West Virginia baseball travels to Mineral Wells for Youth Camp

MINERAL WELLS, W.Va. (WTAP) – The West Virginia baseball team held its first of six traveling youth camps at the Mineral Wells Little League fields. WVU staff members and players helped teach campers the fundamentals and skills in the game of baseball including pitching, hitting, fielding, and baserunning. There were around 40 campers on hand in ages six through 12. Two of the instructors included Parkersburg native Grant Hussey and Drew Hefner who is the Director of Player Development for the Mountaineers. Both were excited to be a part of the camp in Mineral Wells.

“Really good,” said Hefner. “I mean, we love coming out here with the kids, getting a chance to grow the game of baseball, and spend some time with them. So, it’s awesome to come out here.”

“The little I can do to give back to the community,” says Hussey. “The kids love it. You know, if they love it, I love it.”

Hussey was glad to see so many kids come out and want to learn the sport. He says baseball is a growing game.

“Having these little camps and stuff for them,” Hussey said. “Just teaching those little bit of fundamentals and things they can take with them just as they’re learning the game. It’s big. It’s cool.”

The campers enjoyed many drills and friendly competition throughout the day with help from the instructors. Hussey and Hefner relished the chance to have fun and work with the kids.

“Yeah, I mean it’s just the chance to spend time with them, teach them a little bit about the game of baseball, and just hopefully grow their passion for the game,” Hefner says.

“They all have fun,” said Hussey. “Just them all running around, screaming, and having a good time. Them just being a part of it, being out here just being kids. That’s what I strive to be on the field. Just one big kid. So it’s fun watching them.”

The team knows the importance of not just enjoying their time with the kids, but also having an impact on them in the sport of baseball.

“It’s a huge thing,” says Hefner. “It’s awesome for all of us older guys and older women to come out, give back to the community, and be out here with these kids. It’s a good town of West Virginia. We have a player from here so it’s a good connection and we’ve always had a good turnout so it’s been a really good camp for us.”

“It’s cool. I mean, there were always guys I looked up to, being in their shoes,” Hussey said. “So, finally being able to be that guy with them looking up to me. I hope to show them what it’s like and give them a little inspiration.”

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