They’ve Made Their Marks in Many Different Arenas, but They Have One Thing in Common: These Men and Women of Sport Figure to Be Major Players in the Year Ahead : REGGIE SMITH : Stepping Up to the Plate for Youngsters

What is Reggie Smith doing standing on brown infield grass at the Northridge Little League complex on a crisp December morning?

The Dodger hitting instructor is taking another in a number of small steps toward developing the most comprehensive baseball instructional program in the region.

Baseball Development Center, Smith’s brainchild, was launched this year with clinics, videotapes and the opening of a temporary indoor facility in Woodland Hills.

The permanent 100,000-square foot development center is scheduled to open at a larger Warner Center location in March. It will include up to 40 batting cages--each equipped with a video camera--sports therapy facilities, a clubhouse and restaurant.

Until it opens, Smith and his partners--who include former Dodger Joe Ferguson--are busy teaching the game to youngsters.

After all, that’s what BDC is all about.

“Bringing the best baseball instruction right to this community has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Smith said. “It’s exciting that it’s finally happening.”

Private baseball instruction is not new, and several coaches for hire--all former professional players--have built a loyal clientele, including Nez Balelo in Agoura, Mark Davis in Thousand Oaks and Kelly Paris in Woodland Hills.

The West Coast Baseball School, of which Balelo is a partner, has expanded to five Southern California locations and does a brisk business because instructors develop strong personal bonds with players.

But Smith brings the credibility of the Dodgers--several former and current players are at least peripherally involved in BDC--and, he says, strong financial backing.

“The Dodger family is an incredible resource of knowledge,” said Smith, who lives in Woodland Hills. “I know how they learned and they know how to teach.”

Long-range plans for BDC include expansion to several major cities with each franchise bearing the name of a local baseball star. Of course, getting the Woodland Hills facility off the ground is the immediate priority.

Even Smith’s competition agrees that if BDC is successful, the quality of instruction throughout the area is bound to improve.

“Kids are going to find the best instruction for the best value,” Balelo said. “Competition in this business will benefit the kids.”