Miners host annual summer youth baseball clinic

The annual Mat-Su Miners Youth Clinic was a smash success once again in its 2024 incarnation.

Nearly 100 attendees came to Hermon Brothers Field each day across the four total days that the event was held, and the excitement and joy was evident from all parties.

For this year’s clinic there were some changes that had to be made to the scheduling due to the weather that can sometimes overtake the Valley. Rain fell on the morning of July 16-17, pushing those clinics back to July 22-23. Still even with those changes, it did not take away from the enthusiasm and turnout from those in the clinic.

On the morning of July 15, the line to enter the clinic was incredible with young players lined up for several yards eagerly anticipating being a part of this experience.

Across the four days of the clinic, the Mat-Su Miners themselves would serve as coaches and leaders for the youth and would help them to sharpen their baseball skills. Before anything else, the Miners would start off by warming up the youth with some stretch drills and exercises to get their muscles loose. After that it was time to get down to the nitty-gritty with the baseball drills including exercises in fielding, pitching, catching, throwing, and more. However, the main event was a mock baseball game that the young players would use as a chance to show what they have learned, and to play at such a historic and beautiful ballpark. After a fun day of baseball the memories made from the clinic will last forever in the minds of those youth who aspire to be like the players on their favorite team.

Nolan Murphy, a right-handed pitcher from the Miners, offered a great perspective on the event that really brings in just how important this event is for the youth of the Valley. He was once a young player growing up in Alaska much like those at the clinic, and grew up watching the Miners in his own right. Now as a member of the team, he understands that this event can set the next generation on a path to greatness.

“I was once one of those kids watching the Miners, and now here I am helping the next generation as a member of the team.”

It speaks to how things can come full circle even in the world of baseball, and how you never know who you might be helping.