NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware softball head
coach B.J. Ferguson, assistant coach Jessica Vonch, and former and
current Blue Hen softball standouts will conduct Winter Youth Clinics this
coming January 23 and February 13 at the Delaware Field House.
Three different clinics will be held, all at the Delaware
Field House on South College Avenue, and will include an Infield Defense and
Hitting Clinic on January 23 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon; an Outfield Defense and
Hitting Clinic on January 23 from 1-4 p.m.; and a Pitching/Catching and Hitting
Clinic on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.
Each of the clinics are for girls ages 12-18 and all
skill levels are welcome. Players should bring their own glove, bat, helmet,
and smooth-soled sneakers and catchers should provide their own equipment.
Pitchers must provide their own catcher but that catcher
is not required to take part in the catching session.
The fee is $80 per clinic or $150 for two clinics and
$210 for all three. Checks should be made payable to the University of Delaware
and mailed to Winter Softball Clinics, Delaware Field House, University of
Delaware, Newark, DE 19716. Registration forms are available at the UD
athletics website at www.bluehens.com/sportsinfo/softball/soft10-clinics.html.
Participants will learn proper throwing mechanics,
fundamentals of fielding, defensive positioning and footwork, and proper
hitting mechanics. Pitchers will learn proper warm-up techniques and will
participate in drills designed to reinforce leg drive, stride, arm speed, wrist
snap, tight spin, and follow-through. Catchers will work through drills to
improve techniques in blocking, footwork, framing, and throwing as well as
taking part in discussions on how to call pitches.
Ferguson will begin her 30th season at the helm of the
Blue Hen softball team this spring, the longest tenure of any coach in UD
women's athletics history. Her teams have won 20 or more games 14 times and
surpassed the 30-win plateau three times. She has led the Blue Hens to three
conference titles and 18 winning seasons and her 602 career victories rank her
among the winningest active coaches in the nation at the NCAA Division I level.
