ROCKINGHAM – For the second consecutive summer, local baseball players ages six to 14 will have the opportunity to develop their skills as Anthony Hailey will host the All-S.T.A.R. Academy’s baseball training camp.
The camp will be held at Rockingham Middle School’s baseball field on Saturday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost for each camper is $30, and all the proceeds will benefit the program.
Hailey is a former Richmond Senior High School baseball player, who played third base as a sophomore and junior, before becoming a full-time pitcher during his senior season in 2005. He went on to attend and play baseball at pitch at Rockingham Community College in Wentworth, N.C., before transferring and finishing his career at Elizabeth City State University.
Aside from his experience as a collegiate player, Hailey brings a wealth of coaching experience to his camp. Over the past couple of years, he’s helped coach teams with both the Hamlet and Rockingham Parks and Recreation departments, and has been an assistant coach at Hamlet Middle School the last three seasons.
The pre-registration date has passed, with 20 players already signed up. During the inaugural one-day camp in 2017, Hailey said there were 28 campers in attendance, and is encouraging parents to register their children the morning of this year’s event, as there are plenty of open spots remaining.
“Campers can expect to work on and learn the basics of baseball,” Hailey, a social worker at Community Home Care and Hospice, said. “They’ll do a lot of fielding drills, and learn what it means to be in a good ‘ready position.’ I’ll also show them how to use proper throwing techniques.
“They’ll also work on outfield drills, learn how to hit through the ball and learn the right way to run to first base and round the bag,” he added.
While the All-S.T.A.R. Academy will be benefiting local ball players, Hailey’s program extends far beyond the playing field, helping students succeed in the classroom.
“Last summer, after coaching at Rockingham Parks and Rec, my cousin Cameron (Hairston) and I decided to host the first camp,” Hailey explained. “But then that branched out into an after-school program. We meet on Mondays throughout the school year from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and tutor kids and help them with their homework.”
While at the after-school program, students receive help with math and reading, and Danielle Garth, a math teacher at Richmond Senior High School, offers her help as well. The first hour includes “academic enrichment,” and is concluded by 30 minutes of on-the-field workouts where Hailey helps with agility and development drills.
The S.T.A.R. in the program’s name stands for “sportsmanship,” “training,” “academics” and “respect.” Hailey also placed a strong emphasis on the primary objective being helping kids excel in the classroom while incorporating some fun through the physical activity.
The funds raised from Saturday’s baseball camp will go back to the after-school program and benefit the students. Hailey explained that some of the money will be used to purchase school supplies such as “notebooks, paper and pencils.”
But he plans on using the remaining funds to take attendees to community events. Last summer, the All-S.T.A.R. Academy took kids to a Winston-Salem Dash Minor League baseball game, and another group went to the Carolina Panthers Fan Fest.
“We eventually want to grow the program so that we can have it at each middle school in the county,” Hailey concluded. “It’ll be good to get the middle school coaches involved and get the kids familiar with the playing environment at their school. The goal is to continue to build the development of the kids to get better and compete.”
For more information regarding this year’s camp, Hailey can be contacted at (910) 461-5342.
