Future Wolverines get taste of Polk County baseball at camp

In the late-morning heat that baked the area on Thursday, the future of Polk County baseball might well have been on display.

Some 30 kids from around the area chased line drives, learned the art of baserunning and took swings on Polk County High’s field during the 17th annual Wolverine Baseball Camp, the four days of instruction concluding Thursday morning.

Polk County head coach Ty Stott, assistants Josh Money and Josh McEntire and a handful of Wolverine players led the camp, which was open to boys and girls ages 5-12.

“The turnout was the best it has been in several years,” Stott said. “I thought we had a good week. It’s good for us to get to know the kids. This is just another of the many ideas of things we didn’t have when we were growing up. I guess that’s what you’re always trying to do for kids, provide them things we didn’t have when we were kids.”

Stott hopes the camp gives participants their first taste of Polk County’s approach to baseball, with campers learning many of the same offensive and defensive drills that the Wolverine varsity and junior varsity use. Throughout the week, campers repeat those drills, giving them lessons they can continue to use in the years ahead.

“They definitely get better during the week,” Stott said. “We try to teach them a bunch of things, then they’ll have one or two things that they can take home and remember.

“The kids get to get out here and hang out with the older players, and I think the kids enjoy that. It’s been a good week, except for the heat.”