Sports

Photos: Tony Gwynn Hosts Hitting Clinic

Former Major League Baseball player and Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn visits the South Bay to teach kids to hit.

Former Major League Baseball player Tony Gwynn visited on Thursday evening to help kids of all ages hone their hitting skills.

Gwynn, who is a member of MLB's Hall of Fame, played for two decades with the San Diego Padres, winning numerous batting titles during his tenure. He now coaches baseball for San Diego State University.

According to Gwynn, he and the other SDSU coaches often host hitting clinics; however, most of them are in the San Diego area. Nevertheless, South Bay Surf leader Shane Schumaker "gave me an opportunity I just couldn't pass up," Gwynn said. The South Bay Surf baseball club co-hosted the clinics.

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Gwynn told Patch that he likes putting on the clinics and teaching kids.

"I try to include parents, too," he said with a laugh. "Parents are the ones who are really going to do all the teaching."

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Sometimes the kids just need someone other than their parents to give advice—even if it's the same advice. "Being a former Major League Baseball player and Hall of Famer, that gives [me] street cred," Gwynn said.

During the clinic, Gwynn and the other SDSU coaches worked with kids on their batting stance as the students hit balls off tees and pitches. He also emphasized the importance of practice on the field, saying, "You ain't going to get better playing a video game."

And what should batters do when a baseball is coming at them?

"See it. Hit it. Run like hell," Gwynn said.

Proceeds from Thursday's batting clinic went toward summer scholarships for SDSU.


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