A total of 126 players from All Star Baseball Academy (ASBA) junior teams participated in a highly successful “Myrtle Beach Experience” during the three-day President’s Day weekend in mid–February. This was the first time that ASBA has scheduled a spring training experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and it was a big hit with players, coaches, and parents. The junior teams from ASBA are all in the 10–12 year old age bracket.
“The Myrtle Beach Experience for the Junior ASBA teams was an exciting opportunity for the players and coaches to practice outdoors. It was well worth the trip down Route 95 to South Carolina,” said Mark Freed, Manager of the West Chester All Star Baseball Academy. “It was a great chance to work on some of the team aspects that we would not normally be able to do in our academies.”
“The games were only scrimmages between each academy but we all learned a lot and had some fun too, ” noted Creighton Gubanich, Downingtown Manager and one of the key organizers of the event in Myrtle Beach. “It was instructional and really helpful as a spring training type experience for the kids. ”
The practices and the games were held at the top–quality Ripken Experience complex of fields in Myrtle Beach. The players really enjoyed the early season practices and the two games per team with their teammates and coaches.
“Players got the chance to play multiple positions with the games on Sunday, and Monday was a fun day with our Skills Olympics that we organized for the kids,” noted Gubanich.
John Bellis, Hatboro-Warminster Manager, added that, “The Myrtle Beach Experience” was a great success. I was happy to coach the 11U Hatboro team and see them get a couple of games and outdoor practices at a time when most ballplayers in the northeast don't see a field until mid-March or April!
“I thought it was special to be able to practice and play on such an incredible complex at Myrtle Beach. Overall, it was a big hit for everyone who participated.”
The parents and players who made the trip also thought the trip was worthwhile, in terms of skills training, camaraderie with new teammates, and the pure fun of playing baseball after a long hard winter.
Joe Kroger, one of the Dads from the 10U Downingtown team, said that his son Jake “considered this trip with All Star Baseball as his own Spring Training experience. Jake said he never played so much baseball in one day in his whole life. And he enjoyed every minute of it!”
Asked if Jake would travel again to Myrtle Beach for a similar event, Joe chuckled and said, “Yes, he would leave tomorrow!”
Another Downingtown player, Jason McMahon, worked on his skills and liked the teamwork aspects too. “I really enjoyed getting to know my new teammates better. And I also liked the opportunity to get away before the season starts and focus on baseball for a few days,” said Jason, who made the trip with his Dad Greg.
The Andresen family really enjoyed the Baseball Olympics on Monday. “Ethan really enjoyed the Olympics skills competition, and the infield fundamentals,” said his Mom, Brenda Andresen. “Brian liked the outfield drills like the crossover step and running down fly balls.”
West Chester parent John Pierdomenico commented, “All of the instructors did a really good job with the boys, keeping them moving and engaged. John Paul (son) and I had a great time and look forward to heading down again next year.”
ASBA would like to thank the players and parents who participated in this first-ever spring training trip, and plans are underway to make this an annual event to Myrtle Beach, SC.
