Now in its 10th year, Rocky Point has been the host to an annual baseball clinic for the cities young people. The clinic is sponsored in part by Seaside Reservations.
Troy Pierce is the one who started everything. After a Pro baseball career, Troy was in the process of building up his own business here and in Arizona. At the time, the city of Penasco approached him, and asked him to put on a small clinic. “The very first clinic, there was only 3 of us. I had not done anything like this before” said Troy. “The city knew that I had played baseball in Hermosillo for the Naranjeros, they wanted me to do a small clinic for kids. During the clinic I had such a great experience with the kids. I had not played for a long time, being engaged back in baseball is great because it is my first love.”
Through the years Troy has put together a team to keep the clinics going. He has gotten a lot of help from other former pro athletes. Among them Pete Hartmann.
“There is no way we could do this without the help of the community. Each of us has a part to play. It is all about the kids. We have had kids come to play in sandals. We want them to follow their dreams, to have the right tools. This year, for example, we were able to get 200 pairs of new cleats donated for the clinic” says Pete.
This year, the clinic has been opened to anyone who wants to participate – they don’t need to already be on a little league team. “We may get kids from teams in Los Mochis, Sonoyta, San Luis, Agua Prieta, and also from Magdalena.” says Troy.
The kids take the field
The day starts with everyone lined up along the base lines in Rocky Points City Baseball Filed. The stadium has been fully remodeled in the last year, it all looks great.
After warm ups, the pros divide off with the different age groups, and begin defensive and offensive drills.
Helping out this weekend are a number of young players from the US, volunteering their time as well.
The pros give pointers on what each kid can do to improve in their catching, throwing, and hitting.
“I just great that we get to work with kids who really want to learn. In the States, it’s more like Mom and Dad are really pushing them. Here, the kids actually really respond…they do what you ask of the!” Says Diamondback DJ Ramirez.
Troy has a network of people from his years playing ball. This clinic has had the participation of people from both sides of the border who wanted to help out, and make sure the clinic has a bigger impact every year. Among those here to help are Arizona Senator Catherine Miranda, Bobby Magallanes, Coach of the Cleveland Indians, Fernando Hernandez Rubio, Director of Sports for the state of Sinaloa, and many more.
This evening after the clinic, there will be a game at 7pm with many of the players, also at the City Baseball Stadium.
Troys organization is called the Foundation Mexico en las Grandes Ligas. For more information, or to get in touch, please visit them on Facebook.