If you build it, they will learn: Turning Two school holds camp at homemade complex
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But this week, part of that land was put to a different use — raising the skill levels of the next generation of Warren County baseball talent.
The Turning Two Baseball School transformed the hayfield into a training complex this summer, and approximately 30 young ballplayers participated in a three-day camp this week, honing their baseball skills while being instructed by the high school staff and players.
The camp was directed by WCHS assistant coach Brent Whitlock, who used part of his father’s land for a full-sized baseball training complex, complete with an infield, batting cage, bullpen and an indoor batting and pitching facility.
Local players of various ages — as well as boys from as far away as Clarksville and Jackson — participated in the camp, which began on Monday with a day devoted to pitching skills and concentrated Tuesday and Wednesday on improving fielding and hitting performance.
“What we want to do is give these guys the chance to practice using the kinds of drills we use all the way up at the high school level,” said Whitlock, who ran the camp along with WCHS head coach J.W. Holt, assistant Jerry Martin and Pioneer players Jonathan Bratcher, Jacob Bratcher, Tyler Herriman, Dylan Stevens and Matt Brown.
“We’re teaching different techniques using the kind of practice methods we use with the varsity team, and even some drills we picked up at summer camps at Mississippi State,” he added. “Our goal is to give kids an opportunity to learn at a young age, and hopefully make them better ballplayers not only now, but that much better as they move up to the next level.”
The inaugural version of what Whitlock hopes will be an annual event, this year’s camp actually drew more interest than the Turning Two staff anticipated.
“We had a few more players than we expected, but everything went really well,” he said. “We had three good days of camp.
“The weather was wonderful, and even when we had a little bit of rain, we were able to move inside and get some good work done.”
In addition to large group activities like this week’s camp, the Turning Two school also offers personalized instruction in both baseball and softball fundamentals.