May 2016 | Free Softball Clinics for Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland
During the month of May, Stay in Softball held several free clinics for the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland softball teams and the Cleveland Tri League teams. We also held a free clinic for a high school team that was rebuilding after not having a team due to lack of interest. Over the course of three weeks, we provided clinics for girls on 8 different teams.
We were lucky enough to have Bob Hoiles, (Defensive Instructor, Asst. Coach Beverly Bandits DeMarini) lead two of those clinics. The focus on the clinics were defensive skills and Coach Hoiles is one of the leading defensive skills coaches in the nation. Coach Hoiles reviewed the fundamentals of throwing, catching and fielding. Many of the players had never been taught correct fundamentals and Coach Hoiles patiently, yet enthusiastically, explained correct techniques and also explained why those techniques worked. The girls made amazing progress with Coach Hoiles over the course of a few hours. Many of the volunteer coaches for the teams also attended the clinics and were able to learn along side of the players and also ask Coach Hoiles questions during the clinic.
In addition to Bob Hoiles, we were also excited and honored to have four current Akron Racers lead free clinics. Sherrie Robinson, Alison Owen, Sam Fischer and Ashley Thomas led both offensive and defensive clinics. The clinics covered softball skills including throwing, fielding, hitting, bunting, and base running. The players also assisted girls who were trying out for the Cleveland Indians' RBI program with their tryout skills. The Racers players were so great with the girls! They were able to teach and encourage the girls and still cover a lot of different drills and skills. Even though we got poured on the second day, they were able to bring the clinic inside and still teach the girls and their coaches a lot. In addition to the skills instruction, the players also talked to the girls about how to be a good teammate, how to practice with a purpose and how to set goals (both in softball and in life). After the clinics, the players also stayed and signed autographs and took pictures with the girls and their coaches.
Equipment Donations: In addition to providing the free clinics, we supplied free (mostly used) bats, gloves, masks, helmets, balls and catching equipment for every player who needed them. We gave approximately 150 pieces of equipment out. The used equipment donation program is an essential part of our clinics because players need to practice the skills they learn on a regular basis. Without their own equipment, daily practice is nearly impossible. We can't thank our used equipment donors enough!
We were lucky enough to have Bob Hoiles, (Defensive Instructor, Asst. Coach Beverly Bandits DeMarini) lead two of those clinics. The focus on the clinics were defensive skills and Coach Hoiles is one of the leading defensive skills coaches in the nation. Coach Hoiles reviewed the fundamentals of throwing, catching and fielding. Many of the players had never been taught correct fundamentals and Coach Hoiles patiently, yet enthusiastically, explained correct techniques and also explained why those techniques worked. The girls made amazing progress with Coach Hoiles over the course of a few hours. Many of the volunteer coaches for the teams also attended the clinics and were able to learn along side of the players and also ask Coach Hoiles questions during the clinic.
In addition to Bob Hoiles, we were also excited and honored to have four current Akron Racers lead free clinics. Sherrie Robinson, Alison Owen, Sam Fischer and Ashley Thomas led both offensive and defensive clinics. The clinics covered softball skills including throwing, fielding, hitting, bunting, and base running. The players also assisted girls who were trying out for the Cleveland Indians' RBI program with their tryout skills. The Racers players were so great with the girls! They were able to teach and encourage the girls and still cover a lot of different drills and skills. Even though we got poured on the second day, they were able to bring the clinic inside and still teach the girls and their coaches a lot. In addition to the skills instruction, the players also talked to the girls about how to be a good teammate, how to practice with a purpose and how to set goals (both in softball and in life). After the clinics, the players also stayed and signed autographs and took pictures with the girls and their coaches.
Equipment Donations: In addition to providing the free clinics, we supplied free (mostly used) bats, gloves, masks, helmets, balls and catching equipment for every player who needed them. We gave approximately 150 pieces of equipment out. The used equipment donation program is an essential part of our clinics because players need to practice the skills they learn on a regular basis. Without their own equipment, daily practice is nearly impossible. We can't thank our used equipment donors enough!