Yankees’ Brett Gardner comes to Coleman Country Day Camp

Nine-year-old Jake Ignatow of Long Beach rounded the bases at Coleman Country Day Camp's synthetic-turf infield at full speed, a tad of out breath when he reached third. Awaiting him a few paces off the baseline was none other than Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, best known as the last player to score at the old Yankee Stadium in September 2008.

Gardner delivered a quick high-five to the super-excited Ignatow. "I'm never going to wash this hand," the youngster exclaimed. "I'm running in his shoes now because he taught us how to run the correct way."

Gardner stopped off for a two-hour visit at Coleman Country in Merrick on July 22, and all 900 campers, boys and girls of all ages and from communities across the South Shore, got a chance to meet the 26-year-old star, hear a few tips on base running, and then take turns racing around Coleman's infield and giving Gardner high-fives. At the end of the day, each camper received an autographed photo of Gardner.

Ross Coleman, the camp director and son of owners George and Marla Coleman, arranged Gardner's visit. "I've been hearing it all summer: When's Brett coming? When's Brett coming?" Ross Coleman said.

Susan Schwartz, Coleman's third- and fourth-grade director, and a Merrick Board of Education trustee, was dressed in Yankees apparel from head to toe. "Of course [the campers] are very excited. They love special events. This is probably the most special," she said.

Marla Coleman said, "It's not just that [Gardner's] a Yankee. He's a terrific role model."

Gardner, who wears No. 11 for the Yankees, was born and raised in Holly Hill, S.C., where he graduated high school in a class of 22 -- 16 girls and six boys. He was a walk-on at the Division I College of Charleston, who went on to become a three-year starter for the Cougars with a .447 batting average -- third highest in the nation. He then played in the Yankees Minor League system, and was first called up to the Majors in 2008. He started playing with the Yankees in 2009, when the team, of course, won the World Series. Gardner, who is now a full-time outfielder for the Yankees and batting .305 this year, is considered among the fastest players in Major League Baseball.