Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Turner | George Foster, (left) 1977 National League MVP assists Cody Khan, from Ft. Knox, Ky,...... read more read more
VERO BEACH, Fla. – Being mentored and coached by a former Major League MVP baseball player would be a dream come true for any young baseball player, but for 15-year-old Cody Khan, pitcher for the Fort Knox High School Eagles baseball team, it is now a reality.
This is thanks, in large part, to Major League Baseball’s partnership with the U.S. Army in the Urban Youth Foundation’s Baseball Bootcamp, a program intended to help build character and sportsmanship in young players through mentorship and Army values.
“The MLB Urban Youth Foundation is delighted to partner with the Foster Safe Youth Network and the U.S. Army to provide this potentially life-changing opportunity for youngsters that otherwise might not be afforded such an experience,” said Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president, Baseball Development, MLB.
Children of deployed service members and wounded warriors are warmly welcomed by MLB, who in fact, funded Khan’s travel to the camp.
“Youth currently participating in Urban Youth Academy facilities around the country and children of service members, ages 12-14 years old, are invited to attend the MLB Urban Youth Academy Baseball Boot Camp at Vero Beach,” said Darrell Miller, vice president of Youth and Facility Development for MLB.
Cody and 22 other players, ages 12-14, arrived at the Vero Beach Florida Sports Village July 8th to begin the10-day intensive baseball training camp, which brings young players from around the country to work with Army mentors, as well as former major leaguers like George Foster, Cincinnati Reds 1977 National League MVP; Brian Hunter, former Detroit Lions player who lead the American League with 74 stolen bases in 1997; Al Downing, one of the game’s best all-around pitchers; and Darrell Miller, former catcher with the California Angels.
“I was really excited, when I heard I got to work with George Foster. I heard a lot about him when I was growing up,” said Cody. “My dad would always talk about George when I was a kid.”
Cody says his baseball fielding skills need some work and attending this camp will really be helpful. “I think this is going to help me out a lot, because there’s a couple of things I could use to improve on and he’s [George] the guy to go to.”
“I enjoy teaching the youth and sharing my passion for the game I love,” said Foster. “This camp provides the campers with the discipline needed to stay focused on becoming a better player and the character traits teach the campers how to become a better person. The campers also learn about patriotism and the soldiers that give us the freedom we enjoy every day.”
Cody is anxious to help his teammates benefit from his time at the MLB Sports Village camp upon returning to the Ft. Knox Eagles baseball team where he enjoys being a starting pitcher.
According to Cody, his parents Rene and Sgt. Daniel Khan, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan as an EOD technician with 703rd Explosive Ordinance Disposal, are always supportive.
Rene, a 25-year softball player herself, has been playing baseball with Cody in the backyard since he was 5-years-old and particularly excited about Cody’s attending the MLB camp.
“Cody is a good, hard-working kid,” said Rene, “and has a passion to pursue baseball.”
“He’s also a very compassionate young man,” said Rene, “and is usually playing baseball with his 8-year-old sister in the backyard whenever he can.”
The camp is a unique experience designed to teach baseball fundamentals and life skills to inner-city youth through the military principles of structure and discipline and are headed by former National League MVP and five-time All-Star George Foster and operated by the Foster Safe Youth Network, the MLB Urban Youth Foundation and the U.S. Army.
During the camp, Foster was assisted by former Major Leaguers Al Downing and Brian Hunter, in providing the campers with expert baseball training. Retired Army Purple Heart recipient Staff Sgt. Paul Brondhaver conducted life-skill training development. Also addressing the campers was Sgt. 1st Class Michael Grant, an active duty U.S. Army drill sergeant. Leading physical and leadership training; Sgt. 1st Class William Jackson, a strength and conditioning coach for U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, addressed proper nutrition and strength training; and retired Command Sgt. Major Victor Rivera-Collazo, an All-Army baseball coach, assisted with baseball development and provided character development instruction.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2011 11:58 |
| Story ID: | 74286 |
| Location: | VERO BEACH, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 276 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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