Practice space: Home Plate Baseball has space available for team practices, batting cage and pitching mound rentals. Contact Wilson Kilmer by email at homeplate@sunflower.com or text 785-393-9564. For information visit www.homeplatebaseball.net

Ad Astra swimming: Ad Astra Area Aquatics is always accepting new swimmers. For information, contact coach Patrick at 331-6940 or coach Katie at 766-7423 or visit the website at adastraareaaquatics.org

Aquahawks openings: The Aquahawks are always accepting new members. The Aquahawks are a year-round USA Swimming-sponsored competitive swim team. The Aquahawks offer a swim lesson program and competitive swim team for all ages. The Aquahawks are coached by professional coaches with weekly practices geared toward a variety of skill levels. For information contact Andrew Schmidt at andrew.aquahawks@gmail.com

Next level lessons: Next Level Baseball Academy offers year-round private and semi-private baseball lessons ages 8-18. Locations in Lawrence, Big Springs and New Century. For information, email Duncanmatt32@yahoo.com or visit NextLevelBaseballAcademy.com

FUNdamental softball: Learn the proper mechanics and techniques to play softball. Emphasis placed on fundamental instruction teaching the aspects of pitching, catching, fielding, base-running and hitting. Coach and team consulting available, too. For information contact LuAnn Metsker at 785-331-9438 or dmgshowpig@aol.com

Baseball team forming: A new U 14 boys baseball team is forming. It will play next spring in the local Heinrich League and perhaps some tournaments. Contact Rick for information and tryout schedule: e-mail (Ginsberg@ku.edu), phone (785 764-6255).

Group run: At 6 p.m. every Thursday, Garry Gribble’s RunningSports holds a group run from its store. It’s called “Mass Street Milers,” and all paces and ability levels are welcome. For information, call the store at (785)-856-0434.

RunWalk Lawrence: A new training program called RunWalkLawrence is starting in Lawrence. It is a Jeff Galloway program. Galloway represented the U.S. at the 1972 Munich Olympics and has since helped over a quarter of a million people experience the joys and benefits of running. Galloway has programs in many major cities around the country; this is the first time his program has been offered in Kansas. Questions can be directed to J. Jenkins at (785)-865-6112.

Basketball trainer: Reign Basketball Academy LLC. offers personal and group basketball training sessions for boys and girls ages 6-18. For information, visit www.facebook.com/reignbasketballacademy or contact Rebekah Vann at 785-766-3056; or email:reignhoops@me.com

Basketball lessons: Gary Hammer is conducting private and small group basketball lessons. Hammer is the athletic director and a teacher and coach at Veritas Christian School. Contact Gary at gjhammer@sunflower.com or call 785-841-1800.

Baseball, softball training: A facility for indoor baseball and softball training is open: Team Performance (12,000 square feet, four pitching lanes, six hitting cages, fielding space, personal training, etc.). This is for teams and individuals. It is located at 1811 W 31st. More info at www.facebook.com/GoTeamPerform or call 760-0443.

Baseball academy: Lawrence High and Free State will offer their fifth annual winter baseball academy. Sessions are from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sundays at Lawrence High and Free State. For more information, please contact Brad Stoll at 550-4657 or bstoll@usd497.org

Douglas County Amateur Baseball: DCABA leagues for 2014 have team space available in the U8 National League and U10 National League. Registration information is available online at http://www.lprd.org. Deadline for team entries is the first eight teams per division. For information, contact Lee Ice at ice@lawrenceks.org

U12 baseball: Competitive U12 baseball team looking for one dedicated and experienced player for 2014 season. Cannot turn 13 before May 1, 2014. Team will play in DCABA league and in several tournaments. Contact jooser44@gmail.com for private tryout information.

10U softball: Lawrence Hummers 10U softball team is looking for players with 2003/04 birthdays to play league and some tournaments in the upcoming season with current winter practices. Experienced pitchers are a plus. For information or to schedule a tryout, contact coach Troy Johnson at mail@stompin-ground.com or call/text 785-550-0524.

Lacrosse Clinic: Seabury Academy is hosting a 3-Day Introduction To Lacrosse Clinic on March 8, 15 and 22 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Seabury football field. The clinic is for boys and girls (all schools) entering sixth-12th grade. Cost is $15, which covers participation and loaner equipment. The goal is to develop club lacrosse teams for middle and high school athletes. Information and registration: www.seaburyacademy.org/athletics/lacrosse.cfm Info: lacrosse@seaburyacademy.org; cozonoff@gmail.com; 785-423-0100.

Fastpitch leagues: Lawrence Parks and Recreation Girls Fast Pitch Leagues have space available in U8, U10 and U12. Information is available at www.lprd.org, as well as at the Holcom Park Rec Center. Deadline for team entries is the first eight teams per entry. For information, email Lee Ice at ice@lawrenceks.org.

FSHS softball fundraiser: Free State High’s softball team will hold its annual biscuits and gravy breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on Feb. 1 at the FSHS school cafeteria. Cost is $5 per person at the door for all-you-can-eat biscuits and gravy. Coffee, milk and orange juice also will be provided.

Salvation Army basketball: The 2014 AAU Salvation Army Basketball Instructional League will run Feb. 8-March 8 at the East Lawrence Rec. Center. Coed leagues for grades K-2 and 3-5 will play on Saturday afternoons. All head coaches AAU certified. For information, email salbal@4squareathletics.com.

KU baseball academies: Session 2 of the Jayhawk Baseball Hitting Academy will begin on Feb. 4, and the Pitchers/Catchers Academy will begin on Feb. 5. In addition, the two-day Spring Training Camp will be March 21-22. Contact the KU baseball office for more information at 785-864-7907, or go to www.kuathletics.com.

Chess champion: Paul Falbo, of West Middle School, won the Rockhurst Scholastic Chess Championships last Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. Competing in the K-8 Division, Falbo won 5 1/2 matches out of six to take the title. Rockhurst marked Falbo’s third title. He previously won in Lindsborg and Onaga. Falbo is the son of former KU tennis All-American John Falbo.