The complex will host the MLB Legends for Youth Camp on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring several former Major-Leaguers.
The clinic, which is now full as it was limited to the first 200 registrants, will incorporate several stations led by the former pros where they will teach players fundamentals of the game and hopefully give the kids a basis to continue improving in their baseball skills and knowledge.
“The biggest thing for us is we want to get the point across to these kids that you need to simplify it,” said Bob Galasso, a former pitcher for the Seattle Mariners who will be one of the guest instructors at the clinic. “When you start to get more technical in teaching and learning baseball is when things start to get too difficult. We just tell the kids to try to pick up one thing at each station.
“We’re going to try to cover everything from hitting to defense to pitching and more. We also just want to give the kids an appetite for more baseball so maybe they’ll stick with it in the next few years rather than going to another sport.”
The MLB Legends for Youth is a charitable program running over 40 events a year nationwide with the mission of promoting the game of baseball to America’s youth using positive sports images and personalities.
Several other former MLB players will join Galasso, the most recognizable name being John Rocker, the former closer for the Atlanta Braves. Other former pros Doug Simmons, Robert Long, Tom Carroll and Greg ‘Boomer’ Wells are also confirmed for the clinic, with possibly more to come.
“It’s good to see the guys and kind of renew friendships that we’ve made doing these types of clinics,” said Galasso, who now resides in Rockmart.
“The kids might be a little intimidated at first, learning from former Major Leaguers, but we just want them to know they we are putting our heart into this to try to make them better.”
After the clinic, there will be a time set up for the youth to go around and get the players autographs if they want. There will also be autographed items such as balls, bats, etc. for sale during the clinic and the Bob Galasso Classic, the baseball tournament that will kick off on Friday night and run through Sunday.
Team spots are still open for the tournament, which features four separate age divisions (6-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14).
If interested in entering a team or getting more information about the tournament, coaches should contact Steven Cornette at 678-986-7069, Barry Walraven at 706-263-0411 or Diane Jones at 706-602-4453 or 706-4096.
All proceeds from the clinic and the tournament will benefit the MLB Legends for Youth and the Gordon County Christian Baseball Ministries.
Sponsors for the clinic and tournament include Gordon Hospital, Zaxby’s, Sherman Hall Trucking, Roland Hayes Farms and Thomas Designs.
Now I think some of the comments may have gone drastically off topic from what the original comment “gentlelady” stated was about. So this next part is just directed to her and the comments she made of the clinic. I’m not for sure if you know what it takes to host one of these MLB Alumni clinics or not, so forgive me if I educate you on someone you already fully understand. We had great sponsorship from many local companies and raised almost $4000 to just bring the 7 players we had here. Those 7 players were from all over the United States and had knowledge of the game we really can’t put a price tag on. (and by the way – all sponsors knew what players were coming) The way these clinics are set up, the more money you raise from sponsors, the more players you get. Oh, and I agree Cal Ripken, Jr would be a great choice for the clinic we host next year. We will keep your suggestion in mind. Oh and while I’m at it, you are invited to come, I’ll introduce you personally.
Now, to all the youth and their parents who brought them, Thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I hope all the young boys and girls had the best time ever and made many memories. Oh, to be young again. The times when politics played no part of your backyard games and meeting someone who was paid to play the game was a dream come true. You guys are why we do this!
As for the clinic itself, I congratulate you on your hard work, such as it is. Next time I'd suggest a little better research into who you get so as to avoid mistakes like this. Former MLB player only goes so far.
s---." Next time someone asks what's wrong with our kids today, tell them about this event."
Please tell me how this is different than the hate and racism being spewed right here on this comment page by people claiming to be christian? None of you are and thats the problem, some of the worst people I have ever known have been described as "good christian men." The religion has never stood for anything more than hate and violence. look back over 2000 years of history if you choose to disbelieve me. All that christianity stands for today is hate and discrimination based on religion, race, social status, etc... Jesus would turn his back on everyone of you, how do I know? I've actually read the bible, something most of you have not done you depend on others to interpet it for you..
Hey vishnu, how’ bout d’em apples? “Voice of reason,” “sane contributions” and “exemplary” at that! I guess you could say even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then.
I would have chosen Cal Ripken, Jr. or any one of hundreds of other Major League players to teach and inspire my kid.
You would choose moose dung and Satan for your president. I cannot argue with that.
You can have your choices, I stick to my ONLY point - there would have been better options here.
curious – I don’t think we are branding Rocker, as it was a very publicly self-inflicted wound. To this day he has not paid the fine leveled by MLB and jokes about the sensitivity training he was compelled to attend (which he probably has a point on that one) He has the right to think/believe/speak as he will, but he was woefully unprepared for the consequences. Had I been his manager I would have counseled him to just shut up and pitch! I will stand by my previous description of “idiot” (though an idiot with a blazing fastball) for as someone famously has said: “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” and that for good or ill.
s---." Next time someone asks what's wrong with our kids today, tell them about this event.