The first "BSN Sports Camp of Champs" concluded Wednesday evening at Don Schaly Stadium, as boys ages 8-14 participated in various drills.
The camp began Monday at 9 a.m., and had about 35 kids in attendance. There will be a second camp for kids ages 8-14 from July 16-18, and then on July 29 a residential camp for kids grades 7-12 will take place through Aug. 1.
Helping out with instruction at the first camp was Marietta College's head baseball coach Brian Brewer as well as former MC assistant coach and current Denison skipper Mike Deegan. Several assistant coaches were also there helping out.
Article Photos
JORDAN HOLLAND The Marietta Times
Mike Deegan (pointing) gives instructions to youngsters at the BSN Sports Camp of Champs at Don Schaly Stadium Wednesday.
For many of the kids, dressed in their old baseball uniforms or their favorite MLB player's jersey, it was a rare opportunity to learn about the game from the coaches who led the Etta Express to back-to-back national championships for the first time in school history.
The camp has been taking place for over 20 years, and Deegan said the goal for the camp is pretty simple.
"Going into it we always say - and it sounds kind of basic - that if we teach one thing to the kids that helps their game even a little bit, the camp is a success."
On the Don Schaly infield, batting and bunting practice took place. In the field behind the bullpen, coach Brewer hit grounders to some of the kids, while other kids worked on throwing and catching fly balls.
Although the camp featured a very fun, laid back atmosphere, there was still some competitiveness in the drills.
"On Wednesday we have our evaluation day," Deegan said. "We added a scoring system to the hitting drills, just to give the kids something to shoot for."
Depending on the type of hit, such as ground ball, fly ball, or line drive, each kid received a certain amount of points.
That kind of competitive nature, mixed with fun and instruction, has helped make the camp a big success.
"It's been really good," Deegan said. "We've had some challenging days, but it's been fun and I think the kids have learned a lot."
