Major League baseball clinic held at Wrigley Field in Waterville

From left to right, Charlie Ferris, Cameron McInnis and Jameson Dow getting an autograph from former Boston Red Sox pitcher, Mike Timlin. (photo by Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

Eleven former Major League baseball players were at Purnell Wrigley Field, in Waterville, on Thursday, August 8, to teach local youth the fundamentals of America’s favorite past time – baseball! Headlining the alumni was Mike Timlin, the 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox pitcher who ranks seventh in appearances among pitchers. Joining him was Bruce Berenyi, Kevin Buckley, Red Sox bullpen aces Tom Burgmeier and Bill Campbell, pitchers Steve Crawford and Pete Ladd, and outfielder Rick Miller, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jerry Martin, Phillies outfielder Pete Ladd, and New York Yankees legend coach and manager Stump Merrill.

The clinic was open to all youth and baseball enthusiasts to attend and learn from the legends. Organized by the Alfond Youth & Community Center with the support of Ray Haskell Lincoln Ford and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), this annual event is the highlight of the summer for the youth as well as the ball players. “My guys fight to see who gets to come work with these kids,” explains MLBPAA organizer Geoff Hixson; “they are were ready to learn and appreciative.”

After the Clinic the ball players headed to Belgrade Lakes Golf Tournament to compete in the Ray Haskell MLBPAA Golf Tournament to benefit youth in need at the Alfond Youth & Community Center. AYCC CEO Ken Walsh states, “Our relationship with MLBPAA and these alumni players has been such a fun and great benefit to the kids in this community from baseball skills and drills to raising the funds to fill our Weekend Meals Backpacks. It’s a special day for all of us.”

Michael August Timlin is a former American relief pitcher in Major League baseball. Timlin played on four World Series championship teams in an 18-year career; the 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue Jays, and 2004 and 2007 2004 Boston Red Sox.