Summer baseball camp provides fun, skills
Tucker Rogers came all the way from Greensboro, N.C., to participate in Evans' 2004 summer baseball camp.
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While other campers wait their turn, Jonathan Gibbs lunges for a ball during a drill that tests players reaction time at the Evans Baseball Camp on June 16.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
His grandfather, Tom Lanier, said he wanted Rogers to learn baseball with a little "Columbia County flavor."
"He comes down for the chance to play some of the best youth baseball you can find," Lanier said about his 12-year-old grandson. "The level of baseball in Columbia County is unmatched."
Rogers was one of 130 youths who participated in the five-day Evans baseball camp June 14-18.
The camp's attendance increased 73 percent, by 55 participants, from last year's program. More than 40 of the players registered the first day of the camp.
"The program continues to grow and grow each year," Evans coach Ricky Beale said. "If we can get a near 100 percent increase in attendance each year, then we will be thrilled.
"We are also happy with such a large walk-up crowd. We expected about 90, so we overshot any expectations we had."
With such a large number of children, the Knights' coaching staff has to rely on volunteer help from many of their players.
"Most of our varsity players volunteered to help with the camp," said assistant coach Eric Leiden. "That says a lot about our players because we couldn't do this without them."
Evan Ivey swings at a wiffle ball shot from a pitching machine.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
The 130 youths ranged from 6 to 14 years old, and the Knights' coaching staff made sure that each age group participated in age-appropriate activities.
The younger children played tee-ball games and had other activities such as a home-run derby.
"I am having so much fun," said 6-year-old Adam Hershkowitz. "I wish we could do this every day."
The older children learned more advanced techniques like turning a double play and developing quick reaction time.
In one reaction drill, Beale had the players cross their feet while making short, rapid jumps. The coach then tossed a ball, forcing the players to dive for it.
In another reaction drill, players stood about 12 feet in front of a pitching machine that hurled wiffle balls at high speeds. The drill allows the hitter to develop good reaction time and a quick bat.
"We use the wiffle ball drill with our varsity guys," Beale said. "It helps you to see the ball a lot better."
While most of the coaches understand that having fun is the most important part of the camp, teaching the participants solid fundamentals is also a goal.
Adam Hershkowitz, 6, tries to secure his helmet while running to first base.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
"The coaches do a good job of teaching the fundamentals," said William Black, whose 12-year-old son, Ben, attended the camp. "It also gets the kids outdoors and away from the Nintendo."
Numerous times the coaches would stop drills or games to explain what went wrong and how to fix the mistake. The coaches nearly always offered solid encouragement when the children made a good or bad play.
Encouragement came in different forms.
Leiden told many of the younger children that they made "All Star" plays. After an older player made a good throw during a drill, Knights' assistant coach Russell Lee yelled, "That's the way to toss that tater!"