Pleasanton, Jan. 20, 2008 – STRETCH will have its 3rd annual baseball and softball boot camp Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27. New this year is the addition of a girls softball camp. The program is open to baseball ball players 10-14 years old and softball players 10-12 years old. “We’re excited about this year’s camp – it’s very special. We’re adding the girls softball program and we have the best line up yet of professional trainers,” said Jason Alley, Board Member of STRETCH.

Integrity in sports as a whole is eroding, sending the wrong messages to our youth about what it means to be an athlete, a success, a winner. The youth ball field has proven to be a feeding ground for overzealous parents, coaches and administrators who, often without knowing it, taint children’s minds with a warped sense of what it means to be a competitor. Lacking a strong frame of moral reference, the result is too often a broken spirit rather than an uplifted and enriched heart.

“It’s a boot camp because it’s an intense, three day leadership and advanced skills clinic for passionate baseball and softball players. The kids work hard and are rewarded in so many ways, both physically and spiritually. With the addition of softball, we’re certain to capture the imagination of many girls in our community,” said Mark Moreno, Board Memebr of STRETCH.

The boot camp costs $150. This includes professional training, a ball cap, a warm up shirt, two lunches and two dinners, a BBQ on Sunday and other goodies.

About STRETCH - The STRETCH Ministries mission is to provide a superior off-season baseball and softball experience that will infuse character filled leadership skills into the minds and souls of young ball players – Respect / Teamwork / Dedication / Integrity / Enthusiasm / Self-Control / Confidence / Humility - through the moral teachings of Jesus. Our hope is that a portion of the community’s top young athletes put these skills to use while participating in their respective civic leagues (e.g., Pony, Little League, Babe Ruth, Pleasanton Girls Softball League, etc.), fighting to bring integrity back to ball fields and to sports as a whole.

Additional information about STRETCH is available at www.gostretch.org . Email STRETCH at info@gostretch.org.