ABOVE: Ellison Hanna II chatting with a few young ball players before the Twins Community Fund youth clinic on Sunday at the Winnebago Avenue Sports Complex. Staff photo by Caleb Brinton

FAIRMONT – The Minnesota Twins partnered up with the Fairmont Community Education and Recreation (CER) to put on a clinic Sunday, fostering both baseball and community.

The Twins sent four clinicians featuring K.O. Paulson, Jay Brown, Don Geng and Ellison Hanna II to spend some time with local ballplayers, helping with development and showing that the Twins love all their fans regardless of location.

“We discover Twins fans everywhere,” said Paulson. “I think it’s really important that Twins fans know that the Minnesota Twins value their support. And we’re interested in any way we can help.”

The ballplayers ran through some pre-drill stretching led by Hanna II before splitting into three groups and beginning drills at one of three stations: fielding led by Paulson, throwing led by Brown and batting led by Geng.

“Baseball is a game that’s supposed to be fun,” Hanna II said. “We’re teaching 6- to 12-year olds, so we make sure we keep the fun engaged every single time while teaching them a little bit of critical life skills. You’ll see some stuff pop up where Donny will bring up certain things as, you know, asking the kids questions about just random stuff, but it has to relate with life in the midst of him teaching kids the game of baseball.”

Starting back in 1961 by Twins scout Angelo Giuliani, the clinics were designed to teach boys and girls the fundamentals of both baseball and softball, but most importantly the joy of the game. Reaching across multiple states, these clinics have and will always be free of charge.

“My favorite thing about this is us just empowering the kids to let them know that the game of baseball goes far beyond just throwing a ball and hitting the ball. It goes into life as well,” said Hanna II.

Now in its 62nd year, the program continues to reach communities across the Twins’ territory with substantial attendance at every event.

“We travel everywhere outstate,” Paulson said. “North Dakota, South Dakota, we do it all. I think it’s to keep baseball alive and keep the Minnesota Twins out there as your Major League Baseball team so people can stay in touch.”

With more events on the horizon the Twins and the Twins Community Fund continue their work to keep baseball alive and spread the love of the game in any way they can.