PORT ANGELES — After 10 years playing professional baseball, including six in the major leagues, Brent Lillibridge retired last year.
He retired from professional baseball, but not from baseball.
Lillibridge has returned to the Mill Creek area, where he graduated from Jackson High School in 2002, and is now helping younger players achieve their baseball goals.
And thanks to a connection with Olympic Crosscutters assistant coach Buck Gieseke, Lillibridge is bringing his knowledge and experience to Port Angeles’ Volunteer Field on Saturday and Sunday.
“I met Buck through my family’s business,” Lillibridge, who played for the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees, said Thursday afternoon.
“He as a love for the game of baseball, and since I’m recently retired he reached out to me to see how we can work together.”
First, Lillibridge, who played every position in the majors except pitcher and catcher, will be helping the Crosscutters during their tryouts from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“I’ll be there to kind of hang out with the kids and answer any questions,” Lillibridge said.
Then, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., he’ll put on a free batting clinic for players ages 9 and up.
“If they really want to know how a major league swing works, I’m going to lay it out for them,” Lillibridge said.
“I love talking about the mechanics of the swing. Most kids can get to that, the major league swing, it just takes repetition.”
Lillibridge’s clinic will include videos, and he will answer questions.
He’ll also go beyond technique and repetition.
“I would say, the biggest thing . . . is addressing the mental approach,” Lillibridge said. “Instilling confidence in kids and coaches.
“They might have the perfect swing, but it might not translate in the game because they’re thinking about failing.
“The separation between minor league guys and major league guys and all-time greats has nothing to do with the physical things. For most part, we’re all in the same boat.
“It’s the mental approach, and believing in your approach.”
Lillibridge is one of the professional players who works with Base By Pros (basebypros.com), a group dedicated to providing helping young players, both on the baseball field and in their personal lives.
“It’s a mentorship that gets professional baseball players and student-athletes connected,” Lillibridge said.
“Basically to be a mentor in their lives.”
Lillibridge invites those unable to attend his clinics at Volunteer Field to contact him at lillibridgeathletics.com.
Crosscutters tryouts
Tryouts for the Olympic Crosscutters, an American Legion baseball team, are for players ages 14-19.
Manager John Qualls said the Crosscutters will have as many as three teams competing this fall in the Puget Sound Collegiate League.
The league, which has varsity, mixed and JV divisions, plays its season from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1.
There will be doubleheaders Sundays and one weekday game, which will usually be played Wednesdays.
Qualls said those weekday games will be played in a central location, likely in Kitsap County.
He anticipates the rosters for the weekday games will be different than the Sunday doubleheaders because many athletes will be involved with fall high school sports, such as football.
After the regular season ends, there will be a college showcase Oct. 11, and a championship tournament Oct. 12-18.
The Crosscutters will then practice throughout the winter at a private indoor facility in Sequim.
Players who want to try out for the Crosscutters need to be at Volunteer Field, located at West 16th and L St., by 1:30 p.m.
They should register in advance at www.tinyurl.com/pdnCuttersReg.
There will be another tryout next Saturday, Aug. 8, and Chimacum High School.
“They can make one or all three, get to know the coaches. It’s not required, but it’s recommend.”
For more information, contact Qualls at 360-461-0482 or johnqualls34@gmail.com.
