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Creighton youth camp honors Chris Gradoville’s legacy
Young players get baseball instruction and mentorship at the annual camp on Creighton University’s campus.
OMAHA, Neb. —
The Fifth Annual Chris Gradoville Baseball Camp returned to Creighton University Tuesday, bringing young athletes together for instruction, mentorship and a tribute to the former Creighton baseball coach.
The camp was held at the Rasmussen Center and the new baseball field on campus. It featured former Major League players Brian Duensing, Tyler Cloyd, Darin Ruf and Pat Venditte, along with current college coaches and players.
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“Our mission with this camp is bigger than baseball,” organizers said in a written statement. “We want every participant to leave not only as a better player, but as a better person — someone who strives to live and compete the way Chris did: with 100% effort, heart and a genuine care for others.”
The camp honored Chris Gradoville’s impact on the Omaha community. Organizers said they hope to keep the tradition going for years to come.
“It’s been a steady camp for the last five years here that kids get more and more excited about, and I think this new facility will invigorate it even more,” Pat Venditte, president of Grad-itude, said.
While the kids attended to learn baseball, Venditte said he wanted to also teach them his favorite parts of Gradoville — the things that go beyond the diamond.
“There’s few guys per team that actually, you know, treat their teammates with respect, play hard every day,” Venditte said. “There’s only one or two per team, and we hope to get those kids to understand that and be those kids when they leave here.”
“It just means a lot to our family to see Pat continue on the legacy of Chris, and I think it’s just a true testament of their friendship and their partnership as teammates,” Stephanie Gradoville said.
Family and family said they’re still grieving, but the camp helps ease the pain.
“It really offsets some of that hard stuff and I just can’t believe we’re in year five,” Stephanie said.
“Just bringing all of our former teammates together and people whose lives were impacted by Chris and in such a positive way, this is the least we can do,” Darin Ruf, former MLB player, said.
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