Three former major-leaguers and dozens of junior high and high school baseball players gathered in the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex on Saturday to participate in the Elite One Day Baseball Clinic. The clinic was hosted by the Houghton College baseball team. The clinic was split into two sessions. One took place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and was geared towards varsity and junior varsity players. The other took place from 2:30 to 4:30 and was geared more towards junior high players, according to a Houghton College press release.
Players who attended the clinic had the opportunity to meet and learn from former pro players like Dan Cevette (Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates), Brian Jones (Team USA), and Ron Bush (Detroit Tigers). All players had a chance to split up and work on things like hitting, base running, and spin recognition in groups, according to the event website. Baseball team members and baseball coaching staff assisted in running the clinic.
According to the clinic schedule, players split up into position groups and worked on drills specific to certain positions. Catchers worked on skills like popping up after catching the ball. Infielders worked on turning double plays, and quick hands. Outfielders worked on reading fly balls.
Houghton pitcher, John Kopicky ‘19, said the pitchers’ program varied a little from the other position groups. Instead of throwing on the mound and doing drills, they took the opportunity to learn from the professional players leading the clinic.Kopicky said, “Dan Cevette, who was drafted in the third round out of high school talked to all the pitchers and gave tips and just a talk focused on pitching…pitching is a little different and they benefitted more in the short time by hearing tips and asking questions rather than throwing on the mound”.
Though this was not a recruitment camp, Houghton may see a few of those in attendance as Highlanders in the future. “Well the intent was to help players get better. We weren’t really bringing them to recruit them, but some caught our attention,” said Kopicky.
The clinic is one of several like clinics which have drawn people to the field house in the last few semesters. Athletic Director Harold “Skip” Lord said, “in ways that are both missional and also draw prospective students.” The athletic department plans to run two to three such clinics per year, featuring elite athletes who “fit” the mission of Houghton College and the athletic department, Lord said.