While a select few Little League teams across the country will compete during the next two weeks to make it to the hypercompetitive Little League World Series, here in Malibu more than two-dozen youth came together at Bluffs Park to cheer, laugh and scream while learning and enjoying the game they love.
Coach Steve Ciniglio and Malibu Little League President Connie Connors provided a four-day baseball camp last week that focused on the fundamentals of baseball while providing a fun and valuable learning experience.
Youth camps provide the foundation and groundwork for youth to learn the sport they love. That enjoyment was evident by the smiles on the children’s faces as they hit, threw and ran around the baseball diamonds at Bluffs Park.
“This week was absolutely spectacular,” Ciniglio said. “They all meshed well together. Big kids taking care of little kids. The little kids got to pinch-run and pinch-hit. They played above expectations. It was just a great week.”
The camp featured 28 youth who varied in ages from 5 to 12. Harley Rader and Christina Batrez were the lone two girls who came to camp to hone their skills in the game of baseball. Rader, a member of the Middle Dodgers, was the only female to play hardball with the boys this past season.
Utilizing both the major and minor ball fields, Connors and Ciniglio taught the game of baseball to both experienced Little Leaguers as well as the wide-eyed beginners who set foot on a field for the very first time.
“It’s been a fabulous time,” Connors said as camp concluded after four days. “Some of these kids we call ‘Mighty Mites’ because they are only 5 years old. We taught them how to pitch, slide and bat. To see the beginners succeed in something they just learned is amazing.”
Each day of camp focused on different fundamentals. Catching pop flies, fielding a ground ball and keeping an eye on the ball while hitting were areas of focus. Infield and outfield practice were followed by games of hardball and stickball.
When camp finished on its final day, each camper was rewarded with a free Dodger Dog for a well-deserved lunch.
“It’s been pretty fun,” said 11-year-old Chase Kapler. “Just playing baseball is great. I got a little bit better at batting.”
Kapler appreciated the time and effort that Ciniglio and Connors provided to all the campers.
“They are really nice coaches,” Kapler said.
Cameron Bendetti, 10, enjoyed the camp as he worked on his skill set.
“I worked on batting and playing the infield,” Bendetti said. “It’s been fun and a really good way to learn.”
“Camp was a lot of fun,” pitcher Brent McKeever, 10, added. “We played stickball and hardball. We practiced and I learned a lot of new stuff in baseball. I also made a lot of new friends.”
Rachael Vizcarra Banvard, mother of 9-year-old Riley, who participated in his first-ever baseball camp, was very happy with the atmosphere and experience for her son.
“It gave an opportunity for my son to have his first taste of baseball,” Banvard said. “It was a good introduction for him before he plays Little League. He met a lot of great kids and he’s been really enjoying it. Now he’s going to look forward to Little League. He won’t be so intimidated stepping on the field for the first time playing hardball.”
Riley said his favorite part of the camp was when he “almost hit a home run.” The smile on his face as he talked about that moment signified what this camp meant to him. He said former Major League star and home run king Barry Bonds of the Giants and current Dodgers Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are his favorite players in the big leagues.
Connors and Ciniglio have been synonymous with Malibu Little League baseball for more than 10 years.
“It’s all about the kids and for the kids,” Connors said.