ANNUAL WHITFIELD BASEBALL CLINIC SET FOR JANUARY 15

                  GOLDSBORO-- The baseball clinic run by North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Famer George Whitfield is set for its 39th annual renewal.

                  The clinic is scheduled for Goldsboro High School on Saturday, January 15, 2011,  and features another tremendous lineup. Registration is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m, and then the clinic will run until 6 p.m.

                  The clinic is open to all players from Little League through high school, and all coaches at any level are welcome. Players 15 and under may bring their fathers to the clinic free of charge.

                  Fisher DeBerry, former head football coach at the Air Force Academy known to be an outstanding motivator,  will be the kickoff speaker at 9:20, followed by NCHSAA assistant commissioner and supervisor of officials Mark Dreibelbis, who will discuss the 2011 baseball rule changes.

                  Here are some of the other outstanding baseball people and topics that will be covered at this annual event:

                  • “What College Coaches and Scouts Are Looking for in Today’s Athlete” will be discussed by Ohio head coach Joe Carbone, North Carolina assistant Scott Jackson, Wingate head coach Jeff Gregory, Old Dominion assistant Tag Montague and Liberty head coach Jim Toman;

                  •”Practice Organization for the High School Coach” will include UNC Asheville head coach Tom Smith and South Carolina-Lancaster coach Steve Williams;

                  • "Indoor and On-Field Drills To Become a Better High School Player” will be discussed by Maryland head coach Erik Bakich; former Collegiate School in Richmond, Va., head coach Bill Chambers, and St. Joseph's head coach Fritz Hamburg;

                  • Pitching will be covered by Alabama assistant coach Kyle Bunn, High Point head coach Craig Cozart, Pitt Community College head coach Tommy Eason, North Carolina assistant coach Scott Forbes and East Carolina assistant Dan Roszel;

 •Catching will feature Eastern Wayne High School head coach Jabo Fulghum, Louisburg assistant coach Tony Guzzo, Virginia Military head coach Marlin Ikenberry, Middle Tennessee State head coach Steve Peterson, and Marshall head coach Jeff Waggoner.

                  • Infield play instructors will be Central Florida retired head coach Jay Bergman, former major league manager Dave Bristol, who managed the Reds, Brewers, Braves and Giants; UNC-Wilmington head coach Mark Scalf, East Carolina assistant coach Nick Schnabel and Radford assistant coach Kyle Werman;

                  • Outfield play will be covered by East Tennessee State assistant coach Clay Greene, Washington Nationals scout Paul Faulk, Mount Olive head coach Carl Lancaster, Winthrop head coach Tom Riginos, and Louisburg head coach John Thomas;

                  • Base Running will include Brunswick Community College head coach Robbie Allen; Methodist head coach Tom Austin, Campbell head coach Greg Goff, North Carolina Wesleyan head coach Charlie Long, and Lenoir Community College head coach Stoney Wine;

• Hitting will be discussed by Ohio State head coach Greg Beals, Wake Forest assistant coach Bill Cilento, East Carolina head coach Billy Godwin, Campbell assistant coach Justin Haire, and N.C. State assistant coach Chris Hart.

                  Coach Whitfield will mail information to schools across the state in November. The only charge for the clinic is a pre-registration fee of $55 per person, which includes lunch. Registration at the door will be $65.

                  North Carolina coaches may get renewal credit for attending the clinic.

Questions about the clinic may be directed to George at (919) 778-6013 or write him at 216 Hardingwood Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534.