Every year, as a high school assistant baseball coach, I attend clinics to not only validate my coaching through the school district I work for, but also to improve my knowledge of the game to turn around and share with my players.

For the past five or six years I have attended th Northwest All-Sports coaches clinic held every year at the DoubleTree Hotel in Sea-Tac.  They have clinics for most sports all being held in the same location with guest speakers teaching basic fundamentals as well as inside information that can help take your team to the next level.

I have listened to coaches like Tom Trebelhorn, Tom Gamboa (after he was attacked at first base), and the highlight of my clinic-visiting Tom House speaking about pitching for a day.  There have been other, local coaches who have interested me as well, like Mark Yoshino, head coach at Bellevue Community College.

I received my flier today for the upcoming 2009 clinic and I flipped to the baseball session to see if it is worth going to this year.

And I am met with this face

THIS is who they got as a FEATURED SPEAKER???

Yes there are two sessions being taught by our beloved Mariner.  He will speak for an hour about Infield Fundamentals, Techniques and Drills.....and then for an hour on HITTING!  SERIOUSLY.  They list him as a Former Mariner....2 time all-star...14 season career..99 consecutive errorless games at 3rd base...

but HE is going to teach coaches how to teach hitting?  I guess the old saying of those who can't ...Teach.

Anyway...the other featured speakers this year include Bob Didier of the Arizona D-Backs (formerly of the Mariners) the U of Indiana and Hartford baseball coaches and the instructor of the Ephrata Baseball Academy and Players.

I am considering going because it is usually good...but Cirillo...teaching hitting...THIS I gotta see.