CORNWALL, Ontario – About 35 baseball players between the ages of 12 and 16 met for their second development clinic with Cornwall Minor Baseball on Sunday, March 17.
“This is two purpose,” said Cornwall Royals Minor Baseball coach, Richard Fournier. “The developmental clinics are to get kids away from their computers and workout (in the off season), and I can work on the (upcoming) team.”
Players of all athletic caliber are invited to work on their skills throughout an eight session developmental clinic series. At a total cost of $80 per player, individuals can take part in three batting units, two pitching units and work on their defensive skills during each session.
With this year’s competitive season fast approaching, Fournier is looking to enlist about eight 15 to 16-year-old boys to compete in the Cornwall Royals Showcase League. Last year, the team finished just shy of qualifying for Canadian Nationals.
“If you could have seen at the end of the season two years ago, to the end of the season last year, we went and played this tournament and there were no errors,” said Fournier. “It’s just fun to see them play baseball like ball players, not like weekend warriors.”
Fournier admitted that the schedule can be gruelling, with two practices a week and sometimes four games throughout each weekend, but acknowledges that scouts do look at athletes within the showcase league.
“I just want kids to know it doesn’t end in house league. There is competitive baseball in Cornwall…I’d love for a few local kids to get a college education (from this), playing ball,” said Fournier.
To find out more about the Cornwall Royals, or how to attend the next developmental clinic on March 31, visit Cornwall Baseball on Facebook.
