Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach, I feel it in the air, the summer's out of reach: The Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Fantasy: Psychologists describe it as an escape mechanism to deal with the rigors of daily life or label it as reverie to cope with unfulfilled dreams. Boys imagine facing a fast ball or slider from a Major League pitcher but never realize their aspirations in real life. As aging adults, they cling to youthful hero worship of Mantle and Maris , Clemente, Mays, Aaron, Yastrzemski.
2014 finds large parts of the USA and Canada in the deep freeze of a polar vortex. Spring training in Florida and Arizona begins in late February but seems like never-never-land. The boys of summer seem too far off to even consider.
Major League Baseball Fantasy Camps
Some mature adults have taken matters into their own hands. For those who can afford it - $3.5 thousand to $5.5 thousand - retired men in their 50s and 60s can be play for 5 to 8 days at MLB Fantasy Camps against former greats, like Wade Boggs for Red Sox aficionados; George Brett and Bret Saberhagen for KC Royals die-hards; Vida Blue and Gaylord Perry for SF Giants fans.
Boomers faithful to The Bronx Bombers can be coached by former professionals like Bucky Dent and Mike Torrez from the Yankees 1977 World Series Champions and suit up in iconic pinstripe uniforms. Participants receive personal lockers, professional training, autograph sessions, and dream games against former MLB players.
A lot of the fantasy camps are ending, but aging Detroit Tiger loyalists can still play ball from January 26 to February 2, 2014 in Lakeland, Florida and meet Mickey Lolich, 1968 World Series MVP. Other MLB fantasy camps are available, too. See Baseball Fantasy Camp Directory - www.baseballfantasycampdirectory.com.
Athletic Conditioning for Baseball Fantasy Camps
Middle-aged fans of “The Bronx Zoo” who want a head start on fantasy camp have discovered year-long conditioning with Dana Cavalea, trainer of The Yanks for 7 years - 2007 to 2013 - who has added an adult training component to his ML Strength training facility in White Plains, NY.
Cavalea’s 65-year-old father plays in Florida fantasy leagues and has approached his son for year-round health tips.
During his years as the Yankee trainer, Dana was approached by many people about health-related issues. “I saw the older demographic predominated with their questions, especially about the aging process and injuries.” he said.
For Cavalea, working with professionals is not substantially different than working with Baby Boomers or the population at large. “It’s the same recipe, dialed down for each person’s level.” He’s helped clients rebuild their activity level in a similar method to MLB players by focusing on balance, coordination and body control.
The ML Strength program is broken down into three levels.
- Training camp. Group-based classes for 15 to 18 people.
- Pro Training. Individualized attention for 4 to 5 like-minded people.
- ML elite. One-on-one training where a client teams up with a personal coach and a detailed program.
Baseball Fantasy Camp lovers can achieve fitness with a ML Strength trainer, and then head out to fulfill their boyhood dreams with the boys of summer.
Let's play ball.