The 'older' players are welcome, too.
When the Toronto Blue Jays hold a Honda Super Camp in Prince George from July 4-6, players as old as 16 will be eligible to swing the bat and run the bases. Originally, the age range was set at eight to 14.
"Many people had asked about older players being included, and the Blue Jays have willingly responded," said Jim Swanson, co-chairman of the World Baseball Challenge, which will start at Prince George Citizen Field a couple days after the Super Camp ends.
Players can register for the camp via the internet, at bluejays.com. Click on "community," then on "amateur baseball." A credit card is required, and payment ($150) will go directly to the Blue Jays.
Camps will also be held in Vancouver, Calgary, London, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.
"The camps in Toronto and Vancouver are nearly full, with Prince George sitting third in the registrations at this point, which has the Blue Jays pleased," Swanson said. "Those interested [in participating] are urged to jump on it now."
The P.G. camp, which will be led by former Jays Duane Ward, Lloyd Moseby, Rance Mulliniks and Mark Eichhorn, has room for 150 players and is currently planned for Volunteer Park in the Hart Highlands area of the city.
Swanson emphasized that the camp is not a "scouting" camp to identify players for professional baseball or the MLB draft.
"It is a grassroots instructional camp, for youth players in the region," he said. "All skill levels are welcome. Players do not have to be part of a baseball association to join, and both boys and girls are welcome."
Players will be divided into age/skill groups at the start of the camp. Sessions each day will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ward was a closer and late-inning reliever for Blue Jays teams that won World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. He also pitched for the Atlanta Braves and piled up 121 career saves.
Moseby, a centre fielder, played between George Bell and Jesse Barfield while with the Jays organization. He wasn't part of the World Series teams because, by that time, he was tracking down fly balls for the Detroit Tigers. Moseby suited up in the 1986 All-Star Game.
Mulliniks, a third baseman, was part of Toronto's 1992 World Series team. He also played for the California Angels and Kansas City Royals. In 16 seasons in the major leagues, he rapped out 972 hits.
Eichhorn, also a two-time World Series champion with the Jays, had a career record of 48-43 as a reliever and an ERA of 3.00. He also threw for the Angels, Baltimore Orioles and Braves in a career that stretched 11 seasons.
Swanson said a coaching clinic is also in the works.
