By Mike Holzheimer
WESTLAKE, OHIO– It’s almost that time of the year.
A familiar face with great enthusiasm will one again greet eager young baseball players gathered at the outdoor sports complex on the grounds of the Westlake Recreation Center. During the week of June 18-22, boys and girls representing numerous residencies will be coming to learn and play the game the right way joining a very proud and long list of former and returning participants making up the Phil Bova Baseball Camp.
In his 45th year as the director of this annual summer tradition, Bova, a Westlake resident and former professional baseball player and Big-10 collegiate basketball official, has watched his staff teach the game of baseball to nearly 8,000 campers in total. Bova’s staff, an outstanding collection of high school, college and professional coaches, brings well over 200 years of experience and baseball knowledge to the table.
“I’ve been very blessed,” Bova said, who begins each day with talks dealing with both baseball and life issues. “We’re so fortunate to be able to keep getting kids and their parents who want to commit to this camp every year. In today’s economy, that’s not easy to do. But they trust the Bova name, they trust in what I do and what my great staff does. We simply give every kid the best we have to validate that trust.”
The Bova name has always been synonymous with knowledgeable and quality fundamental instruction. The attention to detail is what really separates this summer baseball camp from all of the rest. Every aspect of baseball is covered during the entire week for seven hours a day. Campers are taught the proper way to play every position on the diamond. If a youngster is an outfielder, he or she will be given individualized and group instruction as to how to play that position.
At the Bova camp, you will be prepared to be the best outfielder, pitcher, infielder or catcher that you can be. That fact, and the understanding that the Bova name is so well respected and trusted, is what makes this camp the best in Northeast Ohio. Campers and their parents know this to be true, and for many reasons. One big reason would have to be that this camp is sold out every summer-that doesn’t happen by accident.
Unfortunately, what does happen a lot in the Greater Cleveland area is rain. Inclement weather could severely restrict an outdoor baseball camp and its scheduled activities. At “Camp Bova,” a little rain hardly dampens the spirit of the kids and the staff. If a downpour rears its ugly during the week, everyone simply adjusts. At this camp, the baseball teaching and learning never stops or gets delayed.
“I can’t say enough about how well my staff and the kids handle weather adversity,” Bova said. “It can be a task to make sure over 200 kids have all of their equipment together and then get them over inside the recreation center safely and as quickly as possible. With rain, you need a Plan B. It’s a challenge, but we do it.”
Indeed. And should such a backup plan come into play, the campers will find fundamental station areas all set up and ready to go for one large group, while the other half of the camp goes to the film room to watch and learn the fundamentals of hitting and pitching by way of instructional videos.
After the morning sessions of guest speakers, fundamental stations and individualized attention, the campers break for a hot lunch. The opportunity to sit in a large room and eat with their friends and teammates for the week really makes them feel like big league players. In reality, the Phil Bova Baseball Camp becomes their own “spring training.” The afternoon features more baseball demonstrations, stations, and league games.
“We expect a lot out of the kids, but they know that they will get a lot from our staff,” Bova said. “I tell the kids that if you’re going home tired, you’re doing it right. I know myself, and my entire staff goes home tired every night. But that’s what we do, and we love it.”
It is truly a labor of love, and a family affair at this camp. Bova’s grandchildren are all campers, while his wife Donna, has been and is extremely instrumental in the overall “behind the scenes” success of the camp. His son-in-law, Dave Mills, provides all of the medical attention as needed throughout the week in addition to multi-tasking with various camp duties.
“I can’t do it alone,” Bova said. “My family and my dear friends in the coaching profession help me make this camp what it is today.”
The counselors, high school baseball players all eager to work with the young kids, are hand-picked by Bova and his staff, while many of the younger coaches were once campers and counselors in years past. One former camper, Zac Lowther, was a second round draft choice of the Baltimore Orioles a couple of years ago.
The Bova camp is proud to welcome so many fine scholastic coaches to its staff, namely hall of famers Ken Ciolek (Lakewood) and Joe Kilburg (Cleveland Central Catholic). One won’t find a more knowledgeable pair of coaches than these two. Their lectures and demonstrations on the game’s fundamentals is worth the cost of the camp alone.
The week concludes with the annual “Bova Awards Ceremony” on Friday. Bova invites the parents, grandparents and friends to bring the outdoor furniture and gather themselves on the lawn to watch a special sliding demonstration that features every camper getting the chance to show their skills to mom, dad, grandma and grandpa. The ceremony ends with Bova officially introducing the counselors and coaches, while the director recognizes those who have supported his efforts over the years with a special “Man of the Year” Award. Friday also reveals the “Best Camper” honor in addition to the “Best Bunter,” “Best Thrower,” and “Best Hitter” given to selected individuals in each age division.
Simply put, there is only one summer baseball camp to attend if your child or grandchild wants to learn the game of baseball in a very knowledgeable and fun atmosphere, while building friendships to last a lifetime-The Phil Bova Baseball Camp.
“We really enjoy seeing the kids have fun and learning from this experience,” Bova said. “And the good Lord willing, we’ll keep coming back the following year.”
A thought that has parents everywhere already circling the dates for the 2019 camp on their calendars right now. It’s a date young baseball players won’t want to miss. Again, this year’s camp will be held June 18-22. For more information, go to www.bovacamps.com
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