North Torrance Should Take Critical Look at Baseball Program

This letter is in response to the article published in Sunday’s South Bay sports section written by Rob Fernas regarding the North Torrance High baseball program.

I am associated with youth baseball in the North Torrance area. My concern is with the baseball program at North and the direction it seems to be heading. With all respect for Coach Dan Campbell, I don’t believe he has done everything possible to build a positive and complete program.

You cannot expect to be handed a team of seasoned players, you must first teach and earn their respect. This has not been accomplished with the senior class nor with the young men coming up through his program.

Last summer two gentlemen I know coached some of the boys from the North team in a summer league. The boys played with enthusiasm and love for the game.

Not once did Campbell come to a game to support or help the team. There has been no involvement on behalf of Campbell or the North athletic department with the local youth program in the area. In order to build a productive program, one must become involved with players of all ages.

We need the North athletic department to assist in developing clinics, summer programs, pitching classes and drill instruction so that when young men enter high school they are skilled players.

I understand that it is hard to build a successful program in any athletic capacity without a lot of help. I know of several people who would love to assist Campbell in a volunteer capacity. With the Torrance Unified School District cutting programs for children, I don’t understand how any athletic department could refuse such an offer.

For most of these young men, baseball is their only chance to earn a college scholarship. If Campbell cannot produce a .500 season, scouts will not come to North games. If this happens, we have failed our children. I’m not saying sports is everything, but for a lot of children, it is all they have. I have talked to several parents who will not allow their children to attend North while the baseball team is coached by the current staff.

I understand that we must keep a positive outlook and have faith that what Campbell is doing is correct. But judging by Sunday’s article, I feel as if someone is trying to sugarcoat a problem within the baseball program at North.

MICHELLE SCHELSKE

Torrance