Recreation calendar
Backpacking/Hiking/ Orienteering
March 9: Meet the Backpacking Club clinic, 7 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Backpacking Club introduction, followed by slide show on Madagascar. Info: 328-9900. March 3
Baseball/Softball
March 27: Baseball coaches clinic, featuring Gonzaga head coach Mark Machtolf and Spokane RiverHawks manager Steve Hertz, 6:30 p.m. at The Warehouse, 800 N. Hamilton. Info: Sean Flikke, 484-2461 or www.warehousebaseball.com.
Sign up: Spokane Sports Association softball. Leagues available: men’s modified; men’s and women’s slowpitch; 50 and older slowpitch; coed and women’s fastpitch. Info: 483-4653.
Sign up: Men’s, coed and seniors softball leagues in Rathdrum. Leagues start April 30; 14 guaranteed games. Fees: $630 per team. Info: Steve Vogel, (208) 699-1773, or www.hardhitterssoftball.com.
Sign up: Spokane Valley Baseball 2006 season, ages 5-14. Registration opens March 15; season runs June and July. Fees: $70 ages 5-8, $80 ages 9-12, $90 ages 13-14. Info: 922-0420.
Sign up: Spokane Pony baseball umpires. Games run from early April through August. Training and some equipment provided. Classes begin March 7. Info: Gary Broadbent, 216-9456 or 483-4653.
Basketball
March 3-5: Snake River Shootout boys AAU tournaments in Lewiston for grades 4-8. Fees: $175 per team. Info: Lance Acord, (208) 792-2289 or e-mail ldacord@lcsc.edu.
March 11-12: AAU Bring in Spring tournament at The Warehouse, 800 N. Hamilton, grades 4-6. AAU cards required. Fees: $200 per team. Info: Katie Schuver, 484-2670 or katie@warehouseathletics.com.
March 24-26: Dan Fitzgerald Signature Basketball Clinic for high school boys at University High School, presented by Spokane AAU Basketball. Info: 624-2414, ext. 19, or giff@spokanehoopfest.net.
Sign up: Spokane Basketball adult year-round 5-on-5 men’s and 3-on-3 women’s leagues. Next session begins March 8 and 12. Fees: $90 individual or $570 team; includes jersey. Info: www.spokanebasketball.com.
Sign up: NBC Camps varsity academy and high school elite spring session training programs. Nine-week sessions begin March 5. Varsity academy tailored to ages 9-14; high school elite specifically for high school players. Info: John Fazio, (800) 406-3926, or www.nbccamps. com.
Climbing
March 6: Free women’s climbing night, 7 p.m. at REI, 1125 N. Monroe. Info: 328-9900.
Fishing/Hunting
March 1: Beginner fly-tying course, 6 p.m., Silver Bow Fly Shop. Cost: $75. Preregister, 924-9998.
Nature
March 2: “Arctic Quest: Odyssey Through a Threatened Wilderness,” a free slide show presented by Chad Kister, 7 p.m. at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division. Info: 325-9000 or 326-8180, ext. 262.
March 14: “A Year in Madagascar,” a free slide show presented by Carol Smucker and Chuck Back, 7 p.m. at Mountain Gear, 2002 N. Division. Info: 325-9000 or 326-8180, ext. 262.
Orienteering
March 11: Riverside State Park at Camp Seven Mile, Wilber Road trailhead parking area, presented by Eastern Washington Orienteering Club. Fees: $5 beginner course or members on any course; $7 non-members on advanced courses; $3 additional maps; $5 parking fee without Washington State Parks pass. Info: John Harbuck, (208) 263-9894, or John Beck, 838-7078.
Running/Walking
March 12: St. Paddy’s 5-mile run, 10 a.m. at Spokane Community College. Early registration deadline March 4. Fees: $10 with T-shirt; $5 without. Info: 624-4297.
Sign up: Bloomsday training clinics presented by YMCA. Ten-week progressive run/walk clinic begins Feb. 28 at 5:30 p.m. Fees: $42; $21 for YMCA members. Info: Vicki Marsh, 838-3577, ext. 158.
Skiing/Snowboarding
Feb. 25: Great Scott Reverse Pursuit Race at Schweitzer. Five- and 10-mile distances offered. Fees: $15 including trail pass, $5 for passholders. Info: Patrick Werry, (208) 263-9555, or www.schweitzer.com.
Track and field
Sign up: Spokane Youth Sports Association track and field, grades 1-6. Registration deadline March 10. Info: 536-1800, ext. 518, or e-mail kimk@sysa.com.