Seattle Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith gathered 60 elementary school-aged children in the gym at the Ballard Boys & Girls Club on Jan. 31 to talk about his experience with the team and answer questions related to baseball skills.

Rowland-Smith, who lives in Greenlake, organized the clinic independently of the Mariners and said he picked out the closest Boys & Girls Club to get children excited for the start of baseball season.

It is the second year that Rowland-Smith has held the clinic. Attendance last year was limited to club members, but this year the spike in participants was partly thanks to the fact that attendance was opened to the community.

Rowland-Smith signed photos after the talk.

Ballard resident Mitchell Below said it was generous of Rowland-Smith to share his time with the children and he seems to have a great way with children.

“[I came to the clinic because] my sister-in-law has an immense crush on him, and I wanted to get a photo,” said Below.