COACHES ATTEND CAL RIPKEN CLINIC IN CINCINNATI
On February 24th, in a joint effort to improve youth baseball in Athens county, twenty-one coaches from Athens Sandlot Baseball and Alexander Youth Baseball attended the Cal Ripken Coaches Clinic held in Cincinnati. From 10 am until 5 pm, Cal, along with brother Billy Ripken, demonstrated several skill improvement drills for hitting and fielding, as well as their philosophies of the game and how to relate them to the youth level. They referenced their late father, Cal Sr., many times throughout the day. John Habyan, former Major League pitcher for the Yankees, gave extensive instruction in pitching technique and drills. Coaches in attendance received handbooks to use for reference in applying the drills into their practice routines.
As well as being very instructional, it was also very entertaining. Listening to the Ripkens incorporate stories of the big leagues while instructing was an unexpected treat, especially Billys' "color commentary"!
Athens Sandlot coaches in attendance were: Don Cooley, Kris Kostival, Brian Lutz, Tim Lutz, Keith McGrath, Marc Michigan, Bob Mullins, Brad Rodgers, Joe Smith, Chris Stewart, Trevis Thompson, and Tom Vander Ven.
Alexander coaches were: Jason Adams, Alan Calhoun, Mark Chapman, Jeremy Daniels, Mike Greenlee, Jim Hudnell, Roger Mullins, Don Phillips, and Scott Swiney.
UNTIL PLAY BALL!!!