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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008 35 Former Blue Jays hope to help kids to new heights By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR BIG LEAGUE TIPS: Former Toronto Blue Jays Duane Ward and Lloyd Moseby were in town this week to conduct the Duane Ward Baseball Clinic at Oakville Park. Above, Ward talks pitching with 11-year-old Connor Parent. Right, Moseby has the attention of most of the youngsters as he gives out instructions. PHOTOS BY RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER Armed with a 95 mile-per-hour fastball and a devastating slider, Duane Ward was one of Major League Baseball's most-feared relievers in the early 1990s. It was a much softer side of Ward that was on display this week at Oakville Park, however, as the former Toronto Blue Jays closer conducted a four-day clinic for the area's young players. "No one's earning their reputation off me today," Ward recalled of his mindset as a pitcher, particularly during the 1993 season when he had 45 saves and a 2.13 earned-run average. "It's okay to be on that mound and be cocky. It's okay to be on that mound and be arrogant. But you don't have to be that way outside the lines. "I love doing this," the 44-year-old continued. "I think it's fun. These kids are good. My biggest thing is that they retain some stuff and I think it will make them better." Ward and former teammate Lloyd Moseby, who patrolled centre field for the Jays from 1980-89, passed along pitching, hitting, fielding and baserunning tips to the 30-plus youngsters that attended the camp. Another former Jays player, Nigel Wilson, was supposed to round out the week's coaching staff, but Wilson was hospitalized with heart problems. Ward said a lot of ex-Blue Jays have shown interest in helping out with the Duane Ward Baseball Clinic program, which runs throughout the summer across North America. Jesse Barfield, Rance Mulliniks, Candy Maldonado, Mark Eichorn, Paul Quantrill and Paul Spoljaric have all offered their services whenever their schedules permit. The latter two could be particularly influential to Canadian players, Ward added, since Quantrill and Spoljaric are Canadian as well. "Then (local kids) have a visual," said Ward. "They can say `these Canadians made it, I can make it'." One thing Ward and Moseby didn't have going for them this week was the recognition factor. Working with mostly Oakville Minor Baseball Association rep players between the ages of 9-13, Ward pointed out that the youngsters weren't even born yet when he helped the Jays to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. "A few grandparents came in," Moseby smiled. "One guy started saying `when I was a kid..." and he was about 90 years old. That's not fair!" Still, the former big leaguers' messages were wellreceived throughout the week. "I think this age is when you can be the most influential," said Ward, who stresses the importance of fundamentals and developing muscle memory. "They're still green. I want those kids you can work with." Ward finished his nine-year career with a 32-37 record, 121 saves and a 3.28 ERA in 462 games. Moseby's finest offensive season came in 1987, when he batted .282, clubbed 26 home runs, drove in 96 runs and stole 39 bases. Only $3,700.00 per team! PLUS $625.00 in bar vouchers! www.icesports.com 905-845-6989