Here’s a rundown on some of the sports-related community events taking place on Whidbey Island.
North Whidbey Little League
Registration for the 2012 North Whidbey Little League baseball and softball seasons are under way.
Forms are available at Big 5, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Dairy Queen. The forms can also be found on the NWLL website: eteamz.active.com/NWLLOH/ and mailed to the league address.
Registration days will also be held at the Navy Exchange and North Whidbey Middle School in January and February.
For more information, call the league at 679-1522.
Mount Baker Winter Ride
Registration is still open for the Mount Baker Winter Ride Bus.
The first trip of the eight-week program is Saturday, Jan. 7.
The bus is open to all middle- and high-school students.
Registration forms are available at school offices or on line at the Mount Baker website: winterride.mtbaker.us.
For more information, call 675-9586.
Snowrider
Registrations are now being taken for the Snowrider program to Stevens Pass and Mount Baker.
The program runs in January and February and takes youths to the mountains on Saturdays and adults on Thursdays.
Pickups are scheduled for Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Clinton, Mukilteo and Everett.
Snowrider members also receive a discount on lift tickets.
For detailed information visit www.swparks.org or call 360-221-5484 for a brochure.
Youth Wrestling
Whidbey Wildcat Wrestling is in full swing.
WWW is a competitive wrestling club for children 5 to 18.
Team spokesman Bethany Lamb said the club “teaches self-discipline, self-control, work ethic and perseverance” and that it is “the best cross training sport out there.”
To get more information, visit whidbeywildcatwrestling.com or call 360-499-2008.
Baseball Camps
The Northwest Baseball Institute offers personalized hitting, pitching, fielding and catching instruction to students that desire to improve their fundamental skills and become better players.
NWBI said its “instruction in private, small group and team programs guarantee that the players receive the individualized attention and instruction needed to improve their game skills.”
Upcoming programs, all at the Janicki Fieldhouse in Sedro-Woolley, include the following:
Hall of Fame Advanced Pitching Program with Jim Clem and Gary Hatch. Pitchers train two days per week with two WIAA “Hall of Fame” baseball coaches. Program designed to prepare, train and develop the “serious” high school pitcher for their upcoming season. Mondays and Thursdays, Feb. 6 to 23, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Hall of Fame Advanced Hitting Program with Jim Clem and Gary Hatch. Hitters train two days per week with two WIAA “Hall of Fame” baseball coaches. Hitting program is designed to prepare players for their upcoming season. Focus is in hitting mechanics, drills and reps, and on the development of the physical and mental approach to the game. Mondays and Thursdays, Feb. 6 to 23, 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.
NWBI Elite Pitching and Conditioning Program with Andy Hanson (ages 13 to 18). Wednesdays (6:30 to 8 p.m.) and Sundays (1 to 2:30 p.m.), Jan. 4 to Feb. 19. Intense program designed to prepare, train and condition the “serious” pitcher. Increase pitching velocity, command, control and accuracy.
Hall of Fame Spring Break Camps (ages 8 to 12). Train three hours per day (9 to noon) for three days of camp with two WIAA “Hall of Fame” baseball coaches. Baseball drills and skills, emphasizing the fundamentals of hitting, pitching and fielding. Players can register for individual camps or save $20 by registering for all three camps. April 4, hitting camp; April 5, pitching camp; April 6, fielding camp.
Contact: Bill Calkins at 360-391-3438, nwbi@isomedia.com or www.nwbi.net for more information.
Pickleball
Persons in the Oak Harbor area who are interested in playing pickleball can call 360-240-9483 or contact the North Whidbey Parks and Recreation District at 675-7663 or director@oakharborpool.com.
Orienteering
Central Whidbey has been selected as the site of the national 2012 Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Orienteering Championships April 21 and 22.
The competition, hosted by the Cascade Orienteering Club, will take place at Fort Ebey and Fort Casey state parks.
The national championships will draw approximately 400 competitors from around the country and will be using Camp Casey Conference Center as our Athletes’ Village for the weekend.
Whidbey Island Running Cub
Whidbey Island Running Club of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District is recruiting runners ages 5 to 18.
Contact Catie Rodeheffer at 360-279-2196 or catie@rodeheffer.net for more information.
North Whidbey Aquatic Club
The North Whidbey Aquatic Club is a competitive swimming program of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District. It includes swimmers of all abilities and ages from 6 through college.
Tryouts occur Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the city pool from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. New swimmers should be able to swim a length of the pool in freestyle and backstroke.
The first two weeks are free.
For more information, please call the pool (675-7665) to speak with head coach Neil Romney or view the team’s website at www.teamunify.com/pnswznwac.
