World champion pitcher Paul Algar, demonstrates one of his pitches. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Paul Aglar, a USA and World Champion pitcher, wrapped up pitching clinics on Tortola on Friday evening with 50 participants, after conducting a similar clinic on St. Thomas at Griffith Park on Thursday afternoon.

The clinic that was spearheaded by the St. John Ambassadors Softball Club was aimed at improving the art of pitching.

“He thought the basics—how to hold the ball to throw a drop ball, riser or change up,” noted Rams’ pitcher Kenisha Powell. “He was going around to everybody, explaining how to stand and he tried to fix everybody. Basically, I learnt a lot. He helped me with my drop ball, because it never used to drop before and now its dropping. I’m glad I came to this clinic.”

Panthers’ pitcher Dianje Brown said she learnt how to hold the ball and control it properly. “I’ve been holding the ball the opposite way,” she noted. “When I stand on the mound, I used to be leaning backwards, but I should be going forward and my left shoulder should be down and my right shoulder should be up and that will help my ball go straight forward,” she explained. “At first it was difficult, but if I keep coming on the field and practicing and doing what he said, I’ll be good to go.”

Sheniquia Fahie who plays with her mother Kathleen on the Crushers, said she learnt about formation, stance and how to grip the ball to make it curve. “This clinic was good because I’m actually learning and getting things done better,” she pointed out. “I feel like a better pitcher now.”

BVI Softball Association president Neville “Sheep” Smith said he thought several older players would have shown up but was happy with the crop of young players. “That’s what we wanted to see,” he said. “It’s very good because they are the future of the sport.”

Ambassadors’ public relations officer Hubert Muscoso said the clinic met their objectives and he was surprised by the turnout in Tortola. “I’m impressed, a lot of kids came out,” he noted. “We had about 20 kids on St. Thomas and over 50 here. He spent a lot of time with young pitchers who work with Terry Chinnery and I’m really excited about that. They should benefit from this type of clinic which was really needed.”

Algar said he saw quite a number of young talented players on Tortola who know how to pitch they have the tools and want to pitch. Among the common problems he noted with both young and older pitchers was their body positioning, but they knew what pitching was about.

 “Their arms were right behind their hips when their arm came through on a pitch and this was something that was quite easily corrected but they needed attention to get it taken care of,” he said. “A lot of the guys had a problem with gripping the ball and I changed a few of the grips and it was really surprising that they adapted so quickly. There were really interested and enthusiastic after each pitch. They were getting the ball back and wanted to try again. It was really a good response from them.”