| |
*Unedited version
Published by The Lake (July 2003 edition)
Bliss-ball
by J.D. Hawk
"I still get goose-bumps every time I walk in here and see everything that's
available. That's the excitement I like to see in the kids...It's kind of like that
'Disneyland feeling,' " Jay Sudahl, owner of MVP Sports Baseball Academy, said
upon entering his creation.
Noted scholar Joseph Campbell, author of the Power of Myth, once advised people to
follow their bliss. EastLake's Jay Sundahl has done just that with his MVP Baseball
Academy located at 2391 Boswell Rd. Sundahl gave up a career in the restaurant industry,
where he said he was making over $100,000 a year, to follow the love he has for the
sport of baseball. "I liked the restaurant business, but I got tired of working
every holiday and not spending time with my family," Sundahl said. "For
instance, in 23 years I never had a single Mother's Day off."
Sundahl had a vision, like the prophets of old, of something greater in life. There
was an insatiable drive to share with others the a joy he knew growing up in San
Diego playing baseball. A baseball heaven or "baseball Disneyland," as
he calls it is what flashed in his mind's eye and ignited his soul. He made it a
mission to touch as many lives as possible, giving hope and inspiration to every
child with evangelical zeal. "I want to see every kid that wants to play baseball
have that chance. I have given out $8,000 in scholarships and free services without
blinking," he said. "My sponsors have been equally generous."
By the time Sudahl's dream materialized last April, he had brought to EastLake the
largest indoor baseball facility on the West Coast, spanning 24,000 sq ft. The MVP
Baseball Academy has baseball cages with machines pitching baseballs anywhere from
40 to 80 mph, depending on the batter's preference. For those who need an additional
challenge, there is a new specialized machine that throws curve balls, sliders and
knuckleballs up to 108 mph!--speeds far faster than the fastest pitches in the Major
Leagues. There's also a weight room, a clubhouse for birthday parties, a video-watching
room for players who want to pinpoint problem areas with their batting swing and
an Astroturf infield where teams can play whiffle ball. "We put couches around
the infield for the audience," Sudahl said, "but what usually happens is
the kids have fun while the dads lay on the couch and the mothers use the weight
room."
Though Sudahl keeps a calm demeanor, smiling confidently and speaking positively,
there is a definite dynamo underneath that keeps his mind working in overdrive and
his actions extreme. Don't be suprised if, in the middle of a serene thought, he
bolts from a room like a bat out of hell when he sees a light left on too long. "When
I got here, the electricity bill was $2,200," he explained. "I worked it
down to $1,800 then $1,400 then $900, then to $600 something. Then SDG&E got
mad and switched me to their Summer rates early."
This ability to dream big and act in extremes created a success vacuum, pulling together
a crew of who's who in San Diego baseball. John D'Aquisto, former SD Padre and SF
Giant Walk of Fame inductee, teaches a pitching clinic and gives pointers; Jay Martel,
who coaches with Tony Gwynn for the Aztecs, also gives lessons; Juan Beltran, from
the Minors, is the personal trainer helping people with diet, exercise and sports.
The customer list is equally impressive with several of South Bay's sons accepted
to the National Baseball League in the recent draft, like Eddie Solis of the Kansas
City Royals, John Jasso of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Francisco Mora of the Texas
Rangers. "We all helped these players improve," said D'Aquisto," but
I really helped Francisco Mora change from being just a relief pitcher to a starter."
D'Aquisto, who also coaches pitching for EastLake High, says he is doing what he
has always wanted to do. "I have always been interested in coaching. I like
seeing the kids go off to college and even make it to the pros. Right now I have
my eye on two players in particular that I think will make it to the pros in the
next couple years." He said he was also appreciative of the amount of baseball
knowledge and love for the game shown by parents of EastLake, and the support he
has received from the community. D'Aquisto also pointed out that a famous name is
not enough to be a coach at EastLake. "I still had to take classes, pass exams,
get blue card authorization and complete a first aid course."
With all great endeavors, however, come great sacrifices. The larger the dream, the
bigger the expenses. MVP Baseball Academy is no exception as it has recently experienced
a slump caused by the off-season. "People sometimes forget about the joys of
baseball once the season is over. But that's the time to start practicing. In the
off-season you have the opportunity to tear down your batting swing and build it
back up," Sudahl said. "We have so much here to offer. We have the largest
facility, the best trainers, the latest machines and our guys are going to the pros--but
unless people come in and use the place, we can't continue. We're not looking to
get rich, we just want to survive. We want to keep giving scholarships and helping
EastLake's children get the best quality training around."
To find out more about MVP's services, including how you can become a sponsor of
underprivileged children through a tax-deductable sponsorship, call 347-1176 or visit
www.mvpbaseballacademy.com.
Sundahl, D'Aquisto and the staff at MVP especially invite the public to register
for their first annual Golf Tournament classic fundraiser to be held in August.
Contact J.D. Hawk |
|
