BULAWAYO baseball received a major boost after the Zimbabwe Baseball Association organised a coaching clinic which is being conducted by American coach Bart Bratcher at Hamilton High School.
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Bratcher runs with Jet Baseball Club in the United State which seeks to promote the development of baseball around the world.
He coaches high school students, some of who have developed into major league players.
Forty baseball coaches from clubs and schools around the city attended the coaching clinic which started on Saturday and ends today.
“This is my 10th trip to Africa, eighth to Zimbabwe and one each to Botswana and the Comoros Islands. Zimbabwe has exceptional talent which only needs experience and exposure to utilise. That is why we are very keen on assisting the development of coaches because the people here enjoy and love the sport,” said Bratcher.
The coach promised to campaign for more people in the United States to partner progressive initiatives in Zimbabwe and help develop them.
Speaking on the sidelines of the clinic, Bulawayo Province development officer Washington Nyika said plans were underway to host similar programmes, especially in other aspects of the game like administration, umpiring and scoring.
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“The focus here has been on basic skills training like warm-up, catching, throwing and base running.
Participants will receive ratings according to their knowledge and understanding of the game. Through such visits it becomes easier to invite other developers as they can seek assurance from Bart.
“We try to select the best for the province who we hope can help us build on the bronze medal we won at the All-Africa Games in 2003 in Nigeria,” Nyika said.
The coaching clinic is a national project which will see Bratcher travel to Gweru and Masvingo before returning to the US.
