Stratford Star

Softball pitching clinic

Stratford Brakettes manager John Stratton will conduct a pitching clinic on Sunday, March 18 at the Stratford High School gymnasium.

There will be two sessions, the first one for youth league and middle school age pitchers from 12 to 1:45 p.m. and the second session for high school pitchers, grades 9 through 12, from 2:30-4:15 p.m.

With the start of the 2012 high school season the next day, this will provide a chance for high school pitchers to hone their skills before tryouts.

Stratton, the long-time Brakettes’ manager, led the team to a 63-0 record last year and their 30th national championship.

The Brakettes carry a 119-game winning streak into 2012.

Stratton is regarded as one of the country’s top pitching clinicians and he has worked with all of the top pitchers in the game from Joan Joyce, Bertha Tickey, Kathy Arendsen, Barbara Reinalda, Lisa Fernandez and current Brakettes’ standouts Brandice Balschmiter and Rachele Fico.

Stratton and members of the Brakettes’ staff will cover everything from the basics of developing a pitching motion to the different grips and spins necessary for throwing a variety of pitches — the drop, riseball, curve and change-up.

The cost is $30 per participant and each participant will receive a free Brakettes season pass, which is good for admission to all regular-season home games (29 dates, 57 games) at DeLuca Field, Stratford.

Each clinic is limited to the first 25 girls who register.

Call office (203) 378-7262 for additional information or to reserve your spot.

Application forms are also available on the Brakettes website, brakettes.com.