Despite the frigid weather, spring training started early for a group of 12 youngsters, thanks to the Fairfield Varsity Baseball program.
For three hours this past Saturday morning, the Stags sponsored a baseball camp featuring Rocco Baldelli, the 25-year-old standout centerfielder for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The “Rocco Baldelli Baseball Clinic” took place at the Rec Plex Fieldhouse at Fairfield.
Open to kids ages 7 to 17, the clinic helped young ballplayers learn fundamentals of the game and hone their skills. The Stags and Baldelli used both group talks and a variety of offensive and defensive workouts.
Head baseball coach John Slosar was very pleased with the event.
“It’s been a privilege to have a major leaguer here with us,” said Slosar.
Baldelli, who in his young career has already helped out with multiple camps, enjoyed the time he spent with the kids, deeming it a “great experience.”
The clinic started off with introductions by the Fairfield coaching staff. Then, Baldelli took over and spoke to the group.
As half a dozen brightly colored baseball caps stared fixedly up at him, the Tampa Bay Devil Ray talked to the kids about his journey toward becoming a major leaguer, extolling the importance of hard work and perseverance. When the kids broke up and drills got underway, Baldelli and Fairfield’s coaches made the rounds to different groups. They provided constructive criticism every step of the way, taking certain players aside to specifically illustrate a flaw in technique.
At one point, Baldelli again spoke to the group, emphasizing repetition.
“You have to do these things over and over again,” he told the youngsters.
While the clinic attracted ballplayers of all different ages and skill levels, everyone came away with something.
Baseball parent Rick Kosturko, a resident of Shelton, Conn., felt the clinic was extremely worthwhile. Baldelli’s ability and Fairfield’s “very good staff” prompted Kosturko to bring his 10-year-old Ryan to the clinic.
“Number one he [Ryan]’s having fun and number two he’s definitely learning, said Kosturko. “It’s reinforcing a lot of the fundamentals that he’s worked on, that we’ve worked on,” he added.
Dan McCabe, a 12-year-old from Orange, Conn., also had a great time. “It was a really good experience to meet someone you watch on T.V.,” he said.
Young kids were not the only ones who benefited from working with a true major leaguer. Dylon Gandossy, a sophomore pitcher for the Stags who helped at the camp, enjoyed hearing Rocco’s take on playing in the Big Show.
“He’s got so much knowledge,” said Gandossy. “It’s good to hear some of it coming up as a college baseball player,” he added.
The Stags and Baldelli will be back in action early March, when both kick off their 2007 seasons in Florida.
Leave a Reply