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-> Penders has built a program that has produced 53 players signed or drafted into the pros, including major leaguers such as Matt Barnes, George Springer, Nick Ahmed, Scott Oberg and Mike Olt.
Most of them came back recently to tour the new ballpark, which has seats for 1,500 fans and a large berm stretching down the right field line and into center field that can seat thousands more.
Penders said he left the lights on after the tour and Olt was hitting balls out of the new park into the night.
“Coach Penders has done such a good job of establishing a program that will always compete in the Northeast,” said Barnes, the Boston Red Sox closer and one of the stars of UConn’s 2011 squad. “They’ve done a terrific job of not only attracting quality talent but helping guys reach their true potential. When you combine what he’s able to do with the new facilities, UConn is without a doubt the No. 1 choice for Northeast players.” <-