'Camping' out was really great for everyone

I must admit that the other night I was actually watching the Indians game on television.

Yes, the Browns are only a couple of weeks from kicking things off for real in the 2012 season, and we all can now enjoy more college football on the tube than one could imagine. So why torture myself watching the Tribe?

Perhaps, I was just looking for a bright spot, any glimmer at all that one or two of our young prospects forced to play in the big leagues sooner than they had dreamed of, will indeed pan out for us down the road.

Or, maybe it was just that I couldn’t find my remote and was too lazy to get up off my couch to track it down. But watching the Tribe during the “dog days” of August, did remind me of many great summer sports camps I was able to experience just a few months ago.

I was again very honored to have received a phone call from veteran baseball instructor Phil Bova, who has organized and conducted his well-renowned camp that sells out each and every year drawing well over a combined 6,200 youngsters, just a few days prior to the start of this year’s instructional camp held at the Westlake Recreation Center.

Bova had been following me via the Sun News and was impressed by the way I presented the many subjects in my weekly column. He was also very kind regarding how I spoke of family, and the important roles they play in our lives when it comes to enhancing one’s athletic skills and careers.

Bova, a Westlake resident who grew up in Lakewood, has forgotten more about the art of coaching and the sport of baseball than most people will ever come to know. His high praise of my words and philosophies was very flattering to say the least.

His call was to ask if I would be interested in coming to his camp again and speaking to all of the youngsters and coaches assembled. I, of course, jumped at this opportunity for yet another year. I continue to be fascinated by Bova’s annual camp through reading articles, but seeing it “up close and personal” for the third consecutive summer was something well worth the morning I spent meeting his staff and addressing the kids.

My message, a brief one considering we were all basking in the glow of a hot sun during the month of June, was that of getting the kids to understand how important it is to act positively on decisions made.

I told these future baseball stars that I may have just met them all for the first time that day, but I knew one thing about each and every one of them. The fact that they made the decision to come to camp and learn from the best, means they are all serious players.

It’s one thing to want to be the best, but will you do the “extras” it takes to achieve that goal? The high school players, no matter what sport, are on the court or field of battle because they put in the time include camps, summer leagues and other sessions where the fundamentals of the game are constantly stressed.

And speaking of the fundamentals, Bova and his staff certainly go that “extra mile” in providing quality instruction. I am always impressed by the attention to detail, the organization, and the constant positive reinforcement the coaches would give to all of the campers.

The Phil Bova Baseball Camp is truly a “tradition of excellence,” and I was proud to be a part of it.

I was equally proud to have been invited to Bova’s house for his annual “Summer Barbecue” where he welcomes everyone with open arms showing his appreciation to the many individuals that help make his camp the success that it is.

It was a great evening where my girlfriend and I were treated to wonderful conversation, humorous stories and a tour of Bova’s house where the sports memorabilia proudly decorating his basement conjures up many, many fond memories.

My photographer, Vince Anzalone, who took a variety of excellent pictures to go along with my story on this year’s camp, also received an invitation to attend the party. He thoroughly enjoyed himself, especially when he saw the pool table in Bova’s basement.

An avid billiards player in tournaments and leagues, I could tell my young photographer was getting the “itch” to pick up a cue stick.

I also want to thank all of those who “rolled out the red carpet” for me upon my arrival to the baseball diamonds to cover a game or report on your specific camps and programs. It was a pleasure to highlight many local youngsters inside the batter’s box, on the pitcher’s mound or making the plays in the field.

It was a thrill for me to gain an insight to a new program entitled “GameDay Baseball Academy” founded by St. Ignatius High School varsity baseball coach Brad Ganor and Axel Hoyer.

The opportunity to speak and cover many local summer basketball camps was also a very rewarding experience for me the past couple of months. After all, the basketball gymnasium is and will always be a “second home” to me.

Special thanks to Lakewood-St. Edward High School varsity basketball coach Eric Flannery, Rocky River assistant boys basketball coach Dave Murphy and Westlake head boys basketball coach Shawn Hood for making me feel so welcome at their camps.

And so, I’d like to extend a grateful and hearty “high-five” to all who made my summer camp experiences so enjoyable.

I look forward to what lies ahead for the summer of 2013!