Players and coaches from the Sunshine Coast were treated to tips from some of Canada's best last weekend.
Brothers Park was the setting for the annual Big League Experience baseball camp, organized by the Gibsons Minor Baseball Association (GMBA).
Over the two days, participants gathered for top-notch instruction on all aspects of the game. From pick-off strategies at the midget level to simply holding a ball at the tadpole level, Marty Lehn and his staff provided 120 participants with a solid skills foundation with which to begin their season.
Lehn has been coming to the Coast for several years now. He said he always enjoys the experience.
"We're seeing a lot of returning faces," said Lehn. "This year we also have a lot of players and coaches from the Sechelt area. That's great to see. The idea is creating a skills set that benefits all players on the Coast."
Lehn was joined by Pat Phelan, who was here last year. Phelan has done a lot of camps with Baseball Canada and is a former all-state catcher out of Yakima Valley Community College in Wash. state. Mike Wilson rounded out the coaching staff. Wilson is a former player with the University of British Columbia, who now does a lot of strength and conditioning work with minor and pro players.
Besides on-the-field instruction for players, local coaches got the opportunity to receive their baseball initiation and level 2 technical certifications. The coaches offered many practical teaching techniques and drills that were based on players being active and on coaches consistently offering positive feedback.
"This always serves as a great start to our season," said GMBA president Bill Campbell. "Marty and his staff always come armed with a wealth of knowledge that is passed on to our coaches and players. Our numbers were good this year and it was nice to see so many players and coaches from Sechelt."
The GMBA season start-up has also seen many volunteers come out to the Ryan Dempster and Brothers Park fields, offering hours of their time and materials (often at no charge).
The executive of GMBA would like to thank everyone who came out to help ensure the players had a great start to their 2006 season.
