ANAHEIM, CA — A magnificent triple play combination of the Anaheim Angels, Mark Cresse School of Baseball and Baseballers Against Drugs produced not one, but two baseball clinics as part of our Walter Lantz Foundation sponsored National Tour. The clinics were held at Edison International Field, home of the Anaheim Angels, and were attended by over 750 kids and parents involved with the Mark Cresse School of Baseball summer camp.

Mark Cresse, former Coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers for 22 years, believes "If the camp is going to have my name on it, it better stand for everything I believe in." This is clearly evident by his hands-on approach, uncompromising dedication and hard work, and a genuine and sincere care for every ballplayer that attends his camp. BAD can attest for at least two of the ballplayers who attended camp and who proudly vouch for the Cresse credo. 9 year-old 4th graders Buddy Cheek and Eric Tejera participated this summer as part of a sponsorship program pursued by Baseballers Against Drugs.

Eric hails from Laguna Niguel, California and attends Pin Hill Elementary School. His hard working, try anything attitude earned him high recommendations from his Little League coach, Jason Edington who was instrumental in getting Eric involved with the program. A very likeable young man, this was Eric’s first time working out at Cresse Camp and he tells us he wants to go again. "Just getting the chance to play every day and to always learn something new," is what inspired Eric this summer. Grandmother Donna French described it "as a life changing experience" for the polite, soft-spoken young man. So inspired is Eric that he has sung the praises of Camp to many of his friends in hopes they will attend with him next year.

Buddy, from St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington Beach, California, is no stranger to the Cresse Camp. In fact, Buddy has been a regular at camp and his reputation is solid with the coaches. You know that as soon as you ask him the most important thing he learned from camp. "Sportsmanship," he says without hesitation. He credits all the great coaches like Rick Ibarra (his favorite) as the reason he keeps coming back. Buddy is a good student whose favorite subject is spelling, but since baseball is in his blood (his dad is a minor league umpire) we wondered if he might miss playing during the school year. No need for us to worry. "Mark Cresse has a 2-week camp during holiday vacation," he tells us, "I’ll be there."

The Mark Cresse School of Baseball was created in 1984 by Mark Cresse, and Jeff Pressman, high school baseball coach, experienced baseball camp executive, and creator of the unique 8-week baseball day camp format. The overall philosophy of the Cresse School is one that BAD wholeheartedly supports: that athletic excellence instills self confidence and teaches lifelong values of discipline, respect and dedication for success in any future endeavor a child may choose. Our own brand of "focusing the energy of today’s youth into positive thinking and action," with its pro-education, anti-drug emphasis proved to be remarkable complement to the Angel clinic.

Players and coaches participating in the clinic or lending on field support to BAD included: Jarrod Washburn, Ben Weber, Shawn Wooten, Alfredo Griffin, Mickey Hatcher, Joe Maddon, Ron Roenicke, and manager Mike Scioscia. Tommy Davis, Clyde Wright, and Ellis Valentine, all former Angels represented BAD speaking to the hundreds of children and parents in attendance about the importance of education and the role of activities like baseball in steering young people away from the appeal of drug abuse and gangs.

BAD was introduced to the Cresse School by Angels Vice President of Communications Tim Mead. The Angels clinic is an integral part of each Cresse summer camp program. We thank our good friend Tim Mead and our newest friends Mark Cresse and Jeff Pressman for their support and dedication to our young people. Let’s do it again next summer!

Angel pitching star Jarrod Washburn
with Jim Dantona, Eric Tejera and Buddy Cheek.