Press Release:

December 10, 2007

WALTHER PRESENTS WINTER BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL CLINICS FOR KIDS

Walther Lutheran High School presents an alternative to cabin fever with an array of winter baseball and softball clinics for grade school and junior high boys and girls. “Baseball is the true American game,” states Walther head baseball coach and Executive Director, Don Gillingham. “Anyone can play…both the big guy and the kid who has not hit his growth spurt. Winter clinics give players of all skill levels a chance to burn off some energy and know the feeling of striking the ball with the resulting crack resounding off the balls,” he explains. “Each of us lives in the confidence that spring will come in due time. Learning the fine points of the game in December hastens the coming of that time when we reconnect with the green grass and the smell of bubble gum.” As the Walther baseball staff waits for spring, they intend to make the time pass quickly for the next generation of sluggers, “Our program is for boys and girls from ages 5 to 14 who need a shot of spring to get them through the dark months.”

Walther’s year round baseball program is well known. The Class A team took 3rd in State last spring at the Illinois High School Association tournament. The Bronco softball squad may also be a force to contend with, coming off a fourth consecutive IHSA Regional championship and a 2006 State Hitting Derby appearance. Softball coach Tony Aurrichio is a big fan of sports clinics. “They can be enormously effective in improving both self worth and achievement of goals,” he shares, “building self confidence as targets are reached and improvement in performance is noted.”

Walther’s Winter Baseball Clinics for Boys and Girls include the Offensive Hitting Clinic on Thursday, December 27 and Defensive Hitting Clinic on Friday, December 28. Sessions for ages 10 to 14 run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Ages 9 and under meet from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The cost is $20 for one clinic or $30 for both.

Next up is Walther’s series of Baseball Hitting Clinics for Boys and Girls. Clinics are held on Saturdays, December 29 and January 5 and Sundays, January 6, 13, 20 and 27. Saturday sessions times for ages 10 to 14 are from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Ages 9 and under meet from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday session times for ages 10 to 14 are from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Ages 9 and under meet from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The cost is $75 for all six days. Early registration is recommended as each age group is limited to 36 participants.

Finally, the two session Lady Broncos Fastpitch Softball Clinic for girls age 10 to 14 is on Sunday, January 27 and Sunday, February 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. Training includes basic and advanced instruction in hitting, throwing and fielding. Time will also be spent in the batting cages and working on pitching fundamentals. Early registration is recommended as openings are limited. The fee is $100 before January 14 and includes a clinic t-shirt. After January 14 registration is $135.

Walther’s Winter Baseball and Softball Clinics for boys and girls are presented at the high school facility, 900 Chicago Avenue in Melrose Park. Holiday-stressed parents can take advantage of this winter break alternative by registering their children online at Walther.com or via phone at 708.344.0404.

Press Release contact: Lori Solyom, Public Information Coordinator