The Youth Sports Foundation (YSF) of Puerto Peñasco has teamed up with Major League coaches once more for a baseball clinic this weekend with local youth teams. This is the 4th year that professional coaches have come to town to work with the more than 150 kids, ranging in ages from 7 to 17. Rick Busa of the YSF tells us this year the City has arranged for the clinic to take place at Puerto Peñasco’s baseball stadium.
Coaches lined up for the clinic this year include a number of past participants and many that have played professional ball themselves, both in the US and even in Mexico. Currently, the invited coaches work with the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and Miami Marlin organizations, or coach in a number of Arizona high school programs.
The coaches and clinic organizers will hold a press conference early Friday evening at Duke’s, and then enjoy a bit of Tequila tasting before taking in a night of music at the Roger Clyne solo en Mexico show at Wrecked. Saturday’s first clinic, with 7 – 13 year olds, begins at 9 a.m. with a second session for youth 14 – 17 scheduled from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. and time between clinics for autographs with the coaches. The public is invited to come watch from the stands at the stadium (the big blue stadium off Blvd. Juarez, near the entrance to town)! Coaches will wrap up the evening by having dinner with Puerto Peñasco Mayor Gerardo Figueroa Zazueta.
To add to the weekend activities, for the 2nd year in a row there will be a YSF Golf Tournament which is open to all. This year the scramble style tournament will be held at the Laguna del Mar course, registration is $65 US with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. In exchanging their bats for clubs, the Major League coaches from the clinic will also be out on the course. All proceeds from this event will go to YSF’s ongoing work to support children’s sports programs in Puerto Peñasco.
Meet the coaches*
*subject to change
Henry Cotto – Ten seasons in Major League Baseball (1984-1993), and one season in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants in 1994, winning a world championship. 1996 – 2008 coach with Seattle Mariners, and currently roving outfield instructor for the San Francisco Giants farm system.
Brent Johnson – Played in Seattle Mariners system 2004-2009, up to AAA division. Currently coaches with Seattle in the minor leagues as a hitting coach.
Gary Thurman – Nine Major League seasons with Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, and New York Mets; drafted by the Royals in 1st round (21st pick) of 1983 amateur draft; 2000 – 07 manager and hitting coach in the Seattle system; 2008 – 11 base running coordinator for the Cleveland Indians; first base/outfield/base-running coach for the Miami Marlins for 2012 season
Marcos Garcia – originally from Dominican Republic, signed with the Seattle Mariners system; pitched for 4 years in the minor leagues and up to AA; 1996 – coach with the Arizona Diamondbacks; 2003 – 2005 pitching coach with Seattle Mariners; 2010 – 11 rookie league pitching coach for San Francisco Giants; currently he is a high school coach in the Phoenix area.
Pete Hartmann – left-handed pitcher who pitched 14 years professional ball 1993-2007; he began in 1993 with the Texas Rangers organization and has also played with Milwaukee, Baltimore, Arizona, Florida, and Cincinnati – plus with different teams in the Mexican League
Ryan White – Now in his 3rd season with the Seattle Mariners organization. Prior to a career in baseball, White received his MA from the University of Arkansas and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a USAW Level 1 performance coach.
Scott Steinmann – Signed in 1995 and played until 1998 in the Seattle Mariners system. During the 1998 season he was asked to become a coach and has been managing and/or coaching ever since.
Sean McCory – 16 years of coaching experience and presently a teacher and head baseball coach at Desert Edge High School
Lesli Brea – Scouted and signed by the Seattle Mariners in 1996; after being traded for the 2nd time he played in the Majors with Baltimore in 2000 and 2001. Currently he is a high school coach at Desert Edge in Goodyear, AZ.
