Softball, baseball youth camps combined this spring

While last year, youth baseball and softball youth camps were separate events, this spring, the two combined into one.

About 90 first through sixth-grade boys and girls upped their fundamental skills at the camp, which was held at the baseball-softball field complex on May 18. The camp was organized by the Cleveland Baseball-Softball Association. Funds raised will go toward field improvements.

“It was cool to be able to do softball and baseball on the same day,” said association member Nikki Smith. “It helps with organization, and it’s neat to see that we can share the fields between all the kids. They get so excited working together, just like we’re working together.”

Fielding, batting, throwing, pitching, base running…Stations were set up among the four fields for campers to work on the fundamentals.

“I liked learning shortstop and how to steal,” said third grader Daphne Page, who is on a Community Ed. team this summer.

“I like running and catching balls in the outfield,” said fourth grader Sawyer Brandt, who will put what he learned to use in Community Education baseball this summer.

Head softball coach April Thompson found volunteers to coach the softball side while head baseball coach Charlie Haugen found helpers to coach baseball, including players and Community Education coaches, Smith said.

While it rained earlier in the week, the weather was perfect for the camp.

“We were so blessed with this weather,” Smith said.

Above: Camp attendees with organizers and coaches.

Softball campers

Baseball campers

Coaches and organizers included, from L-R, row one: head softball coach April Thompson and players Natalie Flowers, Hadley Thompson, Delaney Thompson and Taylor McCabe; and baseball players Brennon Holicky, Max Freier, Pierce Lyons, Tony Kortuem, Gauge Bock, Urijah Hoheisel, Tyler Smith and Carson Lyons. Row two: softball players Kiya Sohn, Brooke Bosse, Kaitlyn Flowers, Ava Hahn and Lacey McCabe; baseball player Kale Kelley; and parents Wendy Kortuem, Jennifer Nelson, Garrett Brandt and Dan Pearson. Row three: assistant softball coach Matt Tompson; softball players Cecelia Gair, Ava Kluntz and Keira Schipper; parents Rebecca Connor and Nikki Smith; baseball players Miles Tomaszewski, Caleb Connor, Brennan Kortuem, Jack Mons and Nolan Schlaak; assistant baseball coach Alex Rogers coach; and parents Andy Schmidt and Andy Smith. Row four: parents Tyler Hokanson, Ryan Thompson, John Kluntz; and baseball players Bray Lassiter, Braeden Smith, Alex Kortuem and Aiden Domras; Row five: Parents Travis Mons, Derek Gibbs and head baseball coach Charlie Haugen. Not pictured is Tracee Sandhurst.