Published On: August 19th, 2011

(MINNEAPOLIS, MN) New York Yankees centerfielder Curtis Granderson was a big hit at Friday morning’s first Northwoods League Foundation free youth baseball clinic. The two-time American League All-Star and 2011 MVP candidate talked baseball with the more than 50 kids that took advantage of the great opportunity to learn from a Major Leaguer.

He told stories about his career and answered questions from the kids before signing autographs. The clinic attendees spent the second part of the morning in various stations practicing baseball techniques with the help of high school baseball coaches.

Granderson, who played in the Northwoods League for the Mankato Mashers in 2001, told the group about what he remembers from his time in Mankato and compared the travel from the NWL to his time in the minor leagues. He told the story of being called up to the big leagues with the Detroit Tigers for the first time in September of 2004. His season with the Double-A Erie Seawolves had just ended so he had thrown his worn out glove and his cleats in the trash thinking his baseball season was over. Shortly after his Double-A manager told him he was going to the big leagues, Granderson had to dig his used gear out of the garbage so he’d having something to use in the Majors.

Granderson showed the group a chain that he wears around his neck that has a Chinese symbol that reminds him of something one of his former coaches taught him that’s important to his approach to baseball still today.

“Trust yourself,” Granderson said. “If you think you should dive for a ball, dive for it. If you think you should steal a base, steal it.”

He also talked about his foundation, the Grand Kids Foundation, and how it relates to the kids in attendance. He stressed the importance of education, doing well in school, and if you don’t how it can hurt your baseball career by having to miss a big game in college.

As a part of Curtis Granderson’s continued support of the Northwoods League and Northwoods League Foundation, Northwoods League Director of Operations Curt Carstensen presented Curtis and the Grand Kids Foundation with a check for a $10,000 donation.

What is the Northwoods League?

The Northwoods League is a summer baseball league comprised of teams of the top college players from across the nation and North America. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid (this preserves their NCAA eligibility). Each team is operated similar to a professional minor league team, providing players an opportunity to play under the same conditions using wooden bats, minor league specification baseballs, experiencing overnight road trips, and playing nightly before fans in a stadium.

What is the Northwoods League Foundation?

The Northwoods League Foundation was formed in 2010 as a vehicle for the Northwoods League to further achieve the goals of its Mission Statement, which language concludes with “enrich the quality of life in its member communities.”

Much of the activity of the foundation will be to utilize the numerous alumni and members of the Northwoods League, capitalizing on their respective achievements on and off the field. Through various and creative fund raising methods, Northwoods League fans will have unique opportunities to interact with, participate with and help raise money with various alumni and members of the League.

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