Baseball

Registration open -- Savage Boys and Girls Club spring registration is open for recreational baseball and softball. The club holds evaluations to form balanced teams; players of all skill levels are welcome. Volunteer coaches are also needed. www.SavageBGC.org.

Seeking players -- The Chesapeake Men's Senior Baseball League is seeking teams and players for its adult baseball league's 25+ and 38+ divisions. To be placed in a player pool and assigned to a team: www.chesapeakemsbl.com.

Seeking players -- The Western Howard County Renegades Travel Baseball 8-U and 9-U teams are seeking players. Both teams play home games in Howard County and will be playing in the MABA Travel League. For 8-U, bernard.dittman@ngc.com; 9-U, smejharding@com cast.net.

Seeking players -- Maryland Blue Jays are seeking players to form travel teams in the 8-U and 12-U age groups. Plans for the spring season include league play in the Mid-Atlantic Baseball Association for the 8-U team, and the Baltimore Metro League for the 12-U team, as well as a trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., for the 12-U's. Michael Johnson, mdblue jays@yahoo.com.

Tryouts -- The Howard County Youth Program 15-U Metro Raiders travel baseball team is holding tryouts for the spring season. Brian Branthover, 301-854-2456.

Seeking players -- Ponce de Leon Baseball League is seeking players ages 30 and older of all skill levels. Games are played in Howard, Carroll and Anne Arundel counties. Tom LaGrave, 410-531-9434.

Basketball

Tryouts -- The Maryland Stingers Basketball Club is holding tryouts this month for 14-U/eighth-grade and 15-U/ninth-grade boys AAU basketball teams. Teams are coached by two former Division I college players. 410-531-1865.

Fitness

Self-defense -- Tim Belton of Savvy Self Defense teaches a class in street survival, stressing techniques that work in stressful conditions. The class also is designed to increase flexibility, strength and cardiovascular health. The class is held from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, this week through April 3, at Slayton House in Wilde Lake Village Center. The cost is $100 for 12 classes; $12 to drop in. Columbia residents can request a 10 percent discount. Registration is recommended. 410-730-3987.

Appreciation days -- Columbia Association will hold Member Appreciation Days at its fitness facilities to thank members for their support. Planned are raffles, light refreshments, gifts, a chance to take a guest (no charge) and participate in additional programs and classes, including Aqua Yoga. The program will be at Columbia Gym on March 8 (410-531-0800); and Supreme Sports Club on April 5 (410-381-5355).

Golf

Accepting applications -- First Tee Howard County is accepting applications for all levels and sessions. The next session begins this week. "Par" level indoor sessions and "Par" or "Birdie" level review sessions are available. A regular spring season begins in April. The organization provides facilities and educational programs for young people with the goal of promoting values and character development through golf. 410-730-1114.

Hockey

Beginners welcome -- Howard Huskies have openings for players ages 4 to 17 in the 2007-2008 season of the Rec/Developmental Program. No tryouts are necessary. Openings also are available for skaters and goalies ages 4 to 8 and 9 and 10, and skaters ages 11 and 12 and 15 to 17. Beginners and those seeking to revive skills are welcome. Coaches are USA Hockey-certified. www.howardhuskies.org.

Youth in-line hockey -- Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is offering fast-paced middle school and high school in-line hockey leagues on its rinks at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville. Teams play a 12-game schedule, including playoffs. The cost is $100 a child, with a discount rate of $70 if a parent or guardian volunteers as a head coach. Programs are to begin March 26 for middle-schoolers and March 30 for high school students. Play runs through mid-June. Players will be placed on teams based on age and skill level. Team assignment requests are available only for siblings and head coaches' children. The fee includes a T-shirt. 410-313-4674.

Adult in-line hockey -- Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks will offer fast-paced in-line hockey leagues for players age 18 and older at Alpha Ridge Park in Marriottsville. Teams play a nine-game schedule, including playoffs. The program is to begin March 26 and runs through mid-June. Individual registrants are placed on teams based on skill level. The cost is $600 a team, $75 a player. 410-313-4674.

Officials sought -- Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is seeking people ages 16 and older to officiate during the spring in-line hockey season, which is to start March 26. Games are played Wednesday evenings and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in Alpha Ridge Park, Marriottsville. Age levels of participants range from 11 to adult. Officiating experience is required. 410-313-4674.

Kickball

Coed league -- Registration has begun for an adult coed kickball league sponsored by Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. The last day to register is March 31. Teams are guaranteed 10 games, played as doubleheaders, and all teams make the playoffs. Matches will be scheduled Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings, and players must be at least 18. The cost is $460 a team and includes a $60 forfeit bond. Information: Mike Blevins: 410-313-4720; text telephone, 410-313-4665. Registration: 410-313-7275.

Run, walk

Striders run -- Howard County Striders will run three races - 2M, 10K and 15K - at 2 p.m. Sunday at Longfellow Elementary School, 5470 Hesperus Drive, in Columbia. Hot line: 410-964-1998 or Len Guralnick, 410-997-7544.

Softball

Softball leagues -- Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is accepting team registration for its spring/summer adult softball leagues for men and women. Play is to begin the week of April 13. Available are men's D divisions on all nights of the week except Saturday; a women's Tuesday division; and co-rec C and D divisions Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. Registration is $850 for a 20-game season. For a Monday-night co-rec recreational league, the cost is $475 for a 10-game season. The fees include officials, game balls, sanction fees, awards, playoffs, field reservation and lights. Games are played in county parks. The registration deadline is March 14. Mark Pendleton, 410-313-4703; text telephone, 410-313-4665. Registration: 410-313-PARK, or www.hcrpsports.com.

Announcements may be sent by mail to The Sun, 30 Corporate Center, 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 820, Columbia 21044; by e-mail to howard.events@baltsun.com; or by fax to 410-715-2816.