December 05, 2014

SIU to host winter youth athletic camps

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale is sponsoring baseball and track and field youth athletic camps in coming weeks. 

The Saluki Baseball Winter Hitting Camp offers two sessions for different age groups Dec. 29-30.  Camp I is for ages 7-12 and takes place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. each day.  Camp II is for ages 13-18 and runs 12:30-3 p.m. Both take place at the Garden Grove Event Center, formerly Sports Blast, located behind the University Mall at 1215 E. Walnut St. in Carbondale. 

The camps will cover all aspects of the Saluki hitting approach.  Participants will learn specific hitting concepts including proper swing path and mechanics, situational hitting, the two-strike approach, bunting and more. The youths will participate in the same drills Saluki baseball players perform daily. 

Each session of the commuter camp is open to the first 25 people to register.    

The Saluki Track and Field Clinic is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2015, and students in grades 6-12 are welcome.  Participants may choose from two separate clinics, a pole vault clinic and a throws clinic, and both will take place at the Student Recreation Center at SIU.  The cost is $75 for each clinic.  

Junior high and high school males and females who want to improve their technique and learn new skills in pole vault or shot put and discus may attend.  Each will receive a personalized evaluation of his or her technique. Coaches are welcome as well.

To register for any of the winter youth athletic camps, sign up online at www.continuinged.siu.edu or contact the university’s Continuing Education and Outreach at 618/536-7751.