Former Seattle Mariner brings Catholic Baseball Camp to Kent

By Kate Stringer

The first time 9-year-old Ian Ritter saw a priest hit a home run was last summer in San Diego. It also was the first time the Seattle boy received the sacrament of reconciliation standing in the outfield and was led in the rosary by a professional baseball player.

“It’s a good chance to improve in your baseball skills and in your faith,” Ian said of Catholic Baseball Camp, which is coming to Kent in July. “It was amazing,” added his 11-year-old brother, Kolbe. “It’s my favorite sport and the most important thing in the world [faith] combined, and it was just perfect.”

Ian and Kolbe, along with 13-year-old Christopher Fielder of Fall City, were among 150 kids who attended the San Diego camp, founded by former Seattle Mariner Mike Sweeney.

The boys’ dads, Tom Ritter and Forrest Fielder, accompanied their sons to the camp and were inspired by Sweeney’s joining of faith and baseball. So they made a video — featuring their sons, Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and members of the Knights of Columbus — that helped convince Sweeney to bring his Catholic camp to the Seattle Archdiocese this summer.

The July 22-24 camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-16, and no baseball experience is required. Each camp weaves together Mass, baseball training with professional-level coaches, inspirational guest speakers, worship music, four-inning games, the rosary and reconciliation.

It’s an opportunity for kids to “identify with great role models that are Catholic first and athletes second,” Forrest Fielder said. Registration opened Feb. 15, and 45 of the 150 slots were filled within 10 days, he added.

Sweeney, a five-time all-star for the Kansas City Royals, conducted Christian baseball camps as an active player, but started Catholic Baseball Camp three years ago in San Diego after retiring. (He recently was hired as the Royals’ special assistant to baseball operations.)

“I wanted to share the greatest story ever told through the means of the greatest game ever played,” Sweeney said.

“I had a vision from God to use baseball to share the Gospel,” he said, but at first was reluctant, thinking no one would come to a Catholic baseball camp. “Yet when I gave my full ‘yes’ to God, he did miracles. The camps sold out in matter of weeks.”

At last summer’s camp, Fielder said, the kids were wide-eyed as they listened to guest speakers like a Navy SEAL share the importance of faith in times of battle. Sweeney also brought in professional athletes to inspire his campers. “Kids get excited to see heroes sharing their faith, letting them know it’s cool to be Catholic, it’s attractive to be a follower of Jesus and the church he founded,” Sweeney said.

Christopher Fielder said he’s glad his friends convinced him to go to the camp, “because it was so much fun.” Family members are welcome to attend the camp’s daily Mass, watch the activities and listen to the speakers, Forrest Fielder said. He especially encourages dads to visit the camp and be inspired, too.

Sweeney said he has witnessed the power of sharing his Catholic faith through the baseball camps: kids returning to church and being confirmed, and entire families converting.

Catholic Baseball Camp “is the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of on a baseball field, much greater than five major league all-star games or a walk-off home run in front of 40,000 people,” Sweeney said. “It’s an eternal impact on the lives of hundreds of young men and women every year.”

Seattle Catholic Baseball Camp When: July 22-24 Who: Boys and girls ages 8-16. No baseball experience required. All faith backgrounds welcome. Where: Russell Road Sports Complex, 24400 Russell Road, Kent Cost: $300 per person Information: www.catholicbaseballcampseattle.com Mike and Shara Sweeney Family Foundation: www.mikesweeney.org

February 26, 2014. Updated April 9, 2014