April 29, 2008

GREELEY, Colo. - Beautiful weather and enthusiastic youngsters welcomed the Northern Colorado baseball team to Jackson on Sunday morning as the Greeley Friends of Baseball sponsored a free baseball clinic for the local youth.

The Bears acted as camp instructors, working with 87 boys and girls in the fundamentals of America's past-time. The four hour session covered 18 skill stations as well as a lunch break.

"Everyone had a great time and the student-athletes got a chance to work with the kids before the series against BYU," said NC assistant coach and camp coordinator Ryan Strain. "We appreciate all the moms and dads who brought the kids and stayed with us through the day. I also would like to thank the Friends of Baseball for sponsoring such a great clinic."

Richard Emil, a seven-year-old Greeley resident said he liked hitting against the Bears and hopes he can come back to the next camp.

"I liked hitting in the batting cage at home plate," stated Alissa Mascarenas, a 13-year-old who attends Winograd School. "There sure were a lot of kids out there on the field all day."

"These kids were hilarious," said Northern Colorado senior Chad Murray. "It was a lot of fun today. We gave everyone a baseball nickname, and they really seemed to like that."

The Friends of Baseball extended their generosity by extending an invitation to the attendees by offering free admission with their camp T-shirt to the Bears game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against Texas Pan-American.