POND ISLAND--Hard work and repetition until a movement becomes second nature are key elements of being successful in baseball. Former professional baseball player Rafel Skeete from St. Maarten was on the Little League field at Pond Island conducting a clinic yesterday afternoon.
Skeete who signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 1985 and later played for the Milwaukee Brewers returned to the Friendly Island and started the boys out running.
"Base running wins games," said Skeete. "I like to start and end every practice running."
It was running that first got Skeete noticed and later signed. In fact Skeete was so fast in 1988 he stole 54 bases off only 66. He set the Carolina League record.
Yesterday Skeete had the athletes work on their throwing. He stressed the importance of using a four seam grip and demonstrated and then had the ball players age 7 to 15 practice fielding and throwing from the outfield.
When he returns to the ballpark today he has told the group they will be practicing infield drills.
Skeete also told the boys he would be returning perhaps as early as October. "This is just the first step," who bats left and throws left. "Next time I come back I will bring some of my former teammates and after that more coaches and trainers."
Skeete is now part of the Warriors Sports Academy in Atlanta that works to prepare young athletes mentally and physically for college. For more information about the academy visit www.warriorssportsacademy.com.
