Acceleration Baseball Center will be hosting a Toys for Tots drive and baseball clinic on Friday, December 16th. In addition to toys, Acceleration will also be accepting lightly used hats, mittens, gloves and coats.

The second annual Toys for Tots softball and baseball clinic features St. Cloud Rox manager Augie Rodriguez and former Minnesota Twin Al Newman instructing kids age 8-18. The clinic will focus on hitting and will teach a variety of skills related to techniques, skills and positioning.

"There are a lot of kids in the community in need," Rodriguez said. "We know how hard all families work, and sometimes they just cannot provide."

"We as an organization want to do our best to give back to those in need," Rodriguez said. "I am going to continue to do my best to give back to those less fortunate this year."

"If you believe in Santa like I did, and I was a gullible little buddy until I was 11 or 12 years old, you think of those dreams," Newman said. "A lot of little kids, especially those in need, don't have those dreams."

"If there's an opportunity to put a toy in a box that will be delivered to someone having a tough time, that's the whole goal," Newman said.

The clinic costs $30 with a donation of either a new toy or slightly used winter clothing. Two sessions are available, with one beginning at 5 p.m. and the other at 6:30.

 

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