Although the Illinois State baseball team has not been playing in Omaha, Neb., over the past two weeks at the College World Series, the program was represented there, as head coach Jim Brownlee, along with sophomores Matt Bolt and Luke Baughman, participated in the Youth Education through Sports (YES) clinics over the weekend.
118 coaches applied for one of 12 spots in the clinic. Brownlee, who was chosen by his peers for the seventh time in his career, then selected Bolt and Baughman to accompany him. In total, there were 12 coaches and 24 student-athletes participating.
Its quite an honor to be chosen by other coaches to come out here and be involved in this clinic, said Brownlee. Ive had a wonderful experience every time Ive been here and I know our players get a huge kick out of being around this type of atmosphere.
The three Redbirds served as instructors at a three-day clinic, which is administered by the NCAA in conjunction with the College World Series. The clinics allow those participating the unique experience of getting to learn from some of the NCAAs best.
The NCAA does an event like this at nearly every championship and the baseball one is as good as any, said Brownlee. Its such a great opportunity to give back to these young kids and every year it gets me excited about the next baseball season. You see the teams that are here playing and it shows the players what it takes to make it to the last week of the season.
Much like Brownlee, Baughman also thought the trip was well worth it.
It was such a great experience to be out there and work with those younger kids, said Baughman. You can tell that they really enjoy learning from college baseball players. Its also a neat experience to be able to see all of the teams out there that are still playing. You get a first-hand look at what it takes and I know Matt and I really feel motivated and excited about next season.
The College World Series will wrap up this weekend from Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. `
