baseball glove : D-II coaches

Eight-year-old William Royal was asked what he learned during Saturday's annual American Baseball Coaches Association Youth Clinic.

Instead of answering, he showed off his new moves as an outfielder.

"He told me to set my feet and lean to the ball when I pick it up," he said as he leaned over near the ground, holding his glove down. "Like this."

A lot of "like this" was going on at Edward Thompson Park on Saturday. Coaches and players from all eight teams in this year's NCAA Division II Baseball Championship participated in the clinic.

"It's been a lot of fun," Ashland sophomore catcher Chase Beatty said. "It's been good to see all of these kids out here working hard. It's hot out here but they seem to be enjoying it. I think I am getting something out of it, too."

More than 350 youth ranging in age from 6 to 17 participated. Each was given a chance to work at a particular position in the field, work on bunting and take a few swings in the batting cages.

They also were given a short lecture on life and how it pertains to the game of baseball.

"I gave them the see-and-learn, feel-and-learn, listen-and-learn and believe in yourself speech," Emporia State coach Bob Fornelli said. "We talked about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how they can derail you in your journey through life.

"You get your degree and you have an opportunity to help yourself financially and playing baseball is a great chance to do that."

Lewis University and ABCA president Irish O'Reilly have been a part of the clinic since its inception in the mid-1980s. He says he still gets goose bumps when he watches the D-II players working with the kids.

"Baseball is like an on-going love affair," he said. "You teach a young boy or girl to play baseball, and they develop a love for it and they will want to teach other kids.

"Older coaches like me learn things, too. We all have different ways of teaching, and we can pick up a point or two. It's a constant learning of the game."

Franklin Pierce senior pitcher Mike Farrell said he was intrigued by the attention the players gave as they were instructed.

"You could tell most of them were really taking it in," he said. "I didn't get the chance to come to this when I was a freshman, but I heard the players talk about it. It was a great experience."

The event was held at Thompson Park for the first time. Ed Card of the City of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department said the new home attracted about 120 more participants than last year.

"I think it helped," he said. "Once the word gets out, I believe the number will increase."

By Graham Dunn