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Pair of
one-run losses doom Tigers in opening weekend
Water polo
teams win in Eugene
NHS player
qualifies
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Teaching the game |
Don Reynolds opens a facility to instruct youth
baseball and softaball players how to hit |
By Nicole
Clark, Newberg Graphic intern
E-mail Nicole at
thegraphic@eaglenewspapers.com
|
At first glance, the Complete Game
Baseball and Softball Center may not seem like much. In fact, if you
aren’t paying close attention you could miss it entirely while
driving among the buildings on Industrial Parkway.
Atlanta Braves memorabilia adorn the walls of the lobby, a nod to
the days when owner Don Reynolds played for the team. He later
coached baseball from high school through the Major League level.
Through another door, an Astroturf batting area and rows of bats and
batting equipment await Reynolds’ clientele, baseball and softball
players from 9-years-old through college age.
He pointed out the paint buckets and ladders off to one side of the
large instruction room. “It’s still under construction,” he said. “I
keep changing stuff.”
Before
moving his business to Newberg, Reynolds worked as a private
baseball instructor in Wilsonville. One of his clients owned a
building in Newberg and Reynolds opened his current facility in
January.
Reynolds said he decided to move because he realized the importance
of baseball in the Newberg area.
“There’s a lot of heritage, more than I thought,” he said,
mentioning the recent successes of the Newberg High School and
George Fox teams and the strength of Newberg summer baseball
programs. “And Sherwood has a lot of young players. It’s a good
area, lots of interest.”
Reynolds explained that the goal of the Complete Baseball and
Softball Center is to help people reach their potential by teaching
fundamental skills.
The center offers instruction in all aspects of baseball, including
strength conditioning, throwing, pitching and hitting.
“We do a lot of hitting,” Reynolds said, adding that many of his
instructors, professional players themselves, are currently away for
spring training. In addition, the center also offers instruction in
most aspects of softball.
“Except pitching,” Reynolds said, explaining that the facility
lacks an instructor to teach softball pitching.
Reynolds’ lesson with locals sometimes begin with about 10 minutes
of pitching followed by fielding and hitting practice, which is
where Reynolds’ unique approach to teaching became apparent.
“We don’t use machines,” Reynolds said. “It’s important for kids to
get the timing of the arms.”
He added, “I prefer wood bats. They’re a truer indicator (than
metal) of how you’re hitting the ball.”
Reynolds said he tries to remain flexible to accommodate the
schedules of his young clients, many of whom attend school during
the day. He usually arrives at work at 1 p.m. and begins instruction
at about 4 p.m.
As the summer baseball season starts and many athletes have evening
games, he said the schedule could change to a 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
workday.
“I’m pretty flexible,” he said. “I try and be available.”
Lessons range in price and time from a 30-minute private lesson for
$40 to a two-hour team (six to 12 players) lesson for $360. Facility
rental is also available.
Reynolds said business has been successful so far, if a little slow
to start.
“I haven’t been as proactive as I need to be for the business to
grow,” he admitted, than added, “I think there needs to be a place
where parents and kids can learn what they need to know.”
Although his background includes playing and coaching
professionally, he said he still finds that there is a lot to learn.
“People don’t have all the answers,” he said. “I have some of the
answers, but not all of them.”
Notes: Reynolds will host a summer camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 18-22 that will include supervised trips to see games played by
the Portland Beavers, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego
Padres, and the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, the short-season Class A
affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Participants of the camp will
tour the stadiums, run the bases on the field, meet players and
watch batting practice.
Also at the camp, participants will swim at the Chehalem Aquatic
Center and play baseball games at Jaquith Park. Each participant
will receive their own T-shirt. Campers will be responsible for
their lunch each day.
The cost of the camp is $200 per participant. Siblings can be added
for $100 each.
Space for the camp is limited to the first 30 who sign up. To
register, call Reynolds at 503-989-9910 or e-mail him at rosem@teleport.com. |
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From
June 6, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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