Little League Takes Winter Workout Sign-ups

The Grand Terrace Little League (GTLL) was out last weekend at Pico Park from 10 a.m. to noon taking sign-ups for its first official Winter Workouts, which are set to start mid-September. Dozens of boys and girls ages 8 to 14 from Grand Terrace and neighboring cities signed up for the workouts during the first weekend of sign ups. The program was put together officially this year, taking inspiration from individual winter workout sessions led by individual team coaches in the past, said Bob Chavez, a former GTLL coach, current league player agent and head of the winter workout program. “Since all these coaches were [holding these workouts] on the side, we figured that we would ask them to get together in a league-sponsored program and do it this year. Our coaches really stepped up and volunteered, and that means we can break the kids up into smaller groups,” said Chavez. Five softball coaches and about the same number of baseball coaches will participate in the program, he added. "The Grand Terrace Little League Board and I, along with other volunteer coaches, feel this is a great program and will be beneficial to the growth and development of our young softball and baseball players," said Coach John Campos. “I have two kids in the program, and I told them that by the time they come out of this 10-week program, they will be much better players than they were before. I can guarantee that, because I know these coaches and I’ve seen what they can do,” said Chavez. Based on last weekend’s first round of sign-ups, 30 to 50 kids are expected to participate in the winter program. The workshop is open to all kids between the ages of 8 and 14, whether or not they are currently playing with the league, but Chavez said he does hope to see a lot of league players and to see new sign-ups for the league. The players will be learning sport fundamentals including hitting, catching, fielding, throwing and pitching. “We want the kids to understand these fundamentals now so they can be ready for the next season. This will also help their skills and it will make our league more competitive, so we can participate later in the All Stars, in tournaments, and in the Little League World Series, like back in the old days,” said Chavez. In the past, the league has also worked with players and coaches out of Grand Terrace High School (GTHS), working on fundamentals and skills. The extra practice serves as an inspiration for the players, especially the younger ones, Chavez stated. “They see these older players and how good they are and it just blows their minds,” said Chavez. “The older players tell the younger ones, ‘It takes a lot of practice and we do these drills every day, but if you work at it you can be just as good.’” The cost of the program is $40 per child, and that includes the 10 weeks of instruction plus a T-shirt. Workshops will be held on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for boys starting Sept. 18 and on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. for girls starting Sept. 20. All workshops will be held at Pico Park. Sign-ups will continue this Saturday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon at Pico Park at 21950 Pico St. in Grand Terrace.