For The Tribune

Girls attending the Seymour Owls softball camp this week were able to work on their hitting, throwing and fielding skills at the varsity softball field.

The campers, who ranged in ages 5 to 10, practiced their hitting Tuesday.

The hitting stations included live pitching, hitting off a T and hitting side toss or “soft toss.”

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Zabrina Nicholson, varsity assistant softball coach at the high school, said the campers do warm-up drills at the beginning of camp each day like the high school team.

Then they worked on throwing mechanics.

“We did grounders (Monday), and (Tuesday) we did grounders and fly balls,” Nicholson said. “So many of the younger ones are worried about getting hit that they lose the correct form, and if we can teach them young then that will be better for them later.”

Members of the varsity team instructed the campers.

“Hopefully, the girls are working with them on the mechanics of hands coming through and watching the ball,” Nicholson said. “The older ones will benefit from the front toss because they do see that in league play or travel play.

The 5-year-olds are probably in T-ball, so it gives them a sample of what’s coming up. The T and the side toss will help them with that, the eye contact and the swing.”

Kynadee Warner, 10, said this is the second season she has played softball, and the first year she has attended the softball camp.

“I came to the camp just to work on my stuff,” she said.

She plays travel ball with a team from Columbus.

Defensively, Warner plays either right field or third base, and said she prefers third base.

She bats left-handed and said, “I hit it, or I bunt. I like to bunt.”

Warner said currently softball is her only sport, but she may add more sports to her list in the future.

Kennady Hardman, 8, said this is her first year attending the camp.

“I wanted to learn how to play softball,” she said as the reason she is attending the camp.

She said she enjoys playing first base and says the easiest throws to catch are those between waist high and shoulder high that she can get a glove on.

“I like to hit off the T because it’s easier, and I can get a good swing,” Hardman said. “I play in the rookie league.”