Registration is taking place for the 16th Maccabiah Games - United States Junior Baseball Team, in association with Maccabi USA Sports for Israel. All Jewish boys between the ages of 14 - 16, and born between the years 1985 and 1987, are encouraged to try out in Massapequa this Sunday. The final team, composed of the 20 best baseball players from around the country, will be competing in Israel next July.

The Maccabiah games, sometimes referred to as the Jewish Olympics, are a competition for Jewish athletes all over the world in many different sports. They are badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volley ball, body building, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, judo, karate, lawn bowls, rowing, rugby, sailing, soccer, softball, squash, swimming, table tennis, tae kwan do, tennis, ten pin bowling, track and field, triathlon, volley ball water polo and wrestling. This is the first year that baseball is included.

Steve Sigler, a longtime resident of West Birchwood, Jericho, is the head coach of the USA baseball team. He was a Philadelphia Phillies' prospect before entering the world of business. Steve founded and currently runs a large amateur baseball league called MSBL/MABL.

Brian Sigler, who grew-up in Jericho, recently graduated from the University of Michigan and is now the assistant coach for the team.

The Junior Baseball committee appointed Steve head coach. Both Steve and Brian have been involved in baseball for years, although this is the first year that the father/son duo is involved with the Maccabiah program. The US Junior Baseball team will compete against the world with delegations from Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and Israel expected to battle for the Maccabiah Games title.

This competition is very popular with Jewish athletes, as there are over 700 athletes on the entire USA team.

The Northeast workout and tryout is being held this Sunday, Sept. 17, in Burns Park, Massapequa. There are also tryouts being held in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix so the tryout process promises to be very selective.

There is a $25 workout fee to cover the field rental and baseballs. Participants can fill out the application on Sunday, but must bring an additional $36 application fee, which will be assessed by the Maccabiah Office in Philadelphia. The boys, who must have been born between 1985 and 1987, are asked to bring a glove with them to the field.

To get to Burns Park field in Massapequa for the practice, which will be held from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., take the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway, Rt. 135, south to last exit - Merrick Road East. Take Merrick Road for three miles and the field is on the right hand side. For more information, please call Brian at 631-719-1426 or e-mail him at bsigler@msblnational.com

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of a team with strong Jewish ties and the chance to compete in Israel.