Stepping Up To The Plate

Dan speaks with Raquel Parisi of Wells Fargo about both her personal involvement and Wells Fargo’s corporate involvement in Cups of Compassion. Last year as a company they collected thousands of socks to give out at the event and they’re looking to make an even greater contribution in 2018.

Dan Clouser took the opportunity to talk with Cynthia Hobgood, Vice-President of Kreiger & Company about the upcoming partnership between BIG Vision Foundation and AKFC. Cynthia was able to visit the BIG Vision Sports Complex and meet the BIG Vision team during this past September’s Jennie Finch Softball Camp and immediately bought into the BIG Vision mission and recognized that it was an organization and group of people who aligned with the mission of AKFC. She invited Dan to the Ali Krieger Sports Complex in Dumfries, Virginia so that he could see an Ali Krieger Football Camp in action first-hand. During the visit, Cynthia, Ali and Dan mapped out a true win/win partnership that has the benefit of young athletes as the primary goal.

Dan Clouser once again sits down with 2015 World Cup Champion, Ali Krieger, who just launched her new venture, Ali Krieger Football Camps (AKFC). Ali was at the BIG Vision Sports Complex in 2015 following the U.S. Women’s National team’s World Cup championship and is looking to return to Reading again in 2019 to conduct an AKFC at the complex. Ali speaks of the importance of using her platform to give back and help others to achieve their highest level. AKFC is based on “The Warrior Way”, which promotes what Ali calls her four pillars of success, Positivity, Confidence, Trust and Passion. Ali is truly the type of partner that BIG Vision Foundation is looking for.

Dan Clouser sits down with Kelsey Adams, who along with Missy Lamm, who he spoke with last week was part of the duo of dynamic females to become the first two women in the 29 year history of BIG Vision Foundation and the Berkshire Baseball & Softball Club to coach a boys baseball team.

Kelsey speaks of the experience of coaching the boys and how it was more about making sure that these young men had a place to play this summer as opposed to her being a trailblazer in a male dominated sport.

Her motive was simply coaching for the kids, which is what every coaches motive should always be. The game has always and should still remain to be about the kids, not about the coaches. The coaches should only be involved to guide and mentor their players.

Kelsey and Missy both proved to be prime examples of putting their players needs before their own. Their goal was to fill a need to help a group of players and in the process they turned into trailblazers.

Dan Clouser once again speaks with Missy Lamm, who along with Kelsey Adams became the first two females to coach a boys Berkshire Baseball team this past summer in the 29 year history of the organization. Missy speaks about the differences between coaching boys and girls as well as earning the respect of the young men that she was coaching. For whatever reason, throughout the history of baseball, the sport has always been male dominated from top to bottom. Dan Clouser, who continues to be influenced by his late mother, views all people as human beings and felt that Missy and Kelsey were simply qualified for the job regardless of their gender. Without intention, BIG Vision Foundation once again found themselves on the cutting edge of youth sports.

Dan sits down with 18U Berkshire Red Sox player, Juan Cubilete at the BIG Vision Sports Complex and talks about his introduction to the sport and his love for the game. He’s currently a sophomore student at Millersville University and is majoring in Accounting, but he still finds time for baseball. He talks about the opportunities that playing at the complex has allowed him and his team. One of the benefits was his chance to train to be an umpire for our tournaments. Juan now has a new perspective and appreciation for the job of an umpire. We are happy that Juan is part of the Berkshire Baseball and Softball Club family.

Dan Clouser sits down to talk to BIG Vision Foundation and Berkshire Baseball & Softball Club coach and instructor, Missy Lamm about her experience and changing roles as an instructor at the annual Jennie Finch Softball Camp held at the BIG Vision Sports Complex. Missy first became involved with the BIG Vision Foundation in 2016 shortly after graduating from Penn State Berks when she volunteered to help with our first annual JFSC. Missy speaks about the relationships she has made through the camp, her added responsibility of now being a leader and the importance of being a role model to the young girls that she is teaching.

This Stepping Up to the Plate podcast is an amazing recap of our 3rd hosting of the Jennie Finch Softball Camp. Jennie Finch joined by Leah Amico, Toni Mascarenas, and Crystl Bustos taught the fundamentals of softball and gave great advice on life in the 2 day camp at the BIG Vision Sports Complex. These Olympic Gold Medalist and coaches are inspirations and role models for anyone with a dream.

Dan asks them what is their inspiration and why they feel it's important to share their life experiences to the next generation of players.

Information on Leah Amico's book is:

31 Day Devotional by Leah Amico

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Leah Amico speaks with Dan about her journey and her book. Leah’s inspiration for her book came from her morning Bible Study sessions before camp, wanting to share her stories and encourage players to keep God first. 31-Day Devotional covers topics such as leadership, perseverance, teamwork, sacrifice, the mental game, facing fears, overcoming adversity, and experiencing victory. Can be found on Amazon or her website at www.leah20.com

This week on Stepping Up to the Plate Berkshire Baseball Alumni, Greg Hughes, joins Dan in the studio. He hasn’t played for the team for 17 years, but they reminisce like it was yesterday. He now lives in Washington State with his wife and 2 kids and hopes his children once love the game as much as him.

Greg talks about his time playing with Berkshire Baseball, his impression of the BIG Vision Sports Complex, and what he’s up to now. Listen to them share some great stories and what his life lessons were from baseball.

Dan sits down with a PT Seasonal Employee of BIG Vision Foundation that has been working there for 3 seasons now. Bryn Gautieri, a recent graduate of Exeter High School, speaks about her reasons why she chose BIG Vision Foundation as her first job and her experience working for the organization. She loves the diversity of the staff, the love BIG Vision Foundation shows the community, and that they are a nonprofit that gives back.

Bryn is heading to Temple University and having worked at BIG Vision Foundation she feels it will help her in her journey at college and beyond that.