Winter 2022 program extended for three outdoor dates
March 13 message to participants:
We are going to extend the pitching program to make up for some of the days we missed. This will give us the opportunity to get on the field and pitch in the dirt. With the last-minute planning and being Sundays we know there may be conflicts, but hope the dates and times work for your family. With the season beginning very soon, our field availability will be tight with practices getting underway very soon.
Where: Leitch Field
When: Sunday, March 20th, 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, March 27th, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (We need to do it earlier this day due to our league draft starting at 2pm. We have coaches that are also catchers for their teams and need to be available for that.)
Sunday, April 3rd, 3-5 p.m.
We are not splitting the groups, but will break them up if there is a need.
We will be pitching and getting familiar with pitcher duties such as making plays, covering bunts, and covering home plate on passed balls. They may even get the chance to pitch to batters so be sure you are bringing your helmet and bats as well. It will be getting real very soon and we want them to feel prepared.
We are hoping weather doesn't get us, but we will plan accordingly if needed.
Hope to see you there and let us know if you have any questions.
Tracy Clary
Winter 2022 pitching program
The PWGFS pitching program gets underway at the start of January. The offseason is the perfect time to refine skills or learn them for the first time. Experienced coaches work with your players three times a week through March 12 -- as many as thirty sessions!
The first is Jan. 10 at 6 p.m., and no commitment or payment is required. Anyone who'd like to try it before committing is welcome. Please email [email protected] if planning to come for the first session. Registration is also open at pwgfs.net for the full program.
All sessions will be held at Rippon Middle School between 6 and 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10-Noon on Saturdays, except for four in February held at Potomac Middle School. Sessions usually only last one hour. Time and location directives from Coach Larry or Coach Phil supersede what's on this list.
Pitchers should bring a person with them who can be their catcher.
Masks are required for everyone entering the gym; participants can remove them while in action and separated from others. Balls are not shared. Participants showing covid-19 symptoms are asked to stay home.
These are the dates of the pitching sessions:
Tues. Jan. 4 (snowed out)
Thurs. Jan. 6 (snowed out)
Sat. Jan. 8 (snowed out)
Mon. Jan. 10 (free introductory session)
Tues. Jan. 11 (note that this week is Mon.-Tues.-Sat., not Tues.-Thurs.-Sat.)
Sat. Jan. 15
Tues. Jan. 18
Thurs. Jan. 20
Sat. Jan. 22
Tues. Jan. 25 (Rippon canceled gym availability)
Thurs. Jan. 27
Sat. Jan. 29 (snowed out)
Tues. Feb. 1
Thurs. Feb. 3
Sat. Feb. 5
Mon. Feb. 7 at Potomac MS
Fri. Feb. 11 at Potomac MS
Sat. Feb. 12
Mon. Feb. 14 at Potomac MS
Fri. Feb. 18 at Potomac MS
Sat. Feb. 19
Tues. Feb. 22
Thurs. Feb. 24
Sat. Feb. 26
Tues. Mar. 1
Thurs. Mar. 3
Sat. Mar. 5
Tues. Mar. 8
Thurs. Mar. 10
Sat. Mar. 12
Skills assessment is March 26, and coaches will be evaluating pitchers that day in anticipation of the March 27 draft.
Winter 2021 program
For PWGFS families preparing for the Spring season, our offseason training offerings are open for registration. Use the link on the upper right-hand side of this site to get started.
The pitching program offers instruction for beginner and intermediate pitchers of all ages, and runs Jan. 13 to March 13. It is open to players who are simultaneously registering for a PWGFS season. See below for more detail. Sessions take place on Wednesdays, between 5 and 7 p.m., ad Saturdays, between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Phil Freeman and Larry Belk, both seasoned coaches at the travel, high school and recreational league levels, are the instructors.
It is held at the Kids' Choice Sports and Fun Center at 13000 Sport and Health Drive, Woodbridge, Va., 22192.
Covid safety guidelines as provided by the center, county and state will be in place, which means everyone will need to wear a mask and socially distance when entering the building. Participants may remove their masks when they begin to pitch, but adult catchers will have to wear them, and no additional guests will be allowed to accompany the pitcher indoors.
Players who need help meeting the costs might qualify for the Lacy Scholarship Fund. Reach out to [email protected] for details.
The price for the pitching program varies by age group:
- 8u - $295 (includes spring, fall and pitching program fee)
- 10u and 12u - $395 (includes spring, fall and pitching program fee)
- 14u/16u - $405 (includes spring, fall and pitching program fee)
- 18u - $405 (includes spring, fall and pitching program fee)
Summer 2020 program
PWGFS families, we are pleased to be able to resume our pitching program. Because of the way the 2020 Winter sessions ended, we are giving the girls who participated the opportunity to loosen up their arms, refamiliarize with their instruction, and prepare to pitch this fall. Even though we are requiring pitchers to register again, if they participated in the winter program, the summer sessions will come at no charge. We will meet at Andrew Leitch Park on:
Tuesday, July 14, from 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 16, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, from 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday, August 4, from 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, August 6, from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, August 8, from 9-11 a.m.
Please use the register link in the upper right corner of PWGFS.net to register. If your pitcher was in the first session in the winter, their summer session will take place during the first hour, and if your pitcher was in the second session, they will be in the second hour. Please arrive 15 minutes before your start time to allow for temperature screening. If you have any questions, reach out to the Registrar ([email protected]).
Participants must follow the recommendations laid out by the PWGFS Safety Commissioner to take part. Parents will also be required to sign a waiver. The pitchers (and any catchers) will have their temperatures taken, and anyone above 100.4 will be asked to depart the field area. Additionally, we request that anyone who feels sick does not come to the field, and instead let Coach Larry or Coach Phill know that they will miss the session.
Winter 2020 program
Does your daughter plan to pitch or catch this coming softball season? Has she shown interest, but never been able to try it in a game? PWGFS is now accepting sign-ups for its 2020 winter pitching program -- a great value compared to private coaching -- but space is limited, so don't wait to reserve your spot.
The program is open to beginning and intermediate pitchers. Don't wait until the season starts for your player to start practicing. Now is the time to sharpen their skills!
Clinic locations: Rippon Middle School (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Fred Lynn Middle School (Saturdays)
Dates: Jan. 7 through March 14.
Times: One-hour sessions between 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Saturdays, 9-12.
Cost: $150, but priority goes to those players that have registered for the Spring/Fall Discount (8U $295, 10U & 12U $395, and 16U/18U $405)
Instructors: Larry Belk, Phil Freeman, Steve Shipp. Larry and Phil (pictured above) have coached PWGFS, travel and at local Middle and High Schools. Steve is a longtime coach and instructor whose daughter is a pitcher for Michigan State.
An adult must be present; pitchers will need a catcher to work with, and the parent is the best choice. Experienced pitchers and catchers may work together, but an adult must still be present to learn the material so it can be practiced at home.
Sessions last one hour. Players will be split into two groups that practice for one hour each, either 6:30-7:30 or 7:30-8:30, at Rippon, and either 9-10 or 11-12 on Saturdays at Fred Lynn. Groups will be determined after the Jan. 9 assessment.
Register by clicking here. Send questions to [email protected].
Aren't sure you're ready to commit? There will be a free introduction/demonstration Jan. 7 at Rippon, and an assessment/parent discussion Jan. 9. The programs begin in earnest on Jan. 11.
Here's the full list of dates:
Tues. Jan. 7 (Free introductory session)
Thurs. Jan. 9 (Assessment and discussion with parents)
Sat. Jan. 11 at Fred Lynn MS
NO CLINICS Jan. 14, 16 or 18
Tues. Jan. 21
Sat. Jan. 25
Tues. Jan. 28
Thurs. Jan. 30
Sat. Feb. 1
Tues. Feb. 4
Thurs. Feb. 6
Sat. Feb. 8
Tues. Feb. 11
Thurs. Feb. 13
Sat. Feb. 15
Tues. Feb. 18
Thurs. Feb. 20
Sat. Feb. 22
Tues. Feb. 25
Thurs. Feb. 27
Sat. Feb. 29
Tues. Mar. 3
Thurs. Mar. 5
Sat. Mar. 7
Tues. Mar. 10
Thurs. Mar. 12
Sat. Mar. 14
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