THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 10, 2023 Page 13 Malden High Baseball & Malden Recreation host Instructional Baseball Camp Nearly 40 players turn out to learn skills and have some fun at the Salemwood Fieldhouse By Jason Mazzilli T he weather outside last Saturday morning may have been frightful, with a wintry mix of sleet and snow, but that did not chill the atmosphere inside the Sam Fishman Fieldhouse at Salemwood K-8 School on March 4. Nearly 40 Malden boys and girls turned out for the Malden Recreation Department's free Baseball Camp held from 9-11 a.m. The Baseball Camp was free of charge for all who attended, and about 20 players and coaches from the Malden High School Baseball Team, including MHS Varsity Coach Steve Freker, were also in attendance on Saturday to provide instruction and guide the younger players, ages 6-14, in some skills and even a simulated game. “This is the first time we have been able to hold this indoor camp during the winter months in several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was nice to see all the interest from the young Malden players,” Coach Freker said. “Our great partnership between the Malden High Athletic Department and Malden Recreation allows this to happen every year.” Malden Rec Coordinator Malden High Baseball players and coaches were on hand for the Malden Recreation Baseball Camp & Clinic held last Saturday morning at the Sam Fishman Fieldhouse at Salemwood K-8 School. (Advocate Photos) Joe Levine was on hand for the event as well, and the Recreation Department provided all of the equipment needed to run the clinic. “The kids had a blast and we had a bunch of extra gloves at the fieldhouse in case they did not have one,” Coach Freker said. “It was a great baseball day for everyone. We can’t wait to come back and work with these playA young Malden player practices getting his grip on the baseball by encircling the laces. ers and others.” The Malden High coach said there was some other news to share as well. “Malden High Baseball is going to continue to partner with Malden Rec in late spring and early summer to bring the Major League Baseball (MLB) Home Run Derby and Pitch, Hit and Run competition to Malden for the first time this year.” “We have already started the Malden Recreation Coordinator Joe Levine talks to the baseball campers at Salemwood just before the camp begins. (Advocate Photos) groundwork with MLB and started telling the local kids about it. We are really looking forward to bringing these great events to Malden,” the Malden High School coach added. Malden Public Schools Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey said that the partnership between the local public schools and the Rec Department has been a valuable link in the past seven years since he had been at the helm in Malden. “We are now doing so many programs together, both instructional and for competition, and it has been a great partnership. It is really valuable to have our Malden High players and coaches working directly with our Malden middle school and elementary school players.” “They are our ‘Future TornaMalden High player Ryan Bowdridge helps a young player with his swing at the Baseball Camp. Malden High players Bo Bogan (center) and Aidan Brett (left) help a young player learn how to get some good hacks at the Malden Rec/Malden High Baseball Camp and Clinic. dos’ and they get an early idea on what to expect when they eventually come to Malden High School,” Conefrey said.
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