The Yard Baseball and Softball Training Facility, Inc. and members of our professional staff as well as guest instructors will be holding a six week course covering the finer points of baseball and softball. These sessions will be very detailed training sessions in a classroom setting, covering mental and situational aspects of the game, most that do not get covered in day to day practices. The Yard will cover what to do and why it is done, to help players and coaches have a better understanding of baseball situations.

If you want to become better, smarter and get ahead as a player or coach this is the course for you!

These classes will be held on the following dates:

December 5th and 19th

January 9th and 23rd

February 6th and 20th

Time of day may vary

These classes are open to players 13 and above and coaches. The cost for these sessions will be $120.00, space is limited, and payment must be received before you will be considered registered.

To register, send players/coaches name, phone #, e-mail address and payment to: The Yard, 5205B Starkey Rd, Roanoke VA 24018. Please contact us if you have questions; phone is 355-1176.

Submitted by Ethan Dennis Gregg

Cave Spring's Courtney Cooper has hot bat in softball tournament

Two Southwest Virginia girls competed within this fastpitch softball tournament at the Botetourt Sports Complex Oct. 17 to 18. Olivia Cleary of Riner posted a 6-12 .500 batting average that included a two-run homerun as well as going the distance on the mound for a 9-3 victory over the 16U Maroon Crush.

Courtney Cooper of Cave Spring was a guest player who performed well at the plate with a "hot" bat and good speed in the outfield. The team posted a 6-0 record for the tournament and these girls played hard in such intense weather conditions with wind chills in the 30s throughout the weekend.

Submitted by Bill Cleary