Jaguars’ coach keeping eye out for future stars
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

JACKSON — Frank Malta has been around coaching long enough to realize that defense, pitching and sound fundamental skills are the ingredients that make successful baseball teams.

The first-year Jackson High School coach made a point this past season to return Jaguars’ players back to basics. He is a firm believer that being well tutored in the basics of catching, fielding, throwing and hitting ultimately leads to winning.

This past week, Malta and members of his coaching staff conducted a camp at the Holbrook Little League Field.

The first annual Jags Baseball Camp is geared toward boys and girls ages 7-14. From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday the youngsters spend time at different stations sharpening skills. Afternoons are spent playing actual games.

“It’s been a great week,” Malta said. “We’ve had a fairly strong turnout, considering it’s my first year running the camp. What we are really trying to get across to the kids is the importance of the fundamentals of the game. If they leave after being here a week and are better at throwing, catching or fielding, then we have at least introduced the basics to them.”

Malta is conducting another camp July 11-15th for Jackson Little League at the Justice Complex. The cost is $130 for the week and registration may be completed by calling Malta at (732) 967-9185.

“We’re trying to reach out to the young players in the community and help improve their skills,” Malta said. “There are a number of talented kids in these parts playing baseball. Anything we can do to help them reach their full potential is what we are trying to accomplish with this instructional camp.”

Malta says working with the younger plays provides an enjoyable change of pace.

“There is something really fun about working with little kids and teaching them this game,” Malta said. “They’re eager to learn and extremely coachable. If we can get them familiar with the fundamentals of the sport at an early age, it is going to quicken their development as players as they get older.”

Mornings are structured with players divided into groups, and attending different offensive and defensive stations set up around the field.

Working on fielding ground balls, fly balls, refining proper throwing mechanics and instilling where to deliver the ball in various situations are covered.

“The bottom line is, defense is a key when it comes to winning games,” Malta said. “Whether it is a Little League, high school, college or professional game, making defensive plays usually proves the difference. We stress defense a lot at this camp. I stress defense a lot with the Jackson High School team.”

Offensive stations include teaching and explaining swing mechanics, bunting, situational hitting and base running.

“Any coach at any level will tell you the importance of being able to move a runner over with a sacrifice bunt,” Malta said. “Sometimes it is the little things during a game like completing a successful sacrifice that makes the difference. At this camp, we want to try and prepare kids with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to lay a bunt down or run the bases the correct way.”

Organized teams square off for games in the afternoon. Players get the opportunity to put into play what they have been working on in the morning.

“The games are a lot of fun for them,” Malta said. “We want to keep them light and fun. As a coach, when you start to see a kid actually put into play a skill he has just been taught it is a great feeling.”