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Baseball camp comes to a close
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| Joseph Zoellner, 10, of Franklin, N.C., eludes a tag from Eli Gipson, 10, of Lakemont, while Jake Toller, 10, of Lakemont covers first base June 17 during Wildcats baseball camp at Rabun County Park. |
By Justin Raines Staff Writer
Wearing names and numbers of famous players, future members of the Rabun County Wildcats got a chance to play with their high school heroes June 9-20 during Wildcats baseball camp at Rabun County Park.
Held each summer for children ages 6-18, the sessions were part of a series of Wildcats sports camps conducted by coaches and players from Rabun County High School to teach early fundamentals and instill pride in RCHS athletics.
"I just like to do it to create interest in baseball," RCHS head baseball coach Mark Wilcox said as he lobbed pitches to a young hitter on the mound. "They've had a big time. It's been hot, but it hasn't seemed to bother them a whole lot."
After starting the day off with stretching and throwing exercises, players went through a series of skills drills before the games began.
Wildcats sluggers Will Wilcox and Jake Youngblood took part in a home run derby, blasting shots over the outfield fences to campers waiting with open gloves in the parking lot.
Batting practice seemed to be the best part for many of the campers.
"I enjoyed mostly hitting to see if I hit it over the fence," Ashton Hopper, 10, of Lakemont said.
"I like hitting the ball and playing the games, especially the long toss," Blake Curbow, 9, of Mountain City said.
"Hitting because it sometimes takes fielders a long time to get 'em, and you can score runs," Johnathan Henson, 8, of Rabun Gap said about his favorite part of camp. "One day I got three homers in one game."
Garrett Hunter, 6, of Rabun Gap said he couldn't decide whether he liked hitting or fielding better.
"Well, I like throwing the ball and batting because they're both fun, and you get to catch the ball sometimes, and I've gotten a lot of runs."
Wilcox said it was important to get youngsters involved in local athletics early since they represent the next generation of high school athletes.
The camps also give coaches an early opportunity to scout the future 'Cats.
"It helps Coach Wilcox see what kind of talent is coming up, who the team players are and who knows how to play the game," Youngblood said.
Held each summer for children ages 6-18, the sessions were part of a series of Wildcats sports camps conducted by coaches and players from Rabun County High School to teach early fundamentals and instill pride in RCHS athletics.
"I just like to do it to create interest in baseball," RCHS head baseball coach Mark Wilcox said as he lobbed pitches to a young hitter on the mound. "They've had a big time. It's been hot, but it hasn't seemed to bother them a whole lot."
After starting the day off with stretching and throwing exercises, players went through a series of skills drills before the games began.
Wildcats sluggers Will Wilcox and Jake Youngblood took part in a home run derby, blasting shots over the outfield fences to campers waiting with open gloves in the parking lot.
Batting practice seemed to be the best part for many of the campers.
"I enjoyed mostly hitting to see if I hit it over the fence," Ashton Hopper, 10, of Lakemont said.
"I like hitting the ball and playing the games, especially the long toss," Blake Curbow, 9, of Mountain City said.
"Hitting because it sometimes takes fielders a long time to get 'em, and you can score runs," Johnathan Henson, 8, of Rabun Gap said about his favorite part of camp. "One day I got three homers in one game."
Garrett Hunter, 6, of Rabun Gap said he couldn't decide whether he liked hitting or fielding better.
"Well, I like throwing the ball and batting because they're both fun, and you get to catch the ball sometimes, and I've gotten a lot of runs."
Wilcox said it was important to get youngsters involved in local athletics early since they represent the next generation of high school athletes.
The camps also give coaches an early opportunity to scout the future 'Cats.
"It helps Coach Wilcox see what kind of talent is coming up, who the team players are and who knows how to play the game," Youngblood said.
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| Softball All-Stars finish second |
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