A Big Hit

Mike Sciacca, Independent

Ocean View Little League’s Major Division All-Star team’s recent

run to the Western Region title game came by no accident.

No, the team’s drive, dedication, and hard work, which put it on the

cusp of reaching the Little League World Series, was a well calculated

plan.

Not only did the team put in countless hours of practice to sharpen

its skills, several of the Ocean View players also sought out the

guidance of Darren Nelson.

For the past four-plus years, Nelson has run Sluggers, an indoor

professional baseball instructional facility located in Huntington Beach.

The large, well constructed and well-lit building offers private,

one-on-one instruction in batting and pitching - all in a professional

atmosphere.

According to Nelson, nine members of the 12-player man Ocean View

roster, sought instruction at Sluggers.

“Never have I been so proud of a group of kids,” said Nelson, who made

the trek to San Bernardino on several occasions to watch Ocean View

compete in the Western Regional. “They really worked hard for what they

achieved, and it showed on the field.”

Nelson got the idea to open a baseball facility while on a trip to see

a cousin in Chicago. Seeing that his cousin’s baseball instruction

business was thriving, Nelson, who, at the time, worked for the post

office, decided to give the game a try.

“I returned home and started out by passing out flyers,” Nelson

explained. “I also gave a free clinic at Ocean View Little League, and

some of my first clients were players from what is now the defunct Surf

City Baseball. Paul Renfrow (Marina High baseball coach) gave me my

start. He helped me by allowing me to use the batting cages at Marina.

From there, I moved over to Ocean View, which implemented a new batting

cage. That move was really instrumental in my start, too, as a lot of the

kids would pass by the cages to and from their games.”

Nelson is well versed in baseball, having earned all-league status at

Orange High before moving on to Fullerton College, then Chapman

University where, during his senior year, he won the California

Collegiate Athletic Association’s Triple Crown by leading the conference

in highest batting average (.388), most home runs (21), and most RBI (77). He went on to be drafted in the 10th round of the 1987 Major League

Baseball draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Later released by the

Cardinals, the free agent Nelson was picked up by the Angels.

Helping Nelson on occasion at Sluggers is Gary Buckles, a pitching

instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals. Buckles is at Sluggers twice a

week, sometimes as much as four days a week, depending on the season.

What began as a small handful of players seeking instruction has grown

for Nelson, who now up to 80-100 lessons a week, and has a client list

well over 100. Nelson also has offered his services to a talented

Fountain Valley Youth Baseball Bronco All-Star team, which reached the

PONY World Series in July.

In fact, high school players from as far as Redondo Beach, Whittier,

and La Mirada, come to Huntington Beach for private instruction.

“The big difference between Darren and other instructors is that he

can pinpoint a problem, and then help you correct it,” said Redondo

Beach’s Keith Ash, a freshman third baseman on the Harbor College

baseball team. “It’s worth the drive south for me.”

Hank Conger, a member of Ocean View’s Majors Division All-Star team,

has the luxury of having Nelson in his own backyard. The Mesa View Middle

School seventh-grader has seen Nelson once a week for the past two years

and this past baseball season, the 12-year-old hit a league record 33

home runs.

“It’s all in the mechanics, and Darren has made a big difference for

me,” Conger said. “He’s really helped me in a huge way.”

Like Ocean View’s and Fountain Valley’s dream seasons, Nelson never

dreamed that his business would take the flight that it has.

“It’s been amazing, and something I really, really enjoy,” he added.

“Just as important to me as the instruction has been going and watching

these kids play. I’ve become close to these kids and their families, and

that’s what it’s all about.”