An All-American sport on Okinawa

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Dengrier Baez | During the Major League Baseball clinic, the students learned how to properly hold a baseball inside a glove.  

OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

07.21.2009

Story by Pfc. Jovane Holland 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - Eager young baseball players overtook Field Two during a Major League Baseball Clinic geared toward military family members July 20-21 on Camp Foster.

The annual clinic, hosted by the Marine Corps Community Service's Children, Youth and Teen Program, is free of charge and expands on the fundamentals of baseball while teaching drills and techniques to children ages 5-18.

"The kids were able to develop and practice basic stretching, hitting, pitching and fielding skills from an experienced player.

"We're glad we could put on this program for them," Herbert Gray, program youth director.

The two-day clinic was taught by David Palese, a College of New Jersey baseball coach and an international envoy coach for the major leagues.

Palese has been working with MLB since 2002.

His experience involves developing players and coaches with instructional advice and raising the level of baseball awareness in several countries, including Vietnam, India, Japan and England.

He said this was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the participants.

"Military kids overseas have a lot to deal with, being away from home and parents deploying," Palese said. "It's just great to give them a piece of home and hone their baseball skills in the process."

Palese passed the time joking with the participants, giving tips, conducting drills and enhancing techniques.

Meanwhile, proud parents observed from the sidelines.

"What a service," said Susan Paul, a mother of two boys participating in the event. "There is so much time and energy that went into making this event a success. It really shows social concern for these young players who want to broaden their skills."

Paul said she also appreciated Palese's coaching style.

"I was very impressed with how thorough Coach Palese was while describing and demonstrating the different techniques and drills to the kids.

"My kids absolutely loved it. They can't wait to come back again next year," Paul said.

Many of the other baseball players shared the same sentiment.

"The clinic was fun and Coach Palese was friendly. He's a really cool guy," said Cristian Rivera, a student at Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster. "I'm definitely coming back next year."

Palese said he enjoyed coaching at the clinic and hopes to return next year.

• Date Taken: 07.21.2009
• Date Posted: 08.05.2009 01:45
• Story ID: 37156
• Location: OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP