Shayne Harty, a volunteer coach who runs the recreational ball program for Oliver Parks and Recreation, shows Owen Ogden the proper stance in the batters box while facing a pitch.
Lyonel Doherty photo
“Keep your eyes on the ball. Make sure you get in front of it. Great job!”
The game plan is simple to follow.
It’s low key.
It’s basic.
Yes, Shayne Harty’s approach to teaching Oliver’s youth the game of baseball would certainly seem to fly in the face of the sport – at least in terms of the way it’s played at the major league level – which now uses more statistics – than curve balls – to get a batter out.
No Sabermetrics at this level – just lots of kids smiling, joking around, and, most importantly, having fun.
It’s a Thursday evening at Oliver Community Park. And the best part is – it’s ‘baseball’ weather.
“For me, I think about spring, the green grass, the nice weather, getting out on the field and throwing the ball, and having some games,” responded Harty when asked what comes to mind when the word ‘baseball’ is mentioned. “One of my sons always comments, “When baseball season comes, it’s that feeling of spring.” Getting out and having some fun. That’s what comes to mind for me.”
Ask Harty’s young son Kelan why he likes the sport, and the answer, while somewhat cliched, is as down-to-earth as it gets.
“(I like) Throwing things and catching them. As a boy, I’ve always liked throwing things. You tossed things around the house and try to catch them,” responded Kelan, who enjoys playing the game at this level, and wants to keep it that way. “I think I’m going to keep playing rec, because I never liked league sports. They are always too competitive. I just like to just play. I like playing in a game, and keeping score, but not so competitive.”
Shayne Harty volunteers his time every spring to help give youth the basic skills to play softball or baseball.
Children aged 7 to 10 years are on the field every Monday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. He has 26 kids involved so far.
Youth from 11 to 15 years get the extra half hour of instruction, and practice from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A total of 11 youth have registered.
Harty’s idea is to hone baseball skills in a non-competitive environment, and allow the kids to have fun while learning.
“I think it’s really important, because it gives all the kids the chance to play baseball. And it gives the kids and the parents the chance to play baseball in a less-competitive forum where they can come out and have some fun. And, there’s not a lot of commitment with travel,” said Harty, a multi-sport volunteer who also coaches Oliver’s U-13/14 boys youth soccer team. “It gets everybody who is interested out playing ball.”
Harty works on all the basics. He had the seven players who attended last Thursday’s practice positioned as infielders, hitting ground balls, and offering encouragement.
“Get in front of it, stop it, get it in your glove, and make the proper play – whether it be first or second or third, depending on where the runners are on the field,” offered Harty to the group as he hit ball after ball. “At this age level, 11 to 15 year olds, I still talk to them about proper throwing and catching. They are all doing it well now, but they still have times where they’re not taking the proper step and throwing the ball overhand, so we talk about that.”
In the major leagues, getting three hits in every 10 at bats will warrant millions of dollars and a long term contract. At the youth level, Harty again goes back to the basics – and utilizes a practice tee to hit off.
“The tee is mostly here from the younger group, but I still do use it with the older group. I’ll set them up with a pile of balls, and they will each have a turn just putting them on the tee and hitting them into the fence,” offered Harty. “All I’m trying to do there is get them to keep their eye on the ball, because when we scrimmage, I pitch to them, and that’s what I’m always driving home with them is, you’re not going to hit the ball if you’re not watching the ball. So, watch the ball all the way to the bat, and you’ll hit it. And as soon as they do that, they hit it.”
Considering Harty was instructing the older group on this particular night, he also takes the opportunity to talk to players a lot about the fundamentals of the game.
“The force play, how that works, whether you have to tag the person when they’re coming from one base to the other, the foul balls, and more how the game works,” explained Harty.
The younger Harty appreciates the mental aspect of the game.
“I like the hand-eye coordination of batting,” added young Kelan.”I like the organization of it – how there’s all the force plays. It’s a very complicated game.”
But not until you make it to the majors – and are forced to deal with Sabermetrics.
While Oliver continues to offer a recreational baseball program, the Osoyoos Minor Baseball Association was formed this spring, with the goal of bringing organized baseball to the South Okanagan. Jason and Amy Bartsch are behind the Osoyoos initiative, and they have plans to play some games in Oliver through the summer.
“Amy has put a tentative scheduled together for them to come here. I believe they are looking at three of four Mondays over the next couple of months where they are going to come down here and play games against our younger group and our older group,” explained Harty.
More opportunity for a bunch of young players – who just want to throw things, and catch them.
For more information on the recreational ball program in Oliver, call Oliver Parks and Recreation at 250-498-4985, or check out: www.oliverrecreation.ca
Dale Cory
Oliver Chronicle
Kelan Harty fields a grounder.
Dale Cory Photo
Shayne Harty hits balls to the infielders.
Dale Cory Photo
