This past Saturday, May 23, Our Washington Nationals hosted the first of five youth clinics at Nationals Park. Sponsored by Smithfield, this is the second consecutive year the Virginia based Food Company has partnered with DC's Major League Baseball Team. The goal to expose more youths to baseball, enhance their skills while teaching proper training techniques.
Nationals Hitting Instructor Rick Eckstein, Pitching Coach Randy St.Claire, Third Base Coach Pat Listach, First Base Coach Marquis Grissom and Bullpen Coach Randy Knorr were all on hand to assist the nearly 100 kids from The District's DC RBI Program (Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities).
During the two hour session, the children rotated through six different work stations to receive instruction on hitting, fielding and throwing. Every single youth was given the opportunity to swing a bat in Washington's Indoor Batting Cages. And Assistant Trainer, Mike McGowan was on hand to provide tips on staying healthy.
After the instruction concluded--lunch was served for all participants in The Nats Family Picnic Area on the main concourse near The Exxon Strike Zone. Each child receiving a Nationals/Smithfield Gear Bag and two tickets to an upcoming Nats Baseball Game at Nationals Park.
The next Washington Nationals Youth Clinic presented by Smithfield will be June 20. Other scheduled dates are July 25, August 22 and September 5. Online registration at Nationals.com will be available soon.
All Photos--Courtesy of The Washington Nationals
I have never understood why players are not involved in this activity. The kids want to interact with the young players not the older coaches!
ReplyDeleteAren't the Nationals trying to sell the team to the community. No players just tells me there is no commitment to the community by the players. Same thing goes for the clean up project, etc.
This is a delayed message but we enjoyed seeing you at Nats Park after the game last week and thanks for posting the Busch Gardens win that appeared on the "big board". See you next week? Jeannette and Barry
ReplyDeleteWhen is this nightmare of a season going to end. Manny needs to start fighting for his team. I would think he doesn't have their back. It's getting too bad. I never thought I would see a team threaten the 62 Mets for awful. But as bad as this is somebody needs to fight a little bit for his players.
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