March 28, 2024

Sports briefs

Hawk practice

For the third consecutive spring, the Iowa football team will hold an open practice at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines. The open practice will take place at 12:30 p.m. April 11.

West and southeast gates at Valley Stadium will open at 11: 30 a.m. Tickets are not required. There will not be parking available at Valley Stadium, with the exception of limited handicap parking available in the west parking lot. The Valley Church parking lot, adjacent to Valley Stadium, will have limited public parking until 4: 30 p.m.

Concession stands within the stadium will be open. No outside food or drink will be allowed. Iowa began spring drills on Wednesday and will host an open practice at 1 p.m. April 25 in Kinnick Stadium.

Umpire clinics

As part of its officials recruiting and education program, the Iowa High School Athletic Association will be hosting free baseball umpire clinics around the state in April. Five clinics have been scheduled through the assistance of host member schools.

Two of the clinics are scheduled 6:15 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at Ames High School; and 6:15 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Denison-Schleswig High School in Denison.

Equipment needed for the clinics: an umpire mask and umpire cap. Other items for new officials as well as veterans will be available for purchase at each site. The clinic will cover positioning for calling balls and strikes, base coverage, new rules and overall baseball umpiring mechanics.

Anyone interested in getting involved in umpiring at any level is welcome free of charge. Those desiring to umpire at the high school level, must register with the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Information can be obtained at www.iahsaa.org click on officials at the top of the page, click on online registration, fill out the paper work and use a debit or credit card to pay your dues. Participants will receive a password for their account.

From April 27-May 5 umpires will be able to take the online open book exam, which must be passed, and view the online rules meeting. Those having questions can call Roger Barr, director of officials at 515-432-2011.

Coed volleyball

Recent results and standings of Creston Park and Recreation coed volleyball league:

March 25 results — GRMC (2) 2, GRMC (4) 1; Hit or Miss 2, Diggers 1; Church of Christ 2, CyHawks 1; That Bar 3, GRMC (5) 0; Winterstien Construction 2, H&H 1.

Standings — That Bar 3-0, GRMC (6) 8-1, Church of Christ 5-1, Frey Construction 5-1, CyHawks 4-2, H&H 4-2, GRMC (7) 4-5, Winterstien Construction 3-6, Hit or Miss 2-7, Diggers 1-8, GRMC (5) 0-6.