Kids learn from the pros at Classic Clinic

A sultry blue sky was above, lush green grass below, and smiles were everywhere as baseball stories were told and dreams were made on Friday in Cooperstown.

With the 2016 Hall of Fame Classic, a legends game whose players all had their big league dreams come true, only a day away, more than 100 of the national pastime’s next generation of participants were able to receive insight on the sport from some ballfield heroes.

The Cooperstown Classic Clinic was held from Friday afternoon at historic Doubleday Field. For children 7-12 years of age, it gave the youth participants a chance to receive hands-on training from several former major leaguers, including pitchers Jamie Moyer, Andy Sonnanstine, Noah Lowry, Steve Woodard and Tanyon Sturtze, and catcher Michael Bennett.

The Clinic came on the eve of Saturday’s Hall of Fame Classic at Doubleday Field.

“I actually played a tournament on this field for my travel team from Wadsworth, Ohio, when I was about 14 or 15 years old,” said Sonnanstine before the event started. “I got a little nostalgic coming through that gate. It was a fun game and a good memory and I’m really excited to be back here. I pitched, I played shortstop, I played first, I did it all. I think I had a pretty good game.”

As for what he hoped to impart on the children attending the clinic, Sonnanstine, the 33-year-old former Tampa Bay righty, claimed he gets a lot out of these situations just like the kids hopefully do.

“One of the biggest things for me is to have fun,” he added. “Nowadays, you are seeing people who are getting so slotted into a specific position. Mix it up, try different positions, try and be as versatile as you can because event that as a position. Look at my former teammate with Tampa Bay, Ben Zobrist, a guy who takes pride in being able to play everywhere. I think that’s pretty important, to not just get locked into a set position when you’re eight years old. Let’s experience the game a little bit before we really narrow it down.”

Moyer, whose final big league game came at the age of 49 in 2012, concurred, saying: “The biggest thing is to have fun. If you don’t have fun you’re not going to stay with it. So have fun, learn the ups and downs, learn the rules, make friends, and just enjoy the game. At some of these younger ages it’s their first experience so you want them to leave with a good taste in their mouth.

“You don’t get these opportunities too often and to be able to come here and talk baseball with kids. It’s giving something back to the game.”

Today, Lowry, whose five-year big league career was curtailed by arm injuries at the age of 26, works with the Giants with area youth baseball teams.

“We don’t focus as much on wins and losses but more on character development and healthy eating and education, things they are going to take with them through life,” the Santa Rosa, Calif., resident said. “To be able to have a vehicle in place with the organization that I played for and to be able to give back that way, I found that to be the most rewarding in my experience so far.”

This is Lowry’s first trip to Cooperstown, but he had the chance to get in early and walk around a little bit and try and soak it up.

“I just want to slow it all down and try to enjoy it as much as possible,” Lowry said.

Moyer, like Sonnanstine, first came to Cooperstown as a child.

“I had the good fortune of coming here as a youngster. My parents just brought a buddy of mine and I up from Souderton, Pa., but unfortunately I haven’t been able to come back too often but I appreciate what it stands for,” the southpaw with 269 major league wins said. “It’s a great place for people to come and enjoy the history of the game of baseball.

“And it’s exciting to be in Cooperstown with my 12-year-old son McCabe, who’s never been here. And we’re going to be back in August from our home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., for him to play in one of the area baseball camps.”

But is the 53-year-old Moyer planning to pitch in Saturday’s Hall of Fame Classic?

“I think I’m going to try. That (home plate from pitcher’s mound) looks like it’s pretty far away right now,” he joked. “It looks like it gained about 10 feet in the last couple of years. But yes, I’m going to give it a shot and see if I can get it over the plate.”

Sonnanstine, too, is planning on toeing the rubber in the Hall of Fame Classic.

“I’ve actually been throwing since December,” he said. “My arms in tip-top shape. It doesn’t mean I’ll be hitting 90, but I’m really looking forward to it. My body is in great condition and if anybody else falters I’m more than willing to pick up their innings.”

Unfortunately, Lowry’s injuries to his arm will prevent him from facing batters.

“I’m going to try and root the team on as much as possible,” he said with a smile, “but I don’t think I’m going to be out there on the mound throwing the ball.”

Moyer did share a few thoughts on Ken Griffey Jr., a Mariners teammate from 1996 to 1999 who will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 24. Moyer is planning on attending the Induction Ceremony.

“He made the game fun, he allowed it to be fun, and the thing that was great for him was that he was unbelievably talented. It almost looked like the game came easy for him,” Moyer said. “Great defensive outfielder, great arm, could cover a lot of ground, and he let us know if we were having him run a little too much.”

The 2016 Hall of Fame Classic, presented by Ford Motor Company, will be held on Saturday at Doubleday Field. Now in its eighth year, the Classic moves to 1 p.m. starting time in 2016, with the popular Home Run Derby starting at noon.

Tickets are available at the Doubleday Field Will Call tent starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday.