By Katie von Behren
Staff Writer
High school athletes who want to advance in athletics are challenged to build their individual strengths to advance within their sport. The Garciaparra Baseball Group, known as GBG, is a premier high school baseball program dedicated to recruiting the best baseball players from all over the South Bay and providing the exposure necessary to play at the collegiate level.
The GBG was created by Michael Garciaparra and his father Ramon Garciaparra, former elite players and now coaches. Michael was a first round draft pick for the Seattle Mariners and is currently a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals. Ramon didn’t play in the major leagues but his two sons, Nomar and Michael were first round draft picks.
The club focuses on providing a fun and informative environment for the players to further develop the right baseball skills and attitude. There are a total of seven teams with players from the graduating classes of 2014-17.
“This organization gives kids the exposure they may not of received from playing high school baseball alone,” Michael said. “I like spending time with each team and teaching the guys new baseball skills, as well as values that they can carry with them their whole life.”
There are CIF rules that regulate the practices and games of travel ball teams during the high school season so most of the GBG games take place during the summer and continue during the fall. During season, club baseball is a major time commitment with weekly practices and frequent tournaments.
“Michael is all about having fun, but he also takes each games very seriously, as he wants us to play our best and win,” sophomore Luke McCauley said. “It’s great to play with some of the best players in the country and to also have coaches that care about each player on and off the field.”
The GBG is well known, giving most players of exposure from scouts of different programs including Division I colleges and universities that travel to showcases to watch potential collegiate athletes. GBG is invited to special tournaments around the country because of the team’s success. These tournaments include the Junior Olympics and the World Series.
“I love Garciaparra Baseball because it’s all about showcasing your talents to play at the next level of baseball and winning big tournaments,” freshman Trevor Franklin said. “This team is coached by some of the best professionals in the country and It’s such a great opportunity to be part of this highly respected program.”
Former GBG players from Mira Costa have committed to college baseball teams including three Costa seniors that graduated last year. Jared Terry committed to College of the Canyons, Turner Conrad went to Westmont College and Ryan Franklin committed to the University of Redlands. With partial baseball scholarship, so far in the graduating class of 2012 there is one Mustang, Garrett Wells has committed to play baseball with Stevens Institute of Tech.
“I loved being a part of GBG because it developed not only my baseball skills but created important life lessons,” Terry said. “I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play college baseball if I hadn’t gotten the chance to play with this program and learn from Michael.”
Many of the players in GBG continue on in their baseball careers throughout college and some make it into the major leagues. Michael recruits high school players that he feels would be right for the program and contain the potential to grow in the sport.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of this nationally ranked travel team and it’s amazing to be playing with some of the best players in Southern California,” sophomore Michael Rumpp said. “I like the coaches and how professional they are. Hopefully I will continue to improve to get the opportunity to play college ball someday.”
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