The Weather looks clear for Sat. All games will be at Dunbar. We will do team photos, please have your child ready aprox 10 min prior to your game. If a coach/player is missing we can re shoot photos at a later date.

Little League registration will close 5/1, you can register at the central tent.

We are looking to gauge interest in a summer track program for kids ages 5-14y. We will need coaches and administrators also. Let me know if there is interest.

we will resume the regular scheduled games as week #4 for this Sat, 5/1. I will try to pair teams for a make up game during weekday practice in the last week or 2 of the season. Photo day will be pushed back one week until 5/8 as many players may be missing this Sat. Other important dates up coming include Mom’s weekend 5/8 (Mom’s will play a 5 min game at half time of each game), Crazy hat day 5/15 with prizes for craziest hats for players and adults, 5/22 Auction Fundraiser and 50/50 raffle at Dunbar park (donated items are needed), Closing Carnival with pony rides, face painting and balloons 6/5.

We are searching for parents who might be interested in coaching track and field in the summer for a once per week practice in the evenings. Let me know if there is interest.

Little League registration will close after this week, you can register at the central tent, Coaches and umps are needed.

Due to the forecast for rain starting late tonight and extending into tomorrow game #3 will be cancelled. Weather.com has the outlook on the Hour by Hour forecast with an 60-80% chance of rain and thunderstorms. I attempted to secure the indoor facility this past Monday as the weekend called for rain but it was already booked.

We will resume with the week #4 game schedule next weekend 5/1. Weather for practice at Dunbar looks promising for next week.

Thanks to all who attended last night’s NSYA fundraiser at Kroll’s. There was good discussion about the oppurtunity for summer track and we are currently looking for children ages 8-14y to compete along with any parents that would consider helping with administraion and coaching.

Little League registration will be extended to 5/1, and you can register at the central tent.

There will be a track meet at Dunbar today but no baseball game, therefore, the 5u and 6u team will practice at the north end of the ball fields as we did at week #1 practice. I will put out the # signs so that Bananas and Blueberry can meet near #1, Carrots and Cabbage near #2, Orange and Plum near #3, Bones and Flamingos near #4, Muscle and Kidney near #5, Thunder and wildfire near #6 and Tigers and Lions near #7.

Parents:

The opening ceremony will be this Saturda, 4/17 at Dunbar park at 8:45am, assuming no rain. If there is rain, we will play indoors on Saturday with no parade. Weather looks good for practice outdoor practice all week. The opening ceremony will include player parade, face painting, balloons animal and balloon release. The team balloon traveling the furthest will win that team a free pizza party at the end of the year. Last year’s balloon ended up in Tibet. Team parents, please help arrange a banner for your team. If you have a banner from last year, even for a different team, let me know.

Don’t forget to check out the Near South Youth Association fundraiser on 4/22 at Krolls http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/YBDISETGYBGQRYEKLKPN/NSYA,April22

There will be a Spring and Clean for local near south parks in the 2nd ward. They will be cleaning at Dunbar at 9am. If you are able to help, contact the Alderman’s office.

There is an open meeting tonight at the new Chicago Park District Community Center at the former Vietnam Memorial Museum at 6:45pm at 18th and Indiana. They will be introducing the new Director and great programming from the Chicago Park district for the the community.

Little League (starting June 2010) registration will take place at the central tent.

We will need 20 parents to help with balloons and the parade for 4/17 opening ceremony at 7:45am, let me know if you can help.

All Thursday practices are cancelled due to rain/cold weather. I tried to secure the indoor facilty but they are booked. I will ask all Thurs teams to arrive 15 min prior to game times on this Sat, 4/10 to get team uniforms handed out.

For opening ceremony on Sat 4/17, each team parent is asked to help make a poster or cloth banner for that team. I have banners for Kidney, Banana, Bones, Grape in the storage unit. If you have a banner from last year that can be used again, let me know.

To all Near South parents:

Some details as we prepare to enter out 5th year of 100% volunteer/non for profit youth soccer:

Soccer registration is $70 for 8 weeks of soccer, uniform, team photo, and trophy. The season runs 4/6/10-6/5/10 minus Memorial Day weekend at Dunbar Park, 31st and Indiana. Team slots will be first come, first served as we are expecting over 450 players this year. Little League will start 6/10.

Coaches, refs, sponsors and central tent help are needed.

There will be a spring break youth soccer skills clinic the week of 3/29/10 available at the following link: http://www.uksocca.com/Thomas2009/WebFlyer.php?c=35500&f=7&t=0

Registration is closed and rosters are being formed but I have a few 5u/6u slots and I still need some 8u boys. Coaches will notify parents in the last week of March.

If you have paid online make sure you mail a registration application to me also to complete registration. If you have a neighbor or classmate, let them know as we still have some slots open for 8u boys, 5u and 6u teams.

The Near South Youth Association will be having a Membership drive at Kroll’s on 4/22. Getting active in NSYA will help the drive for more near south youth activities like Track and Field, Swim Team, Floor Hockey, Volleyball, Girl’s Softball, Flag Football etc. SIGN UP AT THE BELOW EVITE FOR A FUN ADULT’S NIGHT OUT:

http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/YBDISETGYBGQRYEKLKPN/NSYA,April22

Soccer tots ages 18months to 48 months can register for lessons to take place at Dunbar Park during game times: http://www.chicagoindoorsports.com/soccertots.html go to summer specials. There are 2 sessions, and one session is currently full.

I still need 1-2 assistant coaches for 5u and 6u teams. As always, we need sponsors for the league. Please contact me for sponsor info.

Rosters will be posted here in the last week of March. Coaches will be asked to contact team players prior to the first practice on 4/6/10. The first game is 4/10. As with seasons past, we will play indoors if there is rain on Saturdays.

Team uniforms will be handed out at the first practice. Opening ceremony will take place 4/17 with a player parade lead by the DeLaSalle drum corp, balloon, facepainting and fun. All players must have shin guards, 8u and up must wear cleats. Cleats are optional for 5u and 6u.

UKsocca will run skills clinics during spring break and for one week in July at Ping Tom Park for all Near South Players. Below is the link for the affordable camp, go to IL, region 1516 for more info: http://www.aysosoccercamps.org/

We’re now accepting payments online through Google Checkout. If you don’t already have a Google account, setup is quick and easy, and your payments are secure!

Be sure to download the registration form and mail it in after you make your payment to the following address:

Near South Soccer League
c/o Scott Hanlon
3135 S Giles
Chicago, IL 60616

Pay registration fee online

We will try to start games 15 min early for each game. We will try to start at 8:15am.

We will be selling SuperBowl Squares for $30 at the central table. The Poster was “misplaced” at the indoor facility, so a new board is being produced. I have 17 squares sold and will ask that those who have purchased a square last week email me prior to Sat. Half of the proceed will go to the rental fee and indoor equipment.

Please turn in your registration fee, if you have not done so.

I need help at the central table from 8:15am-9:45am or 9:45am-11am.

Outdoor soccer registration will start soon. Registration can take place at the indoor facility 2/6 and 2/13, on line, or at Old St Mary’s on 2/20 from 10am-noon (Near South Little League registration for Summer 2010 will also be available)

There will be no Monday practice due to the MLK holiday.