Copiah-Lincoln baseball camp draws young players to Sullivan Field

Special to Wesson News

Head Coach Kyle Flessner speaking to campers before camp 

Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s baseball program welcomed approximately seventy-four young players to its annual summer baseball camp at Sullivan Field on at the end of June, giving area youth three days of instruction, competition and fun under the guidance of the Wolves’ coaching staff and players.

First-year head coach Kyle Flessner, a Thomasboro, Illinois, native who arrived at Co-Lin in the fall of 2024, said the turnout exceeded expectations.

“We had a really, really fun event for us,” Flessner said. “I think we had about seventy-four kids end up signing up.”

The three-day camp, priced at $100 per participant, included instruction in throwing, hitting, fly ball pursuit, infield fundamentals and baserunning. Campers also participated in scrimmages throughout the week. Flessner noted that camp shirts are planned for future years.

A highlight of the final day was a slip-and-slide baserunning activity that has become a camp tradition.

“We always like to teach them baserunning on the last day and let them learn how to slide and do it in a fun way,” Flessner said. “All the little campers always look forward to that.”

Flessner, who has a one-year-old son at home, said camps like this leave a lasting impression beyond the diamond. He added that his son — who started walking at nine months and already hurls objects across the room — will be a camp participant himself one day.

“As soon as he picks something up, he throws it across the room,” Flessner said. “Whenever he’s old enough, he’s gonna be doing these camps, too. He’s always being around baseball, so he already loves it.”

Flessner said camps like this create memories that stick with kids long after the final out.

“It’s something that they end up remembering doing as they were growing up,” he said. “They try to go year after year, and they do get a little bit better at baseball. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Co-Lin players were equally enthusiastic about the experience, with staff members still exchanging stories from the week.

“We always share stories of a funny thing that a kid did or just a funny thing that he said,” Flessner said. “We had a really good group this year and had a really good turnout. I just want to do it more often.”

Community members looking for another opportunity to connect with Co-Lin baseball can mark their calendars for the next GOAT Camp, scheduled for October 6-7 at Wesson Park from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The free event will feature Co-Lin baseball players working directly with youth participants.