Trevor Williams
Chicago Cubs Pitcher 2021

MLB Pitcher, Trevor Williams, was a hit at the 2021 Catholic Baseball Camp! 

Photo Courtesy of MLB.com

Mike Sweeney
Camp Founder

Fr. Burke Masters
Camp Leader & Chaplain

Fr. Burke is the Secretary for Christian Formation in the Diocese of Joliet. He also serves as the Catholic Chaplain for the Chicago Cubs and is the co-founder of Catholic Baseball Camp (Chicago) with his good friend, MLB All-Star and Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer, Mike Sweeney.

Fr. Burke was not raised Catholic, but attended Providence Catholic High School in order to move closer to his dream of becoming a Major League baseball player.  It was at Providence that Fr. Burke fell in love with the Eucharist and the Catholic Church.  He became Catholic his senior year in high school. He went on to play baseball at Mississippi State University, where he played in the College World Series.  He was nominated as one of the top student-athletes in the history of Mississippi State University. He attended seminary and became a priest in 2002, serving as a parish priest, then as Vocations Director for 12 years. 

Fr Burke helped Mike lead Catholic Baseball Camps in San Diego, Seattle and Kansas City before asking Mike to help him launch a Catholic Baseball Camp in the suburbs of Chicago in the Diocese of Joliet in 2014. It was an instant Home Run!

​Fr. Burke and Mike Sweeney are looking forward to meeting new campers this summer, with plans to help  kids encounter Jesus Christ, practice Christian virtues, celebrate our Catholic Tradition, and inspire these young athletes to spread the Good News though sports! 

Former MLB Star
Donn Pall

Former MLB Star
​Mike Huff

​Donn Paul is a 10 year major-league veteran, spending 6 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, including the 1993 American League West championship team. Nicknamed “The Pope”, Pall grew up in the Chicago suburb of Evergreen Park and played collegiate baseball at the University of Illinois. He currently is the Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley.

Mike Huff played in the MLB for 7 years, including the White Sox from 1991-1993. He is a Wilmette native and the current President of the West Suburban Sports Complex, formerly the Bulls/Sox Academy in Lisle. He is also White Sox Director for Baseball and Fastpitch Programs for local in-house little league and travel teams/organizations.

 Baseball/Softball Camp

REGISTer now

Date/Time 
Mon-Tues, July 29-30, 2024
8am-3pm​

Location
Montini Catholic High School
19W070 16th St, Lombard

​Boys & Girls Ages 8-12

​Fee $150
​Scholarships Available
​(Contact Us)

Larry Coffey
Coach

Larry has been coaching baseball for over 25 years. Larry is a strong Catholic who has coached at all levels and understands the development of youth players from T-ball thru high level travel baseball (Illinios Sparks). Currently he is training high school baseball players. In addition to coaching, Larry was an accomplished player himself as an Illinios All-State shortstop at Hinsdale Central High School. He went on to have a productive career at University of Illinios where he was named captain his senior year. Larry looks forward to coaching another fantastic Catholic Baseball Camp this summer!

Paul Nykaza
​Coach

A former high school and collegiate standout at Bloom Township HS and Illinois Tech respectively, Nykaza was an All-Conference and NAIA All-District selection while earning team MVP honors at Illinois Tech.  He currently serves as the pitching coach at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, perennially one of the top-rated programs in the state.  Nykaza has guided his pitching staff to multiple 30 win seasons and runner up in the 2013 4A State Championship.  Additionally, Nykaza has anchored the pitching staff for the Chicago Clout, a two-time National Champion semi-pro baseball team.  Nykaza has served on the Mike Sweeney Catholic Baseball Camp Chicago Committee since its inaugural year in 2015.

Jennifer Zielke
​Coach

Jenn played softball at Thornwood HS in South Holland, IL.  She attended  University of Illinois, playing all infield positions, primarily shortstop and catcher.  After graduation, she continued to play fast-pitch softball in Omaha, NE for a local league.  Upon returning to Chicago, she started playing baseball because fast-pitch softball leagues were no longer available in the area.  She found a group of women who played baseball and started playing tournaments nationwide.  In 2006, they started a women's baseball league in Chicago. She made the Team USA squad for the Women's World Cup Tournament in Taiwan.  She made that squad again in 2008 and 2010 and trained with the team that went to Venezuela for the World Cup tournament. Jenn is spearheading the softball part of camp in 2020.

Daily Camp Schedule:

7:30   Check-in on Monday
​8:00   Mass and introductions
9:15    Baseball/softball instruction on the field - coaching stations
​11:30  Lunch and talks from coaches and MLB players
12:15  Adoration
12:45 "Virtue games" on the field
2:15   Awards and Rosary
3:00  Dismissal and opportunity for confession on the field

Talks for Parents (9:15-11:00 AM each day)

All parents are welcome to join us for a series of talks to be held after Mass each morning of the camp. Topic TBD.

Camper Attire:

• Baseball or athletic pants (no shorts)
• Baseball cleats are best, athletic shoes are acceptable
• Camp Jersey and Cap - These will be handed out at Wednesday check-in.
  Other T-shirt is permitted if camp shirt is being laundered.

Items to bring:
​(please label with name)

• Baseball Glove
  
• Baseball Bag with Gear - bat/s, helmet
  
• Athletic shoes (or other comfortable shoes for after camp)​​
  
• Sun Block & SPF Lip Balm (Chapstick)
  
• Snacks
  
• Water Bottle
  

We will provide:

• Daily Lunch (gluten free lunch available) 
• Official Catholic Baseball Camp Jersey
• Official Catholic Baseball Camp Cap​

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Please check your email regularly as this is our primary way we communicate. Any additional information that we need to convey as the camp draws closer will be passed on to you via the e-mail address that you supplied when you signed up for camp. Please make it a habit to check your email daily, this will eliminate any confusion and or miscommunication.