Manny Ramirez: Pittwater Baseball Club hosts one of the game’s greats

He’s played with some of the biggest clubs in US baseball, is considered one of the greats of the game — and he was here to give our kids some tips

US major league baseball great Manny Ramirez was a hit with a group of junior players on the northern beaches at a special training clinic hosted by Pittwater Baseball Club at North Narrabeen Reserve on Wednesday night. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for junior baseball players on the northern beaches to be coached by one of the greats of the game.

Manny Ramirez, a star batter and outfielder played 19 seasons of Major League Baseball in the United States, was at North Narrabeen Reserve on Wednesday night for a special one-off training clinic.

Watch the ball. Manny Ramirez passes on important batting tips at the special training clinic. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

About 60 boys and girls, who play for local clubs, turned out to receive some one-on-one and group training tips — in groups of 20 from 5pm to 8pm — from the man who played with top flight clubs such as the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Manny Ramirez gives the junior players the benefit of his experience. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The Dominican Republic-born Ramirez is in Australia to play for the Sydney Blue Sox in our National League and is pretty impressed with the baseball talent he’s seen here so far.

“Australia has a lot of sporting talent,” Ramirez told the Manly Daily.

Manny Ramirez and New York Yankees hitting coach Rachel Balkovec get to know some of the local juniors before the clinic begins. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“You know, you’ve got all these big guys who play rugby. People here are pretty athletic.

“Baseball is a growing sport here and I’m here to spread the baseball all Gospel. There is a lot of untapped baseball potential here.”

Manny Ramirez shows his batting style. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

US major league baseball great manny Ramirez passes on tips to junior players on the northern beaches at a special training hosted by Pittwater Baseball Club at North Narrabeen Reserve on Wednesday night. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Ramirez was joined at the training clinic by the first female to be appointed as a hitting coach by a Major League Baseball Club, the New York Yankees, Rachel Balkovec.

It’s all about the stance. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The baseball great’s visit, which included specific tips on batting and throwing, came as Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan officially opened new and upgraded baseball training and playing facilities at the reserve including two state-of-the-art batting practice cages and new fencing and dugouts.