April Program to Benefit Area Softball and Baseball Coaches
WATERLOO, IOWA (March 6, 2013) – It’s not every day coaches receive training from an accomplished player and coach, but that’s exactly what area softball and baseball coaches can do this spring.
Waterloo’s very own Riverfront Sports Park will host a Play Ball! Minnesota Coaching Clinic led by former Minnesota Twins infielder, Brian Raabe. The event, intended to improve coaching skills and promote the importance of coaching youth softball and baseball teams, will take place Sunday, April 7, from noon to 3 p.m.
Build Our Ballpark, a local nonprofit organization, played an integral role in bringing the clinic to Waterloo.
“If Build Our Ballpark didn’t exist and hadn’t made such major improvements to the Riverfront Sports Park, we probably wouldn’t have been given this wonderful opportunity,” said Mark Gallagher, Sports Manager for City of Waterloo Leisure Services. “We hope to see a great turnout of area coaches.”
Intended for coaches of all experience levels, the clinic is designed to teach coaching techniques in every aspect of the game.
The program was created by Raabe, now the Play Ball! Minnesota Ambassador, who played at the collegiate and Major League levels and coached at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. Raabe designs and conducts the clinic, including instruction in hitting, base running, infield and outfield skills, pitching, catching, throwing and other coaching hints.
Build Our Ballpark will soon complete renovations at Riverfront Sports Park, which serves youth from across Eastern Iowa and surrounding areas. This two-year, $900,000 project will completely rejuvenate the existing complex.
To sign up for the Play Ball! Minnesota Coaching Clinic or for more info, contact Bob Etringer at 319-291-4370 or bob.etringer@waterloo-ia.org. Space is limited, so coaches are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
About Play Ball! Minnesota Coaching Clinics
Since 2004, Play Ball! Minnesota has operated in partnership with major youth baseball and softball organizations in the Upper Midwest. Funding for the Coaching Clinic is provided by the Twins Community Fund, which began in 1991 to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins. Communities request to host Play Ball! Minnesota Coaching Clinics through an application process. To learn more, visit www.PlayBallMN.com.
