Ken Eriksen, Head Coach of the USA Softball National Team, visited Spooky Nook Sports for the first time in September. As a coach who has traveled to training centers and fields all over the world, Coach Eriksen knows what it takes to train elite softball players. During his tour of Spooky Nook, Coach Eriksen remarked, “There is simply no indoor training space for softball like Spooky Nook Sports.”
Following his visit, Eriksen and The Nook started planning for the Xtreme Dimensions International Academy of Pitching (IAP) Clinic on MLK Jr. weekend.
Previously held in New Jersey, the Xtreme Dimensions IAP Clinic chose to relocate to The Nook this winter. The clinic featured instruction by some of the best instructors in the world; all located under one large roof. Coaches Ken Eriksen (USA), Mark Smith (Canadian National Team Head Coach), and Russell Cooper, along with current USA National Team athletes Raven Chavanne (Tennessee) and Jaclyn Traina (Alabama) led the team of instructors. Their expertise was complemented by know-how of various collegiate coaches and Spooky Nook Softball instructor Becca Bigler (Hofstra).
The clinic on MLK weekend included a college recruiting information session on Friday night followed by individual skill sessions on Saturday and exposure games in the dome on Sunday. Over 250 softball athletes and a large number of spectators attended one, two, or all three parts of the weekend. The highly anticipated event turned out to be a great showcase of softball instruction in the northeast region. The IAP Clinic is quickly evolving into one of the best amateur softball events in the country.
With the recently accepted changes to the Olympic program, it is exciting to think about what the future holds for USA Softball. Spooky Nook Sports is happy to be a part of it and serve as a vehicle for the growth of this sport.