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 Rocket Winter Pitching Clinic |
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Winter Pitching Clinic
In a long-standing partnership with the St. Albans Recreation Department and the St. Albans City School, the Vermont Rockets conduct a weekly winter pitching clinic for youngsters throughout northwestern Vermont (feature in the Sunday edition of The Burlington Free Press).
Pitchers typically range from 4th grade to 12th grade, usually representing more than a dozen Vermont schools. The pitchers cycle through in groups on an hourly basis each Sunday from December to mid-March. The clinic typically runs at full capacity. A typical clinic session is a blend of fundamental drills, small group instruction, individual attention for the refinement of the grip and the motion, and fielding practice.
While the Rockets do not charge for their clinics, a small donation to the St. Albans Rec Department by each participant is requested to help cover costs. Donations to the Rocket program are also encouraged and sincerely appreciated, as the less time Coach Halbach has to spend fundraising for the team, the more time he has to devote to the instruction of pitchers.
Winter Pitching Director & Instructor
Rocket Founder and current 18u Coach Ralph Halbach serves as the Director and Instructor for the clinic. Ralph, the Assistant Coach of the St. Michael's College Varsity Softball team, also appears as a guest instructor at the clinic for Essex pitchers and occassionally at other clinics in the State.
In 2005, Ralph was elected as a member of the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame. He was only the 7th member selected, earning this honor in recognition to his contributions to the development of the game statewide and his excellence as a teacher and a coach. See coverage of Ralph's induction here. Ralph played fastpitch softball competitively in his younger days and can still break out a pinpoint blazing fastball, an unhitable riseball, a nasty drop, and a plethora of other pitches when a moment in instruction calls for a demonstration.
Ralph volunteers his time at the Rocket Clinics to provide individual instruction, small group instruction, drills, challenges, and ongoing motivation. His work with beginners focuses on the development of proper motion mechanics. As the pitcher progresses, Ralph expands instruction to changing speeds and varying pitches for the intermediate pitchers, and to pitching strategies and additional pitches for the advanced pitchers. Through the years, Ralph has developed some of the most successful pitchers in Vermont through these winter clinics.
Numerous state champions and countless varsity all-stars have all sharpened their skills under Ralph's watchful eye. Some have gone on to pitch for the Rockets -- others have become respected rivals enjoying success in other summer programs as the reach of fastpitch softball has expanded, nurtured in part by Ralph's teaching. Many have moved through little league, high school, summer travel ball, and onto college rosters.
Winter Pitching Instructor
Ralph is joined by volunteer instructor Katelyn Billings for a portion of the Sunday clinic. While a student of Ralph and the late Everet Johnson, Katelyn pitched in the Eastern Regionals at 12 and 13, helping both teams set Vermont records for wins. Katelyn posted a 25-0 record with an era of 0.32 as Jr & Sr for the 40-0 BFA, earning the win in back-to-back State Championship games. She was BFA's Valedictorian and Vermont's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006. She pitched a program-record 6 years for the Rockets before shoulder injuries ended her pitching career. She now plays Centerfield for St. Michael's College, where accolades include "3rd Team NE-10 All-Star," "1st Team NE-10 All-Academic Team," and ESPN The Magazine's "2nd Team All-Academic All-Star" for the northeast. Katelyn teaches the fundamentals to beginners, develops the riseball in more experienced pitchers, and helps pitchers master the mental side of the game.
A Tradition of Involvement
Katelyn follows in the footsteps of former Rockets including Meggan Roberge, Mo McGinn, Shila Wells, and Anna Mayotte who have volunteered at the clinic over the years. With former Rocket players and coaches dropping by the clinics occassionally, you never quite know who you'll find in the gym!
Winter Pitching Line-up
In October, following the SMC Fall Ball season, Coach Halbach will confirm who is returning and how many openings he has for the clinic. For more information or to be placed on the list for consideration for an opening, please contact The Vermont Rockets Pitching Clinic staff.
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