In baseball, February is time for “pitchers and catchers.” The term is so commonly used it has become shorthand for the promise of warm weather, conversationally supplanting the seed catalog as the harbinger of spring.
Just in time, the Clubhouse in Fairfield has opened its gates with a major-league lineup and those who dream of playing baseball can now do something about it.
“When I was growing up in Waterbury, I was passionate about baseball and I played hours on end in the yard with my brothers, but I did not have the advantage of professional coaching or training,” said Mike Porzio, principal of The Clubhouse.
The 11,000 square foot facility located behind the GAP store on Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield has enlisted a full team of former Major League Baseball players, instructors and advisers.
“Whether you”™re 5 years old or 25, there”™s only one way to play and that”™s the right way,” said Porzio. “We show everyone the same way to swing, so they get comfortable with it at as early an age as possible.”
Porzio is a former professional baseball player, including seasons pitching for the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox.
According to Porzio, participants can select from a menu of training options and clinics appropriate for different playing levels. Included in the facility are a locker room, viewing and waiting areas, batting cages, and all purpose instructional area.
Porzio”™s concept began to come together after he reached out to friends from his professional days on the diamond.
“I contacted some of the guys that I had respect for and had an interest in working with their professional expertise,” said Porzio. “Luckily for me, most professionals want to be in a professional environment. Not only does it make for a nice experience for the staff, but it makes an unbelievable experience for the players.”
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In addition to Porzio, instructors include Willie Upshaw, former player with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians, who had a 17-year professional coaching career and was a three-time MLB hitting coach; former Minnesota Twins catcher and current scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks Matt Merullo; and Angel Echevarria, former outfielder and pinch hitter with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Amber Radomski, head softball coach at Manhattanville College and a former professional player is the Clubhouse”™s head softball instructor.
Echevarria, who is originally from Bridgeport, played with Porzio while he was at the Rockies and against one another in a friendly rivalry while they were on the Cubs and White Sox. The two also played for the Bridgeport Blue Fish together.
“When I was coming up I didn”™t have facilities like this to go to,” said Echevarria. “My training facility was pretty much Sea Side Park, that”™s where I practiced. To have this is a big plus around here. We”™ve really benefited from being around baseball ”“ it”™s enriched our lives. We want to give back a bit.”
The Clubhouse features a professional playing surface of synthetic grass with full-length batting tunnels for live hitting, and the same state-of-the-art motion analysis system used by big leaguers. Porzio said the Clubhouse provides expertise in strength, conditioning and sports medicine, as well as clinics on college placement.
“Besides making for a more fun baseball career, it also makes for a safer career,” said Porzio.
Porzio said it is surprising how many young kids are in the orthopedics office from baseball injuries. “You don”™t get too far when you”™re on the operating table,” said Porzio “There”™s a difference between how the pros move and how the amateurs move. They”™re able to hit with more force in a more powerful position, plain and simple.”
Porzio said if you”™re going to make an investment, you need to be able to trust in the information you”™re getting.
“You”™re better off with a bad swing that you believe in than good swing you don”™t believe in,” said Porzio. “It”™s not necessarily about getting them to the professional level, it”™s about getting them out there to be there best.”
Porzio said learning to do something the right way is a valuable lesson in and outside of baseball.
Porzio said college and professional scouts have already begun to come by the facility.
“We”™re in regular contact,” said Porzio. “When we see players that excel we”™ll refer them and let them know who might need a second look. We can help create the opportunities, there”™s no charge for that, that”™s part of our qualifications.”
Porzio said he is hoping to give athletes a better swing and better throw before they move on to college and professional levels.
“I think we have all the bases covered and now it”™s seeing if we can challenge ourselves to continue to do it better,” said Porzio.
