Royals legend Leonard helps host Play Ball event

LENEXA, Kan. — A group of perhaps 20 youth ballplayers dressed in their Little League uniforms gathered around Kansas City Royals great Dennis Leonard to get baseball instruction from a Royals Hall of Famer whose name is all over the club’s record book.

Leonard talked to them about playing catch, avoiding the use of breaking balls at a young age, proper grip and following through on their deliveries. He also reminded them of baseball’s most important fundamental.

“When the umpire says ‘Play ball,’ he says ‘Play’ for a reason,” Leonard told them. “It’s important you don’t forget to have fun.”

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Leonard, along with another former Royals player Les Norman donated their time Friday afternoon to a clinic that Major League Baseball sponsored for about 80 kids as part of the league’s Play Ball initiative. The inaugural Play Ball Weekend, happening across the league Saturday and Sunday, is being developed in order to encourage widespread participation in both …

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