Yes, there is a baseball pulse in Richmond's inner city.

You can feel the heartbeat loudest at Richmond Outreach Center church, known as "The ROC."

Coordinating efforts for the ROC Bombers is East Los Angeles-born Rsen Ortiz.

Inside the South Richmond church walls, the ROC Youth Minister answers to "Pastor."

In the dugout, the kids just call him "Coach."

"I wear so many hats, I don't care what you call me," Ortiz said. "Even 'hey you' will do just fine."

Making a comeback? It is no secret city baseball has been in a decline for decades.

Some Richmond high schools have dropped varsity teams. Others are not competitive against better-prepared suburban foes.

Ortiz is among those hoping to provide a farm system, something the high schools can build on.

"One thing I've learned: Leadership is influence," he said. "These boys could be influenced to play croquet, marbles . . . you put a hook in their heart and tug them in the right direction."

Celebration: Ortiz's U-12 ROC Bombers completed an undefeated season by winning the Richmond Parks and Recreation title last week at Byrd Park, trouncing the Westover Warriors 14-3 in the final.

Standouts included Caleb Ortiz (coach's son), Ramon Jones, Teon Barcroft, DeMarc Burton, Jalen Rudolph and feisty, undersized catcher Corey Meekins, who Ortiz says hit .700.

"Corey doesn't try to hit the ball over you. He hits it right through you," Ortiz said. "And behind the plate, nothing gets past him."

With a tight budget, no trophies were handed out.

Instead, the boys were honored by the ROC congregation at Sunday service and were allowed to keep their jerseys.

"Everybody signed everyone else's jersey," Ortiz said. "It was better than trophies."

Helping hands: Many of the Bombers are the "ROC Kids," who are bussed to the church for after-school/summer programs.

Many come from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Some live in motels along Midlothian Turnpike.

"It's not just sports. We teach them to cook, study, a little of everything," Ortiz said.

The different age-group teams practice at a full-sized baseball diamond beside the church -- a remnant of now-defunct Commonwealth Christian.

"Since they're here so much, we probably practiced more than anyone," Ortiz said. "That's why we did so well . . . all that practice. They loved it."

Equipment was covered through church donations.

"Our kids didn't pay a penny," said Oritz, who extended a thank you to Tuckahoe Little League for also providing gear.

What now? Little League headquarters is bending rules to encourage inner-city baseball.

Called the "Urban Initiative," Little League has eased its boundary restrictions for in-season play. The Bombers come from a variety of locales.

Richmond Parks has a Little League charter, but the Bombers will not play in the District V playoffs.

"Maybe next year," said Ortiz of the nationally-televised tournament leading to Williamsport, Pa. "Will we be on ESPN? Could be."

That would set well with catcher Meekins and so many more.

"Corey loves baseball," Ortiz said. "He may not be tall enough for basketball; maybe too skinny for football . . . but baseball? He's just right."