Silas Streng fields a ground ball during infield practice. Streng is one of more than 120 youngsters participating this week in the three-day Marysville High School baseball camp. The camp will run through Wednesday.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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Marysville High School head baseball coach Nick Blake feels the sport is trending upward in the community.
If the increased attendance during this year’s youth camp is any indication, he’s right on the money.
Blake, his coaching staff and members of the Monarch diamond program welcomed youngsters to the first day of camp on Monday.
Sessions will continue for players in elementary and middle school grades from 9 a.m. until noon through Wednesday.
This year’s camp numbers 125 participants, up from 110 during the first week of June in 2023.
“It’s expanding,” said Blake. “It’s nice to see some familiar faces from years past and also to see some new ones.”
Just what has been the reason for the uptick in camp attendance?
“Well, we’ve had a couple of good back-to-back seasons (37 victories) with the varsity team and we’ve made some upgrades to our facility.
“We’ve got great facilities at Marysville High School,” said Blake. “I think both of those factors are drawing more interest to our program from younger guys in the school district,” he said.
The camp is being used to instruct younger players on the basic fundamentals of the sport.
Stations are constructed for campers to learn the basics of infield and outfield play, pitching, catching, hitting and base running.
The indoor Ed Starling Hitting Facility is being put to use during the three-day camp, along with outdoor fields.
Along with instruction, campers are competing in baseball-related contests and games.
“We’re teaching them the things we work on at the high school level,” said Blake. “That way, it will be familiar to them once we see them one day at the high school level.”
Blake said high school players will conduct weight-liftring sessions over the summer.
There won’t be other high school baseball activities since players have already joined their summer travel ball teams.