We introduced two new features on the Metro Sports Report this fall that have proven successful with the community.

We've been delighted with the response to the new "Friends of the Metro Sports Report," as loyal readers have told us how much they appreciate the website by joining the club and helping to support our venture.

To refresh your memory, you can join "Friends of Metro Sports Report" for $25 and in return get your name listed on our website and receive a handsome "Friends" T-shirt for your enjoyment.

The enrollment has tapered off the last few weeks, but lots of people have told me they plan to join and just have not gotten around to it yet. That's quite all right, of course, and if you'd like to join simply CLICK HERE and you'll be connected to the registration page.

The new Recreation Calendar has a tab all for itself at the top of the main home page where all the schools and teams are listed. The Rec Calendar is intended to help members of the community publicize their special events and place news about tryouts.

Line Drive Hitting was the first company to make use of the Rec Calendar to publicize the open house they had earlier this month and to promote membership in their baseball/hitting facility in Swisher, where they offer lessons and have indoor cages.

The Kirkwood softball program has a listing on the Rec Calendar for the indoor clinic they'll be hosting at the Kirkwood Recreation Center Dec. 27.

The cost for placing an item on the Rec Calendar is $25. We'll write a short story about your event or tryout and post the story in the Today's Lineup section on the website as well as adding your entry to the Rec Calendar itself.

You can submit entries to me by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and mail the $25 check to me at 2803 Q Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52405. We think it's great low-cost way to publicize your event or tryout.

We keep looking for ways to improve the Metro Sports Report website and improve our service to our readers. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, because some of our best ideas come from our readers.