Several members of the Dodge City A's baseball team did their part to spread the game of baseball to area children at a clinic at Youthville on Wednesday.
The effort was spearheaded by second-year player Jermaine Barksdale, a pitcher from Odessa (Texas) College who first helped out at Youthville as a member of the 2008 A's.
"The kids absolutely love it," said Youthville representative Melanie Snodgrass. "The guys are taking their own free time to come out here, play catch with them, and even sign autographs. The kids think it's so cool."
While Barksdale manned a station to help students with catching fly balls, the left side of the A's infield was showing kids proper batting mechanics. Third baseman Oscar Sigala and shortstop David Bustillos, who both play for New Mexico Highlands University, gave each batter some hints and an encouraging word after each at-bat.
"I didn't have the chance to do anything like this when I was a kid," Sigala said. "I just like to come out here and give a little time to these kids."
There were also stations for pitching help and playing catch.
Six A's players attended the function on an off day between the A's 11-7 win over the Valley Center Diamond Dawgs and their game scheduled for today against the Liberal BeeJays.
The first pitch tonight is slated for 7 p.m. at Cavalier Field.
The A's will also be holding several team training camps throughout the summer, one of which is scheduled for today at 12:30 p.m.
These are free three-hour time slots your team will get to practice with members and coaches of a collegiate summer baseball team. Baseball and softball teams of all ages will walk away from training camp with the tools and confidence necessary to improve all aspects of their game.
Interested parties may contact Ed Kimminau at (620) 338-5375 for more information regarding registration for any of the remaining summer dates.
Dates Available
Thurs., June 18
Tues., June 23
Wed., July 8
Tues., July 14
Wed., July 29
