The Blue Jays Super Camp came to St. Albert for the second year in a row, headlined by former two-time World Series winner and 12-time all star Roberto Alomar.
The Blue Jays Super Camp came to St. Albert for the second year in a row, headlined by former two-time World Series winner and 12-time all star Roberto Alomar. The camp provided children from nine to 16 the opportunity to learn from and train with former Blue Jay alumni. There were a total of six Blue Jay alumni in attendance, including Mario Diaz, Lloyd Moseby, Rance Mulliniks, Tanyon Sturtze, and Duane Ward.
“What we try to do is encourage them to play the game and give them chances. It's about letting them know that we were kids once, and that, if they believe in themselves and work hard they can go far and great things can happen in your life. We've been doing these camps for the last five years, and it's all about giving more opportunities to the kids to enjoy the game. I'm a strong believer in sports, whether it's baseball or hockey, it helps kids stay on the right path,” Alomar said.
Former Blue Jays centre-fielder and first base coach Lloyd Moseby is a veteran of these camps, with this being his fifth year going across Canada to work with children. He is a fan favourite among the kids as well as the parents in the bleachers.
“You've got to be able to laugh at yourself and have some fun. We've got to make sure the kids are having fun. It seems like baseball and sports are becoming more of a money type thing, and we're trying to pass on our love for the game, because that's what it is. It's a game,” Moseby said.
For Moseby, his focus is to inspire kids of all skill levels.
“I was cut two years in a row when I was a kid in Oakland. If you get a kid who thinks he's not the most skilled now, you can get him to believe that he can succeed and make it to the big leagues. It's all about confidence,” Moseby said.
The camp focused on baseball basics, the skills which create the foundation for a successful baseball player. Pitching, catching, and hitting were the main focus of the day as the children rotated through different stations, each coached by different Blue Jays alumnus. Members of the St. Albert Baseball Association, including club president Kurtus Millar, were in attendance helping run drills.
“For them to come out and do a great job like they have, and run the drills like they do, the kids just love it, they have a blast,” Millar said after day one of the camp.
For Millar, the influence that the Blue Jays have had on minor baseball across the country has been huge, even here out west.
“When the Blue Jays are doing good, we see a lot more kids signing up to play baseball. When the alumni come here, now the parents who used to watch these guys are out here as well, it's kind of a double bang for our buck,” Millar said.
It's hard even for the St. Albert Baseball association veterans not to feel enamoured by the talent that was on the field at Legion park during the two-day camp.
“I grew up watching Robbie (Alomar) play ball, it's pretty awesome to have even a five-minute chat with a guy you've been watching since you were four years old,” Millar said.
This camp was a big draw for the kids, some coming from all over Alberta, even as far as Fort McMurray.
Eleven-year-old Trysten Kim came with his parents from Wandering River to take part in the Blue Jays Camp.
“My favourite part has been learning how to bunt. It's been really good, I've had a lot of fun,” Kim said during the first day of camp.
On the second day, the different stations saw more specialization, as the alumni and St. Albert Baseball Association coaches got into the more advanced drills which saw more one-on-one time with the players.
