Sports Shorts

The Manalapan Parks and Recreation Department will be accepting registration for the fall 2006 tennis instruction program starting this week. The youth program is broken up into novice (ages 6 and 7), beginner (8 and older), advanced beginner/intermediate (8 and older) and teen (11-17). There is also an Instructional Competitive League for ages 10 and older. All classes are held in the afternoon at the Manalapan Recreation Center tennis courts.

The department's adult program has two levels: advanced beginner/intermediate, and advanced. There is also an Instructional Competitive League and a Stroke of the Week class. Most classes are held weekday mornings, although there is one evening class for all levels. Classes are held on the Manalapan Recreation Center tennis courts.

The fall program runs for six weeks, from the week of Sept. 5-Oct. 9, with make-ups the week of Oct. 16. Classes meet once a week.

For more information, call (732) 446-8355. Registrations will be accepted at the Manalapan Parks and Recreation office Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registration is also being accepted for the fall 2006 youth street and roller hockey programs. The programs are open to residents of Manalapan, Englishtown, Marlboro, Morganville, Matawan, Millstone, Colts Neck and Old Bridge.

Street hockey is open to boys and girls born in 1998 and 1999 only. Roller hockey is open to boys and girls born from 1988-1999.

The programs run from September to December at the Manalapan Recreation Center hockey rinks. There will be instructional clinics offered during the season.

Volunteers are needed as coaches, assistant coaches and team parents. Call (732) 446-8355 for more information. Registration can be done in person at the recreation office.

Alumni Softball League is accepting team registration for the fall 2006 season. Deadline for teams to register is Aug. 27. The league will be training umpires for the upcoming season. Due to the growth of the league, umpires are needed. Anyone who is interested in becoming an umpire, or teams looking to register, should contact Stuart at (732) 513-4836.

For more information on the Alumni Softball League, log on to www.leaguelineup.com/alumni or e-mail ump1019@aol.com or alumnitsoftball@aol.com.

The Manalapan Thunder, a very competitive 11-U baseball team (May 1, 2004-12U in the fall of 2006 and spring 2007) is looking for players to fill a few key spots. The team will participate in the Central Jersey Baseball League (50/70) in the spring of 2007 and play tournaments in the fall. In 2007, the team has been confirmed to compete in a week-long tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y., in late July. Anyone interested in trying out for the team should send an e-mail to manalapanthunder@yahoo.com.

The Freehold Tornado 14U travel softball team will hold tryouts for their upcoming season at 9 a.m. on Aug. 19 at Michael Tighe Park, Field 1, Freehold Township. For more information on the tryouts, contact Mike Spataro at (732) 410-4550 or (732) 239-5993. The team is coming off a very successful season and is looking to build on that success with competitive players added to the roster.

St. Benedict Catholic Church and School will hold its first golf classic on Monday, Oct. 16, at the Bella Vista Country Club in Marlboro. Organizers plan to make this an annual event. Sponsorship opportunities and ad journal advertisements are still available, as well as a limited number of premium packages. Support for the event can also be offered in the form of a prize/auction donation or by purchasing tickets to the luncheon for nongolfers. For further information, contact Dan Potterton at (732) 617-7207 or GolfNow@Att.Biz.