The Minnesota Twins kick off a series of free baseball clinics for Southwest Florida kids, ages 5 to 13, starting Jan. 20. The first clinic takes place at 10 a.m. in Cape Coral. The events continue through the middle of February.

"What we're trying to do is promote baseball," said Mark Webb, an organizer of the annual event in Southwest Florida. "The Minnesota Twins provide a forum for local kids to not only have an opportunity to learn baseball, but a chance for kids to be close to MLB players and coaches."

In addition to all of that, the hope for the Twins is that local kids become Twins fans. The clinics take place just in time for Twins Spring Training, which starts in four weeks.

Children younger than 5 can also attend, but need parental supervision. As a preview, last week, the organization held a half-day coaching clinic on injury prevention and how to prepare kids for the season.

"We do it a grassroots level," Webb said. "Spring Training has been home to us since 1991. It's been a great partnership with Lee County."

2018 Southwest Florida Twins Youth Clinics

Jan 20
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cape Coral Little League / Pelican Baseball Complex

4128 Pelican Blvd
Cape Coral, FL 33914
Art Avellino- 239-242-3488

1 p.m to 3 p.m. Dunbar Little League, Fort Myers Stars Complex We

2980 Edison Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Shannon Royal-239-204-1367

Jan 27
10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Buckingham Little League

9800 Buckingham Road
Fort Myers, FL. 33905
Ken Girlock- 239-898-0632

1 p.m to 3 p.m. Lehigh Little League

1400 West 5th Street
Lehigh Acres, FL 33972
John Phillips-239-362-5034

Feb 3
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. South Fort Myers Little League / Rutenberg Park

6500 S. Pointe Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Howard Gold-239-851-2554

1 p.m to 3 p.m. North Fort Myers Babe Ruth League

2050 North Recreation Parkway
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
Jason Estes- 859-229-4169

Feb 10
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tri-County Challenger Little League Baseball (Special Needs Participants), Three Oaks Park

18215 Three Oaks Parkway
Fort Myers, FL 33919
Rocky Barron-239-292-7857

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Greater Naples Little League/Fleischmann Park

1600 Fleischmann Blvd.
Naples, FL 34102
Tim Jeffreys- [email protected]

Feb 19
After MLB workout
Open House at Century Link Sports Complex

14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Hammond Stadium
Fort Myers, FL 33912
Victor Gonzalez 386-292-4003 or Mark Weber 239-887-9326