2019/20 YMCA Pitching Clinics with Planet FastPitch

For the 14th consecutive year Newton Girls Softball will run pitching clinics with Planet FastPitch at the Newton West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church Street, Newton 02458. Brandice Balschmiter is returning as our instructor (Bio below).

We have 4 different class levels. We make every effort to group similarly skilled pitchers in the same hour.  This is in the best interest of the pitchers and the instructor. Therefore our terms Level 2, Level 3, etc. are relative to the current group of pitchers with pitcher experience and skill set increasing with each level.

Level 1 "Beginner": Three 4-week sessions. Doug lead instructor.
Level 2: Three 7-week sessions. Brandice lead instructor.
Level 3: Two 11-week sessions. Brandice lead instructor.
Level 4: Two 11-week sessions. Brandice lead instructor.

To ensure each pitcher/catcher has proper space and instructor-time, classes will be limited to 7 pitchers. Pitchers currently attending a class will have the opportunity to pre-enroll for the next session and move-up a level as openings become available.

Pitchers new to our program: To ensure your spot you must register with the YMCA for the class you feel is most appropriate. Registration will open-to-all shortly after August 15th which is the final date for returning pitchers to pre-enroll. The available slots are assigned on a first come, first served basis by registering with the YMCA.

Doug Clott will review the registrations before the first class and reserves the right to make pitcher changes from one class to another based on the skill set of the registered pitchers. Should a class change need to be made and it does not work for you, for any reason, you will receive a 100% refund.

Please contact (not the YMCA) with any questions regarding the specifics of the class, concerns regarding the appropriate class for your daughter, etc. Please contact  at  , YMCA Director Sports and Recreation at the YMCA, should you have any problems with the YMCA registration system.

 
DATE & TIMES

Level 1 Beginner (SP 804)
Doug is the instructor.

Session 1 - YMCA 19EFA SP804: 5:00 pm on 4 Sundays - Sept. 15, 22, Oct. 6, 20 (No class 9/29, 10/13)
Session 2 - YMCA 19LFA SP804: 5:00 pm on 4 Sundays - Oct. 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17
Session 3 - YMCA 20ESP SP804: 6:00 pm on 4 Sundays - April 26, May 3, 10, 17

Level 2 (SP806)
Brandice is the instructor.

Session 1 - YMCA 19EFA SP806: 6:00 pm on 7 Sundays - September 8, 15, 22, October 6, 20, 27, November 3. No Class 9/29, 10/13.

Session 2 - YMCA 19LFA SP806: 6:00 pm on 7 Sundays - November 10, 17, 24, December 8, 15, January 5, 12. No Class 12/1, 12/22, 12/29.

Session 3 - YMCA 20WIN SP806: 6:00 pm on 7 Sundays - January 26, February 9, 23, March 1, 8, 15, 22. No Class 2/2, 2/16. April 5 - reserved for snow make-up
 
Level 3 7:00 - 8:00 pm (SP807)
Level 4 8:00 - 9:00 pm (SP808)
Brandice is the instructor.

Session 1 - YMCA 19EFA SP807 @ 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm with Brandice
September 8; 15; 22; October 6; 20; 27; November 3; 10; 17; 24; December 8. No Class 9/29; 10/13; 12/1.

Session 2 - YMCA 20WIN SP807 & 20 WIN SP808 @ 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm with Brandice
December 15; January 5; 12; 26; February 9; 23; March 1; 8; 15; 22; 29. No Class 12/22; 12/29; 1/19; 2/2; 2/16.
April 5 - reserved for snow make-up

FEES
Level 1 Beginner (4 week session)
1. Payable to YMCA - $45 YMCA member, $70 non-member.
2. Payable to Doug Clott (at the first class) - $40

Level 2 (7 week session)
1. Payable to YMCA - $80 YMCA member, $120 non-member.
2. Payable to Newton Girls Softball - $135 (Newton resident or attend Newton Public Schools); $315 (non-Newton resident)

Level 3 & 4 (11 week sessions)
1. Payable to YMCA - $136 YMCA member, $202 non-member.
2. Payable to Newton Girls Softball - $320 (Newton resident or attend Newton Public Schools); $550 (non-Newton resident)
 
MISC.

• All pitchers must supply their own catcher, preferably an adult.
• If enough Beginner pitchers enroll we will also offer a 4:00 pm class in the fall (session 1 & 2).
• Unfortunately we can not offer these classes on an a la carte basis.
• NGSoftball subsidizes the fee paid to Planet FastPitch enabling us to provide Newton residents with outstanding instruction. Non-Newton residents are welcome to attend but are requested to pay the non-subsidized fee after attending their first session.

 
REGISTRATION
The YMCA registration system (not the NGSoftball registration site) maintains the "official” class count and ensures only seven pitchers can enroll in a class. Once the limit is reached you will be placed on a wait list. We will do our best to find a solution for as many pitchers as space allows.
 
To reserve a space you must first enroll at the YMCA first come, first served.
1. The YMCA registration fee can be paid by calling their front desk 617-244-6050 with course # and credit card in-hand.
2. The NGSoftball portion of the fee can be paid on-line at www.newtongirlssoftball.org and click register (upper right-hand corner of home page)

Doug Clott

617-332-3236

Brandice Balschmiter

The 6-1 right-hander finished her career at or near the top of the UMass record books in almost every pitching category. Her single-season record 34 wins in 2009 gave her 126 in her career, against just 33 losses. Her win total is the most in UMass history and ranks ninth in NCAA history. She also became just the 26th player in NCAA history to eclipse the 1,200-strikeout mark in a career, doing so in the Atlantic 10 Championship. Her 1,218 strikeouts are second to only Danielle Henderson in UMass history. Her 1,089 innings pitched are the most of any pitcher in school history. In 2009, Balschmiter was named a NFCA All-American and was taken with the fifth overall pick of the National Pro Fastpitch draft by the Chicago Bandits. The Newark, N.Y. native was named Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year for a record fourth time, while also earning her fourth-straight A-10 Championship Most Outstanding Player, A-10 All-Conference First Team, NFCA All-Region First Team honors, and Easton All-American honors. Brandice is also USA Softball National Team member, winning a gold medal in the 2009 Pan American Games.

Doug Clott

Doug developed the Planet FastPitch @ the YMCA Pitching Clinics with Denise Davis (PFP owner) in 2005. Doug runs the New Beginner pitching program and assists in the Level 1 - 3 classes. He is a past president of Newton Girls Softball as well as a Rec League and Panther coach