BASEBALL SPENDS WEEK TEACHING KIDS
left: Bryan Mahon teaches fundamentals of pitching
right: Assistant Coach Duaine Bowles instructs the fine art of base running.
For Immediate Release: May 5, 2009
Kamloops, BC-It was a ‘blast from the past’ for members of the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack Baseball team. The WolfPack kicked off the unofficial ‘Baseball Week ‘ in Kamloops by holding the first of four clinics with players in the Kamloops Minor Baseball Association.
“I think our guys were a bit nervous,” said assistant coach Duaine Bowles , taking a break from teaching some Pee Wee “AA” players the fine art of base running. “ This is good though. They need to know that they are here to do more than just go to school and play baseball.”
In an effort to make more of a connection with the baseball community, the Kamloops Collegiate Baseball Society (who oversee the WolfPack team operations) came up with the ‘Baseball Week” concept which will culminate in all minor baseball players in the city being allowed to come to NorBrock Stadium to watch the WolfPack play their final two Canadian College Baseball Conference spring league games for free.
“It was really great to give something back,” said veteran pitcher Bryan Mahon (Fruitvale, BC). “For years, I went to camps when I was growing up in Trail. Its nice to be able to help the younger kids.”
Jordan Broatch (RHP, White Rock, BC) was also assigned to help out the pitchers. “ Although we are preparing for the playoffs, It’s a great opportunity to take some of the pressure off and return to our roots. I loved going to camps in the Vancouver area when I was growing up.”
On this night, the WolfPack were stressing pitching, batting and infielding. By the time its all said and done, the TRU players will have worked with nearly 400 athletes from Tadpole to Midget.
It is hoped that this is just the beginning of a closer bond between the two organizations. “We’ve always had a strong contingent of local players, thanks to the work done by Ray (Chadwick) and Sean (Wandler)”, added Bowles “It would be nice that all of these players have becoming members of the WolfPack organization as a long term goal.”