As the holiday season draws near, a dedicated group of Boynton Beach police officers is trading in their badges for baseball cleats, ready to engage with the community in a new way.
The Police Athletic League (PAL) of Boynton Beach is proud to host a two-day baseball clinic designed for local youth and aspiring Little Leaguers, promoting the vital themes of teamwork and community bonding.
“PAL has been around for many years, primarily focusing on basketball and football,” said Boynton Beach Police Deputy Chief Matt Zeller, emphasizing the organization’s long-standing commitment to youth sports.
This month, however, the focus shifts to the baseball diamond, where valuable lessons are being imparted alongside the fundamentals of the game.
“We wanted to expand it so we can interact with more of our youth,” Zeller elaborated. “Many of our officers have a personal history with baseball, and we believe it offers a fantastic avenue for achieving that connection.”
The camp provides an ideal opportunity for budding athletes like 10-year-old Dylan Zeller, who expressed his excitement about participating.
“It feels great,” Dylan Zeller said, his face lighting up as he spoke about the experience.
While the officers teach the intricacies of America’s Pastime, Dylan is particularly enjoying spending time with familiar faces from his neighborhood.
“It’s wonderful. We were able to scrimmage, eat nice food, and work out,” Dylan Zeller remarked, highlighting the fun aspects of the camp.
For members of PAL, the initiative is all about forging stronger connections with the community.
“Law enforcement, we’re just regular people. This is a great opportunity for them to see that most of these individuals who are out here are fathers themselves, and they coach,” emphasized Deputy Chief Matt Zeller, who dedicates time to coach the East Boynton Little League outside of his police duties.
He firmly believes that baseball is an excellent medium for imparting important life lessons.
“Baseball is a game of failure. You’re going to fail more than you’re successful. I think that’s a huge leadership opportunity for these kids,” asserted Deputy Chief Matt Zeller, capturing the essence of resilience that the sport embodies.
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**Interview with Deputy Chief Matt Zeller of the Boynton Beach Police Department**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Deputy Chief Zeller. As the holiday season approaches, we’ve heard about an exciting initiative in Boynton Beach where police officers are actively engaging with youth through baseball. Can you tell us more about this baseball clinic?
**Deputy Chief Zeller:** Thank you for having me! We are thrilled to host this two-day baseball clinic through the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Boynton Beach. Our goal is to foster community bonding and teamwork among local youth, especially those aspiring to play Little League.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a fantastic way to connect with the younger generation. You mentioned that PAL has focused primarily on basketball and football in the past. What inspired the shift to baseball this time?
**Deputy Chief Zeller:** Exactly! PAL has been dedicated to sports for many years, but we believe it’s important to expand our offerings. Baseball provides a platform for us to reach more youth in our community. By introducing them to the fundamentals of the game, we can build relationships based on trust and respect, which is vital in our mission as community-oriented law enforcement.
**Interviewer:** How does the clinic incorporate the themes of teamwork and community bonding?
**Deputy Chief Zeller:** Each session will emphasize not only the skills needed to play baseball but also the principles of working together and supporting one another. The coaches—who are our officers—will lead drills and interactive games that highlight cooperation and camaraderie. We want the kids to learn that teamwork extends beyond the field and into their everyday lives.
**Interviewer:** That’s a wonderful perspective. What feedback have you received from the community about this initiative?
**Deputy Chief Zeller:** The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Families appreciate that the police department is actively engaging with their children through an enjoyable activity like baseball. We’ve heard from parents who value these interactions, as they help build a sense of safety and openness between children and law enforcement.
**Interviewer:** As you look forward to the clinic, what message would you like to send to the youth of Boynton Beach?
**Deputy Chief Zeller:** My message is simple: get involved, have fun, and learn! We’re here to show you that police officers can be mentors and friends. This is a great opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season together.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Deputy Chief Zeller, for sharing these insights. It’s inspiring to see law enforcement making a positive impact in the community.
**Deputy Chief Zeller:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important initiative. We can’t wait to see everyone at the clinic!