More than a hundred youngsters gathered at the Mid America Bank Sports Complex in Jefferson City for the St. Louis Cardinals Kids Clinic, a hands‑on session that blended instruction with excitement.
A day of fundamentals and fun
The clinic was organized into five stations that covered throwing, baserunning, fielding grounders, catching fly balls and batting, giving participants a well‑rounded taste of the game.
Former major leaguers Tom Henke and Scott Terry spearheaded the instruction, with Henke — who spent 14 seasons in the big leagues and finished his career with the Cardinals in 1995 — stressing the importance of listening to coaches and consistent practice.
Henke, a native of Taos who starred at Blair Oaks High School before his professional stint, paired with former Cardinals pitcher Greg Mathews at the throwing station, while Mathews, a late‑1980s and early‑1990s Cardinals right‑hander, shared insights from his own career.
Each child left with a Cardinals T‑shirt and hat, a voucher for two home games and a baseball autographed by Henke, tangible reminders of the day’s lessons.
The clinic is part of a series of youth events hosted by the Cardinals, most of which sell out quickly, underscoring the community’s enthusiasm for the sport.
Organizers highlighted the role of local partners and volunteers in making the event possible, noting that the collaboration reflects the Cardinals’ commitment to growing baseball at the grassroots level.