2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball camps continue
Jeff Mason
Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: Sports
SIUE's Roy E. Lee Field made way for a much shorter, more casual crowd of children hoping to pick up on the finer points of hitting from some of the university's coaches and players.
Children ages 6 through 10 gathered for SIUE's summer youth hitting camp. The camp was led by baseball associate head coach Tony Stoecklin, who sketched out a solid program for the next generation of players.
"The plan is if they can learn one new item a day, the camp is successful," Stoecklin said.
Second-grader Jeffrey Bullard, Jr. from Woodlawn traveled over 70 miles to attend the camp. Bullard said he enjoyed the four-day camp, despite feeling a bit under the weather on Friday.
"I put ice on my forehead to make (my forehead) cool, and (the headache) started," Bullard said. "But I like hitting the (ball)."
Bullard had a league game Saturday in Woodlawn, but plans to come back to SIUE for the fundamentals camp which begins July 7.
Jeff Bullard, Sr., who brought his younger son, Will, along to watch on Friday, found a lot to like about the camp.
"I like the time they take on their swing," Bullard said. "The individual time really helps, makes the swing better."
Third-grader Andrew Jones of Edwardsville enjoyed the camp's many offerings, even those of hydration.
"We made a double play," Jones said. "(My favorite parts are) the games and practicing hitting in the batting cages and the water breaks."
Noah Eagle, a second- grader from Edwardsville, said he was looking forward to his seventh birthday party, which may have sidetracked him a bit.
"I haven't hit that much with my bat," Eagle said.
Senior sociology major and member of the SIUE baseball team Chilos Norris III explained some of the steps the players took in improving the young student's hitting.
"It starts with your approach at the plate," Norris said. "Stepping into the box, all the basics and stuff you need to know."
Overall, there was a universal feeling of fun at the camp.
"I enjoy this age group," Stoecklin said." Especially after coaching college. It's fun."
Children ages 6 through 10 gathered for SIUE's summer youth hitting camp. The camp was led by baseball associate head coach Tony Stoecklin, who sketched out a solid program for the next generation of players.
"The plan is if they can learn one new item a day, the camp is successful," Stoecklin said.
Second-grader Jeffrey Bullard, Jr. from Woodlawn traveled over 70 miles to attend the camp. Bullard said he enjoyed the four-day camp, despite feeling a bit under the weather on Friday.
"I put ice on my forehead to make (my forehead) cool, and (the headache) started," Bullard said. "But I like hitting the (ball)."
Bullard had a league game Saturday in Woodlawn, but plans to come back to SIUE for the fundamentals camp which begins July 7.
Jeff Bullard, Sr., who brought his younger son, Will, along to watch on Friday, found a lot to like about the camp.
"I like the time they take on their swing," Bullard said. "The individual time really helps, makes the swing better."
Third-grader Andrew Jones of Edwardsville enjoyed the camp's many offerings, even those of hydration.
"We made a double play," Jones said. "(My favorite parts are) the games and practicing hitting in the batting cages and the water breaks."
Noah Eagle, a second- grader from Edwardsville, said he was looking forward to his seventh birthday party, which may have sidetracked him a bit.
"I haven't hit that much with my bat," Eagle said.
Senior sociology major and member of the SIUE baseball team Chilos Norris III explained some of the steps the players took in improving the young student's hitting.
"It starts with your approach at the plate," Norris said. "Stepping into the box, all the basics and stuff you need to know."
Overall, there was a universal feeling of fun at the camp.
"I enjoy this age group," Stoecklin said." Especially after coaching college. It's fun."
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