Page 24 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 139

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Baseball Strikeout Squad with Kurt Dillon

By Christine Ouellet

urt Dillon started a Strikeout
KSquad Baseball Camp in the
summer of 2023, and it’s been an
incredible journey so far. With over
fifteen years of baseball experience,
he feels he is privileged to be able
to help young athletes develop their
skills and passion for the game.
Kurt Dillon’s baseball journey
has been one of resilience and
passion. “I played for three years at
Galveston College (NJCAA D1) in
Texas, where I faced a significant
setback with a torn UCL that
required Tommy John surgery. After
a two-year rehabilitation, I made a
remarkable comeback, throwing 90-
94 mph in my third year and earning
a scholarship to play at Louisiana
Tech University (NCAA D1), which Kurt Dillon with four group sessions with the 7U and 8U Cornwall baseball teams. Our main focus was
was ranked 13th in the nation at the hitting, and it was an amazing three-hour session. Photo Submitted
time. During my comeback, I was
grateful to be named First Team next level.” ensuring the safety and well-being of can cover every aspect of the game.
All-American in my conference in all his athletes. Injury prevention and I’ve had 4-5 kids gain 4-7 mph on
One of the key lessons that stuck
Texas Region 14. Unfortunately, proper training techniques are top their fastball, while also increasing
my college career was cut short by him from his years in Texas was a priorities in his programs.
message from his coach: “My goal is their accuracy, just by helping them
a lower back injury, but rather than
giving up, I decided to channel to help you become a better athlete Kurt says, “Seeing the progress with proper mechanics and arm care
my passion into coaching and on the field and an even better person my athletes make is incredibly drills (in a short period of time - six
off the field.” This philosophy guides rewarding. When parents reach out
developing the youth. Last summer, I weeks). What started as a dream to
consistently worked with around 6-7 his approach to coaching, where after a session to tell me how much work with just one athlete has grown
he emphasizes not only athletic their kid is progressing, it reminds
athletes and conducted several big into a business with over 15 kids
group practices. Since then, Strikeout skills, but also personal growth me why I love doing this. Coaching attending sessions weekly. This truly
Squad has continued to grow, and I and character development. But allows me to stay involved in the is a dream job, and I wouldn’t change
coaching has also helped him grow game I love, just in a different way.
now offer 15-20 private sessions a it for the world.”
week at my home in Morrisburg. My personally. It taught him patience, It’s not just about playing anymore;
communication, and the importance it’s about sharing my knowledge and
facility is equipped with a batting Looking ahead, he envisions
cage, pitching mound, radar gun, of being a role model. helping the next generation of players expanding Strikeout Squad to offer
arm care bands, med balls, and all His goal is to give the athletes the elevate their game. It’s incredibly more specialized training programs
rewarding to see the progress of
the necessary baseball equipment to tools they need to succeed on and and community events, further
athletes who come to work with me.
help athletes take their game to the off the field. He is also dedicated to solidifying our presence in the local
While my specialty is pitching, I baseball community.