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Published January 07, 2010, 10:24 AM

Boosters to host softball open gyms

The Hudson Boosters’ softball programs will again be sponsoring pre-season clinics/open gymnasiums starting Sunday, Jan. 17 at Willow River Elementary and St. Patrick schools.

The Hudson Boosters’ softball programs will again be sponsoring pre-season clinics/open gymnasiums starting Sunday, Jan. 17 at Willow River Elementary and St. Patrick schools.

These sessions are for all Hudson Booster softball players from ages 9 through 18, including 8-year-olds who will be 9 by Aug. 31, 2010. Each session will offer a great opportunity to improve hitting, fielding, pitching, catching and base-running skills. Parents and coaches are also encouraged to attend.

These clinics will be beneficial for all girls, including those experiencing pitching for the first time, girls from the Recreational Program/Recreational Tournament Teams and girls considering trying out for the Boosters’ Competitive Program. All girls interested in learning more about softball should attend.

The clinics will be run on the following Sundays: Jan. 17, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 14, Feb. 21, Feb 28, March 7 and March 28.

There will be no clinics on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7, or during spring break March 14 and March 21.

The timeslots at Willow River (hitting, fielding and base running) will be broken up as follows:

  • 4-5:30 p.m. for 9-10 year-olds, including 8-year-olds who will be 9 by Aug. 31, 2010

  • 5:30-7 p.m. for 11-12 year-olds

  • 7-8 p.m. for 13-18 year-olds

    The timeslots at St. Patrick School (pitchers and catchers) will be broken up as follows:

  • 4:15-5:15 p.m. for 11-12 year-old pitchers and catchers

  • 5:45-6:45 p.m. for 9-10 year-old pitchers and catchers

  • 5:45-6:45 p.m. for 13-18 year-old pitchers and catchers

    Since pitching is such a major part of successful softball program, the Boosters have decided to up the quality of instruction for all the girls in the program and have hired the current University of Minnesota pitching coach Piper Martin for the first four weekends and Katie Dahln for the remaining weekends. Dahln will be working with the less experienced girls on the Sundays that Piper is there.

    The cost is $5 per Sunday for the Willow River sessions, and an additional $5 for anyone attending the pitching instruction at St. Pat’s. Catchers will not be charged for St. Patrick sessions. The $5 fees will be used to cover the cost of the gym rental and to pay the hired pitching coaches. This is not a fundraiser.

    Each girl will require an injury waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Due to the popularity of these clinics, some sessions may fill up. Admission will be on a first come basis.

    Girls who are either pitchers or catchers are encouraged to attend both the Willow River and the St. Patrick sessions. For safety issues girls participating in both sessions will be escorted between the gyms.

    Any girl, who can’t attend the session for her age, is strongly encouraged to attend any session that works.

    For more information about the Booster Girls’ Softball Programs, or these clinics, contact Greg Berg, head of the Competitive Program at (greg.berg@yahoo.com) or (715) 381-0015; Chris Jones, head of the Recreational Program at (chrisjones3854@yahoo.com) or (715) 386-3854; or Randy Witthus at (rwitt@pressenter.com) or (715) 549-5313.

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