In a landmark effort to revive the game of baseball on St. John, the Love City Live! Youth Enrichment Program has solidified the partnership and support of Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) and its Legends for Youth program in executing a free baseball clinic on St. John.
The free four day clinic, scheduled to take place at the Cruz Bay National Park field from Wednesday, June 15, to Saturday, June 18, will be an instructional exercise for kids ages 4 through 12 on hitting, fielding, throwing and base running.
“The MLBPAA is excited to partner with Glenn Philbert and the Love City Live! Youth Enrichment Program to bring the Legends for Youth clinic program to the boys and girls of St. John,” said Dan Foster, MLBPAA Chief Executive Officer.
“Promoting baseball is the Alumni Association’s mission, and we are always eager to promote the game in areas where there is great potential.”
There will also be a free one-hour instructional coaches clinic for parents and coaches covering the techniques of teaching baseball fundamentals.
As an inaugural event, Philbert is hoping the first annual Love City Live! Youth Baseball Clinic will set the stage to rebuild the culture of baseball/softball on St. John.
“I grew up in an era where baseball and softball was strong on St. John,” said Philbert. “If you were St. Johnian, you played ball. The ball field was where many of us learned discipline, structure, hard work and many other life skills.”
Philbert developed his love for baseball at a young age watching his older brother Eric play, then becoming a ball player himself. He then went on to earn high school and college baseball scholarships and work in the baseball industry for several years.
Being the beneficiary of lessons learned and opportunities gained through the sport, Philbert seeks to rekindle the interest in baseball on St. John and views MLBPAA as the perfect partner to assist in his mission.
“One of the Legends for Youth clinic program’s goals is to develop a lifelong interest in the game,” said Lance James, MLBPAA Vice President of Development. “If we can create excitement for the game in the young players and their parents who attend, then we can create a strong foundation to return and build upon the success of this inaugural clinic.”
MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity, and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. To learn more about the Alumni Association, visit www.baseballalumni.com.
The Love City Live! Youth Enrichment Program is a newly established division of Global Venture Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Global Venture Consultants, LLC’s Love City Live!.
In January, Love City Live! successfully hosted its inaugural annual event, which featured world-renowned reggae stalwarts Third World, and the launching of their billboard chart climbing Patriots album. The event, produced by Global Venture Consultants, LLC, served as the primary platform to raise awareness and funding for the company’s youth outreach initiative on St. John.
“I thought it would be a great idea to utilize a highly visible production to give back to the community that has given me so much,” said Philbert, CEO of Global Venture Consultants, LLC. “I am humbled by the undying support I receive from the community and look forward to continuing to contribute in my own unique way.”
The clinic will have an afternoon schedule of 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, while Saturday (the final day) will have a schedule of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The free coaches clinic will be conducted on Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Complimentary lunch will be provided to registered clinic participants on Saturday. Parents are encouraged to register their future ball players early to secure their spot. Clinic spaces are limited and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.
Registration forms may be collected from the offices of Julius E. Sprauve School, Guy Benjamin School or Gift Hill School and returned to Connections (both locations). For additional inquiries regarding the Love City Live! Youth Baseball Clinic call 340-422-0289 or email info@GlobalVentureLLC.com.
Love City Live! Youth Baseball Clinic is sponsored in part by Boyson, Inc, Innovative Companies, Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Global Venture Foundation and Caribbean Seashell Villas.
