Saint Mary’s offers summer baseball, basketball camps

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is once again offering summer sports camps, directed by SMU coaches, staff and players. Enroll today; camps fill early and space is limited. Register and pay online at www.smumn.edu/sportscamps.

The Cardinal Youth Baseball League runs June 10 through July 17 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cotter Fields. The cost is $65 per player (and includes a T-shirt and hat). Families with two or more players are eligible for a $55 per-player rate. Register according to the grades participants will enter in fall of 2008.

Leagues include:
• Rookie League (Cotter Soccer Field) — Entering grades 2 and 3, 6 p.m. (coach-pitched/coached by parents)
• American League (Cotter Softball Field) — Entering grades 4 and 5, 5:30 or 7 p.m. (machine-pitched/coached by parents)
• National League (Cotter Softball Field) — Entering grades 6 and 7, 9 or 10:30 a.m. (player-pitched/coached by high school and college coaches including former SMU coach and new Cotter coach Nick Whaley)

This league is designed to help players enhance their ability to enjoy the game of baseball through proper instruction, supervision, and practice of fundamental skills necessary to play the game effectively. Prior to every game, players will receive instruction and training from their coach. After the practice session, players will compete in a 5- or 6-inning game against another team from the league.

Parents and coaches should meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in the dining hall on the second floor of the Toner Student Center at the SMU campus to discuss scheduling, clinics, placement, and coaching.

The Boys & Girls Basketball Day Camp runs June 16-19 from 9 to 1 a.m. daily in SMU’s gym and Gostomski Fieldhouse. The cost is $70 per player (and includes a T-shirt & ball). Through the K-6 and 7-8 youth day camps, the younger players will be introduced to and taught the basic fundamentals of basketball, and the older players will be challenged to develop their basketball skills. The camp utilizes a variety of innovative teaching methods, drills and contests. Every aspect of the camp is designed to provide participants with valuable skills and a memorable experience — filled with friendship and fun.