Character as important as ability at the Sandlot Love of the game leads local man to new business, radio show BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer SCOTT FRIEDMAN Victoria Lonnay, 15, of Hazlet, gets a jump on spring training with her teammates from Mater Dei High School, New Monmouth section of Middletown, at the Sandlot training facility off Route 516 in Old Bridge Sunday. OLD BRIDGE - Baseball is Mike Eckert's life. Fromthe time of his youth, the sport has been his passion.And after an 18-year career in themortgage industry,Eckert has put it in the forefront again by opening the Sandlot. "I'm just one of those nuts, you know," Eckert said. "I love baseball. I always have." The Sandlot is a baseball and softball training facility for all ages, located off Route 516 on White Oak Lane. After opening its doors Jan. 24, the Sandlot is already thriving. Booked for about 40 lessons aweek each, Eckert and his instructors share their extensive baseball experience to help students step up their game, while imparting life lessons that go beyondAmerica's pastime. One of the things that sets the Sandlot apart from other facilities of its kind is the unique philosophy espoused by its instructors, who all undergo the same training. Known as the CHAMPS program, it breaks down to the following values: champion, honor, achievement, mentor, perseverance and sportsmanship. Lori Mac (r), 17, of Cliffwood Beach, and Geena Basso, 15, of Matawan, work on their swings at the Sandlot training facility off Route 516 in Old Bridge Sunday. "I followit because I've seen itwork,"Eckert said. Instructors also teach the importance of balancing the ABCs - academics, baseball and character. "If you get those three in line, something good is going to happen for you in the baseball world," Eckert said. The Sandlot is not only about its philosophies. Equipped with tools to tangibly view and measure progress and success, its patrons can track their growth as players over time. TheRightViewPro video analysis technology allows instructors to break down a student's swing in order to analyze formand movement through close observation. "It's a great tool, because you can tell kids what they're doing wrong," Eckert said. Another tool soon to be introduced at the facility is the Black Sound K-Zone, a virtual catcher that gives pitchers feedback on their abilities. After each session, a printout from the machine informs both the student and the instructor where progress has been made, and where more work might be necessary. "It's a visual for the parents,"Eckert said. "Now we can actually show them[their children] are getting better." The 9,200-square-foot facility also houses 7,200 square feet of professional grass turf, eight batting cages and two pitching tunnels. There is also a birthday party/conference roomand pro shop. Area teams rent space at the Sandlot for training and practice. "Going back towhen Iwas a kid, you didn't have this," Eckert said. Lack of high-tech facilities and training did not stop Eckert from stepping up to the plate as a youngster. Starting off in Old Bridge Little League, hewent on to play varsity ball at Cedar Ridge High School, garnering all-conference and all-county status two years in a row. As a senior, Eckert became the first Cedar Ridge High School player in an all-state all-star game in Princeton. After receiving a number of accolades for his playing in his hometown of Old Bridge, Eckert played for four years at North CarolinaWesleyan College. There, he served as captain for two years, and was honored with the title ofMost Valuable Player of the 1987 World Series third-place team, as well as Male ScholarAthlete during his senior year. Perhaps the most crowning of Eckert's college achievements was meeting his wife, Dianne, who is not only his partner in life, but also in the business. It seemed like destiny that the two New Jersey nativesmet in North Carolina. "I always tell people, 'Iwent down for the blond-haired southern belle, and I ended up with the Italian fromJersey,'" Eckert said. "I feel bad for her, because her whole life is sports.Without her, I can't do it." The twomade their home inMiddletown, where they started a family of three more sports fans- Mike, 15,Matt, 12, and John, 5. WithDianne's help,Eckert still finds time to coach five teams while sitting on Middletown's Little League board of directors. From March toNovember,Eckert talks baseball on the Sandlot radio show, aired at 9 a.m. Saturdays on WCTC 1450-AM, broadcast from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. The show not only honors players and coaches of the week from throughout the county, but also gives kudos to the character champ of the week, Eckert said. "Itmay not be your best kid on the team, but the kid is always there, always rooting for you [and] never complaining, sowe interview them, too," Eckert said. Eckert stressed the importance of such traits, which he said he views as integral to every player. In running baseball camps, Eckert would teach students to be "coachable," then test them on what they learned by having thembring a letter back fromparents to tell him about their actions at home. To Eckert, following direction from parents is tantamount to following directions on the field. "One parent called me Santa Claus in July," Eckert said. Eckert said he hopes to run a camp this summer in Asbury Park. Following the Sandlot's philosophies, kids would train in themorning, then take part in a team-building activity in the afternoon. "Building their character is an important part of ourmission here," Eckert said. The Sandlot inOldBridge, at 139White Oak Lane, is one of 30 across the country. There is one in Sicklerville, and a soon-toopen location in Union. For more information, visit the Sandlot on the Web at www.sandlotmc.com, e-mailMikeEckert at mike@sandlotmc.comor call (732) 607-0030.