2018 Rogers Scholar Bailey Trent of Rowan County hosted “Swing into Spring,” a youth softball camp for ages 6-14. The camp was provided fee of charge to participants.
The love for the game inspired 2018 Rogers Scholar Bailey Trent of Rowan County to host a softball camp for young athletes to hone their skills.
Trent, a graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program and a student at Rowan County Senior High School, organized “Swing into Spring,” a youth softball camp for her Rogers Scholars community service project. The camp was provided free of charge to softball players between the ages of 6-14 to help them get ready for the Little League season.
“It was important to me to have a free camp, so that everyone would be able to attend regardless of financial situations,” she said. “Most of the camps today are very expensive and that takes away opportunities for some of the younger players.”
The softball camp was held in the spring of 2019 just a few days before the opening season on the school’s home field. Bailey and members of her high school softball team worked with participants on hitting drills, bunting techniques, throwing mechanics, base running tips, and instructions on fielding.
“This project allowed me to teach the game I love to the youth. I remember when I was first learning to play, whenever I worked with older players, I wanted to be just like them,” Trent said. “During the camp, I wanted to be a role model to the young women and also spread the love for this growing sport. It is always important to give back to the community, and it made me feel really good when the girls left with smiles on their faces and several new skills learned.”
Kia Littleton, a parent of one of the camp participants, commended Trent on her community service project. “This is an awesome group of young ladies and great role models for our girls to look up to,” she said. “Thank you all for taking your time and being so good with our future Lady Vikings.”
Trent is the daughter of Penny Trent of Morehead.