Diamond Sports in Bryant has announced the addition of two new instructors.
Boyd Goodner, a star pitcher for the Benton Panthers from 1998-2000 who led the Benton Legion team to back-to-back State championships will be giving pitching lessons. Goodner, who named the Most Valuable Pitcher at the State Legion tourney and was named the 200 Pitcher of the Year in Arkansas went on to play at Pratt (Kansas) Community College before transferring to the University of Arkansas.[more]
He led the Razorbacks in earned run average in 2004 (1.50) and 2003 (2.67). The 2004 mark is the fourth lowest in Razorback baseball history.
As a member of Arkansas’ 2004 College World Series team, Goodner earned a win over Florida State during Super Regionals.
Ryan Johnson, who starred at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Ill., and Lyon College in Batesville, will be giving fielding, catching and hitting lessons.
After college, Johnson played professionally in the Frontier and Central Independent Leagues. He was a member of the Central League champion San Angelo Colts in 2002.
He has also served as an assistant coach at Lyon and at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.
Those interested in receiving instruction from Goodner or Johnson should call 501-653-BATS (2287). For more information, visit www.diamondsportsbryant.com.
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There will be a bunting and base running clinic on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2-4 p.m. The clinic is $15 for non-members and free for Diamond Sports members.
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Fall Ball Workouts, beginning Monday, Sept. 14, will be held each Monday night through Oct. 26. Players will receive instruction on fundamental baseball skills from Pat Harrison and the staff ofDiamond Sports. Two or three different skills will be covered each week.
No registration is necessary. Players are invited to attend one session or all seven. All sessions will be held at the Bryant Athletic Association fields at Ashley Park. Cal Ripkin players will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Babe Ruth players will meet from 7 to 8.
The sessions are free for those registered to play BAA Fall Ball. Everyone else is welcome. The cost is $10 per session.
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Former Major League Baseball pitcher and author, Geoff Zahn, will be giving private, semi-private and team pitching lessons Sept. 21-25.
Zahn, the former head baseball coach at the University of Michigan, is the founder of the Master Pitching Institute. He is highly sought after as a pitching coach.
Space is very limited. For more about Zahn, see http://bryantdaily.com/post/Former-Major-League-star-to-conduct-clinic-at-Diamond-Sports-in-Bryant.aspx
For more information, visit www.diamondsportsbryant.com or call 501-653-BATS (2287).
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Eight-week speed and agility programs with J.J. Meadors will start Monday, Sept. 28, and will run through Thursday, Nov. 19.
Youth programs for athletes in grades 3 through 8 will be held from 5-6 p.m., and for high school softball players from 6 to 7 p.m., every Monday and Thursday.
Programs for high school baseball players will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
The program is $300 per player. Sessions are limited to eight players each. Private training and team programs are available by appointment.
For more information, visit www.diamondsportsbryant.com or call 501-653-BATS (2287).
