IN THE PIPELINE:

It’s a rainy night in Huntington Beach. Tucked back in a nondescript business complex near Talbert Avenue and Gothard Street, the sound of bat hitting ball can be heard coming from inside one of the buildings.

Ducking in and out of the steady drizzle, the sounds become sharper, more defined, and it’s clear that the batter is making solid contact with the ball. I’ve just arrived at Sluggers, a place where baseball and softball players come to hone their skills at the plate. Baseball may be over for the pros, but here in this quiet corner of the city, things are just heating up. Cristine Ostrich, a splendid 15-year-old softball player from Seal Beach, is here for her weekly lesson with Darren Nelson, the owner/instructor at Sluggers.

Cristine’s mom, Enea, watches from a set of bleachers, smiling as her daughter smacks toss after toss into the loose black netting around the cage. Enea tells me her daughter, a sophomore at St. Joseph High School in Lakewood, has been coming to Darren for several years, just as her son, Stephen, did. After her lesson, as the next student steps up (Darren will be teaching until after 9 this night, which was also his birthday), Cristine tells me how much she enjoys these nights. Bright and chatty, Cristine also swings a mean stick, and she credits Nelson with keeping her focused on the basics. Watching a player of this caliber (she plays travel ball besides high school ball), it’s clear that Darren is doing something very right.

He graduated from Orange High School in 1983 and spent two years at Fullerton College where he was All Conference First Team and in 1985 Team MVP. Darren then attended Chapman University where he became a College All American First Team selection. In 1987, he was also named Conference Player of the Year after hitting for the California Collegiate Conference Triple Crown. Darren was an 11th round draft selection by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987.

After spending two years with the Cardinals and two years with the Angels, Darren started Sluggers in 1997. After 11 years and more than 25,000 lessons, Sluggers is still going strong. Darren lives in Huntington Beach and has two daughters, Rylee, 13, and Jaycee, 8. He said his favorite players growing up were Mike Schmidt, and, in the abstract, Lou Gehrig. Darren preaches confidence to his students, who range from tee-ball age to teens — anyone who wants to swing a stronger bat. The mental game is also stressed, and watching Darren with several other students, it’s clear that personal chemistry also plays a big part in his teaching — he simply gets along great with the athletes. College stars, Major Leaguers, up-and-coming high school standouts like Cristine — they’ve all relied on Darren.

On most nights, you’ll find him at the cage, helping develop the next generation. Also, Dec. 29 and 30, he’s holding a special clinic. Call (714) 375-1775.

The Huntington Beach Art Center’s splendid exhibit, 2332, an experiment on the impact of baseball on the creative vision of nine artists and three writers, continues through Dec. 21. Curator Darlene DeAngelo conceived of the exhibit, and her concept has resulted in a show as interesting and exciting as a stand-up triple. To get the results she desired, she created a process whereby she attended games with artists, engaged in conversations with them and explored the influence baseball might have on the work created. Originally from back East, the ardent Yankee fan told me her original vision for this exhibit, which has received rave reviews, was exceeded by what the artists came up with. Darlene has done a terrific job for almost 10 years at the museum, and I think this latest brainchild is something all local fans should experience.

For more information, call (714) 374-1650.

On another community note, a belated thanks to Kristi Thomas. Last year on Thanksgiving morning, she organized a loose 5K run for her community throughout Huntington Harbour. She likes to run, as does her family, and she thought it’d be a fun way for runners and walkers to partake in a homegrown event. This year, she did it again, but with a generous twist: The 5K benefited the City of Hope (the Cathy Chapter in honor of a friend’s sister). About 70 runners and walkers (including this writer and his family) took part, and it was wonderful. Optional $7 donations were collected, and Kristi, along with neighbors including Terry Tutton, helped us all kick off the season of giving on the right foot. Excellent job, Kristi. I am looking forward to next year.

This weekend, I’ll have two book signings. I’ll be at the Barnes & Noble in Bella Terra from noon till 2 p.m. Saturday.

At 1 p.m. Sunday I’ll be at Combest General Store, at 18681 Main St. (they also collect for Toys for Tots, so bring a new, unwrapped toy if you can).

Hope to see you there.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 15 books, including “Vanishing Orange County,” released this week. Write him at [email protected].