Fort Macleod Royals host baseball clinic in Pincher Creek

Skills 'n Drills Baseball Camp 2014
Tammy Thompson-Fitzpatrick photo

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Fort Macleod Royals hosted a baseball camp in partnership with Pincher Creek Minor Baseball on April 5th and 6th in Pincher Creek.  The weather was co-operative, so the camp was held at the baseball diamonds at Juan Teran Park. Royals coaches Brad Kropinak and Ben Paskal were assisted by Royals athletes Josh Foster, Aidan Kidd, Tyson Goodreau, Ty Odney, and Michael McTighe.

L. Lybbert photo

Athletes aged nine to 14 years from the Chinook West (Fort Macleod, Pincher, Crowsnest Pass) region were in attendance.  The two day camp allowed some to try baseball for the first time to see if they like it, and everyone benefited from having a considerable amount of time to teach and develop skills, drills, and techniques.

Day 1 (Lloyd Lybbert photos)

"In turn, the Royals are here to scope out some future Royals players," explained Pincher Creek Minor Baseball President Carrah Pinder-Walter. "The Royals are looking for future players in their programs, so it works for both of us."

Royals Assistant Coach Brad Kropinak demonstrates a stretching exercise
L. Lybbert photo

According to Pinder-Walter, Royals Assistant Coach Brad Kropinak is going to join the Pincher Creek Minor Baseball executive as a coach liason and develop into our coaching program."  According to Kropinak the most important thing at the clinic was that the kids had fun.  "I think it's up to programs like ours to take the initiative and try and get these kids interested in sports, and get them out there and doing things."

Ben Paskal and Tyson Goodreau
L. Lybbert photo

"The coaches were quite impressed with the numbers here this weekend," according to Pinder-Walter.  This clinic was open to all Chinook West players.  "They weren't expecting this many.  We have actually one from Sparwood and Claresholm and I think five from the Pass."

"It's been great, the Royals have been great."

Cade Ames at bat
Lloyd Lybbert photo

The participants were split into two age groups for the basic skills components of the camp, 7 to 11 and 12 to 14.

Clinics began with a review of throwing fundamentals and mechanics, followed by hitting, fielding, base running, and sliding exercises. Each day ended with the participants divided into two mixed teams (younger and older players together) for some fun stick-ball, where the emphasis was on teamwork. Everybody won. The coaches were insistent that the players show each other respect and support, and were quick to quell any negative comments or attitudes.

Spencer Doerge displays his home-run running style

Carrah Pinder-Walter's dedication to Minor Baseball was evident on both fields used for the clinic.  She came out ahead of time to power rake so that the moisture from the very recent snow melt could be better dissipated by the winds, and in fact the fields were in pretty good shape.

...and it's gone... Colby Snider at bat
C. Davis photo

Pincher Creek's Minor Dust Devils baseball teams are part of Chinook West, in District 1.  "In our division we have Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, Fort Macleod and Claresholm," explained Carrah Pinder- Walter.

Christopher LeBlanc makes it home
C. Davis photo

Enrollment has been about the same this year so far as last year at this point, which is to say pretty good. Pincher Creek Minor Baseball is always looking for more players, and is also needs someone to step up to the plate to be a T-Ball coach this season.

Deloy Mackenzie rounds third
C. Davis photo

The regular season is due to start after the upcoming Easter break.

Remember kids, "singles win ball games".

Scenes from day 2
C. Davis photos