Windsor youth baseball camp a success
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Windsor High School JV players Blake Darden, No. 10; John Shaffer, No. 5; and Chase Gunnells, No. 8, interact and work with, from left, campers Brycen Brock, Riley Graves, Owen Briley and Camden Bryant. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Bowen Graves receives some coaching from Bobby Shaffer as he practices his hitting during the April 5 youth baseball camp in Windsor. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Rylan Dymond hones his skills during the youth baseball camp on April 5 at Windsor High School. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Landon Hewitt keeps his eye on the ball as he trains during the youth baseball camp on April 5 at Windsor High School. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School JV Baseball Head Coach Tim Paschal leads the youth baseball camp held at the school on April 5. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School JV Baseball Head Coach Tim Paschal leads the youth baseball camp held at the school on April 5. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Kolton Novak sends the ball during a camp drill on April 5 at Windsor High School. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Max Caldwell lines up his throw at the youth baseball camp in Windsor on April 5. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Hudson Bryant connects for a hit as he works in the batting cages during camp in Windsor on April 5. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Windsor High School eighth grade baseball player John Shaffer, No. 5, hits a ground ball during a camp fielding exercise, and camper Riley Graves collects it. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Brycen Brock prepares to launch a throw. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Bowen Graves awaits the pitch during batting practice at the youth baseball camp on April 5 in Windsor. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Riley Graves leans back for the throw. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Some campers receive aid from current Windsor High School players in the development of their fielding abilities during the youth baseball camp on April 5. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Some campers receive aid from current Windsor High School players in the development of their fielding abilities during the youth baseball camp on April 5. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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Windsor High School’s baseball program held a youth baseball camp over spring break, drawing a level of participation that left organizers impressed.
Tim Paschal, head coach of the WHS junior varsity baseball team, ran the camp and noted that it was for 10U and 8U players in the Windsor Athletic Association.
Near the beginning of the camp on Friday, April 5, Paschal said, “We’re tickled to death that we have almost 20 kids, so it might kind of lay the groundwork for doing more in the future.”
He said that to his knowledge, a youth baseball camp of this kind was unprecedented in Windsor before April 5.
There were ultimately 19 campers who participated.
“I think the camp went very, very well,” Paschal said. “After listening to feedback from the community and some of the campers, I was very pleased, especially with the turnout during spring break week.”
Paschal has returned to WHS after coaching there from 1995-2015.
“I am coaching there again and decided to try a small baseball camp during spring break to see if there was any interest,” he said.
Paschal indicated one factor helping facilitate the camp was the fact that he now has a link with the Windsor Athletic Association. His daughter, Lyndsey Hewitt, serves as secretary for the association, and her husband serves as vice president.
“Now we can maybe get some more interaction and do a little bit more work with the WAA, because those kids eventually will make it here,” Paschal said, referencing the WHS diamond he was standing on during the camp.
The camp ran from 4-6 p.m. at Windsor High School, and campers spent part of the afternoon progressing through stations that helped them develop their batting and fielding skills.
Assisting Paschal at the camp was a mixture of current JV and varsity baseball players from the high school.
The coach was happy with the feedback he heard from the players after the camp.
“They really enjoyed it and were asking when we would be able to do another,” he said. “I also received very good feedback from the community on how our high school players handled the camp, and I was very pleased to hear that.”
Among the parents observing the camp as it progressed was Graham Brock, who played for Paschal when he was in high school and who had two boys, Owen and Brycen, participating in the camp.
Brock highlighted the benefit that the campers likely derived from being trained by current WHS players.
“Those (campers) listen to those guys a lot more than they might their dad or other coaches,” he said, adding that the JV and varsity players give the young campers someone to look up to and a preview of what they are working toward.
Paschal said, “All in all, I have to say I am very pleased with how this camp was received in the community and how well everyone enjoyed it. A lot of folks are asking when we’re gonna do another one.”
