On the final day of their two-week baseball clinic, the 25 Catholic boys who showed up at Sherando Park in Stephens City were unfazed by the steady rain.
They gathered round coach Steve Sharpe and decided to go all in for a wiffle ball game on the outfield grass because of standing water on the infield. Sharpe, director of international scouting for the major league Athletics, appeared to be having as much fun as the boys.
“I’m just passing the torch, thinking of everyone in my life who coached me and shared all their experience and knowledge,” said Sharpe, who has spent his entire professional career with the A’s as a minor league pitcher and scout since 2004.
He moved to Winchester with his wife and three kids five years ago where they attend Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. “Baseball is like life’s playground,” he said. “One of the motivating factors is to give them a chance to be accountable, work as a team and to dive into the pursuit of mastery.”
The wiffle ball game was intense. A runner slid into home on a close play as Sharpe signaled a dramatic “safe” sign. Another boy refused to take a pass to first base after getting hit by a pitch amid howls of delight and high-fives in the pouring rain.
On this day, the buzz was all about the heroics of the Front Royal U12 Little League All-Star team that had just claimed the Virginia state championship to earn a berth in the Southeast Regional Little League Championship tournament. Max Elliott, an altar server at St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal, was the All-Star shortstop. Hundreds turned out on Main Street Aug. 9 to attend a parade for the team. “It’s really cool to see your friends playing on TV,” said Charlie Knight, 10, of Front Royal.
“Baseball is really big around here, and it’s pretty awesome because we know all the guys on the team,” said Joe Norton, 11, who also plays in Front Royal. “This camp has been fun. You see the players when you go to church. We’re all friends.”
The national pastime is enjoying a renaissance in youth participation. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, a 2023 report showed the highest level of youth baseball participation nationwide since the survey began in 2008.
Baseball is an especially appealing option for homeschool and private school kids, as opportunities to play football and basketball are limited. “The season coincides with the summer break from school, so it’s just a natural part of our American history and culture,” said Andrew Beer, a professor of classical studies at Christendom College in Front Royal who coaches Little League and Flames Baseball, a homeschool baseball team for ages 13-18.
“Baseball has been a part of Front Royal’s history and culture for a long time,” said Beer. It’s just a beautiful sport. It requires attention. It has a deliberate pace and you can spend a lifetime learning it.”
“I think baseball’s evolving,” said Sharpe, “Baseball is doing a good job to keep boys interested at the national level. I think youth baseball is probably bigger than it ever has been.”
Impressive baseball skill was on display in the soggy wiffle ball game, and of course, Sharpe always has an eye out for talent. He was planning August and September trips to the Dominican Republic and Japan and travels the world nearly half the days of the year looking for the next major league prospect, but his goal at the clinic was to teach bigger lessons than baseball.
“I told them yesterday that they’re all going to be great at something,” said Sharpe. “What we’re preaching is that when they find that something, they have to attack it just like this — different gifts, same spirit.”
