Waltham Baseball Pitcher To Give Pitching Clinic For Youth

WALTHAM, MA — Jared Brenner didn't really know what he was getting into three years ago when the high school student decided to host a free youth baseball pitching clinic in North Waltham.

"I just wanted to give an opportunity for the kids in my town to have a free pitching clinic to improve their skills and presence on the mound," he told Patch in a phone interview.

He coordinated with the North Waltham Baseball League and made sure the free clinic was open to anyone. It was the first time the life-long baseball player took on the coaching role, and his intention was to help others. He stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park, say those who watched him.

"He's one of our allstars without a doubt," said Bill Hanley, commissioner for the North Waltham Youth Baseball League. "He does an awesome job."

Brenner grew up next to the field and played youth baseball with the league up through the majors, which isn't so rare, said Hanley. What is rare, is that he went on to have a lot of baseball and academic success.

"It really makes him a role model," said Hanley, who said the pitcher designed the clinic himself. "And when the kids see how he conducts himself, it really has a significant impact on them."

And Brenner's height — at 6'6 — helps, too.

And that responsibility has hit home to Brenner, an only child, who said he enjoys taking on the role of big brother and learning to be a worthy role model.

Brenner said he looks forward to the clinic each fall now, and sees a bit of himself in the younger players who mostly come from the North Waltham Youth League.

"I've learned a lot," said Brenner. "I've learned how to watch them respond to criticism, when to be more compassionate and encouraging."

Brenner is attending his final year at Lawrence Academy, and expects to pitch next year in college and study finance. While he's waiting to hear back from a couple of coaches, he is about to welcome another 15 or 16 youth baseball players looking for tips on how to pitch into his free clinic.

The first year he held the clinic 12 kids between the ages of 10 and 13 years old showed up, last year it was 11, and this year he said he's expecting about 15 youth baseball players to join him for the two hour clinic. The morning will involve a warm up and lots of throwing. Brenner said he stands back and gives tips, while the young pitchers take the mound.

"You can only process so much, so my main goal is that they take away a few points from the day and feel a bit more passionate about baseball," he said.

It works, said Hanley.

Generally in youth sports there's a drop off after age 12. But Hanley said it's pronounced in the Waltham baseball league. But the experience of being a part of a team is an important one, and when players on the cusp of that drop-off age see someone like Jared who not only continued with baseball, but had success, it has a positive effect on a lot of kids.

"It makes them want to continue," said Hanley. "The baseball is less important than learning to be part of a team. That really has a positive impact on a kid."

With the coronavirus this year Brenner plans to keep an eye on the participants to ensure they keep a safe distance from one another and ask that they wear masks. But Brenner is confident that won't spoil the fun.

"It's not going to really be so different," he said. "Baseball is socially distant, I guess you can say, when you're throwing balls to each other there's not much contact."

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, a column, event or opinion piece.