January 10, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – Each January, the ABCA hosts the largest baseball convention in the world. Approximately 5,000 coaches attend the convention, which is held at various locations around the country. It is four days of non-stop baseball.

For the first time since 1958, the American Baseball Coaches Association returned to Philadelphia, Penn., for the 63rd Annual Convention at the beautiful Marriott Downtown.

Normally, on the opening afternoon of the convention, all the committees meet to discuss their issues. There are 19 such committees not counting the Board, Executive Committee or the Standing Committee. The evening of the first day of the convention is reserved for all the Divisional Business meetings. Actions taken at all these meetings are taken to the Executive Committee.

There are approximately 25 clinic speakers at each year's convention. These are some of the most knowledgeable and finest baseball coaches in the world. Each shares his expertise with all the coaches in attendance.

Pat McMahon, the University of Florida's head coach from 2001-07 who compiled a record of 231-141-1 and led the Gators to the 2005 College World Series championship game against Texas, asked Millsaps head coach Jim Page to speak at this year's convention.

"Pat contacted me in a phone call and I told him it would be a huge honor," Page said.

Walking into a 100,000 square foot space that resembled a Super Wal-Mart, Page followed the Friday through Sunday format that allowed 25 different coaches to speak on a pre-selected topic. His was titled "Hitting Drills to Help Build Your Swing."

With several thousand people in attendance on Sunday morning, Page stepped to the podium overwhelmed and spoke 40 minutes about the same drills that the Majors use, focusing primarily on adjustments, mechanics and proper vision for hitters.

"It wasn't necessarily the number of people, because I've spoken in front of large crowds before, but who they were," Page said. "You're surrounded by elite coaches from some of the top programs in the nation."

Page's topic was a fun one to speak about and nothing new for the Majors, who have led the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in hits two of the last three seasons. Millsaps hit .338 as a team in 2006 (1st in SCAC) and 2007 (2nd in SCAC).

The Majors will open the 2008 slate against LaGrange College on Feb. 8 in the inaugural Wilson/DeMarani Classic at Twenty Field. Millsaps will also entertain the University of the Ozarks and Rhodes College during the three-day tournament.

**Click Here to Order a CD/DVD Copy of Jim Page's speech at the ABCA Convention**