A note from Steve...

It's hard to believe that it’s been three years since we were lucky enough to take the reigns of Grand Slam USA. From my early years growing up as the son of a YMCA director our family has often discussed the benefits that would come from operating our own family recreation business. Sports and fun have been the guiding light of the Cooks for at least the last three generations. These past three years at the helm of Grand Slam have been everything that I / we expected. So, as we get ready to launch into our fourth year, I'd like to publicly say thanks to my family and friends who have supported us and played along. Special thanks to Dan, Jill, and Randy (I consider him family) for all their efforts to make Grand Slam a special place; and to all of our friends who come to hit, party, learn, and play at Grand Slam!

Coach's corner clinic coming soon.
Steve

Philly Sport and Social Club	PSSC comes to Grand Slam Malvern Our friends at The Philadelphia Sport and Social Club have reserved our court here at Grand Slam for the fall and winter seasons for their adult basketball and volleyball leagues. Basketball will be held on Tuesday evenings and Volleyball will be held on Wednesday evenings. To register visit the website at: www.phillysportandsocialclub.com Or, for more information, e-mail Tim Horan directly at: timh@sportandsocialclubs.com
Grand Slam Turkey Bowl
	Thanksgiving sneaks through the air of autumn like a leaf falling from the bare trees. It reminds us winter is coming, hard to pass up prices at five am Friday and family reunions. These traditions are treasured by all us in our own way. It is the same with the Grand Slam family. Our family reunion ignites Thanksgiving morning via football! This year will mark the eleventh annual Grand Slam Turkey Bowl. Although everyone who participates in the game are friends, it is anything but friendly. The Turkey Bowl is played strictly for bragging rights, but you will find no less intensity then a Redsox vs. Yankees game. The Teams consist of Red and Green. Red team is led by captain Dan Cook. The Green team is led by Randy Graham. The importance of the game is due the fact that the teams have been the same for eleven years. The players have all been employees or friends of Grand Slam. Players must be 18 to play so when a new employee reaches the age when he can fight for his or her country, they can also fight for the Green or Red. The game has been played in rain, wind, ice and mud in many different locations. It has been played for many years at Battle of the Clouds Park in East Whiteland, where it will be held again this year. In the old days (or in our younger days) the game was still tackle, but has morphed into flag football. Do not doubt the manhood of any players due to the flags because more injuries have occurred since the rule change or the players are getting old. The Red team has been victorious more often then not. The series is 7 to 2 with one tie in favor of red. Trash talking is the oxygen of Turkey Bowl. So if you want to add to the life of this Grand Slam classic, talk some trash to any employee next time you visit. If you like frontrunners like the Cowboys or the Yankees; root for red. If you like the underdogs give green a shout out. After the game all participants become friends again and revel in our long lasting friendships. We try to share our love of life and friends with everyone who visits Grand Slam. We hope you have a great Thanksgiving too!

Coaches’ Corner

Over the 24 years that Grand Slam has been in business, we have had a chance to meet and work with many volunteer coaches. This year is no different. The dedication and hard work of volunteers is remarkable. I want to take a moment to offer a special congratulations to those volunteers that are coaching the fall league at Devon Strafford Little League. The Grand Slam coaches have been working with these coaches for the first time kid pitch teams on Sunday mornings for the past two falls. The boys have reacted well because the coaches have adopted a common message and coaching philosophy. At an age when the boys could easily be confused by mixed messages these parent/coaches are bringing out best in them. It's fun to walk onto the field on Sunday morning and see the boys and parents alike correcting each other on proper technique. So, the message to all volunteer coaches is simple; keep up to date on technique, stay consistent, and work together for the benefit of the young players. Coaches can worry about competing when the players get older; for now lets worry about learning.

Great job Coaches!
Steve

Party Central

Think your kid is too old to have his or her party at Grand Slam? Think again! Grand Slam has recently added a new party package to our options. It is called the Ultimate Action Party. This party package includes 14 game tokens per guest for the arcade, 2 games of Laser Tag per guest, 1 Batting Cage token and 1 ticket per guest for Spaceball.

Since we all know that older kids can really eat, we offer this package with 2 slices of pizza per guest, unlimited popcorn and unlimited drinks. To top it all off, the price of $25.99 per guest includes the court rental for 30 minutes with an organized game of dodgeball or basketball run by your very own “Grand Slam Action Coach”.

This is a great package for those in-between ages starting at age 12. Kids and parents both enjoy this package as it fills up your two hours of party time nicely and smoothly leaving not much down time! So call today to reserve your time spot for your Ultimate Action Party. Tell us you saw this article in the newsletter and receive a special coupon to be used on your party day!

Black Friday Clinic

If Mom and Dad are going shopping on the day after Thanksgiving then maybe you can come to Grand Slam to learn a little more about baseball and have a little extra fun at the Grand Slam Black Friday Baseball Clinic Extravaganza!

Here's what's included in the 4 hour clinic (8:00 am - 12:00 noon) (November 23rd 2007)
for only $59 per person:

Hitting analysis and instruction
Position by Position training (pick your favorite)
- Catchers
- First Basemen
- Middle Infielders
- Outfielder
- Pitchers - fielding the position
Speed and agility class for everyone
Hitting contest for prizes

And just to insure you that we know how to have fun we throw in

Two games of Laser tag for everyone
Dodge ball
20 Game tokens for the Arcade and time to play
A slice of Pizza and Drink and Popcorn
2 Batting Cage tokens in case you want extra hitting.

Limited Space you must pre-register to attend.

Call Grand Slam today to register: 610-647-6622

Food Drive

Grand Slam is now collecting food for a local shelter in West Chester, PA. This shelter offers temporary emergency and transitional housing for families with children. If you are coming to Grand Slam and would like to help us fill the pantry of this shelter please bring something from the list provided below:
Boxed meal kits such as Taco Kits, Hamburger Helper, Casserole kits, etc.
Rice, Pasta, Noodles
Sauces, Gravies, etc.
All items must be non-perishable. Please, no canned vegetables.
The shelter will also accept gift cards fro Grocery Stores and Department Stores.
If you would like more information on this food drive, please contact Jill Cook at j.cook@grandslammalvern.com
Thank you!

Speed and Agility

Some of you may have heard, we just recently added a new clinic to our list of programs here at Grand Slam. Speed and Agility runs every Monday night from 7-7:50. This program is well suited for athletes of any sport, ages 10 and up. We focus on how to get the most out of your athleticism by concentrating on balance, reaction, core strength, flexibility, running technique and quickness.

We cover different aspects of the athlete’s muscles that are not covered in everyday sports’ practice. We are confident that you will come out of this program with a new found knowledge of your body’s capabilities which will lead to better outcomes on the field or court.

Come out and join us on Monday nights!

Employee Spotlight

If Kevin McIntyre wasn’t running a Laser Tag game on Saturday, September 22 where was he????? He was in Colorado running in the Vasque Golden Leaf Half Marathon. Starting at an elevation of 8,650 feet, Kevin ran 13.3 miles through the streets Snowmass Village into the rough terrain of rocks and roots along mountain trails to the heart of a little place called Aspen. Kevin finished with an impressive time of 2:06:55.As if starting at an elevation of 8,650 feet wasn’t hard enough, runners were faced with the task of running up to an elevation of 9,500 feet at mile marker 5. Finally, by mile marker 10, runners were rewarded with a descent downwards into Aspen. Kevin finished 117 overall out of 519 runners. As if being Grand Slam’s first Rock Paper Scissors Champion wasn’t enough, Kevin had to take his talents out West to prove his competitive spirit. Way to go Kevin! Once again we are Grand Slam proud!

And who was making pizza at Grand Slam on Saturday, October 13th????? Not Terri Cook. She was competing once again in the Baltimore Half Marathon finishing 18th female of 2,173 females and 84th overall of 5,032 runners. Wow! The run starts in the beautiful inner harbor of Baltimore and has a dramatic finish at Oriole’s Park at the Camden Yards. Terri had a chip time of 1:30:26. When asked what she likes to do after running a half marathon Terri answers, “ I like to cool down with a slower paced jog for about 20 minutes or so.” Now the real question is……..How fast can she run while tossing a dough ball in the air?

Grand Slam is also proud to say that both our half marathoners and Manager Randy Graham, ran in the 9th Annual Kimberton Run on Saturday, October 6th. This 5K run welcomed 130 racers on race day this year. Terri finished 10th overall (2nd Female), Kevin finished 13th overall (3rd for his age group) and Randy finished. This run was sponsored by the Lion’s Club and all proceeds went towards local community and charitable organizations.

Player Spotlight

The player of the week is Ryan Rogola. As a junior a Phoenixville High was one of the teams leading pitchers and hitters. Ryan is played this summer for the Phoenixville Legion. He is hitting right around 500 and already has 3 wins as a pitcher. Ryan has great potential to be a college player. This is Ryan’s seventh year at Grand Slam.