Spring is in the air and that means the return of local baseball.
The Marysburg Royals kicked off their 2018 season with their ninth annual baseball camp.
The camp was split into two days, with rally caps and first year mosquitos taking part on day one, and second and third year mosquitos, as well as peewees taking part on day two.
In total, 114 kids took part in the May 5-6 camp, with 64 kids on day one and 50 on day two.
Royals infielder Curtis Strueby notes the numbers, which were lower this year, was caused by the decision to change the age groups of the camps, moving first year mosquitos with the rally caps, and eliminating the bantams.
鈥淲e had to do that just for management purposes. And it worked because the days kind of evened out.鈥�
This year鈥檚 camp also featured a group of girls, and while Strueby notes they are always welcome, he was pleased to see them come.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great. You鈥檙e getting through to a group that maybe not normally would have had the chance to take par. It鈥檚 just another facet of growing the game.鈥�
While girls typically play fastball, Streuby notes girls baseball is one of the fastest growing sports in the province.
鈥淓ven if they play fastball, the fundamentals, a lot of them are the same,鈥� says Strueby.
Growing the game is one of the biggest goals for the camp, says Strueby, who notes they want to instill the element of having fun into the kids.
鈥淲hen teams are having fun, that鈥檚 a good thing. They go to the field wanting to play and that takes care of itself.鈥�
Strueby notes through having fun, the game will grow.
鈥淲e just want to continue to grow this game. The last number of years it鈥檚 taken off and we feel that we鈥檙e in a position out here in Marysburg with all our guys we have, and the experience we have as not only players but as coaches and teachers to do that.鈥�
Of course, the camp also teaches the players skill, with day one of the camp for the younger kids designed to showcase the basics, while day two with the older kids touches more in depth.
After two days of action, Strueby says he was really impressed with the way the kids were willing to listen and learn, noting they took what they were told and worked hard to improve.
Strueby would like to thank the rest of the members of the Royals for their effort throughout the weekend, noting they play a huge role in the success of the camp.
鈥淭hey just buy in and they come out here and they鈥檙e all knowledgeable. We鈥檝e all played the game at somewhat of a higher level. We all have different things to teach them and when you鈥檙e hearing that many different things from that many different people, it makes the camp good.鈥�
Of course, Strueby says it takes a lot more people than just the players to make the camp a success, as he also thanked the wives, girlfriends, and mothers who took time out of their weekend to run the concession booth.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a lot of work over there. And they鈥檝e been over there all weekend too, so it鈥檚 a total team effort, not just the players but them as well.鈥�
Al Anderson Source for Sports, and Affinity Credit Union also play a major role in the success of the camp, says Strueby.
鈥淭hanks to Affinity Credit Union, they sponsored us again this year and it鈥檚 a big thank you. It鈥檚 a lot of help. We do have costs for this camp so that鈥檚 a big thing鈥� Al Anderson Source for Sports donated those two gift cards. We give one to each day, we have a draw for. So thanks to them as well.鈥�
With the camp now in the books, the season is just around the corner for the Royals with excitement building for their opening contest.
The Royals will kick off their season the week of May 13.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always interesting at the beginning but as you get into the swing of things it should be good. We鈥檝e got a good young team again and the guys want to be on the diamond,鈥� says Strueby.
This year will also be the Royals鈥� 100th anniversary, with a reunion set for July 13-15.
