A New Years note from Steve...

Happy Holidays to all. I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends. I know here at Grand Slam we are laughing all the way! January brings us to the season of resolutions and goal setting. The difficulty with most New Years Resolutions is that while we make them sincerely, we make them a little overly ambitious. I know I'm guilty of making a resolution to lose twenty pounds or read a book a month. Both good goals, but maybe just too big of a step to start with. So, here's my resolution for 2008: I will make my resolutions small steps. Such as, I will loose three pounds, I will read a good book, I will work out once a week, or I will send a note to a friend I haven't seen in a long while. As with tackling any big job, it's always easier to take it one small step at a time and stay persistent. And, if one of your resolution for 2008 is to work on improving your baseball or softball or basketball skills, then we at Grand Slam can help,....... one small step at time!

Happy 2008!

Steve

Summer Camp Dates:

"Grand Slam Announces Camp Dates"

Softball Camp: July 28- August 1
Baseball Camp: August 4- 8

More details to come!

Coaches’ Corner:

It's been said many times that the only thing that is truly predictable is change. Never has this been more true than in teaching and coaching baseball. Mmmmm, how do I put this gently and politely? Let's just say it's not your Grandfather's coaching anymore. The game has changed in many ways over the decades. Bigger and faster pitchers. More variety of pitches. Changes in the strike zone. The height of the mound. The list goes on and on. We as coaches need to change as well. My Dad coached me for many of my mediocre years in baseball, and (no offense intended Dad) if I taught the same things to our kids today, I'd be doing a disservice to the players. Here are some of the changes just in hitting: weight shift hitting has been replaced by rotational hitting, power is now generated from a quick bat not a big swing, and the stride has been replaced by a trigger. These are all good changes that allow our kids to play more and have more success. With Thanksgiving just past, I'm thankful for all my Dad did for me and for all the Dads out there who are coaching their kids and yours; but its time to move beyond what my Dad taught me and on to the next generation of coaching techniques. You won't hear us saying "elbow up", "step into the ball", "get your weight into it", or "roll your wrists". In fact we might cringe a little when we hear those words. If you'd like to learn a little more about today's coaching, feel free to talk with any of the Grand Slam coaches. I'm sure your Dad will understand.

Steve

Party Central:

Here at Grand Slam we are always happy to work with Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops. If you have special requests or budget restrictions, we are always happy to work something out for you.
Grand Slam is a great place to have your end of the year party.

The possibilities are endless, so give us a call today to set something up, or e-mail Jill Cook at j.cook@grandslammalvern.com

Kindermusik:

14 week sessions & month to month classes!
Singing. Moving. Learning.

Ages 5 months to 7 yrs.
Class locations at Grand Slam USA in Malvern!
610-873-7667
824 Windridge Lane
Downingtown, PA 19335

kindermusikks@aim.com
kathyandshanna@kindermusik.net

Register Online Now!

Lil' Kickers:

About the Program
Lil' Kickers, developed by soccer professionals working with child development experts, is a one-of-a-kind, non-competitive soccer and movement skills program for children ages 18 months to 7 years old. Classes are designed for specific age groups and skill levels and work together to allow children to easily progress through the program.

Classes Start January 5, 2008 and run through March 14, 2008

Saturday – 8:00am- Bunnies, Big Feet
9:00am – Hoppers, Cottontails
Tuesday – 1:00pm – Thumpers
2:00pm – Big Feet
Wednesday – 9:00am – Bunnies
10:00am – Hoppers
11:00am – Micro 4/5

For more information and registration, visit www.go2ustc.com or contact Sean Casey, Director of Child Development Programs at scasey@go2ustc.com or 610-466-7100

Employee Spotlight:

This month’s employee spotlight goes to all who were brave enough to face the bitter cold wintry mix on Sunday, December 2 at the 30th annual Brian’s Run in West Chester.
The morning started off with Dan and Katie Cook planning to do the 1 mile fun run at 11 am. This would have been Katie’s first Brian’s Run had she not decided to call it quits before reaching the starting line all bundled up in her weather proofed jogging stroller! Katie and her Daddy did however make it to the 5K starting line to see Mommy, Jill Cook and wish her luck! Jill ran along with Michele Antonini and Grand Slam Alumni Kathleen Adams. The three ladies helped keep each other motivated as they ran up and down the streets of West Chester fighting off the sleet and freezing rain. All three ladies did great time coming in at just over 30 minutes.
Later that day at 1 p.m., the rest of the Cook Family as well as Randy Graham lined up to do the 10K run. The weather was still a light wintry mix, but everyone made it through. Terri Cook is notorious for finishing well before the rest of the family, so she crosses the finish line then heads back out to run the others in. First up this year was Randy. Once Randy had the cheerful support of Terri to the track finish, Terri went back to run her mother, Dorothy Cook, in. Terri then headed back out one last time to run her father, Steve Cook in to the finish.
Congrats to all the runners who made it through the first blast of Old Man Winter and crossed the finish line in one frozen piece!

Player Spotlight

The player of the week is Chris Sukonik. Chris is in his third year at Grand Slam. Chris plays for the Radnor Wayne Little League. He is an outstanding pitcher and infielder. Chris pitched for the 9 year old tournament team last year. This year as a 10 year old he has made the 11 year old tournament team. Chris will be playing for Haverford School next spring.