THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411240271
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 39 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
THERE WAS A chill in the air at Greenbrier Christian Academy, but 110 pitchers from all over the area braved the weather to attend a Veterans Day clinic featuring Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone.
The clinic was sponsored by Tidewater Pro Sports Camps and attracted kids from Newport News, Hampton, the Eastern Shore and North Carolina, as well as local pitchers from Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.
The clinic featured six stations. Mazzone, who coaches Cy Young award winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine during the season, was the first stop on the tour and instructed the pitchers in throwing the breaking ball.
Other stations included trainer Steve Suttmiller with shoulder and arm strengthening exercises; Towny Townsend with pitching mechanics and drills; a fun station with a radar gun and accuracy contest; Gary Lavelle with instruction in throwing the change-up; and Ted Daughtrey with drills on how to field theposition.
According to Daughtrey, Mazzone enjoyed himself so much that he'll return to the area in January to host an intensive three-day pitching school.
``Leo has a really good personality in dealing with the kids,'' said Daughtrey. ``He asked several of the older kids to come back on Saturday (during a coaches' clinic) because he didn't have the chance to work with them as much as he wanted to.''
Tidewater Pro Sports Camps will be bringing Mazzone back in January for a Thursday/Friday/Saturday in-depth pitching school. The dates are not final, but the school will be open to just 30 kids ages 12 and above on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration is encouraged. MEMO: For more information, contact Daughtrey at 436-0016, or Townsend at
482-4414.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Eleven-year-old Will Early puts his arm to the test at the
Greenbrier Christian Academy pitching clinic, featuring Leo
Mazzone.
Leo Mazzone gave some hands-on tips to the 110 pitchers who attended
the clinic.
Mazzone gives some advice to Chris Tysor, 11.
by CNB