South Bay Curve Youth Baseball offers young SoCal players a premier group travel ball experience

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) — South Bay Curve Youth Baseball's mission has always been to provide young student-athletes with a safe space to grow and collaborate while playing the game they love.

The organization – which now consists of four full-time teams – is a local travel ball group. It is an alternative to recreational baseball groups (like PONY or Little League) and tends to be a little more competitive.

“A lot of parents and some kids who are of a higher caliber want to play at a higher level, and that's where travel baseball provides the opportunity to do that,” said Curve manager and founder Fabian Fierro.

Curve strives to provide South Bay area players and their families a first-class travel baseball experience at an affordable cost, supported by volunteers, fundraising and sponsorships. Players can play throughout Southern California and other states.

Fierro said they would not charge families any additional costs. This is his way of giving something back – knowing full well that most people couldn't afford it any other way.

“As a Hispanic, I am very proud that more than half of my players and families are of Hispanic descent and that means a lot to me,” he said.

Fierro, who is half Puerto Rican and half Mexican, said he is very proud of his heritage and it has always been a passion of his to help his community through the game.

“Baseball is huge in these parts of the world. My favorite ballplayer as a kid was Roberto Clemente,” he said.

Clemente, one of the most influential Latino players in the world, died in a plane crash in 1972. He had traveled to Nicaragua to help with relief efforts after a major earthquake.

“I wanted to give back in the same way if I can provide a program and a platform for those who can't afford the full travel expenses for baseball and get all the coaches and families involved in our program and what we're about stand to believe. it can work,” Fierro said.

Fierro, who recruits and oversees the entire Curve coaching staff, spent his childhood playing baseball in the South Bay before playing for Cal Poly Pomona.

The manager of the 12U team, Alberto Araujo, also shares the same passion for the game.

“I grew up playing baseball, I played baseball in college in Mexico, and it's a great tool that made me the person I am,” he said. “So if I can give back to my children and the children of the Curve family, it makes me proud.”

Even though they're still young, the players are already sharing some pretty smart life advice – all thanks to Curve.

“Play as hard as you can and you will achieve the success you dream of.”

To learn more about South Bay Curve Youth Baseball, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.