NEON hits home run with baseball clinic
By ANNA GUSTAFSON
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK — After a new baseball clinic,
about 16 city youth have new T-shirts, Mets
hats signed by former major league player
George Foster and, most importantly, an
increased sense of self-worth, program
coordinators said.
"The clinic itself was great. None of the kids
could catch, hit or throw a baseball when they
started and by the last day, they could do all
of that and more," said Steve Serasis, a
program coach, Norwalk Economic Opportunity
Now's youth services planner and a Norwalk After School Alliance member. "And they got
self-confidence. We wanted them to know they can accomplish whatever they want in life."
Supported by NEON, the South Norwalk Community Center, the Norwalk After School
Alliance, the Norwalk Children's Foundation, the YMCA and Crown Prints, the program
offered eight sessions for underprivileged students from Norwalk Housing Authority
complexes and the South Norwalk Community Center. The students, aged 7 to 12, had a
ball at Ryan Park and learned the basics of baseball.
"We worked on the fundamentals, and it was fabulous. The kids took to it so well," said Vicki
Robinson, one of three program coaches. "We bonded with the kids and had such a great
time teaching them. We saw them excel from day one, and by the end there was a huge
difference in skill level."
The program, which was funded by a Norwalk Children's Foundation grant to the After
School Alliance, provided an opportunity for students to have fun without costing their
parents anything.
"This gave them a chance to do something they never had the opportunity to do before,"
said Norwalker Eric Rudolf, a coach.
Students not only received tutorials on batting stances and hitting past short stop, they
began forming the confidence needed to field life, coordinators said.
"In the beginning, some of the kids would say they couldn't do something, but they the end
they were hitting balls way out. It built up their confidence; it turned them around and built
up their self-esteem," Robinson said. "We encouraged children to go to the next level in
life, to know they can achieve higher goals if they really commit themselves."
The clinic concluded last Wednesday and for it's grand finale, Robinson invited former Mets
left-fielder George Foster. Foster, who retired from the Major League in 1986, signed
baseball hats for the children.
"He called me afterwards and said the program was so much fun," Robinson said. "He said
he loved working with the kids because they were so enthusiastic and wanted to learn."
To remind children of the clinic, the coaches gave children T-shirts printed for free by
Crown Prints with a logo that Rudolf, Robinson and Serasis created.
While playing at Ryan Park, Serasis said the police would often drive by to ensure their
safety.
"The officers even came to play with the children," Serasis said. "That's great because the
kids need to know that the police are there for them."
Though the park may not be "in the greatest place," the coaches said it taught the children
to be proud of their community.
"I had one little kid who looked at me and said "wow, we're playing in my front yard," said
Serasis, who has held soccer and basketball clinics for city youth. "He thought it was great
that his mom could look out her window and see him playing. That teaches them to be
proud of their community."
Anna Gustafson may be reached via e-mail at agustafson@thehour.com
By ANNA GUSTAFSON
Hour Staff Writer
NORWALK — After a new baseball clinic,
about 16 city youth have new T-shirts, Mets
hats signed by former major league player
George Foster and, most importantly, an
increased sense of self-worth, program
coordinators said.
"The clinic itself was great. None of the kids
could catch, hit or throw a baseball when they
started and by the last day, they could do all
of that and more," said Steve Serasis, a
program coach, Norwalk Economic Opportunity
Now's youth services planner and a Norwalk After School Alliance member. "And they got
self-confidence. We wanted them to know they can accomplish whatever they want in life."
Supported by NEON, the South Norwalk Community Center, the Norwalk After School
Alliance, the Norwalk Children's Foundation, the YMCA and Crown Prints, the program
offered eight sessions for underprivileged students from Norwalk Housing Authority
complexes and the South Norwalk Community Center. The students, aged 7 to 12, had a
ball at Ryan Park and learned the basics of baseball.
"We worked on the fundamentals, and it was fabulous. The kids took to it so well," said Vicki
Robinson, one of three program coaches. "We bonded with the kids and had such a great
time teaching them. We saw them excel from day one, and by the end there was a huge
difference in skill level."
The program, which was funded by a Norwalk Children's Foundation grant to the After
School Alliance, provided an opportunity for students to have fun without costing their
parents anything.
"This gave them a chance to do something they never had the opportunity to do before,"
said Norwalker Eric Rudolf, a coach.
Students not only received tutorials on batting stances and hitting past short stop, they
began forming the confidence needed to field life, coordinators said.
"In the beginning, some of the kids would say they couldn't do something, but they the end
they were hitting balls way out. It built up their confidence; it turned them around and built
up their self-esteem," Robinson said. "We encouraged children to go to the next level in
life, to know they can achieve higher goals if they really commit themselves."
The clinic concluded last Wednesday and for it's grand finale, Robinson invited former Mets
left-fielder George Foster. Foster, who retired from the Major League in 1986, signed
baseball hats for the children.
"He called me afterwards and said the program was so much fun," Robinson said. "He said
he loved working with the kids because they were so enthusiastic and wanted to learn."
To remind children of the clinic, the coaches gave children T-shirts printed for free by
Crown Prints with a logo that Rudolf, Robinson and Serasis created.
While playing at Ryan Park, Serasis said the police would often drive by to ensure their
safety.
"The officers even came to play with the children," Serasis said. "That's great because the
kids need to know that the police are there for them."
Though the park may not be "in the greatest place," the coaches said it taught the children
to be proud of their community.
"I had one little kid who looked at me and said "wow, we're playing in my front yard," said
Serasis, who has held soccer and basketball clinics for city youth. "He thought it was great
that his mom could look out her window and see him playing. That teaches them to be
proud of their community."
Anna Gustafson may be reached via e-mail at agustafson@thehour.com
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