Sports in brief . . .

Softball umpires
    The Northern Maine Softball Umpire’s Association is looking for new umpires for the upcoming high school softball season. There will be a clinic for those interested in becoming Federation High School or ASA softball umpires. The clinics will be held at Riverside Park in Presque Isle from 9 a.m. to noon on Mar. 22 and 29 and April 20. For further information, call Mike Patenaude at 764-6613 or Steve Johnson at 429-8527. UMPI events
The following sport event will take place at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
    The County All-Star High School Basketball Classic will take place at Wieden Gymnasium today featuring the County’s top high school senior players. The girls’ game begins at 5:30 p.m. and the boys’ game at 7 p.m. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. The game will be broadcast on WHOU 100.1 FM and on www.whoufm.com.
    Rene’s run around the campus and community will take place on Thursday, Mar. 13. Rene Laliberty, an Upward Bound staff member, is running in the 2008 Boston Marathon to raise funds to benefity the Upward Bound programs. She hopes to raise $10,000 by Apr. 21.
    The UMPI baseball team is offering a spring baseball clinic on Saturday, Mar. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Wieden Gymnasium. The clinic is open to boys and girls ages seven to 12, and will include instruction on throwing, hitting, bunting, fielding and base-running. Cost is $30 to support the baseball team. Pre-registration is preferred, but admission is allowed on the day of the event. For more information, call 768-9421.
    The physical education majors club will host its seventh semi-annual fit and fun day on Saturday, Mar. 22. The event is geared toward students in grades one to five, and will teach them about health and fitness. For more information, contact Dr. Chris Standefer at 768-8457.
    Climbing nights will be offered now through May at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Climbing nights will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Apr. 7th and May 5th. No experience is required. Please wear something comfortable to move in (no shorts permitted). There is no cost for members. $10 fee for non-members.
Maine Winter Sports Center announcements
    From now through March, ski free Wednesdays will be offered at Big Rock from 4 to 9 p.m. Evenings will include free skiing, a free half hour lesson and $10 rentals. For more information, visit www.bigrockmaine.com.
    The Northern Skiers Club will host an Aroostook youth ski fest on Saturday, Mar. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Caribou High School Ski Center.  For more information, visit www.youthskifest.org.
    The Nordic Heritage Center will host the Himie Towle Memorial Ski Frolic on Sunday, Mar. 16. Registration will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children events will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the 8 km freestyle even at 1:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per youth or $20 per family.
    Big Rock will host the Mars Hill Winterfest from Mar. 14 to 16 including ski clinics, the “kardboard klassic” sled race and other activities.
    The MWSC is organizing a ski trip to Quebec City from Mar. 21 to 23. Participants will explore Quebec City and ski the trails at Mont Sainte Anne. For more information, contact Melissa York at 227-0250.
    The Four Seasons Trail Association will host the first annual Acadia FCU Marathon at Madawaska on Sunday, Mar. 30. Participants can relax and tour the 21 km course or compete against other skiers in the full 42 km race. Gourmet food will be provided at the lodge and on the course.
    For more information, visit www. Fourseasonstrail.org
    Mojo’s is organizing a mountain biking trip to Moab, U.T. from April 12 to 19.
    To reserve a spot, or for more information, call Melanie Stewart at 760-9500.