Katy Clarke

kclarke@guampdn.com

The Yomiuri Giants and Guam Baseball Academy held a free baseball clinic Saturday morning at Okkodo High School for kids ages 12 and up.

The Giants worked with youths on hitting, catching and throwing, and fielding of the ball while a crowd of locals and Japanese tourists watched.

It’s the second straight year the Giants have held a clinic on Guam. George Washington High School senior Kenji McCarthy has attended both and said he enjoys learning how to be a better outfielder from some of the best players in Japan.

“They’re professionals,” said McCarthy. “They give the perfect advice. They’re awesome to be with and they are people I look up to.”

One of the players working with the kids was Hayato Sakamoto, shortstop and captain of the Giants, as well as the shortstop for the Japan national team.

“They all seemed like they were having fun, so that’s good,” said Sakamoto through a translator. “I try to teach them as much as I can, to have the passion for baseball, to have them learn to love the sport.”

The Giants have long visited Guam to train during the winter months. The players said that they will continue to visit because they enjoy the warm weather.

Previous training clinic:

Local youths learn from Yomiuri Giants