Former MLB All-Star Ron Davis Works with NYBA 11U AA

The NYBA 11U AA team had a rare opportunity this week to learn from former Major League Baseball All-Star and world series pitcher Ron Davis, whose career in professional baseball spans more than four decades as both a player and coach.

Davis pitched 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1988. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs and making his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 1978, the hard-throwing right-hander went on to pitch for the Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.

Over his career, Davis appeared in 481 Major League games, recorded 130 saves and was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1981. His career included seasons with 30 saves, more than 60 appearances and ERAs below 3.00. Perhaps most remarkable by today’s standards, Davis once threw 131 innings in a single regular season working primarily out of the bullpen — a workload almost unimaginable for a modern relief pitcher.

Following his playing career, Davis turned his attention to coaching and player development. Now working as a pitching instructor out of Arizona, Davis has spent decades developing players at virtually every level of the game. He has helped develop more than 25 players who eventually reached Major League Baseball and more than 100 players who were selected in the professional draft.
His coaching experience has also included working with Major League stars, including Bryce Harper.

This week, he brought that experience directly to our NYBA 11U AA players at Bond Park.

Ron generously donated his time, while the Silver family graciously sponsored his travel expenses, making what truly became a once-in-a-lifetime baseball experience possible for the team.
Adding to the experience, former MLB draft pick and Team Canada player Tim Smith also dropped by to lend a hand, giving the players another opportunity to learn from someone with extensive experience at the professional and international levels.

Davis was also assisted throughout the sessions by members of the 15U Elite team — Luca Ninopoulos, Caleb Myrehaug and Drew Kotick — who helped the younger players work through the drills and reinforce the lessons being taught.

Ron’s approach was also something a little different for the team.

His direct, demanding and no-nonsense coaching style represented a change of pace for many of the players. There wasn’t much standing around and there weren’t many wasted words. He expected players to listen, make adjustments and compete.

The group quickly adapted.

As the sessions progressed, players began incorporating Ron’s advice into their mechanics, approach and understanding of pitching. Beyond simply teaching drills, he shared the small details and lessons accumulated through thousands of innings of professional baseball and decades of coaching.

For 11-year-old players, there is something special about hearing those lessons directly from someone who stood on a Major League mound, pitched in an All-Star Game and competed against the best players in the world — while also getting the chance to interact with accomplished players like Tim Smith and members of the 15U Elite team.

The players walked away better baseball players, with plenty to continue working on — and more than a few stories they will probably be telling for years.

A huge thank you to Ron Davis for donating his time, the Silver family for making the visit possible, Tim Smith for dropping by to help, and Luca, Caleb and Drew for giving back to the younger players.

It was an experience our 11U AA players won’t soon forget.

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North York Baseball Association is committed to providing baseball to boys and girls between the ages of 6-17 at the recreational and competitive levels.

NYBA provides high-quality training facilities and tools for its players and teams.

Located at Bond Park, NYBA professionally maintains 5 baseball diamonds (1 is full MLB regulation size); two full-size professionally turfed batting cages; multiple pitching machines; professional L/screens and an accessible club house with a fully-equipped weight training room, wash/change rooms.

NYBA.ca