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WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – For three days, the diamonds at Wausau East belonged to the subsequent technology of ballplayers. One of the best to ever put on Brewers blue and yellow was additionally proper there with them.
Jim Gantner, the Milwaukee Brewers legend identified to followers as “Gumby,” joined the Brewers Baseball Academy’s touring summer season camp, working alongside coaches and campers ages 6 to 14 as they wrapped up a three-day boot camp constructed across the fundamentals of the sport.
Gantner spent his whole 17-year main league profession with the Brew Crew, a run that included the franchise’s solely World Series look. These days, he channels that have into one thing totally different: passing the love of the sport on to children who’re simply getting began.
Tee work, desires, and a little bit failure
Gantner’s message to campers was easy: Size doesn’t matter, desires do.
“You don’t have to be seven foot to play, you can be any size. If you have that dream, chase it, but it’s going to take a lot of practice, and you’ve got to love doing it,” Gantner stated. “Because in this game you’re dealing with a lot of failure. You’ve got to love it when you go 0 for 4, and you’ve got to love it when you go 4 for 4.”
When it involves turning into a constant hitter, Gantner stated the reply is less complicated than most youngsters count on.
“So I ask them, you know, how much tee work do you do? They say maybe a couple of times a week, and I say, you know, how much tee work do you think the big leaguers do?” Gantner stated. “Every day they hit off the tee; they do soft toss. That’s how you become a consistent, good hitter.”
‘It brings back a lot of memories’
Gantner stated watching the campers gentle up is what retains him coming again summer season after summer season.
“Oh, I love seeing these kids with big smiles on their faces, all the fun they’re having at these camps. Every time I ask the kids how’s the camp going, they love it,” Gantner stated. “Just to hear them say they love it, and love the game of baseball gets me excited and is very rewarding to me. It brings back a lot of memories when I was 6 or 7 years old and had the same love of the game.”
‘Nothing better, literally nothing better’
The power on the sector was not misplaced on the coaches, both. Brewers Baseball Academy coach Chris Kitelinger stated the job is the whole lot he hoped it could be.
“I got to work for my favorite baseball team, get involved with local communities, and make a lot of fun interactions with young kids. Nothing better, literally nothing better,” Kitelinger stated.
His campers on Team Turang made positive the three days stayed memorable — together with one problem that didn’t go the coach’s approach. Camper August, identified round camp as “Aug Dog,” didn’t let Kitelinger overlook it.
“He’s a good coach, but as much a player — he lost every challenge,” August stated.
Camper Zoey crammed within the particulars.
“August said, if you miss all the pitches, not even one strike, we get to dump water on you. And all of us got to dump water,” Zoey stated.
‘One of the best experiences of my life’
Between the instruction, the laughs, and a commemorative jersey to take dwelling, campers left with extra than simply baseball abilities. For many, three days was not almost sufficient.
“I’ll do it next year too because I’m having fun, and it’s just one of the best experiences of my life,” camper Kenny stated.
When requested about their favourite present Brewers, campers rattled off Brice Turang and William Contreras — however the overwhelming favourite, to nobody’s shock, was Jacob Misiorowski.
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