Baseball: Amaral, Gardner team up for baseball camp

Richard Dunn

COSTA MESA - Rich Amaral and Jeff Gardner had similar paths to the

major leagues: Both were infielders who played at Estancia High and

Orange Coast College.

Now, the longtime friends are collaborating in the Rich Amaral-Jeff

Gardner Baseball Camp at the Costa Mesa American Little League fields at

Costa Mesa High Dec. 26-28 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Along with Amaral and Gardner, Costa Mesa High baseball coach Kirk

Bauermeister is a camp instructor. Former major leaguer Steve Springer

and former minor league infielders Joey Aversa and Craig Daedelow are

also instructors.

The camp, which offers small-group instruction, is for players 6-14.

Players will be separated according to age and skill level and will

rotate through several different playing stations daily. Player

registration is $110.

All campers receive professional instruction, camp T-shirt, radar gun

timing and Pro Model Rich Amaral-Jeff Gardner Baseball Camp hat.

Amaral, who played 18 years of pro ball, including 10 seasons in the

majors with Seattle and Baltimore, was a versatile player who played

every position on the diamond in the big leagues except pitcher and

catcher.

Each year among Seattle’s top base stealers, Amaral became a valuable

member of Manager Lou Piniella’s Mariners as a utility player in the

1990s.

Gardner, a former second baseman for the San Diego Padres and Montreal

Expos, also spent four years as a major league advanced scout for the

Padres and is currently managing in the minor leagues for the Padres.

Amaral said the proceeds of the camp will be donated to the Ocean View

and Costa Mesa American Little Leagues.

Players can sign up in advance by calling (714) 848-1852, or simply

show up Dec. 26 before 9 a.m.