For the past five years, the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) Youth Baseball Program at Sunnymead Middle School in Moreno Valley, California, has become the school’s most sought-after after-school activity. What began as a simple outreach effort has grown into a thriving program that combines sportsmanship, academic excellence, and community support.

Rick Zeitlin, DEAEF’s Baseball Program Regional Director, was the driving force behind the program’s inception. He reached out to schools in the area five years ago and connected with Assistant Vice Principal Ken Carson, who immediately recognized the potential for Sunnymead Middle School to be a perfect fit.

From there, math teacher and baseball enthusiast Chris Scarff, newly returned from teaching English in China, and Alexander Flores, a school janitor with a love for the game, stepped up to coach under Zeitlin’s direction. Together, they’ve led the program for all 10 seasons—offering students in grades 6 through 8 a chance to develop their skills on and off the field.

The baseball program operates twice a year, with fall and spring seasons. Each season enjoys a full roster of 23 students, capped due to the high demand and limited coaching staff. To participate, students must meet specific GPA and attendance criteria, emphasizing the program’s commitment to fostering discipline and responsibility alongside athletic growth.

Over the years, the program has provided students with equipment such as gloves, hats, T-shirts, baseballs, and occasionally, baseball bags. Additionally, the coaches and DEAEF have gone the extra mile to create memorable experiences for the participants, including pizza parties and tickets to independent baseball games.

Zeitlin is quick to credit the program’s success to its dedicated coaches. “Chris and Alexander have made it so seamless that it really has been a pleasure working with them all these years,” he said. “They are very committed to these kids and love teaching them baseball.”