YCHS baseball team reaches out to youngsters at camp

First-year York Comprehensive High School head baseball coach Eddie Tisdale enjoys reaching out to youngsters who aspire to play varsity baseball.

Such was the case last week, as YCHS coaches and players provided instruction on the basic fundamentals of the game at the Junior Cougars Baseball Camp.

“It’s great for us to get involved in the community,” said Tisdale after the camp at the YCHS baseball complex. “York is a very tight-knit community. I found that out very quickly.”

Tisdale said he has been impressed by the support fans show for the school and the athletic programs across the board.

“We want to give them something back,” Tisdale said of the baseball supporters. “They do a great job of showing us how much they care.”

He said the junior camp stresses fundamentals. “It’s kind of an overview,” he said. “We really don’t go into a ton of depth. My main thing, I want the kids to come out here and enjoy it. I want them to be around some of these older guys.”

Added Tisdale: “I try to get as many of my guys out here as I can. I have seven, eight, nine guys that are playing for us now or played for us last year. I try to get my assistant coaches involved.”

He added: “We like to get them pointed in the right direction, especially this day and age. Baseball is year-round. Kids are playing summer baseball and fall baseball.”

Tisdale said kids are getting told six different ways to play baseball.

“No way is the right way.” he said. “Maybe they take one thing away from our camp. Maybe they learned something they didn’t know before and learned it a different way that works for them.”

Tisdale has been around the high school game long enough to know the importance of feeder programs.

“The York Parks and Recreation Department provides feeder programs with Ozone, Minors and Dixie Boys participation,” he said. “The kids playing baseball at the York Recreation Complex and Optimist Park are our future.”

Tisdale said a lot of kids play travel baseball. “We host some travel tournaments here at the complex,” he said. “I’ve seen some of our York kids play. I think the future looks bright, very bright.”

Tisdale said American Legion Baseball participation, both senior and junior, has pumped life into those programs.

“It’s critical,” he said of the American Legion experience. “We’re keeping our high school team together playing legion ball. I think legion ball is good because it builds a sense of community. It’s another way for us to grow as a baseball program.”

When varsity baseball resumes next spring, Tisdale said a good nucleus will return, despite key losses. “We lose Ryan Gilbert on the mound, Adam Hoffman at second base and Will Prince. Those guys will be tough to replace. We lose Patch Edwards, another outstanding player.”

However, he points to a solid core as hope for the future.

“John Moorefield and Harrison Childers will hit for us,” said Tisdale. “Aaron Harper is back, along with a good group of JV players. Will McSwain and Shane Alexander have kind of taken ownership of the program.”

He added: “Will and Shane didn’t get a ton of playing time last season. They sat and waited their turn. Now, it’s their time to step up, their time to shine. I think they’re ready for it.

“Our kids are working hard. There’s a lot of enthusiasm in our program. I look forward to seeing what some of those guys can do.”

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 12:00 PM with the headline "YCHS baseball team reaches out to youngsters at camp."