By T. Scott Boatright
College Baseball Hall of Fame coach Wilbert Ellis found his own fountain of youth years ago conducting youth baseball camps in conjunction with the College Baseball World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as in his hometown of Ruston.
Ellis will continue his summer ritual on Saturday as he oversees the 16th annual Wilbert Ellis Baseball Camp, which is free for boys and girls ages 4-15 at Frazier Fraser Field.
Ellis admits conducting the camps reminds 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.
“These camps help keep me young in my heart and my mind,” Ellis said. “It’s just so meaningful to invest time in our most valuable resource, the youth of North Louisiana and America as a whole. These kids come to the camps and realize that people truly care about them and want to help them not only with their baseball skills, but with their general life and learning skills, too.
“I remember learning the game of baseball, which has meant so much to my life, right there at Fraser Field. And to be able to bring these young people to that field and receive instruction and tips from successful athletes who earned college degrees and found success on the baseball field, I’m just thankful for the group of people who help conduct the camps with the same true passion I put into all of it. We’re trying to make positive impacts on young people. Sometimes it’s those little impacts like these that can make a really big difference in a young person’s life.”
Registration for the camp (T-ball for ages 4-7 as well as baseball for ages 8-15) will be held from 8-9 a.m. Saturday with the clinic itself beginning at 9 a.m., followed by lunch and a closing ceremony.
Campers will receive a free clinic T-shirt as well as being served 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.
“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 coach under Grambling President/Head Baseball 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.
This year’s Wilbert Ellis Baseball Camp will again 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 1968-80 — 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 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 current GSU baseball coach Davin Pierre and his staff along with former GSU/Major League Baseball players such as John Lewis, Bobby Dupree, Angelo Eave and Brett Washington.
Former Ruston High School baseball coach and new Choudrant head coach Tim O’Neal, president of the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association, is slated to join the all-volunteer staff at this year’s Ellis Baseball Camp, as are Ruston head baseball coach Bryan Beck and Cedar Creek head coach Chad Yates along with Rusty Ponton, Landon Foster and Nick Robinson.
“We try to teach baseball fundamentals like hitting, fielding, pitching and baserunning,” Ellis said. “We try to get the young people to understand the importance of staying in top physical condition and what that means in helping them increase their strength, agility and speed.
“This camp is something I feel like I need to do, especially because it is 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. We want to impact the lives of our youth for the better.”
Ellis also wants to impact the lives of the parents of the youth attending the camp.
“We have enrichment programs for parents during the camp with guest speakers from local medical, law enforcement, education, mental health and financial agencies,” Ellis said. “We want to help these parents be the best parents they can be just as we want their children to be the best they can be, too. It’s about pulling people together and building unity throughout the community.”
To preregister for the camp, call Ronnie Lyons at 318-607-7407 or Brenda Dupree at 901-210-2137.
In the case of inclement weather, the camp will relocate to the Zion Traveler Baptist Church Family Life Center.
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