MOUNT VERNON — More than 80 youth showed up to the BASE by Pros on Saturday with Seattle Mariners jerseys, bobbleheads, photos and their gear for a baseball clinic — and the chance to meet a baseball legend.

Most of the kids, aged 10–18, donned Cal Raleigh jerseys to meet the Mariners catcher. What convinced the pro to travel north to Skagit County?

“I played with Steven Souza, and he is a part-owner of BASE by Pros,” Raleigh said. “They do great things at this facility and do things the right way. They know what it takes to develop young kids, and I am happy to help out and expand outside of Seattle.”

Raleigh led the Seattle Mariners this year to their first American League Championship Series since 2001. He was also named an all-star and runner-up for the AL MVP after hitting .247, 147 hits, 60 home runs and 125 RBIs.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh answers questions from area baseball players. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

The young baseball players had the opportunity to meet the AL MVP runner-up while taking hitting lessons from other coaches and Mount Vernon High baseball players.

“These moments are crucial for a kid to be inspired,” BASE by Pros co-owner Brent Lillibridge said. “Kids want to do the work to be like Cal Raleigh. We want to bring those guys around so kids know we can be around that excellence.”

It was the second year Raleigh made the trip to Mount Vernon for a clinic at BASE By Pros. Raleigh helped teach the youth some of his catching skills last year, but this clinic was different.

The kids went through eight stations that included live batting practice, hitting off the tees, running the bases, bunting and working with medicine balls. The final station was a Q&A and autograph session with Raleigh.

Players work with BASE by Pros staff on a tee drill during the clinic. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

“It’s fun interacting with the kids and having an open dialogue,” Raleigh said. “You want to have a positive impact on the next generation because those are the kids who will be taking your place one day.”

One of the campers who was excited to talk to Raleigh was 10-year-old Connor Reilly. Reilly said meeting Raleigh was a once-in-a-lifetime experience since he is one of the best catchers in the league. 

Reilly, who is also a catcher on his travel baseball team, made the trip from Lake Stevens for the second consecutive year to work with Raleigh. He hopes his experience with the professional athlete can guide him to the path of becoming the next great catcher.

“I ask him why he works so hard and he says he wants to be like Cal Raleigh,” said Connor’s father, James Reilly. “Being able to meet his idol is extra special.”

Cal Raleigh fist bumps 10-year-old Connor Reilly after signing a picture of the two from another camp. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Lillibridge hopes his staff, Raleigh and other pros provide a safe space and a source of inspiration for the next generation of players.

“The main thing we do is make sure the kids feel loved,” Lillibridge said. “I want every kid to feel safe and seen.”

As the clinic wrapped up, campers took a massive photo while chanting “MVP.” Lillibridge said he hopes to keep expanding the facility and inviting more players.

“You want to leave the game better than you found it,” Raleigh said. “With kids looking up to the Mariners, we want to be a good example.”

Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN’s sports editor; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.