Countywide : Angels Coaches to Give Kids Pointers

The Angels coaching staff is going to bat for thousands of youngsters who were disappointed by the abrupt ending of the baseball season.

They will host a clinic at Anaheim Stadium on Saturday to give hitting and fielding pointers to Junior Angels fan club members who were upset last month when their trip to Anaheim Stadium for the Angels-Indians game was canceled by the players’ strike.

The youngsters will also finally be able to empty the helmet banks they had filled with coins to aid the National Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Some disappointed Junior Angels spent months collecting change and complained when the strike appeared to scuttle the fund-raising effort.

“I’m really thrilled about the event,” said foundation spokesman Bob Pannoni, whose two children are Junior Angels. “The fact that these managers and coaches are coming in when they’re worried about their jobs, and are willing to meet their obligation to us is fantastic.”

Junior Angels who cannot attend Saturday’s event are asked to send the money they raised directly to the foundation at P.O. Box 60012, Arcadia, Calif. 91066-6012, Pannoni said.

Also to compensate for the season’s cancellation, all 1994 Junior Angels will receive free memberships in the Junior Angels Club next year, as the $5 membership fee is waived. Junior Angels receive four free tickets to two games, a fan magazine, some baseball cards and a chance to become an honorary batboy or bat girl.

Anaheim Stadium will open at 11:30 a.m. Saturday for those showing their Junior Angels Club Membership Card.