Softball team hosts skills clinic

A total of 35 young players ages 8 to 17, some from as far as Maryland, came to Winston-Salem State to participate in the clinic.

Young women were offered the chance to improve their softball skills, Oct. 29 at the Lady Rams softball clinic.

Because of the inclement weather, the clinic had to be moved into the Whitaker Gym

During the clinic, coaches and players helped the girls develop their hitting, pitching and other skills.

Training equipment was available for the players to continue to work on their skills.

Head Coach LaTaya Hilliard-Gray said she was pleased with the event.

"We did a good job, especially with the young ladies," Hilliard-Gray said.

"We have players on our team that served as a camp coaches for the clinic."

One of the camp coaches was freshmen fielder Mariha Freeman, a Leland, N.C. native.  

Freeman's 14-year-old sister attended the clinic and encouraged her friends to participate.

"It [the clinic] allows them to become more experienced as players," Freeman said.

"They can learn from a college coach and get ready for the college experience."

Although the players came to the clinic for skill development, Hilliard-Gray said she wanted to make sure girls understood that softball should be played for the enjoyment.

"You should have fun while you're developing your skills, Hilliard-Gray said.

"That was one of our key areas to make sure that they had fun as well as learn."

Hilliard-Gray said that some of the skills that were taught would allow the girls to sharpen their skills on their own.  

 As the activities for the day ended, the young players had so much fun that they were already asking when the next clinic would be.

"It [clinic] allows individuals to build that relationship with the young players early, especially for me as a coach,"Hilliard-Gray said.  

"That's a great opportunity for recruiting."