Twin Cities Orthopedics Spotlight: Nate Barclay

Today’s Spotlight & Featured Player: Nate Barclay(14u)

Awards: Awards: Voted 2021 Joe Loftus Top Hitter by his teammates on 13u Black;

Parents: Michael & Crystal (Chad & Beth Barclay) (Always fun conversations with the Michael & Crystal. With Michael we can chat about anything from baseball, to what it’s like having a teenager, to summer road trips their family makes to various ball parks (Michael & Nate are going to try and visit all 30 MLB ball parks and this past summer had a trip to Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City and Busch Stadium in St. Louis). Michael rocks one of the most well groomed beards known to man – well done sir, a true tip of the cap! Crystal is typically on pins and needles most games, worrying all the time but super supportive of all the boys (just take a breath and relax, it is all going to work out)! If you are watching a live stream you can typically hear her and Michael cheering all the boys on.

Grandpa Joe: It is a rare occurrence for Nate to play a baseball game and not have his grandpa in attendance. You are typically going to see him meandering through the crowd as he watches Nate. Joe can also be found snapping pictures with his camera. He is truly pleasant to chat with and a fun fact about him is he does not fly to the far away tournaments but rather drives to AZ/Vegas. He enjoys cruising the country side with his puppy.

History: We have known Nate for a long time, although not the way we know him now. If you ask anyone that was on our youth (9U/10U) teams in Stewartville who Nate Barclay was they all know. Nate made a name for himself in Albert Lea a team that we respected and always had great games with, some we won and some we lost but Nate was always the kid you wanted to avoid in the big spots. Not only was Nate a great hitter back then but he also was always behind the plate against us. We heard he was moving to the cities after that 10U season and it was sad because he was someone that we always enjoyed playing against. Fast forward to Spring 2021 and sure enough our paths crossed again when Nate and Gavin were added to the rosters for the Arizona tournament. Nate was given the task of pitching against T-Rex, an elite team out of Arizona that included Eduardo Escobar’s son. In a 3-0 defeat Nate showed what he is capable of on the mound. Now days he sits with an upper 60’s fast ball with good movement. He also mixes in a curve and changeup to help keep hitters off balance. His days of playing middle infield and catching are not completely behind him yet as he gets the opportunity with Inver Grove Heights in the summer for association ball. When he is back with Blizzard in the Spring/Fall/Winter he primarily plays OF and 1B when he isn’t on the mound. Nate has a sure handed glove and good baseball IQ. From the 12U season to the 13U season Nate really worked on his speed on the base paths as doubles/triples were a regular occurrence for him. Nate drives the ball to both gaps with ease. He does not have a big load with his lower half, but with quick hands and hips he can explode on the ball at any moment and then its off to the races. Nate loves the game and like so many boys wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a warm hearted, comforting kid that knows how to pick up other players on the team.

Fun Fact: Nate picked up swimming last year. All that time in the pool really strengthen a kid that was already in great shape. Swimming is a great exercise to work all the little muscles, ligaments, tendons that don’t normally get used. I don’t know for sure but I imagine that Nate will be swimming again this year as he was rather good at it this past year.

2023 Holiday Camps

The Blizzard Baseball Academy’s goal is educate and enhance the 5 tools of baseball: hitting for average, hitting for power, arm strength, speed and defensive ability.

Focusing on the fundamentals is the key to becoming a better baseball player. Teaching youth baseball players important drills and correcting bad habits at an early age allows them to get a jump on their competition and compete at a higher level. The Blizzard Baseball Academy has the finest coaches to work our sessions including current and former pro players as well as current and former college players.

Our short-burst camps enables players to get some work in during the holidays, sharpen their skills and if you haven't seen the Blizzard Academy before, it is a great introduction to what we do !

Martin Luther King Jr. Camp

Location: Blizzard Academy - 3200 Labore Road, Suite 102 / Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
Dates: January 16th, 2023
Ages: 10u-14u / 9am-12n
Cost: $150
Focus: Hitting and Defense

2023 Blizzard Baseball Academy MLK Camp Registration
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President's Day Weekend Camp

Location: Blizzard Academy - 3200 Labore Road, Suite 102 / Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
Dates: February 20th, 2023
Ages: 10u-14u / 9am-12n
Cost: $150
Focus: Hitting and Fielding

2023 Blizzard Baseball Academy Presidents Day Camp Registration
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Spring Break Baseball Camp

Location: Blizzard Academy - 3200 Labore Road, Suite 102 / Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
Dates: March 13th, 2023
Ages: 10u-14u / 9am-12n
Cost: $150
Focus: Hitting and Fielding

2023 Spring Break Baseball Camp
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