Napa Optimist Youth Basketball has openings

There are still openings in the Napa Optimist Youth Basketball’s ninth and 10th grade boys division. The season starts on Jan. 5. Interested players need to call Rich Beck at 226-2220./Register

Raiders team up with State Parks Dec. 30

California State Parks, the California State Parks Foundation, and the Oakland Raiders have teamed up to promote family outdoor recreation during the Raiders’ game against the San Diego Chargers on Dec. 30 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.

“State Parks and the Oakland Raiders are already connected through outdoor fitness,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks. “By working together to promote the state parks at the Dec. 30 game, we will reach a wider audience and educate Raider fans about the importance of recreation and exercise while promoting state parks use.”

California State Parks and the Raiders will be handing out sunscreen packets and welcome kits at the gate to the first 10,000 people. Additionally, they will be giving away Junior Ranger hats to the first 300 children who visit the Kid Zone.

“We are looking forward to educating families about the state parks by distributing these giveaways to Raiders fans,” said Susan Parker, director of marketing for the California State Parks Foundation.

The Oakland Raiders’ California State Parks Day came about through the California State Parks Proud Partnership Program, which engages the Raiders in promoting state parks on the team’s web site, distributing state parks promotional items, and promoting parks at home games at McAfee Coliseum.

To learn more about the Proud Partner Program, visit the web site./Register

Youth basketball league has Jan. 2 deadline

The city of Napa’s Community Resources Department is offering a youth basketball league for 4 to 6 year olds. The season goes from Jan. 5 through Feb. 2 at the Redwood Middle School gym. The cost is $50 per player. The mini-hoop stars will meet for 50 minutes per week for five consecutive weeks. All players will be assigned to a team on Jan. 3. All players will be scheduled to play Jan. 5 at 9, 10 or 11 a.m. The registration deadline is Jan. 2. Volunteer coaches are needed. For more information, call Kelly Abernathy at 257-9206./Register

Napa Valley Express softball tryouts Jan. 5

Napa Valley Express Softball will be holding tryouts for the 16- and 18-under girls teams for 2008. This try-out will be held Jan. 5, 2008 at the Vintage High School varsity softball field. The 16-and-under age group check-in will be at 9:30 a.m. and tryouts will begin at 10 a.m. The 18-and-under age group check-in will be at noon and tryouts will begin at 12:30 p.m. Pitchers and catchers will be asked to stay after for approximately a half hour after each session. A tentative rain-out date is scheduled for Jan. 12 with the same time schedule.

The 14-and-under tryouts will be held on Jan. 26. Check-in will be 9:30 a.m. and tryouts will begin at 10 a.m. Pitchers and catchers will be asked to stay after for approximately a half-hour after each session. A rain-out date is still to be announced.

All players under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or they will not be allowed to try out. For more information, visit napavalleyexpress.org or contact Dave Price at 255-6050./Register

Golf tournament benefiting ParentsCAN Jan. 7 at Silverado

Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd’s eighth annual Christmas Golf Tournament, originally set for Dec. 17, has been rescheduled for Jan. 7, 2008 at Silverado Resort. All proceeds go directly to ParentsCan, a Napa Valley non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with children that have disabilities.

The cost is $150 per person. Registration for the golf starts at 10 a.m., and the tournament follows with an 11:30 a.m. shotgun on the Silverado Resort North Course. It’s a shamble format.

A reception with appetizers and Napa Valley wines follows at 5:30 p.m. Checks are to be made payable to Parents Can.

For those already signed up, confirm your attendance by e-mailing or calling Jan Hanson at admin@parentscan.org or 253-7444. For those wanting more information on the tournament, e-mail or call ParentsCAN admin@parentscan.org or 253-7444./Register

Napa Valley Water Polo camp starts Jan. 7

Napa Valley Water Polo will offer a winter camp from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, 2008, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The location is to be announced. The camp goes Monday through Thursday, with the boys camp on Monday and Wednesday and the girls camp on Tuesday and Thursday. There is no camp on Jan. 21 and Feb. 18.

It’s open to all athletes age 13 and older (unless a player has club water polo experience). Annual membership ($60) to USA Water Polo 2008 is required for insurance). For more information, go to usawaterpolo.com.

The camp fees are $120, which includes the opportunity to play in two tournaments (this fee is separate from USA Water Polo membership). Make checks payable to NVWP. All paperwork must be completed before you can practice.

Go to NVWP.net and click on registration to print out NVWP registration form. Follow instructions and use this information provided to fill out your USA Water Polo form. Print out the NVWP registration form and USA Water Polo confirmation. Mail completed forms and check to: Napa Valley Water Polo, P.O. Box 5633, Napa, CA 94581./Register

Indoor youth soccer leagues at Mare Island start Jan. 12

The Mare Island Sports Center in Vallejo is offering indoor youth soccer leagues for boys and girls in the under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-19 divisions.

Session II starts Jan. 12, 2008 for girls and Jan. 13 for boys. The registration deadline is Jan. 7, 2008. League fees are $595.

There is a team discounted fee of $550 for teams signing up for both sessions or coaches signing up two teams at once. There are no individual membership fees required. For more information, contact Mare Island Sports Center at 562-4625 or e-mail pacificsports32@aol.com./Register

Napa Junior Girls Softball League

sign-ups start Jan. 15

The Napa Junior Girls Softball League will be conducting registration for its spring season during the month of January. The league is open to all girls in grades 3-7. Practices will begin in March and games will be played in April through June. The $95 registration fee includes a team shirt, photo package and awards. Partial scholarships are available. Players signing up for the first time will need to show proof of age.

Registration will be held at the Napa High School cafeteria on Jan. 15 and 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and will continue on Jan. 19 in front of Office Depot on Soscol Avenue from 10 a.m. to noon. Questions can be directed to the league hotline at 259-9022, or visit www.napajuniorgirlssoftballleague.org./Register