Youth camp fortifies softball program; 27 girls in grades 1-6 participate

While the varsity softball girls were preparing for the playoffs, they took a timeout to work on a foundation for the future last Sunday (May 17) when they hosted an elementary softball camp.

Twenty-seven girls in grades 1-6 participated in a fun afternoon of learning, competing and growing their love for the game. The camp was held on the varsity softball field. All 13 varsity players helped run the camp.

“They did an amazing job working with the younger girls throughout the day,” said head varsity softball coach April Thompson, who organized the camp. “It was a great day.”

Camp activities included dynamic warm-ups and stretching; daily fundamentals and playing catch; tee work, soft toss, and bunting at hitting stations; base running fundamentals, including home to 1st, home to 2nd, and tagging up from 3rd to home; and defensive work on ground balls and pop flies.

The girls also scrimmaged after stations, splitting into two teams with coach Thompson pitching. The campers finished the day with a fun base race competition.

“Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our softball program,” Thompson said. “It was awesome to see the hard work, energy and excitement from all the girls. The future of Cleveland softball is bright.”

Many of the campers will compete on community education teams this summer.

Above: Members of the girls softball team with the campers. They are, from L-R in the back row: assistant coach Madisyn Schrom, Delaney Thompson, Keira Schipper, Anistyn Dauk, Kylie Wobbrock, Kiya Sohn, Taylor Wolf, Kaitlyn Flowers, Addie Sandhurst, Hadley Thompson, Brooke Bosse, Cece Gair, Natalie Flowers, Taylor McCabe, head coach April Thompson and assistant coach Matt Thompson.

Hadley Thompson soft tosses to a camper.