Minnesota Twins Pitching Coordinator Rick Knapp hits Australian Shores 

Minnesota Twins Pitching Coordinator Rick Knapp is destined for Australian shores next week to engage in a series of clinics and speaking engagements which are aimed at advancing Australian Pitching. Knapp is offering his services to pitchers, coaches and anybody who is interested in pitching nationwide.

 

Whilst in town, Knapp will also engage in official Twins' business and will be working with Aussie based Twins' pitchers Josh Hill, Tristan Crawford, Matt Williams, Brad Tippett, Van Mil and Kyle Edlich.

 

Knapp’s schedule whilst in Australia we see him travel the country for ten days, from the 6^th to the 16^th of February, and will travel through Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney (schedule below). Knapp will attend the Financial Wealth Baseball Challenge in Perth from the 6^th-7^th February and Melbourne from the 8^th – 10^th February.

 

6^th - arrive Perth

7^th - Perth

8^th - Melbourne

9^th - Melbourne

10^th - Melbourne

11^th - Brisbane

12^th - Brisbane

13^th - Open

14^th - Open

15^th - Sydney

16^th - leave Sydney

 

Knapp has already had a huge impact on Australian pitchers Grant Balfour, Brad Thomas and Michael Nakamura. His easy manner and impact on players may be a bi-product of his university major in Psychology. Speaking of accomplishments, Knapp’s accomplishments to date are amazing. Throughout his career, Knapp has:

 

·         Adopted developmental programs for five areas of pitching

·         Pitching coach at every level of Professional Baseball

·         Developed Current Twins Major League staff including Cy Young winner Johan Santana

·         Responsible for increase in Velocity by 300% in last 10 years

·         Decrease in pitching injuries 22% from 1998 to present

·         Responsible for placement of pitchers at all six minor league affiliates

·         Oversee programs in Venezuela and Dominican Republic

·         Coached Venezuela League Champion Aragua Tigers

·         Coordinator of Twins Youth Clinics in SW Florida

·         Involved with AAU youth Baseball and Little League Baseball board member

·         Author of soon to be released book Common Sense Pitching

·         Graduate of Virginia Tech University

·         Personally worked hand in hand with Australian Major League pitchers Grant Balfour, Brad Thomas, Michael Nakamura

·         Minnesota Twins Baseball Club named Minor League Organization of the Year three of the past five years

 

If you would like to hear more from Rick Knapp, please contact Minnesota Twins International Scout Howie Norsetter on howardnorsetter@twinsbaseball.com.