MLB players are broadcasted across the nation on the TV and radio, but one is coming to his hometown of Pittsboro to teach younger athletes. Miami Marlins pitcher Austin Brice is hosting a camp at Northwood Jan. 29th.
Austin Brice played for Northwood’s varsity baseball team all four years of his high school career from 2006-2010. Starting out as a shortstop, he was later put into the pitcher position with a fastball in the mid 90’s, which caught the attention of multiple MLB scouts.
Brice was recruited to Appalachian State University to play baseball but was picked for the Miami Marlins before his college career started.
Current varsity baseball coach Rick Parks thinks that having this camp hosted by Brice will help younger kids know there’s a chance to chase their dreams.
“There’s a lot of kids out there that have the dream of what Austin’s been able to achieve,” Parks said. “To see that it’s a reachable goal and can happen to someone in Pittsboro is pretty cool.”
The camp is going to be used for baseball development in the younger generations. Current varsity players will be helping with the camp, including junior outfielder and catcher Jake McNeill.
“Each player will be [helping the] kids in certain positions like outfield, infield, pitching and we’ll also be doing hitting mechanics,” McNeill said.
Although it’s a learning experience for the younger kids, junior Colton Lineman thinks it will leave an impact on the varsity players as well.
“We take what we know for granted and just do it [play baseball],” Lineman said. “However, those kids don’t get [baseball] like we do.”
McNeill is looking forward to the camp and how it will recapture the team’s love for baseball.
“It’s really going to reinstate how much [current NHS players] enjoy the sport too,” McNeill said.
– By Courtney Wolfe
