The next couple of weeks are going to be super busy with the Holidays and 3 Winter Break Camps starting soon so today felt like a good time to look back on Spring Training's 2022. Hope you enjoy this quick recap.
Wow - what a year!
I started Spring Training in 2004 and this was, by far, the busiest year of baseball I've ever had. Any sports writers talking about baseball's popularity problems certainly aren't paying attention to youth baseball in the South Bay!
Local kids are absolutely loving the game (it certainly doesn't hurt that the Dodgers and Padres both made the playoffs and the Angels have Trout and Ohtani), and at least what I've personally noticed in the post-covid shutdown world is that lots of kids tried baseball for the first time recently, which is awesome!
While 2020 (and a good part of 2021) was just awful for kids with schools being closed and most sports being off-limits, 2022 seemed to see a huge influx of youth sports participation...finally, something good to come out of Covid.
Spring Training definitely saw this phenomenon first-hand as every single spot in 2022 Summer Camp in Palos Verdes filled up (with the creation of 2 additional pop-up camps for overflow wait list kids), 4 weeks of camp at our brand new location in Redondo Beach 100% filled up, Fall Ball had the most players ever, and with long-time Spring Training Coach Trey joining full-time, we were able to run more awesome programs for younger ballplayers as well as lessons in the Fall and Winter. 2023 will see even more outstanding Camps, Clinics, Sandlots, and Lesson slots added to the roster - we can't wait!
Personally, with my own 8 year old son playing flag football, soccer, and basketball this Fall and Winter (he hasn't touched a baseball since Summer Camp), I've loved going to his games and seeing so many Spring Training players I know playing other sports!
Baseball is obviously the best sport ever - that's not even up for debate - but it is so healthy athletically, emotionally, and socially for kids to play lots of sports that my one wish for youth sports in 2023 is to hear of more organizations and coaches actively fighting against the false narrative that sport-specialization at a young age is beneficial. Remember: any coach in any sport saying that your child should focus on a single sport at the youth level does not have your child's best interest at heart.
Spring Training's core mission is the same today as it was in 2004; to use baseball as a platform to teach many of life's most important lessons; effort, attitude, respect for teammates, opponents and umpires, setting goals, and learning how to challenge's oneself to get out of comfort zones guides every minute we're on the field.
But as youth sports has become more and more serious (because of adults) at younger and younger ages over the past decade or so, Spring Training has added another crucial component to our mission: HAVING FUN!
So, as we look ahead to 2023, let's all continue to commit to making youth sports (yes, ALL sports) a fun, positive, and character-building experience for our kids.
Have a great Holiday! I can't wait for another awesome year (YEAR 19!) of youth baseball in the South Bay.
PLAY HARD, HAVE FUN!