This Spring I am working with the Northampton Cal Ripken Baseball League to develop a conditioning program for baseball players age 6-12 yrs old (100+ kids total). This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for me since I typically work with individuals and small group fitness classes. My son Jack has been a member of this league for 5 years, starting out as little guy barely able to catch or throw a ball (he is the model you see here). The program consists of dynamic warm up drills, strengthening exercises and stretching techniques. I focused on a simple approach to on-field training using body weight exercises and drills to develop athletic skill and total body control. This picture is an example of a creative approach to body strengthening for the catcher position. The use of a bat for added weight adds a dynamic component to training a player for this demanding baseball position.
The Northampton Cal Ripken Baseball League has an incredible volunteer staff of parent coaches dedicated to teaching kids how to play the game of baseball as well as teaching good sportsmanship, respectful and cooperative behavior via teamwork. With the addition of the conditioning program this spring I get to see my work expand beyond my office and work with this incredible group of parent coaches, teaching them to implement this program.
Every day I see how my work has positively changed the lives of many adults, now I get to see this process happen on a much bigger scale for a whole group of kids who otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to my work. I can’t wait for spring training!
