NRLL Pitchers/Catchers clinic set for Feb. 10
Published in the February 1, 2018 edition
NORTH READING — Although the weather around New England doesn’t always show it, baseball season is quickly approaching. With that in mind, North Reading Little League is holding several preseason clinics to get young players ready to “Play Ball” this spring.
The first will be the NRLL Pitchers/Catchers clinic on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the RAMS Complex on Concord Street. Open to all players ages 9-16, the clinic will take place from 2-4 p.m. and be run by North Reading Little League player development director Marco Vittozzi. The cost is just $20 and youngsters need to be registered for the 2018 NRLL spring season to attend. They can register for both the clinic and the season at www.nrll.org.
Among those helping provide instruction is former North Reading High School standout Ryan McAuliffe. The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher is in the Mets organization and played for their Class A-level Brooklyn Cyclones in 2017.
Later this month, NRLL will host weekly free preseason clinics at the Little School, set to take place on three consecutive Sundays – Feb. 18, Feb. 25, and March 4. These one-hour sessions are divided by age groups: ages 4-6 (9-10 a.m.); ages 7-9 (10:05-11:05 a.m.); and ages 10-16 (11:10-12:10 p.m.). There will be hitting, throwing, and fielding instruction provided by Coach Vittozzi and members of the North Reading High School baseball team. Pre-registration is not necessary to attend, but youngsters must be signed up for the 2018 NRLL spring season and they should bring a glove (bats are not necessary).
“It might feel like the middle of winter, but baseball season is right around the corner,” said NRLL president Eddie Madden. “These clinics are a great way for youngsters to work on the game’s fundamentals and get the instruction that will give them a head start on the season. We’ve had great turnouts in years’ past and I hope to see that continue this year. Coach Marco and the high school players really do an outstanding job of teaching kids the right way to play.”
Madden also reminds parents of the new bat regulations that have been adopted by Little League. Many bats that were previously allowed will no longer be permitted. Parents can learn more about these regulations at www.nrll.org.
Parents should note that North Reading Little League’s preseason discount ends Feb. 28. Through that date, the cost is just $195 for Instructional, Farm, Minors, Majors, and Senior League. The price increases to $225 on March 1. Tee-Ball (ages 4-5) is just $125, and all 16-year-olds can play for the “thank you” price of $45. NRLL offers fun, instructional, and competitive leagues for boys and girls ages 4-16.
