Guess who's at practice? Barry Larkin

COLERAIN TWP. – A suburban Montgomery County softball team had the chance to learn from the best when Barry Larkin crashed their practice.

The Dukes of Dayton softball team won a Major League Baseball Instagram contest in which teams posted a picture and explained why a major leaguer should crash their practice.

The 14-member coed team is made up of players ages 17-50 who have been playing together for two years.

Some of the players are neighbors and some have children who play sports together.

On Monday, the team gathered to practice at Clippard Park in Colerain Township and knew someone would be visiting, but didn't know who.

Larkin hit grounders and fly balls to the team, organized a home run derby, and helped them improve batting skills and hand-eye coordination.

The Hall of Famer said he could see the team's competitiveness because no one wanted to be the one to drop the ball.

The lifelong Red, who now is a minor league instructor for the team, noted that teamwork is important and team sports can help develop life skills.

The team seemed to enjoy Larkin being part of the practice.

"It was neat," Dukes player Bob Buzzard said. "To be able to talk to them and see they are down to earth."

Larkin was chosen for the contest partly because of his involvement in past All-Star Games, said Bob Ruhland, vice president of marketing/North America for Buffalo Wild Wings. The restaurant chain sponsored the contest.

The former star at Moeller High School and the University of Michigan made 12 All-Star appearances during a 19-year career. But his first All-Star Game was in 1988 – in Cincinnati, the last time the game was played here.

"I just remember the electricity of the city," Larkin said. "It is so special to go out there and play in front of your hometown."