Blue Jays host national coaches clinic
Former major leaguer Chris Robinson (Dorchester, Ont.), right, will be back to work with youngsters at the 2018 National Coaches Clinic Jan. 26-28, 2018 at Rogers Centre.
Baseball Academy | National Coaches Clinic
The 2018 National Coaches Clinic is scheduled to take place Jan. 26-28, 2018 at Rogers Centre. It will feature presentations and on field sessions designed to provide coaches with tips and techniques to bring back to their local teams. In addition, coaches in attendance will have the opportunity to attend a four-hour National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) module.
Blue Jays Baseball Academy 2018 National Coaches Clinic
Friday, Jan. 26 - Sunday, Jan. 28
Rogers Centre
Details
In connection with Baseball Canada and the National Coaching Certification Program, the Blue Jays Baseball Academy is proud to host the 2018 National Coaches Clinic at Rogers Centre January 26 through 28. The clinic will feature a wide range of speakers from the Toronto Blue Jays and Baseball Canada which are listed below, with more yet to be confirmed.
Speakers will discuss various aspects of the game with the goal of providing coaches with tips and techniques to take back to their teams. Sessions will be combined with on field breakout stations allowing for coaches to speak with experts in a more hands on environment to fully understand take away points and ask questions.
In addition to the speakers and on field portions on Saturday and Sunday, coaches in attendance will have the opportunity to attend a four hour National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) module on Friday, January 26. Coaches that attend one of the baserunning, infielding, outfield or hitting sessions offered on Friday afternoon will be awarded five Professional Development points towards their certification. NCCP sessions are not mandatory and are offered as a bonus to coaches free of charge for those able to attend. All coaches attending the National Coaches Clinic will be awarded three Professional Development points. Please note that only registered coaches will be able to be credited NCCP points. Registration can be completed at nccp.baseball.ca
All coaches in attendance will receive: a Blue Jays Baseball Academy Nike full-zip hoodie, a Blue Jays Baseball Academy Handbook, Lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and admission to the Coaches Social on Friday, January 26.
Schedule
Friday, Jan. 26
1-5 p.m.: NCCP Sessions
NCCP certified coaches can use these workshops as credit toward maintenance of their certification status. In a three-year timeframe, coaches must acquire 12 Professional Development (PD) points in order to maintain active status. Baseball Canada will provide three PD points for attending the full Blue Jays Baseball Academy National Coaches Clinic, as outlined in the NCCP PD program. Coaches that attend one of the baserunning, infielding, outfield or hitting sessions offered on Friday, February 10 will be awarded five PD points. An NCCP Baseball Initiation Workshop will also be offered for beginner coaches. Please note that in order to be credited NCCP points, coaches need to be registered on on Baseball Canada’s NCCP Program site by visiting nccp.baseball.ca. NCCP sessions are not mandatory and are offered as a bonus to coaches able to attend.
6-8:30 p.m.: Coaches Social
Participants are welcome to attend the Coaches Social on Friday evening in the TD Comfort Clubhouse at Rogers Centre. Light snacks will be provided and drinks are available for purchase. Attendees can enter on the south side of Rogers Centre through Gate 8.
Saturday, Jan. 27th
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - Mark Shapiro
9:35 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - Homer Bush
10:20 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Ernie Whitt
11:05 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Tim Raines
11:50 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch provided
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
2:05 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Jeff Ware
2:50 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Chris Robinson
3:35 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - John Schneider
4:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Stubby Clapp
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
Sunday, January 28th
9:00 a.m. - 9:40 a.m. - Scott Weberg
9:45 a.m. - 10:25 a.m. - Paddy Steinfort
10:30 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. - Tim Leiper
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
Cost
The individual cost is $175 (+HST) per coach.
Association Discount
Baseball Associations that register 10 or more coaches for the National Coaches Clinic will qualify for a discounted price of $140 (+HST) per coach.
Associations can register as a group by emailing the Blue Jays Baseball Academy at baseball.academy@bluejays.com or calling us at 416-341-2500.
Speakers
Homer Bush, Toronto Blue Jays Alumnus - After an eight year major league career, Homer Bush has spent time as a hitting coach with the San Diego Padres, led the Texas Rangers Baseball Academy and recently penned his first book, ‘Hitting Low in the Zone’.
Stubby Clapp, St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Manager - After a professional baseball career amassing 11 seasons, Stubby coached with the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays before joining the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017 to manage their Class-AAA club, leading them to a PCL Championship and being named PCL Manager of the Year.
Tim Leiper, Toronto Blue Jays First Base Coach: 2018 will mark his eighth season with the Blue Jays and 23rd in professional baseball. Tim has been a major contributor to Baseball Canada, coaching on the 2004 Olympic team, World Baseball Classic teams in 2006, 2009 and 2013, and winning a gold medal for Canada at the 2011 Pan-Am Games.
Tim Raines, Toronto Blue Jays Outfield & Baserunning Coordinator - Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017, Tim Raines serves as the Toronto Blue Jays Roving Outfield & Baserunning Coordinator, working with players at all minor league affiliates.
Chris Robinson, Baseball Canada Alumnus - After a nine year professional career with the Tigers, Cubs, Orioles and Padres organizations, Chris Robinson joined the Great Lakes Canadians as the Director of Baseball Operations at inception, developing programming for all age groups and guiding players and families through their program and beyond.
John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays Minor League Manager - 2017 marked his eighth season managing a Blue Jays minor league affiliate. Having been promoted five times, and most recently managing Class-A Dunedin, John is a key cog in the Blue Jays player development department.
Mark Shapiro, Toronto Blue Jays President & CEO - A long-time MLB executive with a background and passion for player development, Mark joined the Blue Jays in 2015 and oversees all aspects of the Blue Jays including both business and baseball operations.
Paddy Steinfort, Toronto Blue Jays Head of Mental Performance - Since graduating his Masters of Applied Positive Psychology with distinction from the University of Pennsylvania, Paddy has provided mental performance to NFL, NBA, NCAA organizations, prior to joining the Toronto Blue Jays as Head of Mental Performance. Paddy is known for his research on the components of mental toughness that lead to positive performances.
Jeff Ware, Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Coordinator - After a big league career with the Blue Jays, Jeff joined the Blue Jays in 2014 and is now responsible for leading the development of all Blue Jays minor league pitchers.
Scott Weberg, Toronto Blue Jays Major League Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Scott joined the Blue Jays as the Class-A Dunedin Strength and Conditioning Coach before being promoted in 2014, 2016 and 2017 when he joined the Major League staff. In his role, Scott works with the Major League roster, developing high performance programs to support the everyday conditioning of players.
Ernie Whitt, Baseball Canada Men’s National Team Manager - Holding both the title of Baseball Canada Men’s National Team Manager and Catching Coordinator for the Philadelphia Phillies, Ernie leverages his 15-year MLB playing career to support the development of players across the Phillies farm system, and leading Team Canada on the world stage.
Speakers will be added as they are confirmed and are subject to change.