in Blue Springs. Cost is $175 per person. Participants must provide bike, resistance trainer and heart rate monitor. For more information or registration forms, Contact Greg Goodman at 816-699-8918 or gggoodman@comcast.net.
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs BMX at Pink Hill Park in Blue Springs. For more information, call the Track Hot Line at 816-392-9901 or visit bluespringsbmx.com.
Football
■ SportsCity Winter II Men’s Flag Football League starts March 4 (Feb. 18 deadline to register). Thursday and Sunday games. For more information or to register, visit the Web site www.sportscitykc.com or contact Tammy Baldwin at SportsCity at 816-229-1314 or tbaldwin@sportscitykc.com.
■ Ongoing: Pop Warner football, ages 5-14 are eligible. For more information, call Steve Bowen at 816-373-4511 or 816-550-2221 or e-mail to SSKC88@aol.com.
Gymnastics
* ■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department offering introductory gymnastics classes at Rebound Gymnastics (8316 South Missouri 7 Highway). Boys and girls ages 6-12 are eligible. Participants will learn the basics of gymnastics with the use of the bars, beam, vault and trampoline. Four-class sessions are held 5-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights March 3-31. Cost is $20 per person per four-class session. For more information or to register, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com). Register online or at City Hall (903 Main Street) during business hours.
Hockey
■ Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Youth Inline Hockey League taking registrations for league that begins on March 29. Games are played through June 12 at Howard Park (3498 NE Independence Avenue) in Lee’s Summit. Cost is $60 per person with a $6 optional team and individual photo. Three divisions offered: 10-and-under, 14-and-under and high school. Fee includes a team jersey and participation award. Required includes caged helmet, elbow and knee pads, mouth guard, hockey stick and skates. Deadline to register is March 12 or when division fills. Registration is based on first come, first served. For more information, call Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation at 816-969-1500 or go to www.lsparks.net for league registration forms.
Martial Arts
* ■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department will offer Tai Chi classes starting the week of March 9 at Vesper Hall (400 NW Vesper Street) in Blue Springs. Cost is $49 for a eight-week class. Advanced class meets 8:05-9:05 p.m. Tuesdays from March 9 through April 27. Beginner class meets 8:05-9:05 p.m. Thursdays from March 11 through April 29. Slow-moving exercises help increase flexibility, energy, circulation and reduce stress. Instructor Konrad Smith is classified as a level six instructor. For more information, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com). Register online or at City Hall (903 Main Street) during business hours.
Miscellaneous
* ■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department will offer fencing instruction starting the week of March 24 at Hall McCarter School for ages 8 and older. Cost is $49 for a six-week session that runs on Wednesday evenings through April 7. Introduction to Fencing, for beginners, meets 6:30-7:20 p.m. each Wednesday. The Mastering Fencing class, for more advanced fencers, meets 7:30-8:20 p.m. for ages 13 and younger and 8:30-9:20 p.m. for ages 14 and older. The instructor is Wes Kline, who has earned a Moniteur Degree from the FIE. For more information, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com). Register online or at City Hall (903 Main Street) during business hours.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation currently taking registrations for men’s and coed adult spring kickball leagues. Games begin week of March 28 and are played on Sunday, Monday or Friday evenings at Hartman Park in Lee’s Summit. Cost is $185 per team. Deadline to register is March 12. Participants must be age 18 or older and there is a 10-person minimum and 15-person maximum for rosters. To register, contact Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation by calling 816-969-1500, register online at www.lsparks.net or go to any of the LSPR locations and register in person. Payment must accompany registration.
■ BVAC Adult Kickball League taking registrations. Cost is $285 per team. Must be age 18 or older. Games begin on March 27. Games on Saturday and practice one night a week at BVAC. For more information, contact BVAC at 816-796-8702 or visit www.bvacsports.org.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation currently taking registrations for boys in grades 5-8 for new recreational lacrosse league. League teaches basic skills and hold practices, so no experience necessary. League will run April 5 through May 29 at the Legacy Park football venue. Required equipment (not provided) includes helmet, shoulder pads, stick, gloves, arm pads and mouthpiece. Registration fee is $110 per person with a $6 optional team and individual photo. Fee includes a team shirt and participation award. Registration ends March 1 or when division fills. Registration is based on first come, first serve. To register, contact Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation by calling 816-969-1500, register online at www.lsparks.net or go to any of the LSPR locations and register in person. Payment must accompany registration.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation currently taking registrations for men’s and coed adult spring dodgeball league. Games begin week of March 8 and are played on Monday evenings at the Harris Park Community Center (110 SW Blue Parkway) in Lee’s Summit. Cost is $100 per team. Registration deadline has passed; call for availability. Participants must be age 18 or older. To register, contact Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation by calling 816-969-1500, register online at www.lsparks.net or go to any of the LSPR locations and register in person. Payment must accompany registration.
Racquetball
■ Ongoing: Independence YMCA racquetball leagues. For more information, call the YMCA at 816-254-9622.
Running
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs Running Club, contact Terry Hickam at 816-229-6779.
■ Ongoing: Free Sunday runs offered at Garry Gribbles Running Sports. Check Web site at garrygribbles.com for directions and starting times. For more information, call 816-373-1100.
■ Ongoing: The Brocaw Blazers youth cross country team. For further information, visit the Web site at www.brocawblazers.org or call coach David Ramsey at 816-365-7938.
Soap Box Derby
■ Ongoing: Kansas City Soap Box Derby. Visit the Kansas City Soap Box Derby Web site at www.kcsbd.org or the All American Soap Box Derby Web site at aasbd.org for more information.
Soccer
■ BVAC Youth Soccer League taking registrations through March 5, for ages 3 through ninth grade. Cost is $73 per person and includes a team shirt. Games begin on March 27. Games on Saturday and practice one night a week at BVAC. For more information, contact BVAC at 816-796-8702 or visit www.bvacsports.org.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation Youth Indoor Soccer Spring League runs March 1 through May 8. Games played at Harris Park Community Center (110 SW Blue Parkway) and Lee’s Summit School District elementary Schools. Volunteer coaches also needed. No experience required and clinics provided for all volunteers. Cost is $40 per person with a $6 optional team and individual photo and includes a team shirt and participation award. Deadline to register is Feb. 12 or when division fills. Registration is based on first come, first served. To register, contact Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation by calling 816-969-1500. Register online at www.lsmo.net or go to any LSPR location and register in person. Payment must accompany registration.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation now registering for coed adult 3-on-3 indoor soccer leagues. Games begin week of March 5 and are held Friday evenings through May 7. Fees are $125 per team with maximum of six players on a roster. Registration deadline has passed; call for availability. Games played at the Harris Park Community Center (110 SW Blue Parkway) in Lee’s Summit. Visit online at www.lsparks.net for league registration forms. For more information, call Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation at 816-969-1500 or go to www.lsparks.net.
■ Ongoing: Soccer kickarounds every Sunday, 7 p.m. at Blue Springs High School’s Peve Stadium. Call 808-4978 for more information or send e-mail to bshssocceralummni@hotmail.com.
■ Ongoing: BSHS Soccer Alumni Association seeking former soccer players at Blue Springs High School to join in the year-round fun and giving. For more information, call Bob Rusert at 816-808-4978 or visit bshssocceralumni.org.
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs High School Boys Soccer Booster Club will meet on second Thursday of each month at the high school. For more information, call Bernadette Lawson at 816-616-4531.
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs High School Girls Soccer Booster Club meets the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Blue Springs High School library. For more information, contact Kathy Karst at 816-228-7458 or Janet Shelman at 816-229-5769.
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs Soccer Club. For more information, call 913-982-1240, visit the Web site (www.bluespringssoccerclub.org) or send e-mail to sewells@sprintmail.com.
■ Ongoing: Soccer Association of Independence. Visit the Web site at www.saisoccer.org or call 456-9837.
■ Ongoing: Soccer West. Visit www.soccerwestmo.com, send e-mail to soccerwest1@sbcglobal.net or call 816-229-4502.
■ Ongoing: Oak Grove Soccer League. For information contact Bruce Forthofer at 816-898-7564 or president@oakgrovesoccer.org or visit the Web site (www.oakgrovesoccer.org).
■ Ongoing: BVAC Youth Soccer Leagues. For more information, call BVAC at 816-796-8702, visit the Web site (www.bvacsports.org) or send e-mail to bvac@bvacsports.org.
■ Ongoing: Raytown Soccer Club. For more information, visit the Web site (www.raytownsoccerclub.org) or call 816-313-7721.
Softball
* ■ Independence Girls Softball Association is currently accepting registrations for the 2010 season for girls ages 5-18. Deadline for registration is March 1. All games are on Mondays and Thursdays starting in May. Registration forms are available at the Sermon Center or go online to www.igsasoftball.com. Also register at the signup table at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Independence on Saturday, Feb. 27, 1-5 p.m.
■ Adair Park Doubleheader League now forming for ages 10-18. Games are played on Tuesday and Wednesday with 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. game times. League lasts seven weeks starting in second week of April. To register or for more information, call 836-4782.
■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department Adult Slow-Pitch Softball Leagues begin the second week of April. All games will be sanctioned through the Amateur Softball Association and will be played at Young Park and Blue Springs Park. Packets containing rules, rosters, fees and other information are available at the Parks office (903 Main Street). Men’s leagues available are B, B Doubleheader, C, C Doubleheader, D and Church. Coed leagues available are C, C Doubleheader, D and D Doubleheader. Cost per team ranges from $330 to $455. See the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com) for a complete list. Returning 2009 spring/summer teams began registration Feb. 1. Open registration for new teams started Feb. 16. Deadline to register is March 15, but late registration will be accepted depending on availability through March 22, but teams will be assessed a $30 late fee. Packets containing rules, rosters, league fees and other information will be handed out at the managers meeting 7 p.m. March 24 at Moreland Ridge Middle School. For more information or to register, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com). Register online or at City Hall (903 Main Street) during business hours.
Swimming
■ Ongoing: Kansas City Dolphins, practices at Centennial Pool-Plex in Blue Springs and Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kan. Signups are ongoing throughout the year. Visit the Web site (www.teamdolphins.com) for more information.
■ Ongoing: Blue Springs YMCA Swim Club, a non-competitive swim team, is available to children ages 6-18. Fundamentals of each stroke as well as personal development will be taught. Call the Blue Springs YMCA at 816-224-9620 for more details.
■ Ongoing: Tsunami Swim Team at Blue Springs YMCA, Longview Recreation Center and William Jewell College. Signups are ongoing throughout the year. Call 816-224-WAVE (9283) or visit online (www.tsunamienterprises.com).
Table Tennis
■ Ongoing: Open play, JACOMO Table Tennis Club in Independence, Thursday evenings, 6-9 p.m. For more information, call Dave Baker at 816-229-2253 or send e-mail to dhbakerinc@yahoo.com.
Tennis
■ Ongoing: United States Tennis Association Jr. Team Tennis, for boys and girls ages 6-18 in leagues that emphasize fun, fitness and friends. Leagues match players of similar age and ability using the Junior National Tennis Rating Program (JNTRP). To learn more go to www.missourivalley.usta.com or call 913-322-4826.
Track & Field
■ Ongoing: Eastern Jackson County Track club, for ages 6-18. Includes USA Track and Field membership. For more information, contact Chris Earley at 816-847-0252.
Volleyball
* ■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department Youth Developmental Volleyball program begins March 2 at Moreland Ridge Middle School in Blue Springs. Program, offered to 5th, 6th and 7th graders, focuses on instruction and fundamentals, not high-level competition. Cost is $40 for an 8-week session, which runs through April 27 on Tuesday evenings. The beginners class meets 6:15-7:15 p.m. each Tuesday, while the intermediate class meets 7:30-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday. Deadline to register is Feb. 25. For more information or to register, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com). Register online or at City Hall (903 Main Street) during business hours.
* ■ Blue Springs Parks and Recreation Department Adult Volleyball Leagues begin the week of Sept. 14 at various Blue Springs School District facilities. Cost is $170 per team for weeknight leagues and $190 for Sunday leagues and is based on a 10-game schedule. Divisions available are Coed Rec (Monday at William Bryant Elementary), Women’s Intermediate A (Monday at Moreland Ridge Middle School), Coed Intermediate B (Tuesday at Moreland Ridge, Wednesday at Blue Springs High School or Thursday at Blue Springs Freshman Center), or Women’s Intermediate B (Sunday at Moreland Ridge). Matches begin 6-9 p.m. For more information or to register, call the Parks office at 816-228-0137 or visit the Web site (www.bluespringsgov.com). Register online or at City Hall (903 Main Street) during business hours.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation now taking registrations for youth volleyball leagues for those in grades 4-8. Games run March 1 through May 8. Cost is $47 per person with a $6 optional team and individual photo. Registration for students in Lee’s Summit R-7 School District ended Feb. 12 and is now open to others until the division fills. Teams are formed through a draft based on previous season’s rating or experience. Volunteer coaches also needed. No experience needed; clinics will be provided for volunteers. To register, contact Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation by calling 816-969-1500 or register online at www.lsparks.net or go to any of LSPR locations and register in person. Payment must accompany registration.
■ Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation now registering for adult volleyball leagues. Games begin week of March 16 and are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Fees are $165 per team. Deadline to register is Feb. 5. Participants must be 18 years or older. Tuesday divisions include Coed Intermediate A & B and Recreational (up to 10 on the roster, 6 on the court). Thursday leagues include Men’s A and B (up to 6 pm the roster, 4 on the court) and Women’s A and B divisions (up to 8 on the roster and 6 on the court – women’s league play begins April 8). Games played at the Harris Park Community Center (110 SW Blue Parkway) in Lee’s Summit. Visit online at www.lsparks.net for league registration forms. For more information, call Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation at 816-969-1500 or go to www.lsparks.net.
Wrestling
■ Ongoing: Youth Jaguar Wrestling Club, team practices at Blue Springs South High School. For more information, contact Doug Black at dblack@bssd.net or 816-582-6911.
■ Ongoing: Independence Youth Wrestling program at the William Chrisman High School wrestling room. Ages 5-14 are eligible. Practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tournaments are scheduled for Saturdays at area schools. Novice tournaments for first- and second-year wrestlers are Sundays. For more information, visit the Web site at www.independenceyouthwrestling.org or contact Chuck Rodgers at 816-254-3716 or Bill Jones at 816-305-2928.
■ Ongoing: Predator Youth Wrestling Club of Eastern Jackson County seeks youth wrestlers ages 5-14. Practices are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the William Chrisman High School wrestling room. For more information on joining, please contact Dawn Taff at 816-650-3979 or Mike Gempeler at 816-525-1244 or mwgempeler@gmail.com.
■ Ongoing: Mat Rat Wrestling Club, practices at Lee’s Summit West, Richmond and University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Team is run by UCM assistant and former Raytown South High School head coach Alan Hull. Contact Alan Hull at 816-564-1847 or hullbuilders@yahoo.com for more information.
■ Ongoing: Western Stars Youth Wrestling Club, for ages 4-15. For more information, contact Phil Howk at 816-841-9852 or visit www.westernstars.org.
■ Ongoing: Fort Osage Mat Club. Children in kindergarten through eighth in the Fort Osage School District are eligible. Practices are 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the Fort Osage Multipurpose Building. For more information, Contact Jeff Cutbirth at 816-478-3994 or Bob Luke at 816-650-3516.
■ Ongoing: Mo West Wrestling Club. For more information, contact Jason Heslop by e-mail (jheslop@mowest.org) or by calling 816-471-2499.
■ Ongoing: Lee’s Summit Broncos Youth Wrestling Club. Call Bill Biggerstaff at 816-986-1499 ext. 8193 for more information. Additional registration info and practice schedule may be found at www.leesummit.k12.mo.us/lsnhs and click on athletics, wrestling and Kids Club.
