Parks and rec activities

ORONO – The Orono Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled several activities:

. The department will host a Pepsi Pitch, Hit and Run Competition at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Marden Park. It is intended to encourage youth participation and emphasize the “fun” element of baseball.

Participants should bring a glove and wear cleats. Bringing a bat is optional. There is no fee, but pre-registration is suggested, and registrations will be taken that day starting at 9:15 a.m. For more information, call the Orono Recreation office at 866-5065.

. The department will welcome a new soccer camp to the area – British Soccer. The weeklong camp, set for June 23-27, is run by Challenger Sports, a group whose focus is on the child as an individual. The camp is designed for the beginner, intermediate or advanced player looking to learn and have fun.

The camp is for girls and boys ages 4-16, with all participants receiving a ball and shirt. Fees for camps are $69 for ages 4-5 for 11/2hours per day; $100 for ages 6-16, three hours per day; and $145 for a full day for children ages 10-16. For information, contact the Orono Recreation office at 866-5065.

. The department will offer the CheckMate Chess Camp the week of June 23-27 for children ages 8-17. Players will receive instruction and game explanations as well as strategies involving the game of chess.

The camp is designed for all levels of experience and is for children interested in learning or improving their abilities in chess. It runs daily, 8:30 a.m.-noon. The fee is $75, but if you register prior to June 1, the fee is $65. For information, contact the Orono Recreation office at 866-5065.

. The department is accepting registrations for its “Tee it Up” Golf Clinic the week of July 7-11 for boys and girls in grades two and up. This clinic will focus on the various aspects of the game, including rules and etiquette.

The fee is $35 for residents, $45 for nonresidents. Register and pay prior to June 1 and get a $10 discount. For information, call the Orono Recreation office at 866-5065.

. The department is accepting registrations for the “FUN”damental Basketball School. The school, run by Tim Pearson and Mike Corneil, is designed to teach youth the fundamentals of basketball in a fun, positive atmosphere. The school is composed of local teachers, coaches and players selected specifically for their ability to work with developing basketball players.

The school is for girls and boys in third through eighth grades. The girls school is the week of July 14-18; girls in third through fifth grades attend 8:30 a.m.-noon and girls in sixth through eighth grades, 1-4:30 p.m.

The boys school runs the week of July 21-25 with the grades and times the same as for the girls. The fee is $60 for the week. For more information, contact the Orono Recreation Office at 866-5065.

Wrestling ‘Spring Breakout’

BANGOR – Wrestling fans have something new to shout about. The New England Championship Wrestling Spring Breakout comes to town at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Husson College’s Newman Gymnasium.

The main event will be a showdown for the NECW heavyweight championship, as the current champion, Maverick Wild, faces Antonio “The Promise” Thomas.

Thomas, most recently one-half of the NECW tag-team champions, has become a popular attraction. He is gunning for the top prize against the cunning, talented veteran champion, Maverick Wild, who has no intention of giving up the title he recently regained.

There is also the possibility an old feud could be rekindled in Bangor. “The Golden Greek,” Alex Arian, will grapple with “Brutal” Bob Evans in a special Maine Lumberjack match, in which there will be nowhere to run. Wrestlers will surround the ring, serving as “lumberjacks,” and will throw either competitor back into the ring should he be tossed out – or try to escape.

Former WWE announcer Kevin Kelly will be on hand, and Lacey Hutchison, the current Miss Maine, will make a special appearance.

Tickets are $15, $10 for children under 12 and for students with ID. Call 941-7680 or visit NECWwrestling.com for ticket information. Adelphia Cable sponsors the event.

Greater Bangor Open

The Greater Bangor Open’s board of directors has announced this year’s tournament date and some exciting changes for this historic event:

. The event date will be July 23 at Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

. There is a new team format. This year’s event will focus on team play with a corporate threesome being matched with a pro player.

. Larger purses are being developed to continue attracting a number of national pros.

. Special corporate incentives such as logo fleeces for corporate teams will be offered.

. Also scheduled is an evening social providing a celebratory awards program.

. A round with Maine’s governor is teed up for the tournament’s largest corporate sponsor.

The Greater Bangor Open’s commitment to the promotion of youth golf will be further advanced this year as the program has committed to becoming a long-term sponsor of the Bangor YMCA’s Youth Golf Program.

The Y’s program will provide youth 10-16 years old with a quality golf experience, targeted to underprivileged boys and girls. The board will be working with the YMCA to have its golf program participants at the event providing caddy service and spotting assistance.