The Mizuno Junior Elite Development Camp took place last weekend at the Rogers Centre and all fifty 15-16 year old kids got a taste of the big league experience by receiving some of the best instruction in the country and learning some new drills and techniques to the game of baseball.
After the players reported on the Friday night, they were treated to the first of three Toronto Blue Jays games on the weekend. The on-field and off-field instruction began the following day with two “Life Skills” seminars.
The first seminar was on strength and conditioning with former Blue Jays Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeff Krushell, who showed the kids proper stretching techniques and exercises to help prevent injuries and increase strength and endurance.
The second seminar was a presentation by Mizuno
After the second Blue Jays game, the players hit the field for some on-field instruction with some of the Blue Jays coaching staff, lead by third base coach Brian Butterfield with pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and first base coach Marty Pevey. With the help of coaches form across the country, the young men were put through several infield and outfield drills as well as bullpen sessions for the pitchers and catchers in the group. Following that was batting practice where groups would rotate from fielding to the batting cages to hitting. During this, pitchers were shown the Blue Jays weight training facility and show more exercise techniques.
On the Sunday, it began with two more “Life Skills” sessions, first with Blue Jays Director of Canadian Scouting Kevin Briand who discussed career planning and talent assessment, followed by a presentation by Baseball
Once the kids took in their final Blue Jays game of the weekend, they took the field at
Now all the practice for the weekend was done and it was time for the inter-squad game on Monday. The group would be split in to two teams, one coached by Brian Butterfield and the other by Marty Pevey. The coaching staff and scouts were on hand to evaluate the players in a game that saw 23 pitchers and all position players see action.
Highlights of the game include Shane Kraemer of Chilliwack, B.C. and Steven Inch of Edmonton, Alberta to be the only two pitchers to face the minimum with Kraemer striking out one, while Inch fanned a pair. All pitchers with the exception of two recorded at least one strikeout in their inning of work.
Offensively, Jordan Wong of
With all that said, Team Pevey beat Team Butterfield 10-5 in the scheduled 12 inning game.
After the game, the group was treated with appearances by Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons, pitchers Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett, and third baseman Troy Glaus for some instructional tips, autographs and photos. To see the photos of the event, click here.
