With rain blanketing the state of Mississippi and huge storms on the way from Texas and Louisiana nearly 100 kids age 6-18 decided they wanted to play baseball and softball no matter what happened Saturday (April 18) at Jackson State University. Luckily, it never rained a drop during the baseball and softball fundamentals clinic.
Coaches brought their summer league teams from all over the metro area. Cedric Hull and Desmond Funchess brought their teams from the city league at Grove Park to participate. The Jackson Boys and Girls Club brought over 30 kids to learn th basics of the game of baseball from the Ripken Foundation instructors.
Former Callaway HS star and minor league baseball veteran Javerro January (middle) discussing outfield defense with players from Terry and Callaway
JSU Athletic Director and Jr. RBI Director, as well as several local college baseball players and even two former major leaguers, gave of their time to serve as instructors. Six Jackson Public Schools (JPS) schools were represented with players attending from Wingfield, Lanier, Callaway, Provine, Murrah, and Bailey. Terry High School, which is in Hinds County was also represented.
Lanier Head Coach and former professional baseball player (catcher) Jessie Jones (in maroon) going over the value of tee work with players from Murrah and Wingfield
Former Major League Baseball players Mike “Double-O” Smith and Dwight Taylor took the time to lend hands-on instruction and each told of the life lessons they learned from the game.
Former big league pitcher Mike "Double-O" Smith worked with every pitcher at the clinic
- Dwight Taylor (with glove) and Jeff Childress (red shirt) working on infield defense
A big thank you from everyone at Mississippi RBI and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation goes out to all the moms and dads for bringing their kids, even with the chance of rain in the forecast, JSU employee Carl Roberts, Jessie Jones, Dewitt Robinson, Ben Seepe, Malcolm McCoy, Jason Johnson, Jeff Childress, Javerro January, Charles Collins, Cedric Bynum, Rondale Ragsdale, Myron Bowens, Nancy Flowers, and Heather Emory. I hope I didn’t forget anyone!
