Professional baseball coach Joe Sperle returned to Cottonwood to host another baseball clinic on Saturday, March 23.
“The Verde Valley is a great area with a lot of support, and the parents had asked if another camp was coming,” Sperle said. “Marshall Shill was in town and we both agreed that it would be great to keep the tradition going.”
Sperle has been involved with baseball for over 30 years and held a clinic in Cottonwood in 2018.
Clinic leaders instructed kids on hitting, throwing and pitching.
Sperle founded the Freedom Pro Baseball League, an independent league that operated in Arizona from 2012 to 2013.
Former major leaguers Joey Gathright and Julio Lugo participated in the league.
Sperle was accompanied by Marshall Shill, a former Mingus baseball and football standout who led Marauders baseball to the state championship game in 2008.
During Shill’s senior campaign, he went 7-3 and posted a 2.78 earned run average.
Shill pitched two years for South Mountain Community College and Lindenwood University near St. Louis, finishing sixth in the NCAA Division II World Series his junior season.
Sperle and Shill created the clinic to help the players improve their baseball skills and carry on the great baseball tradition of the Verde Valley.
“I think the biggest thing is learning hitting fundamentals and bringing back having fun to baseball,” Sperle said. “There seems to be too much pressure to succeed in baseball instead of appreciating the sport in its entirety.”
Sperle also emphasized the mental aspects of baseball to better prepare younger players.
“I have seen too many clients that played baseball too much and end up getting burnt out from the sport,” Sperle said. “It is always good to take a break, especially if you are resting your throwing arm.”
Sperle said he believes baseball players should rest for a minimum of two months for maximum production.
“Professional baseball players typically take two months off, which should be the same protocol for high school players on down,” Sperle said.
While every athlete aspires to make the professional ranks, Sperle said what gets forgotten is that baseball is meant for pleasure.
“It is great to ascend from the high school ranks to college and pro ball but it is not easy,” Sperle said. “Baseball is getting more competitive by the day, so I hope players can still keep everything in perspective.”
Though athletes hate resting and recharging, it will help keep players fresh in the long run, Sperle said.
“In this warm weather area, a lot of players play 11 months out of the year, which often has negative consequences,” Sperle said. “Some players develop a win-at-all-costs mentality, which can lead to overuse injuries.”
The camp also focused on proper throwing techniques for aspiring players.
“Not many players have a natural throwing motion, and it takes a lot to learn the proper technique,” Sperle said. “Players that learn the proper way at a young age can really develop into solid players.”
For Sperle, baseball carries a different meaning in the Verde Valley.
“I think baseball in this area represents a blue-collar, hardworking community and the athletes follow suit,” Sperle said.“After working with the high school players individually, you see why there is a lot of hidden talent in Cottonwood.”
The Mingus baseball team is currently 2-8 this season and 1-3 in regional play.
“It looks like the high school team is having a down year so hopefully we can help get them back on track,” Sperle said.
The Marauders’ next match is Tuesday, March 26, when Mingus faces Bradshaw Mountain High School.
Mingus’ next home game is Thursday, March 28, as the team duels Bradshaw Mountain.
