2015 Fort Macleod Royals Skills and Drills Baseball Camp in Pincher Creek

C. Davis photos/video

Chris Davis

Juan Teran Park in Pincher Creek was full of developing baseball talent on a sunny Saturday May 23 afternoon as the Fort Macleod Royals hosted their annual Skills and Drills Baseball Camp in partnership with Pincher Creek Minor Baseball.  Royals Head Coach Brad Kropinak had lots of help from his team as they passed on their knowledge to Chinook West athletes ranging in age from 9 to 12.  Participants came from Vauxhall, Fernie, Elkwood, Sparwood, Cardston County, Pincher Creek, and Fort Macleod.  "That's awesome," enthused area super-organizer Carrah Pinder-Walter as she surveyed a ballpark filled with energized kids.  The turnout was much larger than expected, in the ballpark of 43 kids, forcing a change of venue from Lion's Park to Juan Teran Park.

The attendees were divided into three age groups after some preliminary instructions: 4-6, 7/8, and 9-12. With two games and a batting lesson going on at the same time the field was a riot of activity. "This is a great experience for them, it brings up the skills and drills they need in future, most of them are playing t-ball right now, it's just fantastic for them," said Pinder-Walter.

The Royals have a direct connection to Pincher Creek.  "We've got six (Halton) Hawks that are actually part of the Royals team, there's 11 players that actually are enrolled or graduated from Chinook West. So that's great for the Royals program to have those up and coming Chinook West players join the Royals program."  Many of the Hawks were at the Skills and Drills camp to assist Coach Kropinak.  A shout out to them, to the participating Royals members and organizers, and to all the volunteers who helped on and off the field to make the event a success.

Tanner Dalton fine tunes pitching techniques

The event concluded with a burger and hot dog dinner, and a technique lesson for several young pitchers, McKrae Pitcher, Brody Walter and Bowen Hann, under the guidance of Royals pitcher Tanner Dalton.

The Royals held a similar event in Fort Macleod on April 25.  The Royals also won both games of a double-header against the Cranbrook Bandits at Sproule Park in Pincher on Sunday, May 24, the day after the Pincher Skills and Drills event.  Both games were exciting, with the Royals winning by only 1 run in each. Stay tuned for the rest of that story. The Royals will be holding an Alumni and Family Fun Day on Sunday July 12 at Westwinds Stadium in Fort Macleod. Click here for their Facebook page for more information.