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The llth annual Libby-Mitchell American Legion Post 76 baseball team winter workouts for kids begins this week, and team administrators took time out to salute the winner of the most dedicated player award last winter.
Eric Pemberton, left, received a trophy from Rick Libby, former Libby-Mitchell coach and supervisor of the winter pitching, hitting and infield play workouts. The team named the winter workout award after Libby three years ago when he retired from coaching. He continues to help with the winter program.
“Eric Pemberton was one of five or six kids who showed up each week, and took a businesslike approach to becoming a better baseball player,” Libby said. “He did his stretching, worked real hard at strengthening his arm in long toss, and had a good influence on all the kids, especially the younger ones, with his commitment and dedication.”
Libby said the program started to help high school kids.
“We noticed during the summer of 200l that many of the high school pitchers could only pitch well for three or four innings. They could only throw 50 or 60 pitches in a Legion game before their shoulder or elbow would start to work. We knew then that we had to do more in the winter program with throwing and long toss.” Libby said. The program has 25 kids in it this year.
“Eric is going to be a good one. If he keeps throwing, he will be a bulldog. Tough kid and a good teammate. He was a lot of fun to have in the program.”
For information on Legion baseball or the Libby-Mitchell winter program, contact team GM Dan Warren at 799 9793 or by e mail at:
dwarren@jwlawfirm.com
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