Royals wrap up Youth Baseball Clinics for the season

• Royals Youth Clinics photo gallery
• Royals kick off summer with free instructional clinics

The Royals wrapped up their final Youth Baseball Clinic of the season this past homestand on July 23. The free instructional clinics are a part of the club's George Brett Youth Baseball and Softball program, which offers fundraising opportunities to youth leagues across the metro area.

Each season, the Royals players and coaches participate in about 10 youth clinics around the Kansas City metro area. The organization visited clinics in Liberty, Mo., Overland Park, Kan., Lenexa, Kan., and Smithville, Mo. The clinics drew in players such as catcher John Buck, shortstop Tony Pena, Jr., infielder Esteban German, pitcher Brandon Duckworth, outfielders Shane Costa and Joey Gathright, and rookie Billy Butler, along with Royals coaches Fred Kendall, Brian Poldberg, Luis Silverio and Mike Barnett as guest instructors.

The 90-minute clinics, which include participants who are pre-selected by their youth league, are divided into four different stations - batting, pitching, infield work and outfield work - with drills at each station lasting just longer than 20 minutes. The youth baseball players - both boys and girls - ranged from ages 6 to 14, allowing the instructors to vary the skill level on teaching the fundamentals and techniques.

"It's just fun baseball," Coach Kendall said. "We try to teach and give these kids a good time. I wish I had a chance to participate in something like this when I was young because I think it provides a neat opportunity for the kids in this area."