Ventura's Rocky Hall and his college player counselors are getting Junior Division 13-14-year-old baseball players ready for high school.

Hall's One-on-One Camp attracted 35 players, 25 of whom were preparing for this past weekend's tournament at Ventura High.

"The whole idea is to improve skills and keep them going," said Hall, a former UCLA player and professional from San Pedro High.

"As a coach, we want to prolong a kid's career and give him enough confidence to go on playing," said Hall. "At this level, you just want to get better and better."

His camp allows players from other areas to get to know each other on the baseball field and develop friendships.

"We want the players to love the game on and off the field," said Hall.

One of the players, Paul McAnulty of the San Diego Padres attended Hall's first camp in 1998. The former Oxnard High, Oxnard College and Long Beach State player is batting .235 with 12 RBIs and three homers for the Padres.

Hall is the agent for McAnulty as well as Brandon Knight, who pitched for the New York Yankees in 2001 and 2002. Knight, who went on to play in Japan, has returned to the New York Mets and is playing Triple A ball. Knight, 32, is a former Buena High and Ventura College player.

Hall's camp featured Moorpark College pitcher Geoffrey Landry and catcher Alex Bustillos. Westmont College's Peter McCarthy and Jackson Kwiatkowski, a recent St. Bonaventure graduate, led the way.

Hall said he's taken a page from Cal Ripken's baseball camps for the past 11 years.

"Ripken encourages players to play three sports," said Hall.

Hall said fewee than 1 percent of the players drafted make it to the majors.

Hall wants players to play other sports, but those devoted to baseball are encouraged to play in his JV and varsity fall ball league at Ventura High. Hall said Oxnard, Hueneme, Santa Clara and Ventura have committed teams.

Hall, a draft choice of the Seattle Mariners, played in the Milwaukee Brewers organization with Hall of Famer Robin Yount and Paul Molitor.

Hall has been around some outstanding talent, but believes in hard work and having fun with the game.

McCarthy was teaching outfielding and hitting skills in the camp.

"We did some stretching and running to start the camp," said McCarthy, a Camarillo High product.

Landry was working with the pitchers and said he never threw a curveball until his junior year at St. Bonaventure.

"My goal is to get a scholarship to a university," said Landry, who has one more season to play at Moorpark College. "My goal is to get drafted."

Bustillos said he's enjoying sharing his knowledge with younger players.

Kwiatkowski said he loves helping kids improve their baseball skills.

Beginning Monday, Hall will perform a camp for players 7-9 and the final camp will be July 7-9 for ages 9-12.

All camps are on the St. Bonaventure High baseball field off Wells and Henderson roads.

Hall's goal is to start a baseball academy in Ventura County funded by Major League Baseball.

Information: http://www.rockys1on1.com.