WORCESTER, Mass. — Students on the Assumption University Greyhounds baseball team came back to Worcester last month to take part in the Worcester Red Sox’s youth baseball clinic at Polar Park.

The first event in a series of WooSox clinics, the Assumption players taught the young athletes through fielding, pitching and hitting drills.

“I have a love for the game,” said Jared Berardino, a sophomore and outfielder for Assumption. “I remember as a kid, I always had great influences around me, teaching me the way of the game. Being able to have the influence of the older generation of baseball players made me realize that I can reach out and help kids take their game to the next level.”

Growing up, Berardino would attend the Lowell Spinners’ clinics, which gave him his own start with more experienced athletes. Now, this opportunity at Polar Park allowed him the same opportunity to make a difference in young lives.

“When I found out I could do this, it was something I definitely wanted to do,” Berardino said.

Berardino’s teammate, Matt Peterson, a sophomore and first baseman, also enjoyed working with the kids. Peterson has played baseball since he was about 7 years old, taking part in various youth clinics as well.

“It’s always been my favorite sport,” Peterson said. “I never did a clinic as well put together and impressive like this. I did a lot of youth clinics, both staffing and playing for them. It’s a great experience, not only for the kids to appreciate and see their future, but [to] also get better at baseball and as a person too.”

Peterson said that now, as a 20 year old, he sees how these youth clinics were able to shape him as an athlete. 

“It’s just really important to give the kids something to look up to, motivate them and show how special of a game baseball is,” Peterson said.

A pitching session in progress. Photo courtesy of Assumption University.

“We were thrilled to have student athletes from Assumption University join us at the youth clinic presented by Hanover Insurance,” said Jack Verducci, the vice president of corporate partnerships for the WooSox. “The skills and expertise of Assumption’s student athletes were greatly appreciated by both the team and the clinic participants.”

In the outfield, Beradino worked with the kids on fly balls. This was his first time working with youth, but likely not the last.

“It was definitely great to see how much fun the kids were having and how happy their parents were to be there,” Beradino said. “It was a great experience for sure, and with the pandemic it definitely made it more special.”

Peterson worked with the kids in the infield, focusing on ground balls, pre-pitch stances, general fielding and more.

Photo courtesy of Assumption University.

“Not every kid that age has the opportunity to be in a camp like that and play with college kids that have been playing as long as they have,” Peterson said. “It’s important not only to see ‘that’s where I can be in the future if I work really hard’ but also to see how fun baseball is and how much they can improve in just one day.”

As founding partners of the WooSox, Assumption’s youth baseball clinics at Polar Park are just one aspect of the University’s partnership with the new baseball organization. Some Assumption students have earned internships within the organization, and some business students were involved in their branding and polling process.

“Assumption’s willingness to participate in our youth clinic is another prime example of how our partnership is multifaceted and unique within the higher education category,” Verducci said.

Additional baseball clinics are taking place this month and in August.

“Not every school has a connection to a field like Polar Park, not even the other schools in Worcester do,” Peterson said. “Any day that you get to be at Polar Park is a good one.”