HUNTINGTON -- On two occasions Saturday, young baseball players had a chance to go one-on-one with George Foster.

"This isn't work. It's play for me," Foster, who played 11 seasons in the major leagues with his most productive times during his days with the Cincinnati Reds, said during a break between hitting clinc sessions at Tri-State Baseball/Softball Academy.

Foster, who does work for the Reds and went into their Hall of Fame in 2003, hooked up with Tyler Christian, who runs the indoor facility at 1501 Madison Ave., to conduct a clinic for aspiring players. Sessions went from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. The clinic attracted 70 players.

"Give forward, not back," Foster said when asked what it's like to work in settings such as this. "My goal is to try to help kids advance."

Foster was a five-time National League All-Star with the Reds, league MVP in 1977 when he hit .320 with 52 home runs and 149 RBI and MVP in the All-Star Game in 1976. The outfielder played in three World Series with the Reds, going 2-1. During that time the Reds had the nickname "Big Red Machine." Foster's teammates included Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Joe Morgan and Tom Seaver.

Christian, who played at Cabell Midland and Marshall and now is an assistant coach with the Midland Knights, said the kids appeared to be awed at first, but Foster quickly made them feel at home. He later signed autographs and posed for pictures.

"They were intimidated. They know who he is," Christian said. "He was hands-on right from the start. He talked to them, got them to relax and related to every one of them."

"I try to get the kids to relax," said Foster, who wore a Reds jersey with his No. 15. "They're not trying to impress me. We work on fundamentals. Each one has something special to offer. ... running, bat speed, etc. They work on it."

Players displayed various skill levels. Foster made sure players got into the right groups.

"The key is being patient," Foster said. "The more advanced players, we put them together. The players who need more work, we put them there."

When growing up, Foster remembers young players didn't have baseball academies. He's done work with inner city children to make sure they at least get exposed to the game.

"Looking back, this was there and kids didn't know about it," Foster said. "There are so many out there now."

"It's an honor and privilege to have someone of his stature here," said Greg Childers, who has helped with softball at Cabell Midland and the Amateur Softball Association ranks.

"I grew up watching the Reds. To have someone like George Foster here is big. It's not done. This is something I'd have killed for when I was young. I wish we had facilities like this when I played."

Foster watched the youngsters swing and bunt. He also talked about sliding.

"I want to see where they are and suggest ways they can improve," Foster said.

When it came to swing flaws, Foster said the players let go of the bat with one hand. "I encourage them to use both hands," he said. "Don't try to kill the ball. It's about hand speed and bat speed. The proof's in the pudding."

On sliding, Foster said he wants players to go in feet first. He stresses the pop-up slide over the hook slide. "It's more of advantage," Foster said of going in feet first instead of head first. "The hook slide, you can get hurt if you don't know what you're doing."

Foster has heard the stories about bunting being called a "lost art."

"People don't work at it because their heart's not in it," Foster said. "To be a team player, you've got to learn how to do it. You watch the ball hit the bat. This is a slower version of hitting. A few feel it's boring. After a while they become successful. They do it in a game. They learn another aspect and what happens if you don't spend time on it."

When it comes to hitting, Foster wants the youngsters thinking about going up the middle. "They're not used to seeing changeups and curve balls," he said. "You don't have to swing at every strike you see."

When Foster works at an outdoor camp, players spend time on throwing, fielding, running and situations.

Christian said he plans to have Foster for futurer clinics.

"The kids learned a lot today," Christian said. "That was the goal. It was about them."

Chris Harris/The Herald-Dispatch

Local athletes get some major league instruction from George Foster, a former National League most valuable player with the Cincinnati Reds during a a baseball hitting clinic on Saturday at Tri-State Baseball and Softball Academy. To see a gallery of photos from the event, please visit our Web site at www.herald-dispatch.com

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