A graduate of the Lambrick Park Baseball Academy returned home this past week to give back to the program.
Carson Vitale, whose career in the Texas Rangers' system was cut down by injury and is now a hitting instructor with the Los Angeles Angels' minor-league system, worked on hitting and catching with Mike Chewpoy's crew.
Guest speaking all week at the academy, Vitale also ran a camp Saturday through Monday for more than 80 players.
"It was more on the mental side of stuff," said Vitale, who left town Tuesday. "Emphasizing having a good plan because if you don't have a good plan, your approaches or your swing mechanics really don't matter. It was developing an identity for the academy kids to follow and develop."
It wasn't that long ago that Vitale was in the academy himself.
"It was only seven or eight years ago," said the 24-year-old former catcher. "I always wanted to be back instructing a little, but I didn't think it would be quite this quick. It's neat to see them learn and develop. They soak everything in, very attentive and they deserve a lot of credit."
His playing career was cut short when the former catcher - who played two seasons at Creighton University in Omaha, before being drafted in the 38th round by the Texas Rangers in 2010 - was injured in a major collision at home plate while playing for the Spokane Indians.
Vitale broke his collarbone, right foot and four bones in his hand and went through three surgeries. His foot is held together by pins and wire and he also had a plate inserted into his collarbone.
"My collarbone feels good, but my right foot, I can never get down into a catcher's squat again," he said. "It pretty much hurts everyday. It's something that will be there the rest of my life."
He was hired by the Angels last year and he'll be instructing with the Orem Owlz in Utah - one of Los Angeles's short-season single-A affiliates. That season begins in June and goes through the end of August.
Vitale joins the MLB organization at spring training then goes into extended spring training with the younger Angels' recruits.
"I've learned a lot. A lot of baseball stuff, but more importantly learning how to communicate with players and develop relationships - how to handle people," he said.
"My goal is to definitely make it to the major leagues. I want to coach the rest of my life and I would love to be a manager as soon as possible."
In the meantime, he resides in Nebraska and was delighted to get back home to Victoria for a stretch.
"Staying with family and visiting with friends. It was nice to get back," he said.
