The Nationals held the second annual Baseball 101 clinic on Saturday.  The event was open to just ladies and offered an inside instruction of the game.  About 50 women of all ages took the field and got some great tips from the Nationals coaching staff.  The coaches were divided into five stations, and the women were divided into groups of about 10.  The groups rotated from station to station throughout the two hour on field portion of the clinic. 

For our first station, bullpen coach Rich Aponte, and BP pitcher Pablo Reyes taught us a bit about the art  of pitching in the Nationals bullpen.  We learned how to grip a fast ball - a two seamer and four seamer - how to throw a curve ball, and how to grip a change up.  All of the ladies practiced throwing from the rubber with Aponte and Reyes catching.   Then we had some time for a question and answer session.  We found out that Odalis Perez had indeed been on a pitch count the other night because he was coming back from injury.  The coaches also told us a little about the pitchers daily routine.   Most of the guys get to the ballpark about 2pm and work out, watch tape, and get ready for the game.  Coach Aponte told us that when the pitchers get into the bullpen for the game, they are loose and ready to pitch if needed.

From the bullpen, our group headed to the dugout to spend some time with bench coach Pat Corrales.  Pat told us he is Manny’s right hand man, and keeps the manager informed about what game situations may arise. Pat then opened the floor up for a question and answer session.  Pat said he is more likely to get thrown out of a game than Manny is because he reacts to things in a more overt manner.  Corrales said Andruw Jones was his favorite player to work with.  Pat said that when Andruw was first starting out, he would smile or grin every time he struck out.  It drove Pat crazy, so he asked Andruw why he would smile all the time.  Andruw replied by asking what Corrales would prefer, him to smile or cry after striking out.  Corrales told us that Javy Lopez a catcher for the Braves was his most challenging player to work with.  Pat was candid and engaging with the ladies, he answered all of our hard hitting questions honestly.  Pat ended by saying that the Nationals have the best fans, and we agreed with him.

Our next station was base running with Tim Tolman and Julian Martinez.  Tim started with a discussion about signs.  We learned about the bunt, hit and run, and steal routine.  We learned that Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Felipe Lopez have the green light on the bases this season.  Tim said that Lastings is the fastest player on the team. Milledge and Dukes apparently raced each other, and Lastings won, although Dukes claimed he wasn’t ready when the race started.  Tim also said that he hasn’t seen anyone as fast as Nook Logan.  The ladies then practiced running the bases, we worked on banana turns around first base, and reading the sign on the way from second to third.

Next, our group headed into the batting cages where Lenny Harris and Jose Martinez were waiting to explain to us the art of batting.  Lenny preached the importance of plate coverage and also explained why hitting off the tee was still useful even at the major league level.  The ladies asked Lenny what changed with Dukes to make him so successful at the plate in the past couple of weeks.  Lenny said that he and Elijah work on a special drill where Lenny throws him soft toss and Dukes hits the ball right back at Lenny.  Harris said the drill helps Elijah see the ball better.  Harris also said that he has been trying to drill into Dukes’ head that pulling the ball isn’t necessary because he as so much power, enough to drive the ball up the center.  Each of us took a turn in the cage perfecting our stance and hitting off the tee.  I have to say, Lenny was honest with us and I personally learned a lot from him.

Lastly, we went to the outfield to meet Jerry Morales and Nilson Robeldo.  Jerry began by telling the ladies about his journey to the big leagues from his native Puerto Rico.  Morales then explained to us the workings of the outfield, who had priority over who and how the outfield is set up against certain batters.  We have been getting a kick out of watching Morales direct Milledge from the dugout on nearly every play so far this season.  We asked Jerry what the deal was.  Morales said that Milledge is indeed still learning and sometimes needs some help remembering where to stand, so Jerry usually directs him from the dugout.  Early in the season, Morales admited to writing the positioning on Milledge’s arm so he could look down and figure out where to stand against opposing batters.  Jerry also noted that Milledge sometimes gets distracted in the outfield, and likes to watch the replays on the giant scoreboard.  (Guess Lastings can watch the replays from the dugout now.)

After our on-field exercises all of the ladies headed to the club level for lunch and a question and answer session with Felipe and Jennifer Lopez and team massage therapist Tatiana Tchamouroff.  Nats sideline reporter Debbi Taylor acted as MC and fielded questions for the guests.  Felipe and Jenn talked about the challenges of raising two young daughters in baseball.  Despite Felipe’s busy schedule, they try very hard to do the simple things and spend quality time together.  Jenn and the kids like to accompany Felipe on road-trips to the fun cities, and even during baseball season they all try to have breakfast together every morning.  Tatiana was just as engaging.  She spoke about the challenge of breaking into the sports industry, and the success she had working with Dmitri Young.  Listening to these three talk about their lives over lunch was a great way to end the clinic. 

Once again the Nationals did a great job with this event.  I think all of the women had a fantastic time.  The coaches were energetic and honest.  The ladies that participated knew their baseball and asked a lot of great questions.  I think this event will become even more popular in the seasons to come.  In addition to the clinic each of the ladies received two tickets to that evenings game.  The seats were in section 237 - right/center-field - and offered a great view of the game.  For those that paid and participated, the event was well worth it!

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