By T. Scott Boatright
It’s an annual rite of summer for many youngsters from north Louisiana and beyond preparing to head into the month of August and the start of a new school year.
For Ruston native and College Baseball Hall of Famer Wilbert Ellis it’s a ritual that serves in some ways as almost a fountain of youth, reminding him of his own childhood while also providing an opportunity to serve those most near and dear to his heart — children in need of a guiding hand not only in developing hardball skills, but also direction in how to handle the game of life.
The Ellis Baseball Clinic, an event free to attend for youth from ages 4-15, is set for July 26 and will be held at Ruston’s Fraser Field on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., where Ellis played hardball himself as a youth.
Registration for the camp (which will include T-ball for ages 4-7 as well as baseball for ages 8-15) will be held from 8-9 a.m. July 26 with the clinic itself beginning at 9 a.m. followed by lunch.
Campers will receive a free clinic T-shirt as well as a hot dog/hamburger lunch.
The camp not only teaches hardball fundamentals and skills. It also focuses on teaching youth about the game of life and the importance of things such as staying in school and completing their education, becoming good and productive citizens and leaders, and learning how to stay safe and healthy.
“This is something that means so much to me,” Ellis said. “Giving back to the community and especially our youth is something I love doing, and that’s the reason all of the wonderful people who help conduct the clinic keep giving up their time and coming back. Our children are our future and they’re worth committing our time to in order to try to learn how to become the best they can be. Some of that is baseball. Because of the expense of travel ball and things like that, a lot of kids who can’t afford it — kids who might need it most of all — don’t get to learn the fundamentals of baseball and the game itself.
“But maybe the most important thing about these camps is reaching out to young people and teaching them the importance of continuing their education, and staying away from things like alcohol and drugs that can hurt them both physically and mentally. That’s the real impact we’re trying to make conducting these camps. I grew up learning the game of baseball here in Ruston, and I’m proud to continue teaching the game here in Lincoln Parish. It makes me feel young getting out and talking with these kids and teaching them what they need to know to play baseball and succeed in life.”
Ellis was an assistant under Grambling President/Coach Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones for 17 seasons before taking over as head coach in 1978 and guiding the Tigers to eight divisional championships, three Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and five NCAA regional appearances while amassing a record of 740-462-1 over 26 seasons.
But even after retiring from Grambling State, Ellis never gave up the game, holding his annual youth baseball clinics in conjunction with the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, and bringing a version to those camps here to Ruston.
This year’s Wilbert Ellis Baseball Camp will see the return of a member of the Grambling Sports Legends Hall of Fame and the Atlanta Braves Baseball Hall of Fame — Ruston native Ralph Garr.
Garr, who became a scout and coach after his playing days, was a pro outfielder from 1968 – 1980 — most notably as a member of the Atlanta Braves — and eventually with the Chicago White Sox and California Angels. In 1974 while playing for the Braves, Garr was named to the National League (NL) All-Star Team and won the NL batting title with a league best .353 average while also leading the NL in hits (214) and triples (17).
This year’s Ellis Baseball Clinic will also feature instructors including GSU Baseball Coach Davin Pierre and his staff; and former GSU/Major League baseball players such as John Lewis, Ronnie Lewis, Bobby Dupree, Brick Henderson, Angelo Eave, Roger Washington, James Aubrey, Arthur Herbert and current players on the GSU baseball team.
Along with Garr, former Ruston High School baseball coach Tim O’Neal, president of the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, is slated to join the all-volunteer staff at this year’s Ellis as a featured participant. .
“This camp is something I feel like I need to do, especially because it’s something I know the kids want and need,” Ellis said. “And that’s why all the volunteers come out and help. We make it a free clinic because we want as many youth who want to come out to join us.”
To preregister for the camp, call Ronnie Lyons at 318-607-7407, Brenda Dupree at 901-210-2137, on go online to https://docs.google.com/forms/
In the case of inclement weather, the camp will relocate to the Zion Traveler Baptist Church Family Life Center.
