WILBRAHAM, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – With school out and summer now in ‘full swing,’ there’s a unique opportunity for local kids to practice their ‘swing’ at an upcoming camp. Back again this year is a one-of-a kind summer send-off for aspiring baseball players looking to learn from the pros.
For several days this August, the majors are coming to Wilbraham to show the minors how it’s done with Forge Athletics Summer Baseball Camp. “Really, my idea is to bring the best around from instructors, personal trainers, personal therapists, sports psychologists, even former umpires…I just want to bring them out to give these kids the best resources and tools available, so they can be the best players they can,” said Dustin Brisson, owner of Forge Athletics.
Some of the best at this year’s clinic include several from the majors such as pitching coach Arthur “Ace” Adams, out of Longmeadow, catcher David Wendt from Methuen, and even Brisson, who was drafted by the Red Sox in 2000. “Being a former professional player, I really think there’s a need here for development in baseball and softball…that a lot of these are more game based, but I want this to be instructional-based camp, so pitching instructors, hitting instructors, fielding instructors, where they all come out and they get to bring something back with them to their team to make them the best player that they can,” he explained.
Brisson said, after being out of the sport for several years, it was his love of the game that brought him back, first by offering private lessons, and now, with the four day camp scheduled from August 18 thru August 21, he’s able to reach more young athletes, specifically 7 to 15 years olds who are just beginning their journey into baseball and, who knows, may also end up playing in the big leagues. “I really enjoy it. It’s really fulfilling to me to watch a player progress, even working with college players all the way to seven-year-olds. I really enjoy just watching them develop and just that…that…lightbulb moment that pops in their head and you see them figure something out. It’s probably one of the most enjoyable things I’ve been a part of in a long time,” he noted.
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