Lakeshore Advance, 2013-07-17, Page 19Wednesday, July 17, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance ig
Kelly Gruber camp hammers home baseball fundamentals
100 kids took part in
July 8 9 clinic
Gerard Crews
OMI Agency
The Clinton baseball diamonds were
alive with activity this past week, as the
Kelly Gruber Baseball Camp rolled into
town, bringing with it a focus on funda-
mentals and the ability to learn from the
former Blue Jay as well as elite coach and
former MI13-er, Scott Bullet.
More than 100 kids showed up for the
two-day workshop, along with dozens of
volunteers.
News -Record sat down with Gru-
t talk about the gnome, what it means
and the opportunities it offers young peo-
ple in a small town.
"Our whole mission is to increase the
education level of baseball across Can-
ada," he said. "I like small towns. Playing
around in large cities in North America,
I've had my share of opportunities.
"But I really enjoy the people here and
the country. It's a special place and 1 look
forward to next year."
In some small towns, baseball is the
only game in town, and so it's important
kdis get a strong foundation when starting
out. ghat transcends sports, Gruber said,
to all areas of life, whether it is getting a
job or an education or putting on a ball
glove. "Everything is fundamentals," he
said. "Without them you have no founda-
tion, so what we are trying to do is make
that foundation."
Ile said learning from major league
coaches and playing that level of baseball
has taught him lessons that he has carried
on throughout his career. Rather than
keep it a secret, the unwritten pule in base-
ball is "pass it on down"
"It's really imlxrtant to get out and pass
on the knowledge we've learned, he said.
For the kids at last week's camp, there
were two major lessons - retain and rep-
etition. If the desire is there, he said,
there is no limit on how far kids can take
their game.
Scott Bullet operates the Bullet Proof
Baseball Academy out of Welland.
Whether working with elite athletes or
youngsters starting out, he said learning
the proper way to field, throw and even
hold the ball are just as important as get-
ting a grand slam. Well-rounded athletes,
he said, play the game the way it should
be played.
"Kids get down on themselves when
they strike out," he said. "'they like hitting
more than defense. They need to work on
Gerard Cruse
Kelly Gruber coaches local ball players on their swing July 8 at the Clinton ball
diamond.
both parts of the game:
The best way, he said, is repeti-
tion and watching the game being
played.
"Rather than wait for Bautista to
bit a home nm, look at how he hits
the home nun; he said.
()n Monday he was helping kids
get their swing down, turning their
feet properly and teaching them
"Pac-Man" fielding -- using both
hands to get the ball in the glove.
Ile said this day and age, kids
are subject to a lot of misguided
advice. A lot of it comes from the
front seat in the car, he said. Par-
ents should support their kids but
he said, the coach should be
allowed to coach. The baseball
diamond is a sanctuary - and the
number one rule he has for par-
ents is simple - "let the kids play."
And there are many big names
that also help out at other Gruber
camps across Canada, including
Blue Jay great IJyod Moseby and
Expos legend 13i11 Spaceman Lee.
'lie camp was brought to town
thanks to many local volunteers,
however it was a local connection
between Huron -Bruce MP Ben
Lobb and camp organizer Uoug
(ones. Lobb was instrumental in
getting the camp to town, giving
back to the place that fostered his
Gerard Creces
Scott Bullet gives professional advice to an eager young audience.
own baseball talent years ago.
"I played in Clinton my young
years, so 1 wanted to do some-
thing to give back, he said. "Clin-
ton Minor Baseball is trying to
reinvigorate the sport."
Lobb and local baseball main-
stay Doc Miller also worked hard
to get sponsors on board and
lower the cost of the camp
significantly. 'Through the help of
local sponsorship, the cost of
attendance went from $125 down
to $50.
"It's really just about having a lot
of fin," Jones said.
This year's clinic went better
than expected, and Lobb said he
hopes to get Gruber hack for
another year.
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