White Sox pitching coach sharing tips with youngsters
Whether he's working with an 11-year-old Pony Leaguer or a 22-year-old rookie, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper has one mission: help them reach their potential.
Starting this weekend and running through Feb. 8, Cooper will be conducting a series of pitching camps for youth and high school players throughout the suburbs.
The series begins Saturday morning at Lake Barrington's Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois facility, 28039 Northpointe Parkway, and Saturday afternoon it continues at Lisle's Bulls-Sox Training Academy, 6200 River Bend Drive.
During the two-day camps, for $189 per player, Cooper and his staff will teach the players many of the same techniques he uses with White Sox pitchers.
"The only differences between Mark Buehrle and Johnny Lisle are age, experience and information, so we'll teach Johnny Lisle the same thing I'll be preaching to Buehrle and the others in a few weeks," Cooper said. "The common denominators of success are good mechanics and pitch assortment. So we'll teach them good habits so their time and practice pays off the very next time they take the mound."
Every player also will receive a written evaluation from Cooper and a DVD of their performance.
"My evaluation will let them know what's next and what they need to work on and with that kind of focus and attention, it's impossible not to get better," Cooper said. "I want them to achieve whatever their goals are because I love kids who want to get better. If they love baseball, I love them."
He's been doing camps in New York for the past 30 years and in the Chicago suburbs for the past four. During that time, Cooper said he has been fortunate to follow success stories of kids he's worked with, whether it be them making the high school team or snagging a top college scholarship.
"If I get to know a kid, and I mean really know a kid, I'll get on the phone and call anyone I know that can help them," Cooper said. "If a kid shows me his academic and athletic focuses are in the right place and he's dedicated to being the best, I'll make whatever phone call I need to make."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper and his staff will teach proper technique to young players during weekend camps.</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> From 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Lake Barrington's Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois, 20039 Northpointe Parkway; from 2 to 7:30 p.m. at Lisle's White Sox Training Academy, 6900 River Bend Drive</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $189 </p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://www.bullssoxacademy.com/managex/?x=15&y=44&articlesource=44" target="new">bullssoxacademy.com/managex/?x=15&y=44&articlesource=44</a></p>