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Hancock to host free youth baseball clinic

2 min read

For the past few years, the Minnesota Twins and Fort Myers Miracle, its Minor League affiliate, have put on free youth baseball clinics for kids throughout Southwest Florida. This year is no exception.

On Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m., the clinic makes a stop at Hancock American Little League and Kurt Donaldson Park on Hancock Bridge Parkway.

Members of the Twins coaching staff, as well as members of the Twins organization will be there to teach the fundamentals of hitting, fielding and pitching to kids of all age levels.

Jason Hause, equipment manager for Hancock Little League and the second-longest tenured member next to Donaldson, said he’s been involved in the Miracle Buddies program, where players get to take the field with the Miracle players before every game, for about a decade.

“The Twins go around and do clinics every year for Little Leagues,” Hause said. “Being involved for so long I got to meet some people and they set it up.”

The Twins have 11 such clinics scheduled throughout the region, which began on Jan. 17 in Immokalee and run through the time pitchers and catchers report.

It will be the start of a busy season for Hancock Little League, which will help Fort Myers American celebrate its opening day on Feb. 7 before holding its own the following Saturday, Hause said.

Hancock will be playing a lot of teams from around the area, from Buckingham to Port Charlotte. As of now, Hancock has about 150 children signed up, which Hause said is right about the average.

The skills assessment and draft have already taken place, Hause said. Last-minute sign-ups will be added on to the current rosters.

There will be two major teams, two junior teams and a senior team. There will also be four minor league and three T-ball teams.

Hause said he’s excited for the possibilities.

“We have a bunch of great kids, especially the ones Kurt has in the majors. He has a fantastic group of kids and I feel the same way about mine,” Hause said. “They have good attitudes and they’re eager to play baseball. We’ll have fun this year.”