"He would love this:" Little leaguers play ball with MLB stars to honor late coach

WHITEFISH BAY --  A group of Major League Baseball players were in Whitefish Bay on Saturday, June 18th as part of a yearly tradition that keeps the crowd growing year after year.

Little leaguers are working on their game.

"They're teaching me to throw and hit and catch the ball and throw it," said a participant.

From national league champions like Wes Chamberlin and Bill Campbell, to major league record holder and Brewers Walk of Fame inductee, Don Money.

Don Money

The retired players are giving up their time to pass on some pointers to the younger players.

"Down the road you know, next year, I remember that coach said, 'Do this,' and maybe one thing sticks in their mind and makes them a little bit better player," said Money.

Major league players are back in town for their seventh year in honor of a little league coach who no longer takes the field.

Greg Loyda

"We're always thinking about it but it's events like this that really put it in a positive light that you want to remember the good and  you want to keep his memory going," said Michael and Casey Loyda, Greg Loyda's sons.

Michael and Casey Loyda

Michael and Casey Loyda and their family, were in Whitefish Bay to watch the kids. Their dad, Greg Loyda, a long-time coach of the Whitefish Bay Little League passed away suddenly in 2010.

Greg Loyda

"I think that's exactly what he'd want is have a bunch of kids out here taking time, having fun playing baseball because that's something we always did with him. He would love this honestly right now," said Michale and Casey Loyda.

Greg Loyda's former employer, the Hanover Insurance Group, sponsored the event and made sure that all the kids can attend the camp for free.

"Putting this all together just seemed right and it's felt right. It's certainly to honor Greg's memory, at the same time it's our way to give back to the community," said John Vose, Hanover Insurance Group.

This was the largest year of the event yet, with 320 kids registered for the one-day camp.