The weather cleared just in time for the 150 young baseball players to take the field with the professionals. Major League Baseball players Jeff Bailey (Boston Red Sox), George Kottaras (Boston Red Sox), Cesar Ramos (San Diego Padres), Nick Trezniak
The weather cleared just in time for the 150 young baseball players to take the field with the professionals.
Major League Baseball players Jeff Bailey (Boston Red Sox), George Kottaras (Boston Red Sox), Cesar Ramos (San Diego Padres), Nick Trezniak (Detroit Tigers), Maui’s Shane Victorino (Philadelphia Phillies), Kaua‘i’s Tyler Yates (Atlanta Braves) and local coaches conducted the First Annual Kaua‘i Baseball Clinic yesterday at the Lihu‘e County Park.
“The hitting and the fielding part was the most fun,” said Kaeo Parangao. “And the autographs.”
The 12-year-old shortstop/catcher/pitcher for the Hanapepe Cubs got all six players to sign a baseball for him, but he was most excited to meet Koloa native Yates.
“He’s from Kaua‘i and he’s a really good pitcher,” Kaeo said.
The kids were separated into six different age groups and rotated stations with the MLB players. The kids spent at least 25 minutes working on their specific exercise with their player.
Yates was enjoying working with hometown kids.
“It was awesome. We all had a pretty good time and that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “And hopefully, they learned something.”
Yates splits his time between his home here on Kaua‘i and his home in Atlanta, and is thinking about starting up a clinic of his own.
“Eventually, within the next year or so, I’m thinking about starting a clinic, whether it be a pitching or a full clinic. I just have to figure out exactly what I want,” he said.
But participating in his first local clinic was a good experience for him and the kids.
“I come home and I saw some of my classmates and they brought their kids out to the clinic. It’s kind of cool. Now, I’m out there teaching their kids,” he said.
The clinic is part of a two-island baseball tour for the players. The next clinic is set for O‘ahu.
“This was originally supposed to be only on O‘ahu, but since Tyler and I have Kaua‘i ties, we wanted to bring it here,” said Jim Koishigawa, co-coordinator of the clinic.
Koishigawa played baseball on Kaua‘i and also coordinated the Kaua‘i games for Hawai‘i Winter Baseball.
“It’s good also because the players get to see the other islands as well,” he said. “We’re hoping to make it an annual thing.”
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
