CLAMS donate to CL Little League, host former MLB pitcher

Canyon Lake resident Greg Harris, who spent 15 years in the major leagues, spoke at the recent Clams meeting. He shared some of his baseball experiences with the club, who made a $1,000 donation to the local Little League at the meeting.

The Canyon Lake Association of Men (CLAMS) donated $1,000 to Canyon Lake Little League in order “to help promote and support the children of Canyon Lake and surrounding communities,” said CLAMS vice president Mike Inkrote.

Matt Williams was the representative for Canyon Lake Little League who accepted the check on the league’s behalf. He serves as the league’s vice president.

This was the first year that CLAMS has donated to the Canyon Lake Little League. The club also donates computers to Loma Linda Hospital so that children who are patients at the hospital can maintain their studies while hospitalized. They also give to Helping Hands, Animal Friends of the Valleys, 4 Paws 4 Patriots, the Boys and Girls Club, HOPE, Peppermint Ridge and the City of Canyon Lake Veterans Committee.

The donation was made at the CLAMS’ monthly meeting on Feb. 19 where former major league player and current Canyon Lake resident Greg Harris was the featured speaker. Greg played for nine different Major League Baseball teams during his 15 years in the league.

Greg pitched in 703 career games, starting 98. He pitched for the San Diego Padres in the 1984 World Series. One of his claims to fame is his unique baseball glove that is on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Greg is the first player in the major league’s modern era to pitch to batters using both hands.

A natural right-hander, he felt he could throw well enough left-handed to pitch with his left hand in a game, but his coaches wouldn’t allow it. Finally, in his next to last game of his career, he was finally allowed to pitch both right handed and left handed.

In the ninth inning, Greg retired Reggie Sanders pitching right-handed, then switched to his left hand for the next two hitters, Hal Morris and Ed Taubensee. Harris walked Morris, but got Taubensee to ground out. He then went back to his right hand to retire Bret Boone to end the inning. Because of the feat, Greg’s glove, which was custom built with an extra thumb so that it could be worn on either hand, is now on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Canyon Lake Association of Men’s Club is a non-profit 501(c), nonpartisan organization. The CLAMS organization has been in existence since 1973 (47 years). The club is open to all Canyon Lake men and those men in the surrounding communities who share in a belief of giving back to the community. Strong membership allows the CLAMS to continue its philanthropic work and give it to charitable organizations.

The Canyon Lake Association of Men’s Club is a non-profit 501(c), nonpartisan organization. The CLAMS organization has been in existence since 1973 (47 years). The club is open to all Canyon Lake men and those men in the surrounding communities who share in a belief of giving back to the community. Strong membership allows the CLAMS to continue its philanthropic work and give funds to charitable organizations.