May
15
Written by:
Angels Web Admin
5/15/2011 7:38 PM
On Sunday May 15, John Gracio and the Angels coaching staff welcomed almost 1,000 people (parents, players and families) to the Angels Amateur Baseball Academy.
On a beautiful Arizona Sunday everyone who attended the Angels Summer Orientation had the opportunity to listen to Gracio - Navy SEAL, veteran baseball scout and educator - speak on our philosophy and the importance our academy stresses on getting a good education, doing the right thing in school, with your friends and at home. Gracio told the hundreds of players in attendance that each one of them probably will not have the opportunity to play professional baseball but all can have the opportunity to get a good education. He mentioned the "cream always rises to the top" so no matter what team you are on, who you are playing against, the "players" will get noticed within our program.
The day began at 11am with the Angels Collegiate league team walking down the stairs and onto the green grass that just 2 months ago were filled with players and coaches from the Los Angels Angels and ended with more than 65 American Legion ball players and parents leaving the ballpark just after 2pm. In those three hours, Gracio and his staff welcomed, organized and informed nearly 300 players regarding the summer program. The players received their hats, jerseys and were able to meet their summer coaches and review the summer expectations and goals of each team.
The season will be upon us soon, with the Halos Gray and Halos Blue Babe Ruth teams kicking off their season Tuesday (May 17) with their openers of the West Valley Babe Ruth League. The remainder of each teams schedules will be announced today and throughout the week. Expect to see Sandy Koufax, Connie Mack and Don Mattingly schedules posted on the website today within their respective team pages.