Swing Batter… Swing Better!

December 9, 2022

Calling all baseball players—step up to the plate with hitting coach Dan Puente from the 2022 Minor League Champion South Bend Cubs!

Here’s your chance to get hitting advice from a pro, and get your swing in shape in time for spring training. The Park District of Highland Park is hosting a Hitting Clinic on Sunday, January 22 in the gym at West Ridge Center. Dan Puente—yes, the guy who coached our 2015 Travel Baseball League—is coming back to talk baseball with all of you local players.

This is a hands-on clinic where Dan will dive deep into the fundamentals of hitting and provide lots of pro tips on how you can get better. Bring your gear and be prepared to learn about proper mechanics, timing, what your in-game approach to hitting should be, and much more. “I’m excited to have the privilege of working with these young players to help them develop their hitting skills and get ready for the baseball season”, said Puente.

Dan is donating the proceeds from this clinic to the Fields for our Future fundraising campaign that will provide approximately ½ acre of synthetic turf for the ballfield at Larry Fink Memorial Park. The campaign was started by the Giants Athletic Boosters, which is affiliated with the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, with the goal of raising the 1.7 million dollars needed to install the new turf by April, 2024. Over the next ten years that turf will provide 28,000 hours of playable time—20,000 hours more than natural grass. “Having a state-of-the-art turf field will give these young ballplayers lots of additional practice time, and the opportunity to play many more games each year”, said Puente. “It not only helps keep kids interested in the sport, but also gives them a great sense of pride in their community. I’m grateful to be a part of making that happen.”

Athletics Manager, Mike Divincenzo, said “Everyday is an opportunity to get better. What could be better than to learn from a professional!”

Don’t miss this chance to meet and work with Dan Puente. No matter what your skill level, you’re sure to improve your swing, and increase your overall knowledge of the game.

When: Sunday, January 22
Where: West Ridge Center Gym
Ages 8u–10u, 10–11:45am
Ages 11u–14u, 12:30–2:15pm­

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