PAGE FROM THE PAST Once on verge of majors, Mondile now coaches kids By KEVIN CALLAHAN Courier-Post Staff Steve Mondile only has to turn on the TV to be reminded how close he was to playing in the major leagues. "There are guys who are still playing who I played with," said Mondile, 41. "To take a step back now and see how close I was - I didn't seem to realize it then." The 6-foot-3 Mondile graduated from Gloucester Catholic in 1983 where he played varsity baseball two years for the Rams. He was named All-South Jersey and All-State as a senior when the right-hander went 10-1 and helped coach Al Radano's team reach the state finals. Mondile went on to Gloucester County College and was 4-2 on the mound before transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he played three years and went 20-8 overall. He was selected All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and AllAmerican as a junior. Mondile, who graduated with a degree in communications, signed as a free agent in 1987 with the Baltimore Orioles. Roland George, a former star pitcher at Pennsauken, was the scout who signed Mondile. Ironically, when Mondile was released from the Orioles after five seasons in the minors, he became a major-league scout and signed Jonathan George, the son of Roland and a former Camden Catholic ace. "That was an incredible turn of events," Mondile said. "I'm not sure if that ever happened in baseball." Mondile played in the Orioles organization from 1987 to 1991, reaching Double-A and playing Triple-A in spring training. He was a teammate of Cal and Billy Ripken and was Curt Schilling's roommate in the minors. "I'm pretty good friends with Curt," Mondile said. "'He is a good guy." Also stocked in the O's organization at the time were Mike Mussina, Ben McDonald and Arthur Rhodes. So Mondile had some bigticket arms to beat out and compete with on the path to the major leagues. Mondile, who coached at Gloucester Catholic and for Brooklawn American Legion after being released, returned to professional baseball in 1997 as a full-time scout for the Florida Marlins and then the Cincinnati Reds. However, in 2004, Mondile had the opportunity to become an owner of The Hit Doctor in Washington Township, where he is partners with Bob Shannon and Mark Connors. "The timing was right because my kids started to need their dad around and the traveling of scouting was getting old," Mondile said. "I would be gone for a month straight during spring training." Although Mondile is home, he still puts in long hours in baseball, working all year with clients from as young as 4 and 5 years old to high school, college and even some pro players. "Our indoor facility is 10,000 square feet and all about in- Steve Mondile sits with sons Tyler STEVE MONDILE SERA Age: 41 High school: Gloucester Catholic, 1983 - Athletic highlights: Played varsity baseball I two years for the Rams. Named All-South Jersey and All-State as senior. - College: Kentucky Wesleyan College, 1987 - Athletic highlights: Went to Gloucester County College and played one year of baseball before transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan and played three years. Selected All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and All-American as a junior. Professional baseball: Signed as a free agent in 1987 with the Baltimore Orioles, where he played in the organization from 1 1987-1991. Coaching experience: Coached at Gloucester Catholic and for Brooklawn American Legion. Returned to ... professional baseball in 1997 as a full-time scout for the Florida Marlins and then the Cincinnati Reds. - Current profession: Owner of Hit Doctor in Washington Twp. and part-time scout for Phillies. - Personal: Married to wife, Teresa, for 12 years. Sons Steven Jr., 11, Tyler, 9, and Austin (AJ) 3. Hometown: Deptford struction and having fun with baseball and softball kids," Mondile said. Mondile stays connected to the major leagues as a part-time scout for Phillies. "No more overnight trips," Mondile said. "I watch guys locally and I will help with predraft workouts at the stadium." Mondile has thrown batting practice at Citizens Bank Park. He was good friends with the late John Vukovich, a former Phillies coach. "It was cool for my kids; they got to go over there and take bat- CHERRY HILL RIO IRE Haddonfield Berlin Rd. CHRIS LaCHALL/Courier-Post (left), Austin (center) and Steven. ting practice and shag some balls," Mondile said. Mondile lives in Deptford with his wife of 12 years, Teresa, and their sons Steven Jr., 11, Tyler, 9, and Austin (AJ), 3. He is now involved in coaching his own kids in the Oak Valley Athletic Association league in which he once played. "It is a lot of fun," Mondile said. "It is an opportunity for me to be with them." Mondile still lives in the neighborhood in which he grew up. "My mom (Norma Mondile) has lived in Oak Valley since December 1959 and I have been here my whole life," Mondile said. "What a tight knit town." On Saturday, Oak Valley celebrated its 50th anniversary of Little League with a gala ceremony. The Oak Valley Little League is lucky to have one of its own who was on the doorstep of the major leagues now coaching again. "I try to help all the kids," Mondile said. Being so close to the big leagues helps Mondile now as an instructor. "I can relate with kids, I've been there," Mondile said. "I can relate to what they are going through." Reach Kevin Callahan at kcallahan@courierpostonline.com 07 SPORTS® MEMORABILIA & /COLLECTIBLES