Enter Junior Olympics for free

Are you raising a little champ in soccer, basketball, tennis, track and field, or baseball? Kids, can you score at soccer, hit those free throws, keep up a tennis volley, hit a home run, or run faster than the wind? If so, come out to the Randolph Community Center and have some FUN, Apr. […]

April 14, 2009; 1:09 PM • by FTRea

Are you raising a little champ in soccer, basketball, tennis, track and field, or baseball?

Kids, can you score at soccer, hit those free throws, keep up a tennis volley, hit a home run, or run faster than the wind?

If so, come out to the Randolph Community Center and have some FUN, Apr. 15 — Apr. 18, when kids can enter the Junior Olympic Skills Competition or the Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition scheduled by Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

There is no fee to enter.

All first, second and third place winners will receive ribbons at the end of the trials on Sat., Apr. 18. The local champions of these events will move up to the regional competitions and perhaps the national finals.

To take the skill tests, boys and girls must have identification, proof of age and parental or guardian permission. To obtain a registration form, come by the Randolph Community Center at 1415 Grayland Ave. any weekday between 1:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., or call 646-1080.

The skill competitions will be held as follows:

Jr. Olympic Skill Tests (boys & girls ages 8 to 13 years old)

Soccer Skill Competition – Wed., Apr. 15, at 5 p.m. (tests ability to dribble, shoot and score in the fastest time possible)

Tennis Skill Competition – Wed. Apr. 15, at 6 p.m. (challenges youngsters to serve and continue hitting a low-compression tennis ball against the wall as many times as possible in 30 seconds)

Track & Field Competition – Thurs., Apr. 16, at 5:30 p.m. (tests youngsters in a 50-meter dash and standing broad jump)

Basketball Skill Competition – Sat., Apr. 18, at noon (challenges participants to score as many points as possible in 45 seconds making baskets from designated shooting areas including the free throw line).

Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run Skill Tests (boys & girls ages 7 to 14 years old)

Fri., Apr. 17, at 6 p.m.

Pitching Skill Competition (tests ability to throw strikes to a designated strike zone)

Batting Skill Competition (tests accuracy and distance hitting a ball off a stationary tee)

Running Skill Competition (timed running from second base to third and home)