Future Nighthawk Sluggers Get Pointers From Current Players

By Andy Hutchison

They may only be in elementary or middle school but, soon enough, they’ll be at the high school. Future Newtown High baseball players got a taste of making the plays on the Nighthawk diamond during the Second Annual Summer Baseball Academy during the final week of June.

Run by Newtown High Coach Matt Memoli, the camp — for up-and-coming players ages 8–13 — was facilitated by area high school and collegiate coaches, along with current and past Newtown High players.

Campers worked on basic fundamental skills — hitting, throwing, fielding, and base running, and were given tips on the mental aspects of the game — and had fun playing scrimmages during the five-day session.

“I enjoy running the camp because as the high school baseball coach, you like to instill certain key physical baseball fundamentals in the young players and instill positive mental components also,” Memoli said. “We strive to teach confidence, discipline, and hard work in the players at that age to get them used to the way we do things at the high school. It is extremely important to have them learn to do things the right way at a young age.”

Memoli added that the high schoolers have a chance to teach younger players and are looked at as role models in the community. He said the camp provides an opportunity for the older students to learn to speak in front of large groups and learn leadership qualities.

“I like helping out — especially for coach Memoli. He does a great job. It’s pretty cool what we’re doing out here,” said NHS pitcher/second baseman Jon Hull, between innings during which he made soft pitches to batters.

“It’s awesome. We’re so used to being the kids and having the coaches teach us, so it’s definitely a new experience to come out here and have our input,” said Bryan Czel, who graduated in June and was recruited to play at Central Connecticut State University next year. “I was working with the hitters the past few days and it’s just a fun experience to work with them and see who they are as people, as well as players.”

Soon-to-be seventh-grader Owen McInerney, who made a couple of nice tags at third base during a scrimmage on the last day of camp, said he enjoys pitching the most. Players rotate from position to position to get a feel for the different roles on the field, as well as to make it possible to simulate games. “I like the camp. It’s a lot of fun and it’s helped my skill,” McInerney said.

Fellow rising seventh-grader Robert Lombardo said he likes playing games at the end of each camp day the best.

“It’s fun. I like it a lot, especially because Mr Memoli’s the funniest person ever,” added classmate Will Huegi, a second baseman/center fielder.

Among those working at the baseball academy was Tim Tvardzik, a coach at Trumbull High, who noted that the campers were putting in 100 percent and showing enthusiasm throughout the week.

“They’re taking everything that we give them and they’re listening and applying it to the games that we play at the end — and they’re hustling every single play. So we couldn’t ask for anything more from the kids,” Tvardzik said.