Off Season Baseball Tips From Matt Finlayson of Ocean State Waves

In my quest to learn more about off season baseball conditioning and activities, I connected with local friend and Ocean State Waves President/GM, Matt Finlayson.  Matt and the Ocean State Waves are hosting their 4th Annual Black Tie and Jeans fundraiser event to benefit the Waves and their extended baseball families. Here is Matt on off season workouts for our youth baseball rising stars: The difficult part about baseball in the Northeast is that we do not have all year to train outside so we are forced to come up with ways to prepare inside during the winter.  Splitting cage time … Continue reading Off Season Baseball Tips From Matt Finlayson of Ocean State Waves

The NK Blog Visits Anytime Fitness – North Kingstown

Located just off Route 4 and Ten Rod Road, you will find a amazing fitness resource right here in North Kingstown.  Notice I didn’t say health club or aerobics studio or neighborhood gym.  That is because Anytime Fitness – NK is all of those and more.  It is a health club with treadmills, bikes, dumbbells, and strength machines.  It has an incredible, state of the art aerobics and training studio that you absolutely have to see to believe.  And it is a friendly place to see neighbors, co-workers, and family enjoy a clean, comfortable atmosphere while exercising.  This, along with … Continue reading The NK Blog Visits Anytime Fitness – North Kingstown

K Performance Baseball – Mark Cahill, Batting Cages, And Proven Results

I was first introduced to Mark Cahill when my oldest son, Spencer, took part in a developmental fall baseball program about 7 years ago.  Cahill, a local baseball instructor and former minor league pitcher, ran a program at Wilson Park helping young players on the basics of hitting, pitching, and fielding.  At the time, I had no idea how extensive Mark’s background was in baseball.  I was just grateful that Wickford Little League had a fall clinic to help develop player’s skills and fundamentals. As the press agent for Wickford Little League, I am constantly educating myself on local resources for … Continue reading K Performance Baseball – Mark Cahill, Batting Cages, And Proven Results

North Kingstown’s Chad Mansolillo Senior Project To Benefit RBI Program

Two of my favorite subjects to write about are baseball and the good deeds of North Kingstown residents, especially the youth of NK.  As the press agent for Wickford Little League, I love hearing about ball players (past and present) who are not only continuing with baseball, but also serving their community through volunteerism and charitable giving.  Recently, I was notified about the senior project of a former Wickford Little League star, who went on to become a star not only at the middle school level but continues to impress at the high school level.  His name is Chad Mansolillo and … Continue reading North Kingstown’s Chad Mansolillo Senior Project To Benefit RBI Program

Getting Ready for Wickford Little League Using the Hit-A-Way® Station

Opening Day for the 2017 Wickford Little League season is just a few short months away.  Yes, I know, it is January 1st.  Yes, I know the temperature outside is hovering around 30 degrees.  Yes, most of us are still in football or basketball or indoor track mode.  However, there is no shame is working on baseball skills during these off season months.  You have heard all the quotes – “Practice makes perfect,” or “The best athlete is made in the off season,” or “Baseball withdrawal is real.” For the next few months, I will be introducing training aids, talking … Continue reading Getting Ready for Wickford Little League Using the Hit-A-Way® Station

An Interview with Jason LeClair, Artist Extraordinaire, RISD Instructor

In yesterday’s NK Blog, I wrote about my son Griffin’s incredible experience at RISD’s Young Artist Program.  Griffin has learned advanced techniques, theory, and skills which will further his drawing and cartooning.  His instructor, once a teenage cartoonist, now the instructor is Jason LeClair.  I recently caught up with Jason on cartooning, the program, and art.  Here is an excerpt from our conversation.  And click on the links in this article to see some of Jason’s amazing work!!! My son Griffin is one week from completing the Comic Art program at RISD.  He has thoroughly enjoyed his experience with you … Continue reading An Interview with Jason LeClair, Artist Extraordinaire, RISD Instructor

RISD Young Artist Program and The Comic Artist

My son Griffin has developed an keen interest in comics over the past few years.  Marvel and DC Comic movies, various comic books, and all of those great characters have really captured his attention.  And he has been drawing these characters for some time now.  And he is a phenomenal cartoonist.  I am not just saying that because I am his father.  Seriously, he is very talented. Over the summer, I learned about a program at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) called the “Young Artist Program.”  This program offers young artists, filmmakers, and creative types the opportunity to take … Continue reading RISD Young Artist Program and The Comic Artist

You Will Find Top Notch Gym Equipment At The Palace Resorts

This past October, Rachel and I traveled to the gorgeous Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico.  The Moon Palace is part of a group of resorts called the Palace Resorts.  As a member of the Palace Resorts, one of the perks is free access to other Palace Resorts in Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.  Being in the health and fitness industry, I was curious as to how the fitness centers looked and what equipment they had to offer.  And with the membership perk, we were able to visit several of the Palace Resorts locations and I got an opportunity to check … Continue reading You Will Find Top Notch Gym Equipment At The Palace Resorts

Special Night For Everyone at the North Kingstown Special Olympics Christmas Party

A few weeks back, the NK Blog reported on a night of music with local North Kingstown teens.  These talented teens played guitar, drums, sang, and did sketches in front of a lively crowd, showcasing to all how talented our North Kingstown teens are.  The night was also about cultivating civic pride and generating donations for a local organization, the North Kingstown Special Olympics.  The teens raised $205.50 that night with Coach Lisa McKay in attendance.  When I mentioned the donation amount to Lisa the next day, she was ecstatic. Coach Lisa and I wanted the teens to present the … Continue reading Special Night For Everyone at the North Kingstown Special Olympics Christmas Party

Cindy Wilson’s Profundo Journey to The Archipelago of the Azores

A few years back, I had the good fortune of meeting Cindy Wilson of Cindy Wilson Photography.  I was working on some artist blogs for the 2015 Wickford Art Festival and got a chance to meet Cindy and learn about her work.  Her photography is stunning and personal and memorable.  Cindy has captured nature, life in a small town, locals being locals – both here in Rhode Island and abroad via her Profundo Journeys.  To date, Cindy has taken photographers on Profundo Journeys to Cuba, The Czech Republic, Ireland, Greece, and most recently The Archipelago of the Azores. I met … Continue reading Cindy Wilson’s Profundo Journey to The Archipelago of the Azores