DPLL minors pitcher Marina Ngai, in foreground, works on her pitch with a Westmont Warrior baseball player. They are practicing in a long, narrow space surrounded by chain-link fencing. Ngai is wearing white pants, pink long-sleeve shirt and blue baseball cap.
DPLL minors pitcher Marina Ngai works on her windup with a Westmont Warrior baseball player. Credit: Courtesy photo

Dos Pueblos Little League (DPLL) hosted its first Preseason Baseball Clinic at Girsh Park for more than 150 youth baseball players on Feb. 5.

Assisted by Dos Pueblos High School Varsity and JV baseball coaches and players, and the Westmont College Baseball team, DPLL players of all ages practiced the fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting and pitching.

The clinic was spread out over four of DPLL’s recently renovated fields and batting cages.

In the morning, the free clinics focused on defensive footwork, flyballs, groundballs, pitching and catching, followed by a break for pizza and drinks. The clinic resumed after lunch for another two hours of small group offensive work including hitting, bunting, and base running.

In addition to helping the youth players, the clinic introduced DPLL volunteer coaches to new drills, and taught them how to break practices into smaller groups to ensure each player receives more individualized instruction.

DPLL President Jeff Palmer called the event a “very positive day, total success and a real home run for the Dos Pueblos Little League Community.”

He thanked his volunteer board members, DPHS assistant coach DJ Gesswein and Westmont College Athletic Director Robert Ruiz for bringing their players and staffs.

DPLL will kick off its 49th season with Opening Day ceremonies Saturday, March 4, when DPLL will honor all five of its District 63 Championship teams from the 2022 All Star Season.