Nov. 7, 2011

CHICAGO - Softball players ages 10 to 18 are invited to participate in the UIC Softball Holiday Clinic December 4, 2011. Three separate clinics will be offered on hitting, pitching and catching, and include a question and answer session with college coaches and athletes to discuss such topics as skills and drills, recruiting, mental approach, and NCAA academic requirements.

The clinics will be run by UIC head softball coach Michelle Venturella and assistant coaches Sami Baugh and Eileen Canney. Venturella led the Flames to a Horizon League championship in 2011, while Baugh and Canney joined the staff this season.

All three coaches spent their collegiate softball days in the Big Ten as Venturella was a catcher, where she earned All-America honors, in addition to being named the Big Ten Player of the Year. Baugh caught at Iowa and was a four-time letterwinner, in addition to being a three-time all-Academic Big Ten honoree. Canney pitched at Northwestern where concluded her career with the Wildcats as a two-time All-American.

"I'm very excited to be able to offer these clinics to our community," Venturella said. "Having Sami and Eileen be a part of my staff is absolutely wonderful. They are amazing teachers and mentors, and I feel fortunate to have them here at UIC."

The hitting clinic runs from 9:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m., while the pitching and catching clinics are from 12:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m. The clinics focus on specialized drills to enhance the fundamentals of each skill. Participants are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in, and asked to bring appropriate workout gear and softball equipment, but no cleats are required. Pitching clinic participants are asked to bring someone to catch for them.

The cost for each clinic is $80 per athlete, which includes a $25 non-refundable deposit. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The maximum number of camp participants is 50 for the hitting clinic, and 30 each for the pitching and catching clinics. Register here. If you are unable to pay by credit card and prefer cash or check, please contact Coach Venturella at mventure@uic.edu or 312-355-2775.

The clinic take place in the Large Gym in the Physical Education Building on the UIC Campus, 901 W. Roosevelt Rd. Chicago, IL 60608. Parking is located across the street of the Physical Education Building (Lot 5) or street parking is available along Roosevelt or Halsted. Please read signs for the cost of parking.

Questions and concerns can be directed to Coach Michelle Venturella at mventure@uic.edu or 312-355-2775.

--UIC--