GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Sports can be a pivotal part of youth social development, physical development, and mental development. As a way to encourage those developmental aspects many sports camps or clinics are put on through the Gridley Recreation Department during the summer months. Many kids from surrounding communities participated in an eight day soccer camp held at the end of July. Starting on August 5th, many kids have been participating in an eight day baseball/softball camp put on by D.I.R.T.Y. Elite Sports. There are two sessions a night for kids ranging from 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old.

During the first week of the baseball/softball camp about 40 participants worked on the fundamental aspects of defense. On day one, the campers learned the importance of stretching and calisthenics as well as how to properly catch and throw. They got to play a fun throwing game where they threw wiffle balls into plastic cups in the backstop fence. On day two, the campers learned how to properly field ground balls and continued to work on their throwing and catching skills. On day three, the campers learned how to properly catch fly balls, as well as how to properly get their bodies moving on fly balls hit away from them. On day four, the campers learned how to field ground balls and get their feet moving in the direction in which they are throwing in order to get the offense out. They also worked on catching fly balls and relaying the ball in from the outfield to the infield.

The week of August 12 - 15 the campers will learn the fundamentals of offense.

D.I.R.T.Y. Elite Sports is a local organization that strives to encourage all athletes with their training and game time performance through their motivational and positive philosophy. The acronym D.I.R.T.Y. stands for Discipline, Intensity, Respect, Teamwork, Yourself.