Ex-Atlanta reliever holds clinic for young pitchers
Former Atlanta Braves reliever Greg McMichael came to Columbia County Nov. 22 to teach a pitching clinic at Hardball Warehouse.
Hardball Warehouse is a baseball and softball school for children and teens. McMichael co-owns it with fellow one-time big leaguers Mark Lemke and Terry Pendleton, and baseball coach Roger Wilkinson.
"I started this because it was the best way I could think of to give back to a sport that has been very good go me," McMichael said. "I felt like I could a bigger impact doing this than I could coaching in the minor leagues or on the college level."
Hardball Warehouse holds weekly classes, clinics and individual lessons for children ages 5 and older. Originally called Powerhouse Sports Academy, McMichael and his partners bought the business last month and hope to continue expanding.
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"The first Hardball Warehouse was started in Duluth, Ga.," he said. "This is our first satellite location."
Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Greg McMichael teaches pitching technique to Garrett Wilkinson, 8, at a clinic held at Hardball Warehouse in Evans.
Photo by Donnie Fetter
McMichael spent eight years as a major leaguer. He was part of the 1995 Braves World Series championship team.
"That is obviously the biggest highlight of my career," he said. "The second one was when I was given a chance to tryout in 1994 and I walked into the locker and there was Maddux, Glavine, Justice, Deion. It was unreal. Then I made the team. That was amazing to me."
McMichael said he will teach other clinics in Evans in the future. Next month, Lemke is scheduled to come to the Hardball Warehouse to hold a clinic.