Diamond in the Rough, 4th Annual Baseball Camp hosted by Shun Highsmith/Baseball Coordinator, Terrance Freeman/President City Council and Brad Frick/ Head Coach, FSCJ-Blue-Wave Baseball was held this past weekend at Hammond Park in the Paxon area. This free baseball/softball camp for ages 4-19 is held each year in different urban parks to introduce the game of baseball to kids who may never get the chance to play the sport.  Coach Shun Highsmith, City Councilman President Terrance Freeman and FSCJ Blue-Wave Coach Brad Frick partnered up with F.C.A.N.E. Florida and Triple A’s rockets to host this free baseball/softball winter camp. The camp offered 100 plus kids an opportunity to come out and learn the fundamentals of baseball/softball enhance their skill sets and work with a team of coaches and collegiate players. The coaches gave inspirational testimonials, positive talk and discipline messages.

FSCJ Blue Wave players offered instruct stations to allow kids to play, interact and learn baseball fundamentals in a structured environment. In addition, previous camp attendees received their first glove at the event and included the fastest kid/long ball derby with trophies awarded to the winners.  “While the camp is rapidly growing and the expectations of boosting baseball sign-ups in the designated areas have succumb the expectations.  We still want to provide young kids with baseball history and legacy to begin thinking about college scholarships and sports management careers,” said organizer Monique Highsmith. Shown are ball derby champions:  Myles Keith (8 and under), Lashun Highsmith (10 and under), Jasmine Craw (12 and under), Padilla Santiago (13 up)