Field of Dreams – Mark Cresse School of Baseball

From youth baseball to the big leagues, the Mark Cresse School of Baseball celebrates its 35th year helping make ballplayers “DREAMS COME TRUE”.

Setting goals and pursuing dreams lays the foundation for future success in all life endeavors.

Our Campers have acheived:

High School Excellence

HIGH SCHOOL EXCELLENCE

Mark Trumbo

Mark Trumbo, 8 year ballplayer at the Mark Cresse School of Baseball had a sophomore season at Villa Park High School that most young ballplayers dream about. Orange County’s first “Sophomore Player of the Year” led Villa Park High School to the CIF – Southern Section Division 1 championship. Also crowned CIF player of the year, Trumbo batter .391 with 7 home runs and 41 RBI’s. Villa Park defeated Crescenta Valley 6-0 in the championship game played at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

In 2004, Mark was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and is currently playing in their minor league system. In 2010, Trumbo led the Pacific Coast League in home runs in AAA Baseball and was promoted to the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

“We thought you would like to know of one more success story of how your excellent teaching techniques are succeeding. I credited Mark’s baseball improvement to the superb training in hitting as well as all aspects of the game of baseball he has learned from your coaches. He has attended every summer for 8 weeks the past 7 years and plans to continue to attend to further develop his skills” – Grant Trumbo, Mark’s father in a letter sent in 2000

College Excellence

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Kevin Conlin, UCLA

The former two-time ALL-CIF performer for University High in Irvine received a baseball scholarship to attend UCLA. Kevin was a 7 year 8 week participant in the Mark Cresse School of Baseball.

“I can now admit that when I first applied to be a coach at Mark’s camp, my main objective was not summer employment, but involving my son in what I had heard was the finest baseball camp in Orange County. That was 16 years ago and as Kevin enters UCLA, I take great pride in my association with Mark, and great pleasure in witnessing Kevin’s athletic and self-confidence grow. – Chris Conlin, father

Jason Stewart, University of West Virginia

The former camper from age 8 to high school, was an All-Sunset League performer at Marina High in Huntington Beach. After pitching for Cal-State, Fullerton and Cypress College, Jason graduated from the University of West Virginia, where he finished his college career.

“ I credit The Mark Cresse School of Baseball for giving me a solid base of fundamentals as I entered high school baseball.” – Jason Stewart

Academic All-American

ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Matt Barcellono

A Cresse ballplayer from age 8 to high school, Matt was a 4 year starting infielder and earned academic all-American honors. A former All-Sunset League performer at Edison High in Huntington Beach, Matt is seen pictured with ex-Dodger Orel Hershiser.

“Matt received suberb coaching and thoroughly enjoyed every second of his 7 summers at the Mark Cresse School of Baseball” – John Barcellona, father

Minor League Dreams

MINOR LEAGUE DREAMS

Brad Cresse, Los Angeles Dodgers

Brad, a 1998 and 2000 All-American catcher for National Champion Louisiana State University, was a 5th round draft choice by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2000 major league draft. He was promoted to AA after only 2 months in the California League(A) and is considered one of the brightest prospects in the Diamondbacks organization. He batted .270 for AAA Tucson in 2002 and was placed on Arizona’s 40 man roster prior to the 2003 season . In 2006, Brad was an All Star in the Southern League, playing for the Jacksonville Suns, the Dodgers AA affiliate.

“Back in 1984 when I founded the camp at our Huntington Beach facility, my main objective was to simply have a constructive summer activity for my son to attend. Brad began camp at age 6 and attended until his sophomore year in high school”. – Mark Cresse

Edmund Muth, Houston Astros

The former Cresse ballplayer attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower where he earned a baseball scholarship to Stanford. Muth, a 4 year starter and All-American outfielder was drafted in the 7th round by the Colorado Rockies in the 2000 June draft. He was traded to the Houston Astros organization in 2002 where he played A ball for the Salem Avalanche.

“When my son came home after attending his first day of Cresse camp, he told me it was the happiest day that he ever spent in his life, all day of just baseball. He wanted to do it all summer and not come home”. – Dr Martin Muth, father

The Big Show - Major Leagues

THE BIG SHOW – Major Leagues

Craig Wilson, Pittsburgh Pirates

A Cresse ballplayer from age 7, Craig was the 40th pick in the 1995 June draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Wilson was selected to the Topps 2001 All-Rookie Team. Craig played outfield and first base for the Pirates before being traded to the New York Yankees in August of 2007.

“The Mark Cresse School of Baseball taught me the fundamentals of baseball, and even more importantly, gave me a fun summer activity that I looked forward to attending everyday” – Craig Wilson

Howie Clark, Baltimore Orioles

The veteran Cresse ballplayer made his major league debut in 2002 with the Orioles after persevering for 10 years in the minor leagues. The former Huntington Beach High School star and 27th round pick in the 1992 draft batted .302 in 14 games with Baltimore. Spending most of the year at AAA Rochester, Howie batted .309 in 108 games. Howie the 2003 and 2004 seasons between Ottawa (AAA) and the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2005, he was in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Howie returned to the Orioles and has made appearances at all 4 infield positions and in the outfield as a big leaguer.

Austin Hedges, San Diego Padres

Former Mark Cresse School of Baseball camper, Austin Hedges, is the latest player to be added to our list of Major League players. Austin Hedges attended the South County Mark Cresse School of Baseball for several years during his youth. Hedges will join the San Diego Padres as of tonight. Hedges signed his first contract after attending J. Serra High School. Hedges is 22 years old and according to South County Camp director, Paul Coppes, “you could tell from an early age that Austin had the drive and dedication to work hard to achieve his goal of playing high level baseball. Austin was always a joy to have at camp because you could see on his face that he loved to play the game of baseball. The South County staff of coaches is happy to see that our hard work with Austin has worked out well for him. We hope we can add more to the list in the near future.”

SUMMER FUN

Realistically, most young ballplayers are not going to the “Big Leagues”. However, youth athletics, when run by experienced, qualified adults, teaches children to set goals and pursue dreams. Youth baseball players should develop the work ethic, discipline, self-esteem, and self-confidence necessary for success in all life endeavors.

Our number one goal is to offer children an intensive training program in a structured, fun, safe environment. Set your goals high, strive to be the best you can be and when the day is over know that “all I truly can do is give my best effort”.

Summer camp is all about making friends, developing relationships with coaches, and going home feeling good about yourself and looking forward to attending the next day.