Items for the CHN's calendars or briefs should be submitted, with a contact phone number, at least two weeks in advance by e-mail to chnsports@nando.com; via fax to (919) 968-4953; or by mail to Sports, The Chapel Hill News, 505 West Franklin Street. Chapel Hill, N.C. 27516. Phone calls are not accepted to submit calendar items. The Chapel Hill News and News & Observer retain the right to edit submissions as necessary. Questions may be directed to Sports at (919) 932-2000, ext. 8743.

YMCA Sports: Basketball open registration deadline will be Nov. 10, or sooner if registration limits are reached. Registration for the YMCA swim team has begun for all comers. The Y Sharks swim team will practice in September and enter a full schedule of competitive meets.

Volunteer Coaching: The Carrboro Rec and Parks Department is looking for volunteer coaches for the fall baseball and basketball programs for young athletes. Coaches must exhibit the ability to organize team practices and communicate effectively with players, parents and Recreation Department staff. They must also exhibit the ability to teach proper playing skills and fundamentals, proper sportsmanship and provide an enjoyable atmosphere at practices and games. To receive a volunteer coaches application or additional information, contact the Rec Department.

Highlander Rugby: The Chapel Hill Highlanders will host a "touch rugby" program each Saturday in October (4, 11, 18 & 25) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cedar Falls Park on Weaver Dairy Road. Each session will consist of 30-45 minutes skill training, followed by games. The program is aimed at middle schoolers and high school freshmen. It will lead into establishment of a U15 tackle rugby program that will compete in the spring of 2009. The cost for four sessions, all led by current Highlanders coaches and players, is $25. Registration forms will be available on the Web site: www.highlandersrfc.org.

Learn The Ropes -- The 19th Annual North Carolina Rope Skipping Workshop hosted by the five-time national champion Bouncing Bulldogs Team will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at East Chapel Hill High School The cost is $65 per registrant. The workshop will be followed by a fundraising dinner and annual International Jump Rope Spectacular Show. For more information call 493-7992 or visit the web site at www.bouncingbulldogs.org

Gallop and Gorge: This annual 5-mile race affords Thanksgiving diners the chance at absolution before they dig into the gravy and mashed potatoes. (It also caps another year of Tour de Carrboro racing series.) Held on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, it steps off at 8 a.m. at the Fleet Feet store at Carrboro Mall. For more information see www.cardinaltrack.com.

Fall Baseball: Carrboro offers a fall baseball program for ages 6-15 as of Oct. 15. Registration is accepted at the Recreation Department with a fee of $52 for Orange County residents and $91 for out of county residents. Carrboro also will conduct a series of baseball instructional clinics for youth ages 6-10. They will include: Defense (Sept. 21), and Offense (Sept. 28). The fee is $15 per clinic and the time varies based upon the age group.

Baseball -- Sunday Series: What better time than the 'September Stretch' to work on those fundamentals of baseball. An instructor will guide each player on the aspects of baseball offense and defense. Focus will be developing skills in an effort on becoming a diverse clutch player. Separate classes for ages 6-8 and 9-10 begin Sept. 21, at a cost of $15 per participant.

Chapel Hill Tennis: The Chapel Hill Parks and Rec Department is accepting registration for adult and youth tennis classes and senior tennis. Tennis classes are limited to eight participants per class, and fees and times vary. Senior tennis is free for ages 55 and over.

Carrboro Tennis: 'Adult Beginner' classes begin Sept. 23 for those who want to learn the fundamentals of tennis, based on the methods used by the most advanced players and teachers. The fee is $39 per player. Progressive lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Wilson Park (6:15-7:15 p.m.) will teach an all-court game, with emphasis on movement, rhythm and being 'in the moment.' Although designed for beginners, players with some experience should benefit from these lessons. Bring a racquet.

Drop-In Volleyball at Culbreth features 'pickup" matches every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. It costs $3 per person. Anyone under 16 has to be accompanied by an adult. For youngsters 10-13 years old who want to learn more about serving, passing and spiking, Carrboro Rec also offers a class that runs through Oct. 12. t costs $47 for the semester.

Basketball Signups have begun for both Carrboro and Chapel Hill Rec Department leagues. Carrboro Rec Leagues offer teams for kids in several age brackets, spanning ages 6-15. Teams will practice twice a week with times and locations varying. The fee is $52 for residents of Orange County and $91 for others. The Chapel Hill Rec Department offers leagues for adults and for youth in three leagues (ages 5-6, 7-15 and 16-18). The fee for individual youth signups is $45 for local residents, $54 for others; registration for Chapel Hill's adult and 16-18 lagues is team-by-team.

HOCC Golf Classic -- The Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic is set for Friday, Oct. 24, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. at Occoneechee Golf Course. The cost to play is $60 for members of the chamber; $70 for non-members, or $200 for a team of four. This fee includes green fees, a goody bag and an awards dinner. Prizes include "Closest to the Pin," "Longest Drive," and other achievements, as well as door prizes. Don Lacefield Chevrolet-Buick is hosting a Hole-in-One contest for a new car. For information and to register online, visit www.chambergolf.com or call 919-732-8156.

REC CONTACTS:

YMCA: The Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA Chapel Hill-Carrboro is located at 980 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill, 27514. Phone:442-9622. Online: www.chcymca.org.

Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation: The CH Community enter is located at 200 Plant Road, Chapel Hill, 27514. Phone: 968-2784. Online: www.chapelhillparks.org.

Carrboro Recreation & Parks: Offices are located the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro Street, 27510. Phone: 918-7364. Online: ci.carrboro.nc.us/RP/default.htm or go to the main page at www.townofcarrboro.org and click on the 'Recreation' link.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Pacers: Phone coach Meredith Bolon at 619-4565, or Randy Young, 967-0960. Online: pacers.runningland.com.

Cardinal Track Club: online at www.cardinaltrack.com.

Girls on the Run: 401-6307 -- Mail can go to 1415 West Highway 54, Suite 211, Durham, 27707. Phone: 401.6307. Online: e-mail info@gotrtriangle.com or visit www.gotrtriangle.com.

Highlanders Rugby: Web site: www.highlandersrfc.org or contact coach Robert Joseph at robert.joseph@syngenta.com