It’s known as “America’s pastime,” and on Monday, April 13, a group of international students at Missouri Southern will learn the ins and outs of the game during a clinic hosted by the 11th ranked MSSU baseball team.
A baseball clinic for international students will be held on April 13.
Coaches and players will teach the fundamentals of the game – from hitting to fielding and throwing – during the clinic, which will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the new baseball stadium. Each of the nearly 30 students who signed up for the event will practice what they’ve learned, and a “Most Improved Player” will be selected at the conclusion.
Clinic participants will be recognized during the MSSU vs. Lincoln game at 6 p.m. Friday, April 17. The “Most Improved Player” will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and participants will be treated to a “traditional baseball meal” of grilled hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jacks. All international students who attend the game will receive a special giveaway.
Head coach Bryce Darnell said the team is looking forward to demonstrating why the game has such a special place in American culture.
“The coaches and players at Missouri Southern love baseball and we look forward to sharing that love for the game with our international students,” he said.
The first-time event is funded through a $1,100 diversity grant through the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
“The idea is to find ways to integrate more people into athletics,” said Randon Coffey, director of athletic marketing and corporate sales. “We came up with the concept of teaching our international students about American baseball and just ran with it.”