The coaching clinic attendees pose along with Malaysian Softball Federation President LOW Beng Choo.

CLINIC IN MALAYSIA PART OF ONGOING ACTIVITY THERE
2006-12-19

At the beginning of this month, a coaching clinic took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Now the Softball Confederation of Asia (SCA) is getting ready to hold their 18th Congress there this week. The meetings, to be attended by International Softball Federation (ISF) President Don Porter, will include the election of the new SCA Executive Council for 2007-2010.

In early December, a course for beginning and intermediate level coaches was held in the Olympic Council of Malaysia conference room. Done under the International Olympic Committee’s Solidarity programme, the four-day event was a mix of lecture and participation. The clinic aimed to increase both the knowledge of the techniques and methods of learning techniques.

ISF Clinician Jim Beitia took the 35 attendees through indoor and outdoor sessions, including – among other techniques and skills covered – drills ranging from pitching and catching to throwing, hitting (photo below), and outfielding. Those that took part were given an almost 90-question final examination. Mr. Beitia indicated that the “clinic participants were very enthusiastic.”

As evidenced by their participation in last month’s 8th Asian Men’s Softball Championship in Japan, the sport is on the rise in Malaysia.

ISF Clinician Jim Beitia (in foreground with long pants and white shirt) covers hitting with the clinic attendees.