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Mohegan Sun Hosts Coaches Convention |
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
CONNECTICUT
By Earl Heath
It was the gathering place for more than 2100 baseball and
softball coaches. The Mohegan Sun Casino tucked away in beautiful picturesque Southeastern Connecticut, was the setting for the World
Baseball Coaches' Convention and the Black Voice News takes you there.
The Mohegan Sun is the World's second largest casino and is
also a sports haven as it is the home of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. It's hosted World
Championship fights including; Evander Holyfield and John Ruiz. This time it
was all about baseball and softball. Coaches and vendors came from around America and Canada.
New York Yankee batting instructor Don Mattingly was one of
the hot speakers many came to hear. Mattingly, who played 14 years for the
Yankees, was the American League MVP in 1985. "I love sharing what I know,"
said Mattingly. "It helps the game and if I can help youngsters and their
coaches do better, that's what's important."
Former Texas Ranger and New York Met manager Bobby Valentine
was on hand to share some of he knowledge he has absorbed as a player and
manager for 27 years. Valentine, with a 2005 Japan Series championship,
discussed with the Black Voice News the difference between professional
baseball in Japan and America. "There
is no difference, it‘s the exact same game," said Valentine. "There are 12
teams there and 30 teams here, so that's different. There's more money thrown
around here (America).
Baseball is baseball wherever you play it."
 Kevn Smith - Director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission
"We're here to bring sports and tourism back to the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area," said Smith.
The commission hosts about 46 tournaments a year that last
from three days to a week. The World Baseball Coaches Convention is one way to
recruit coaches and teams for some of its tournaments. Some areas have four
separate one week tournaments in the Sunshine
State. "Some of our
larger tournaments will have 25 different states represented at one time from California, Texas
and many from the eastern seaboard."
 Former Detroit Tiger John Valle with signature glove
John Valle was in town from Rochester, New York.
The former Detroit Tiger made the trip to push his lines of baseball and
softball gloves and bats. The company, Valle Baseball, has distribution
throughout the east coast.
Retired UCLA Head softball coach Sue Enquist was one of the
most sought after speakers at the convention. Enquist led the Bruins to 11
National Championships. Players and coaches hung on every word as she gave
illustrated batting instructions to the audience.
"The game {softball} allows no color line, no ethnic
background restrictions. It accepts everyone whether you're fast or slow, rich
or poor," said Enquist. "If you decide to work hard and be committed to this
game, it rewards you with opportunities to go to college."
"I've learned how to be more efficient in my practices,"
said Emily Crompton, head softball coach of Northwood Academy of New Hampshire.
"I've learned tons of new things and more hitting tips from coach Enquist. It
is interesting to see how people have gotten their program to grow and grow as
her team."
 (R-L) Bobby Valentine, Chairman g'tine'mong - Dr. Ralph Sturges and Don Mattingly share a moment at World Baseball Coaches Convention at the Mohegan Sun
Amity High reached the Connecticut State Finals three of the
last four seasons. This year they are the Class S Champions. Coppola was
extremely impressed with speaker Rod Delmonico University of Tennessee head
coach . "He's tremendous and talks about philosophy and how to approach the
game. We use a lot of what he has to say."
Delmonico is a fiery young coach from the University of Tennessee
who was the crowd favorite at the convention. He's led the Vols to nine 40-win
seasons on the way to becoming the Vols winningest coach in history with 650
wins. He's straight forward and believes in diversity, as his team has players
from many races and all walks of life including Brazil
and Puerto Rico. While assistant coaching at Florida State he went to three College World
Series in six years and coach Deon Sanders. "For me, I like to give a little
bit and learn. Also, I like to give back to the game," said Delmonico. "I
believe when you stop learning you're done and you should retire."
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