Subject: 2006 ISC Bridge to the Future Skills Clinic
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Kitchener - One of the great things about earning a berth in the ISC World Tournament is a players ability to showcase his athleticism and fastball skills in the greatest club tournament in the world. Over the past few years the ISC and the various host committees havei ntroduced a significant enhancement to the World Tournament by including a youth training event that allows players to give something back to the game. The Bridge to the Future Skills Clinic is about raising softball awareness by teaching youth the skills.
Kitchener is very proud to have been the founding fathers of this truly gratifying ball park experience, and this year they will raise the bar on the standard of excellence they introduced at the 2002 World Tournament.
The Basic Skills Clinic will be presented in two parts on Monday August 14th. A four station set up will feature batting, base running, infield play and outfield play, and pitching and catching. Current registration projections indicate groups of 150 participants in each of the age groups of 8 to 12, and 13 to 18 years of age. Event organizers have also extended an open invitation to all fastball coaches to participate in the clinics as instructors or observers. The hope here is that in teaching theteachers, the skills learned can be passed on to future players and coaches inthe local programs.
New this year is an advanced Pitching and Catching Clinic to showcase local pitching upstarts that will be held Tuesday evening August 15 rightin the Peter Hallman Ball Yard complex. This is a unique opportunity to allow fans to watch some of the legendary pitchers in the game working with the future stars of tomorrow. This should prove to be a truly rewarding experience for all participants and fans alike.
Perhaps the most anticipated and rewarding piece of the Bridge to the Future experience is the Special Olympics and Athletes with Special Needs clinic to be help at Peter Hallman Ball Yard on Tuesday afternoon August 15. This session has captured the imagination and the hearts of world class players and coaches , and if you truly do play for the love of the game this will be the World Series of skills clinics. Organizers arelooking for 100 special needs athletes to take part in this sure to humble event.
The Bridge to the Future Skills Clinic is presented free of charge to the participants with financial support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Clinic co-ordinators Pete McIlwraith and Duncan Matheson, along with ISC representative Tom Crouch are looking for volunteer instructors to assist in the various sessions over two days. While it is difficult to commit right now due to the uncertainty of game schedules, it is expected that 75 instructors will be required to make the event a complete success. There have already been commitments from tournament host teams the Kitchener Hallman Twins and Bridgeport ProForma Braves along with ISC II defending champs Elmira Cubs to have the bulk of their rosters participate. Likewise a number of individuals have offered their services to date, and the organizers are anxious for anyone who has an interest to contact them in this regard.
Please send e-mails of intent to participate to isc2006@kwfastball.com or you maycontact me at larry.lynch@city.kitchener.on.ca and I will make sure you are added to the list of guest instructors ..
Sharing the knowledge and experience of the World’sGreatest Fastball Players with local youth is the Bridge to The Future !
From: Larry.Lynch@kitchener.ca
