SCOTT FRIEDMAN Victoria Lonnay, 15, of Hazlet, gets a jump on spring training with her teammates from Mater Dei High School, New Monmouth section ofMiddletown, at the Sandlot training facility off Route 516 in Old Bridge Sunday. OLD BRIDGE - Baseball is Mike Eckert's life.

From the time of his youth, the sport has been his passion.And after an 18-year career in themortgage industry,Eckert has put it in the forefront again by opening the Sandlot.

"I'm just one of those nuts, you know," Eckert said. "I love baseball. I always have."

The Sandlot is a baseball and softball training facility for all ages, located off Route 516 onWhiteOak Lane. After opening its doors Jan. 24, the Sandlot is already thriving.

Booked for about 40 lessons a week each, Eckert and his instructors share their extensive baseball experience to help students step up their game, while imparting life lessons that go beyond America's pastime.

One of the things that sets the Sandlot apart from other facilities of its kind is the unique philosophy espoused by its instructors,who all undergo the same training. Known as the CHAMPS program, it breaks down to the following values: champion, honor, achievement, mentor, perseverance and sportsmanship.

"I followit because I've seen itwork,"Eckert said.

Instructors also teach the importance of balancing the ABCs - academics, baseball and character.

"If you get those three in line, something good is going to happen for you in the baseball world," Eckert said.

The Sandlot is not only about its philosophies. Equipped with tools to tangibly view and measure progress and success, its patrons can track their growth as players over time. TheRightViewPro video analysis technology allows instructors to break down a student's swing in order to analyze form and movement through close observation.

"It's a great tool, because you can tell kids what they're doing wrong," Eckert said.

Another tool soon to be introduced at the facility is the Black Sound K-Zone, a virtual catcher that gives pitchers feedback on their abilities. After each session, a printout from themachine informs both the student and the instructor where progress has been made, and wheremore workmight be necessary.

"It's a visual for the parents," Eckert said. "Now we can actually show them [their children] are getting better."

The 9,200-square-foot facility also houses 7,200 square feet of professional grass turf, eight batting cages and two pitching tunnels. There is also a birthday party/conference roomand pro shop.

Area teams rent space at the Sandlot for training and practice.

"Going back to when I was a kid, you didn't have this," Eckert said.

Lack of high-tech facilities and training did not stop Eckert from stepping up to the plate as a youngster. Starting off in Old Bridge Little League, he went on to play varsity ball at Cedar RidgeHigh School, garnering all-conference and all-county status two years in a row.As a senior,Eckert became the first Cedar Ridge High School player in an all-state all-star game in Princeton.

After receiving a number of accolades for his playing in his hometown of Old Bridge, Eckert played for four years at North Carolina Wesleyan College. There, he served as captain for two years, and was honored with the title of Most Valuable Player of the 1987 World Series third-place team, as well as Male ScholarAthlete during his senior year.

Perhaps themost crowning ofEckert's college achievements was meeting his wife, Dianne, who is not only his partner in life, but also in the business. It seemed like destiny that the twoNewJersey nativesmet inNorth Carolina.

"I always tell people, 'I went down for the blond-haired southern belle, and I ended up with the Italian fromJersey,'" Eckert said. "I feel bad for her, because her whole life is sports.Without her, I can't do it."

The twomade their home inMiddletown, where they started a family of three more sports fans - Mike, 15, Matt, 12, and John, 5.

WithDianne's help,Eckert still finds time to coach five teams while sitting on Middletown's Little League board of directors. From March toNovember,Eckert talks baseball on the Sandlot radio show, aired at 9 a.m. Saturdays on WCTC 1450-AM, broadcast from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

The show not only honors players and coaches of the week from throughout the county, but also gives kudos to the character champ of the week, Eckert said.

"It may not be your best kid on the team, but the kid is always there, always rooting for you [and] never complaining, sowe interview them, too," Eckert said.

Eckert stressed the importance of such traits, which he said he views as integral to every player. In running baseball camps,Eckert would teach students to be "coach-able," then test themon what they learned by having them bring a letter back from parents to tell himabout their actions at home. To Eckert, following direction fromparents is tantamount to following directions on the field.

"One parent called me Santa Claus in July," Eckert said.

Eckert said he hopes to run a camp this summer inAsbury Park. Following the Sandlot's philosophies, kids would train in the morning, then take part in a team-building activity in the afternoon.

"Building their character is an important part of ourmission here," Eckert said.

The Sandlot in Old Bridge, at 139 White Oak Lane, is one of 30 across the country. There is one in Sicklerville, and a soon-toopen location inUnion. Formore information, visit the Sandlot on the Web at www.sandlotmc. com, e-mail Mike Eckert at mike@sandlotmc.comor call (732) 607-0030.