Swimley, Rago, ex-MLBers featured in all-levels baseball clinic

Former major league players, the dean of Northern California prep coaches and two of the West Coast’s most accomplished college skippers highlight a one-day gathering for baseball coaches from T-ball to high school.

The Sacramento Area Baseball Coaches Clinic will take place Saturday, Jan. 14, and feature instruction ranging from organizing practices to working with young hitters and pitchers and showing how to ensure a positive experience for players and their parents alike.

Conditioning, infield play and motivational factors also will be covered in the daylong session.

Featured will be former Sacramento State coach John Smith and his cross-Causeway counterpart, retired UC Davis coach Phil Swimley.

Longtime Cordova High coach Guy Anderson will join former player and MLB Manager of the Year Jerry Manuel in a cast of presenters that includes ex-San Francisco Giant hurler Jim Barr, hitting guru Max Venable, one-time MLB catcher Matt Walbeck and former Davis High and international baseball coach Ralph Rago.

Oakland A’s strength and conditioning consultant Kyle Yamashiro and Sacramento City College coach Andy McKay also join the program.

“We’ll have something for every level coach,” Swimley says. “This will be just as beneficial for Little League coaches as it will be for high school-level coaches.”

Starting at 8:25 a.m. with a welcome by Anderson, the clinic will take place at the Croation Cultural Center, 3770 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento. Cost is $25 before Jan. 11 and registration can be completed online at www.bccsac.com.

Swimley advises that space is limited, but a few seats “could be available the day of the clinic at $30.”

“This is an opportunity for Little League coaches to get a leg up on their seasons — a chance to understand what makes an interesting, informative practice, how to deal with young arms and how to bring along youthful hitters,” Swimley continues.

“But with contributors like Manuel, Barr, Venable, Walbeck and others, there will be plenty of useful information for coaches of club and high school teams.”

Manuel, who managed both the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets, will provide insight on “The Do’s and Don’ts of Coaching Youth Baseball,” and all presenters will be involved in a session-closing panel for questions and answers.

Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=122808

Posted by Bruce Gallaudet on Jan 4 2012.
Last Login: Tue 22 May 2012 11:46:20 PM PDT
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