Hitting Clinics

As I promised in my last 2 e-mails, I wanted to get on the topic of using this time between now and the start of next season to get better by attending a clinic.

Look for the other 2 e-mails of my gift to you and my gift recommendations soon.

In today's newsletter I'm going to

I. Tell you of the advantages of going to a clinic.

II. Tell you of clinics that I personally know of and would recommend.

III. Tell you how to find others in and around your own area.

IV. Tell you how you can have one come to your own home town.

But first, I want to thank all of you for your overwhelming response to the release of my new video. We sold out all of the first set and are having more made up and shipped out.

The biggest question we received was when is the DVD version coming out? We're shooting for January, so please be patient.

If you'd like a DVD or VHS video, coupled with a group lesson done by me personally, right in your own back yard, and have it for under $30 go to this website for more info.

Advantages of Clinics

Clinics are a great place to find out techniques for playing the game. Some camps specialize in hitting, others on certain positions, and many of the others cover many areas of skill.

Many times you get a coach or a player that has been coaching or playing at a higher level or longer than you normally have access to at the local level.

Take advantage of the exposure. Many coaches use the winter breaks to put these on which is a perfect time to be working on your skills for the next season.

Some clinics I know about

Here are some camps that are happening in the winter.

1) Bobby Simpson has built a solid reputation as one of the finest softball clinicians in the world and has been invited by various national teams including the US team to help coach their players.

He has a number of camps going this winter here are a few of them.

Dec. 3, 2005 - Dec. 4, 2005 he's in Tifton, Georgia (with MLB Baseball)

Jan. 7, 2006 - Jan. 8, 2006 he's in Ocoee/Orlando, Florida

Jan. 13, 2006 - Jan. 14, 2006 he's in Columbus, Ohio (for their Coaches Assn)

Jan. 21, 2006 - Jan. 22, 2006 he's in Sarasota, Florida (for a Custom Camp)

and from Feb. 4, 2006 - Feb. 5, 2006 he's in Atlanta, Georgia for the SUPER CLINIC

To find out more about Bobby Simpson's clinics.

2) How about the coach of the Olympic team coaching your daughter? Mike Candrea puts on a holiday camp. Here's the information:

Holiday Camp - (For all players currently in 4th - 12th grade.)

Date: December 17th & 18th 2005

Place: Golf Links Sports Complex 2400 South Craycroft, Tucson, Arizona

Time: 10:00am -1:00pm and 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Check in: 9:00am-10:00am on December 17th Sorry, Lunch will not be included.

Cost: $150.00 per camper $175.00 After December 9th *No refunds after December 5th 2005* *For all cancelations, there will be a $25 cancelation fee*

Registration: Return registration form along with an $100 deposit or payment in full by December 9th to:

SOUTHWEST CAMPS, INC. 6536 N. Desert Breeze CT Tucson, AZ 85750

3) & 4) For these next two recommendations, e-mail me for more information if you'll be in these areas during the times mentioned or you'd be willing to travel. They're both good, but I don't have all the details yet. Here's what I know so far:

3) Many of you have heard me speak of Phil Bruder who's won the ASA nationals 11 times. He and a number of top notch coaches will be putting on a clinic in New York, NY and another in Detroit, MI in February.

4) For the Baseballers, non other than Tony Gywnn himself is putting on a live in 3 - 4 day camp down in San Diego, CA. It's not cheap, in the neighborhood of $550, but it is the best hitter (highest lifetime average) of our era.

How to find clinics on your own

If you're not in any of the areas that I mentioned, there are many other camps put on by very talented coaches, all over the country and all over the world.

How you find these, are to watch your local newspapers, call the local colleges, or a major college nearby, call the nearby professional team, and finally, use the internet to search for them.

Type in terms like "clinics, baseball or softball, hitting, or pitching, etc." If you want to narrow the list down, use your state or area in addition to the prior terms.

How to have a clinic by a top notch coach in your own town

Have me, Coach Andy come to your area to do a hitting clinic.

I've done coach's clinics, hitting clinics, catching clinics, along with fielding and throwing clinics in the local area and as far away as Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Obviously this is for people who can get a group together.

Whether you're associated with a league, a team that wants to raise money, or to find out more as to what's involved, the costs, and what to do, check out this website. I'd especially be interested in the Sacramento, CA, Austin, TX, Washington, DC, Salt Lake City, UT and Phoenix, AZ areas as I have relatives there.

As always if you have any questions you can write to me via e-mail.
For other hitting learning, go to the past issues of my hitting newsletter page.

Thanks for reading and talk to you next time.

Coach Andy

6801 Dove St. Ventura, CA 93003

805-642-5827

Coach Andy Collins has been helping players achieve their goals in softball and baseball for over 30 years. He's an advisor to national teams and can help you be a better hitter. He offers free information on his website www.theInternetHittingCoach.com and through free e-mail hitting lessons.

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