The Yard Baseball and Softball Training Facility and its professional staff will be holding a six-week course covering the finer points of baseball. These sessions will be very detailed training sessions in a classroom setting, covering mental and situational aspects of the game, most that do not get covered in day to day practices.

The Yard will cover what to do and why it is done to help players and coaches have a better understanding of baseball situations. If you want to become better, smarter and get ahead as a player or coach this is the course for you. Classes will begin in late November or early December and will be on a bi-weekly basis (minus holidays) through February. These classes are open to players 13 and above and coaches. The cost for these sessions will be $120; space is limited.

Call 355-1176 for more information.

Submitted by Ethan Dennis Gregg

Roanoke County Classic Soccer Tournament

The 13th Annual Roanoke County Classic Soccer Tournament was held in Green Hill Park on October 17th and 18th. Youth soccer teams from Valley AFC and Roanoke County came out to compete in the 13th Annual Classic Recreational Soccer Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. Age divisions for the boys and girls in the tournament were U10, U12, U14,U16 and U19. All teams had to be members of VYSA.

Sportsmanship

Here are some recent examples of good sportsmanship on the field.

Jacob Siar recognized as Swimmer of the Year

Jacob Siar was recently recognized by the Virginia Swimming, Inc as the 13- to 14-year-old male "Swimmer of the Year" for the 2008-2009 swimming season. Jacob has been swimming locally with the Virginia Gators for 9 years. He currently holds 8 Gator team records as a 13- to 14-year-old: 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Free, 500 Free, 1000 Free, 1650 Free, 100 Back and 200 Back. Jacob also broke the Cave Spring High School record in the 500 Free last year as a freshman.

He is qualified to participate in the USA Swimming Junior Nationals to be held at Ohio State University in December.

Jacob would like to thank his family for all their support. He would also like to thank all of his Gator coaches over the years especially his current coach, Greg Lake.

Submitted by Linda Siar

Hidden Valley Youth Wrestling practices begin Nov. 2

Practices will be on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the Hidden Valley High School wrestling room from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

If you would like to participate you can go to HVYSA.COM to signup. If you do not have a youth wrestling program in your area you are welcome to join. They are accepting ages 6- through 13- year-olds.

If you have any questions you can call Jim King, 989-6318, or Greg Winston, 520-0160, for information.