Windham Holds Baseball Clinic

February 21, 2009

Coach Fullerton's closing arguments to the 10-12 year olds. David Field photo.

 

While the Red Sox Pitchers and Catchers reported for spring training this week in Fort Meyers, approximately 50 kids from Windham ages 7-12 reported to their own camp hosted by Windham High School Varsity Baseball Coach Mike Fullerton.  The clinic was divided in 2 by age with 7-9 year olds reporting first and the 10-12 year olds second. 

 

Coach Fullerton gives his closing comments to the 7-9 year old group. David Field photo.

 

The clinic had consistent day to day drills and also offered special focused drills day to day.  Wednesday’s clinic focused on specifically on pitching and catching.  The final clinic on Friday was an actual game played in the High School gym with each group split into two teams competing against each other.

 

 

Coach Johnson gives instruction to the 10-12 year old Angry Chimpanzees. David Field photo.

 

Besides raising money for his baseball program, Coach Fullerton wanted to give Little League age kids an opportunity to prepare for the assessments being conducted in mid March.  He also wanted to continue to build the connection between his program and the youth program in the community.  Asked what his biggest reward of the week was, Coach Fullerton was quick to respond on the progress of the kids in such a short period and the learning of his terminology and techniques.  Fullerton also commented that the final clinic culminating activity was to bring the hard work of the skills and drills together in a fun way. 

 

Coach Dan Joseph shows his "Rocky" look. Joseph took a line drive baseball to the eye Thursday night in a batting cage. He was back in form on Friday after getting three staples to the eye brow. His injury was the motivation to his teams' name; Psychotic Cyclops. David Field photo.

 

In the 7-9 age group, Coach Dan Joseph led his Psychotic Cyclops (named after the injury Dan received Thursday night) to a tight victory over Coach Rich Johnson’s Angry Chimpanzees 17-16.  In the 10-12 age group, the Psychotic Cyclops again were the better team in defeating the Angry Chimpanzees 19-16. 

 

The 7-9 year old Psychotic Cyclops. David Field photo.

 

In his closing comments to each group, Coach Fullerton encouraged the kids to continue working on the skills and drills they had learned during the week.  “It doesn’t stop here.  To become better, you must continue to work and practice.” 

 

Coach Fullerton expressed his appreciation to clinic volunteers Dan Joseph, Rich Johnson, Calvin Field, Jen Field, David Field and all parent volunteers who help build the baseball and softball programs in Windham.