One of the first signs of spring, no matter the weather outside, came Friday afternoon when academically successful students and former major leaguers were brought together for the annual Scottsdale Charros' Youth Baseball Luncheon and Clinic at Scottsdale Stadium.

Nearly 400 Scottsdale Unified School District students grades 3-12 received lessons in pitching, fielding and batting from  11 former big leaguers. Ethan Blackby, Larvell Blanks, Byron Browne, Leon Brown, Dave Burba, John D'Acquisto, Tom Egan, Garry Jestadt, Kevin Kobel, Jim Marshall and Mike Sember were stationed around the Stadium infield and outfield.