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The spring of 2012 marks the inaugural year of the Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches' Clinics program. Created by Play Ball! Minnesota Ambassador Brian Raabe the program serves as a way for the ball club to help increase coaching skills and promote the importance of coaching youth. This offseason, the Minnesota Twins and Play Ball! Minnesota will offer free clinics for youth coaches throughout the Upper Midwest.
The Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches' Clinics are free for communities to host and are available through an application process. Funding for the Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches' Clinics is provided by the Twins Community Fund.
The current clinic format, developed by Play Ball! Minnesota Ambassador Brian Raabe is designed to teach coaching techniques in all of the key aspects of the game. While it is not possible for every coach to know everything about the game, it is the responsibility of the coach to have general fundamental knowledge to be an effective teacher and mentor. The clinics are perfect for beginner coaches and are also a great way for experienced coaches to learn new concepts and techniques. Brian established a long and successful career in baseball both as a player and coach; including playing at the collegiate and Major League levels and coaching at the youth, high school and collegiate levels.
The format includes instruction in hitting, baserunning, infield/outfield, pitching, catching and throwing as well as other general coaching hints to make you a better teacher.
The clinic is divided into two 1.5 hour long sessions. The first session covers defensive techniques and the second session covers offensive techniques as well as tips and hints to improve your overall skills. The Twins provide all the instruction equipment needed; participants are asked to bring any materials they need to record notes. Clinics are typically scheduled on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the months of March through May.
The Twins Community Fund expects that each host will do everything within their means to promote the clinic to the coaches in their organization or community. The host is also responsibility for any necessary registration; a minimum attendee commitment is required in the application. The host is also responsible for securing a venue large enough to accommodate the number of attendees.
If you are interested in bringing a free Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches Clinic to your community in 2012, download the Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches Clinic Fact Sheet and Application.
Josh Ortiz
Play Ball! Minnesota Coaches Clinics
1 Twins Way
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612-659-3506
E-mail joshortiz@twinsbaseball.com
