PHOTO: Getting ready for some football
Waterville Youth Football team members Jackson Troxell and Tatum Vaughn, practicing at a recent clinic. (photo by Missy Brown/ Central Maine Photography staff)
PHOTO: Multiple winner
Club Naha student Matthew Christen, 12, of Benton, captured two first place wins and second place in the grand championship at the Amerikick International Martial Arts Championships, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
Alfond Center knocks it out of the park pairing MLB legends with local law enforcement
Alfond Center Baseball clinic 2023 (photo by Central Maine Photography)
by Mark Huard
The Badges for Baseball Clinic took place on Thursday, July 27, at Maine’s Fenway Park, in Oakland. The clinic paired Major League Baseball (MLB) player alumni with officers from the Waterville Police Department to teach youth enrolled in the AYCC’s Maine’s Fenway Premier Baseball Camp about baseball and life lessons. Badges for Baseball is a program of the Cal Ripken, Jr. Foundation that uses team sports to connect youth with local law enforcement mentors. The following MLB alumni players participated in the clinic:
- Kevin Buckley, formerly of the Texas Rangers. The University of Maine alum posted a lifetime .286 batting average in the Big Leagues.
- Tom Burgmeier, who played primarily for the Boston Red Sox. A reliable bullpen ace, he finished his career with 102 saves. An All-Star in 1980, he posted a career high in saves for Boston while winning 5 games and carrying a 2.00 ERA.
- Steve Crawford, who played with the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. A 6’5”, 225-pound reliever with a hard fastball, he won Game Five of the 1986 ALCS and won Game Two of the 1986 World Series in relief of Roger Clemens.
- Matt Kinney, who played primarily for the Minnesota Twins and the Milwaukee Brewers. Born in Bangor, he posted 10 wins for Minnesota in 2003, while striking out 152 batters.
- Pete Ladd, who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 25th round of the 1977 amateur draft. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros from 1979-1986. He won an American League Pennant with the Brewers in 1982.
- Jerry Martin, who played more than 1,000 games, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies and had a career .251 batting average with 85 home runs. He spent 20 years coaching in the minor leagues with the Phillies and the Detroit Tigers after his time on the field.
- Ryan Reid, who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates. A Portland native, he finished his Big League career with a 1.64 ERA.
- Mike Torrez, who played primarily with the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. He won more than 15 games during six consecutive seasons. He helped the 1977 Yankees win the pennant with his seven straight wins in July and August. He pitched two complete game victories in the 1977 World Series.
During the clinic, each group of the youth ball players was paired with an MLB legend and an officer from the Waterville Police Department to learn the finer points of baseball.
AYCC chief executive officer Ken Walsh, worked with the MLB alumni and Chief Bonney, to make the day happen.
PHOTO: Triple jump winner Larsen Ronco
Larsen Ronco, 12, of Oakland, took first place in hurdles, triple jump and 4×1 at the recent Youth State Track Meet, held in Augusta, on Saturday, August 12. He is a member of Winslow Summer Track. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography staff)
PHOTO: Learning the ropes
Landon Belisle, 12, of Waterville and Waterville Police Patrol Sgt. Jason Longley, during the Badges for Baseball Clinic, at Mini Fenway Park, in Oakland, on Thursday, July 27. “It was an exciting week! I loved getting to learn from former professional baseball players and college coaches. They had a lot of knowledge and taught me new skills to improve both on and off the field.” (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)
Central Maine Eagles seeks players
The Central Maine Eagles football team that plays out of China at the rec fields, is seeking players. The JV team which host kids from sixth to eighth grades needs more players. Numbers usually increase during the start of school, but the team has its first game coming up in three weeks and they are a few players short. They also offer it for pre K to second grade in flag football, and also has a high school team. The would like to add more teams if we can get players in other age groups. For more information, contact Steven Hamel at stevenhamel1993@gmail.com.
PHOTO: Group earns new martial arts ranks
Earning new ranks are, from left to right, Lane Irish, of Corrina, green belt; Brody Robbins, of Skowhegan, green belt; Lucia Lacroix, of Skowhegan, second level brown belt; Carlie Bertrand, of Troy, second level brown belt; Izzy Citro, of Waterville, first level brown belt. (photo by Mark Huard)
PHOTO: Central Maine Senior Football Camp (2023)
2023 Central Maine Youth Senior Football Camp directed by Lawrence High School Coach John Hersom with assistance of his Lawrence Bulldogs players. The senior camp ran from July 24-26 for grades 5-8, with players from Central Maine. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)
Ken Smith inducted into Cal Ripken Coaches Hall of Fame
Ken Smith, right, of Fairfield, accepting his induction into the Cal Ripken Coaches Hall of Fame (contributed photo)
On July 6, 2023 Ken Smith, of Fairfield, was inducted into the Cal Ripken Coaches Hall of Fame. The presentation took place in Fairfield prior to an 11U state tournament game. Cal Ripken League representatives, family, community members along with past and present coaches and players from Ken’s teams were present for the ceremony.
Ken grew up in Fairfield, and started playing Farm League baseball in 1965 at age 6. In those days teams wore ear flaps instead of helmets and used wooden bats. His father, Ken Sr., pitched and hit baseballs to Ken and his friends growing up and helped develop his skills and love of baseball. He went on to play Little League, Babe Ruth, high school and on American Legion teams, all in Fairfield. He continued to stay involved with baseball by umpiring little league and playing on adult softball teams. He also enjoys watching baseball and visiting both minor and major league parks.
In 1996 he started coaching at the Little League level and is still coaching today. He has been playing, coaching, umpiring and involved with baseball for 58 consecutive years. While coaching baseball Ken has helped transfer his knowledge and love of baseball to many young players and his four sons. He recognizes his players’ first hits by presenting them with a special dated baseball to commemorate the milestone. He also ends each season with a parents vs. kids game and presents players with individual and team stats that he carefully keeps track of each season, with the help of some very good scorekeepers.
In his early days of coaching he was one of the only coaches in the local league to have his players hitting off a tee and using tennis balls during practices. He also had his teams bunt during games which he still believes in, and does today.
He has coached over 350 games and umpired over 150 games in his career to date. His teams have won nine league championships and four district tournaments. One special team won the state championship in 2010. This team went on to represent Maine in the New England tournament, finishing in fourth place twice.
Ken has an extensive knowledge of baseball and a true dedication to the sport.
PHOTO: Central Mainers attend football camp
The Lawrence Bulldogs Junior football camp was held July 17-19 (grades 2-4) with players from Central Maine. (photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography)