In the early Sixties, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Wally Moon started a baseball summer camp at the Baptist Seminary in the Covina Hills, only about a mile from our house. Since we were a big "baseball family," it was natural that I attend.
That mitt's bigger than my whole chest!
Recently, I had some old home movies converted into DVDs, and was delighted to discover footage of me playing my first game at Wally Moon's in the summer of '62, when I was 7 going on 8. I have a ton of fond memories about the camp, but it was great to actually see the place again. It reminded me of just how much fun I really had there.
Anyway, my play here is pretty terrible, but don't watch me, watch the surroundings! If you attended Wally Moon's Summer Baseball Camp back then, I'm sure this will bring back great memories for you, too. :-)
Also in those home movies was a clip of me pitching little league at Barranca Park in 1964. Not at the main ballfield, though; it was on the minors' diamond on the grounds of Barranca School. I was a lot better pitcher than I was a batter, but that's not saying much. I did have a pretty good wind-up and delivery, though...
The last team I was on: Badillo S&M Pharmacy, 1966. My dad was Manager! And that's me, back row, second from the left.
As the camp director of Wally Moon's Baseball Camp in Covina, Ca. I wondered onto this page & couldn't resist posting a couple of memories of over 50 years ago. We had campers from all walks of life and it would be interesting to know how their adult life developed. A few who gained public notice, Dick Woodson (Pitcher Minn. Twins), Roger Nelson (pitcher). In the acting profession, Jon Ritter and his brother Tommy. Jon's character on stage was not much different than at camp, bubbly and magnetic personality.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Had no idea Jon Ritter went to Wally Moon's. May I ask your name, sir? It would be nice for people to know you were the man in charge of things back then!
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DeleteI was there in the Summers of '62 - '64. The director at that time was Cliff Crowder. We learned a lot and sweat even more. Good times. Nick