A New Years note from Steve...

March is my favorite month of the year and my favorite day is of course March 4th. Its the only day that is also a command - March Fourth! To me it signifies a new beginning. Although it's not officially the beginning of spring, or the beginning of baseball season, in my mind its when we start expecting good weather or when we can listen to or watch a baseball game, and even when its cold outside, the sun feels just a little warmer. To me baseball is still the national pastime. Maybe because its a summer game and we all (specially here in the northeast) are summer people. In March we start looking forward to Summer. Summer brings out the child in us all because we can go out and play, or run, or watch the kids play. In March we can all start thinking about summer and baseball. Whether you're a player, a coach, or a spectator, you can enjoy a couple of hours at the ballpark - Little League, Big League, or Major League, its all fun. So, as you turn the page on your calendar, circle that special day (March 4th) and take it as a command to march fourth toward the excitement of Spring, Spring Training, and Baseball.

And oh by the way, if you are looking for me on March 4th, you will find me at Brighthouse Networks Field in Clearwater Florida enjoying the Sun and a little baseball.

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:

Congratulations to all youth coaches. Specially those who are taking on this responsibility for the first time. After all, if you are coaching for the first time, you are truly taking this on out of a sense of responsibility or desire to help or maybe because you weren't able to come up with a good enough excuse to get you out of it. For those of us who have coached before, it easy. We sign up to coach because its fun and rewarding. At this time of the year, the coaches at Grand Slam spend many hours giving clinics or instruction for to youth league coaches. Just as we enjoy the excitement shown by children when they accomplish something new in baseball, we enjoy the thrill experienced by new coaches when they learn a new technique, or drill, or even terminology to use when coaching. I have some favorite thoughts that I use in coaching children that I share with the youth coaches during the Grand Slam Youth Baseball Coach's Clinics. Here are a few:

Consistency will win them over
Repetition builds muscle memory - Good and Bad!
You're coaching children, not baseball
That which gets rewarded gets repeated
Teach between games - not between pitches
Make it Fun! Games are Fun!

If you'd like to get the rest of the list, feel free to send me an email at
s.cook@grandslammalvern.com or stop in at Grand Slam to talk a little baseball.

Talking baseball is always in season!

Steve

Party Central:

April Showers bring May Flowers. They also bring rained out parties planned at home. As we swing into spring, remember that Grand Slam parties are always a safe choice when it comes to weather. It is always dry in Grand Slam. Why worry about the rain or snow showers at your home when everything can be taken care of for you at Grand Slam? Of all the planning that goes into hosting a party at your home, do you really want to be worrying about muddy footprints and wet floors in your clean home? Let us take that on! Give us a call today to set up a date a time for your child’s party!

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!

Player Spotlight

Michael Delio is a Senior at Downingtown West, playing for his High School as a pitcher/1st baseman for the last 4 years. Last Spring his Varsity Team made it 3 rounds into the Ches-Mont Playoffs. His Senior Legion Team went 15-3 last year and tied for best record in the league {regular season} In the summer of 2007 he played in the King of Bats tournament for the Grand Slam 18 U team and pitched 4 innings of the first game giving up no hits, no runs to secure the win and pitched again in relief in the Championship game giving up no runs again while leading his team in extra base hits. In 2006 he played for the GEYA Team that won the District 28 title against Avon Grove, having to win a DH to secure the Championship.

This past fall he made the Showcase circuit for College recruiting and received interest and contact from 17 Colleges. He has made a verbal commitment to play baseball at Chestnut Hill College a Division 2 program and will sign his letter of intent as soon as NCAA rules allow. He received a baseball scholarship and also an Academic Scholarship.
Michael has been taking lessons from Karl Keck for the past 5 years at Grand Slam either in a winter class or securing private lessons throughout the year to keep his game in top shape. In addition to giving great instruction, Coach Karl was a great help in talking with College Coaches that were interested in Michael and guiding him through the recruiting process. Michael has achieved great success with his hitting and overall game due to working year round with Coach Karl and now hopes to achieve the same success at the College level.
Congrats Michael! We wish you the best of luck in college!