Baseball at Pemi

aseball is Pemi's oldest sport, and still one of the most popular. Boys interested in baseball may receive instruction whether they are beginners or experienced little leaguers/Babe Ruth players. Morning occupations focus on improvement in batting, fielding, throwing and baserunning skills. The batting cage, equipped with a college-level pitching machine, allows all boys to sharpen their swings. Pitchers and catchers can receive position-specific coaching.

Game opportunities abound at Pemi. Intramural games are especially popular for younger boys.

Campers in the Junior Camp can participate in the ongoing series of games between the Shrimps and Sardines, which has been played since the 1920s. Boys play regardless of experience, and this is a wonderful opportunity for campers to work their way up toward intercamp competition. This is an especially fertile proving ground for young pitchers at an age when most boys are making the transition in their home leagues from games where the pitchers are coaches. In a typical Shrimp-Sardine game, as many as 6-8 boys will have the chance to pitch, many for the first time. Boys who have already pitched have a tremendous chance to refine their skills in a low-pressure atmosphere. Boys of all ages can play in a number of intercamp games each summer, benefiting from several nearby camps who share Pemi's values of participation and sportsmanship.

Baseball coaching at Pemi is provided by a number of experienced coaches, many with years of youth and secondary experience. Charlie Malcolm coached for years at St. Andrew's Episcopal School, and is particularly skilled at teaching pitchers and catchers. Other recent coaches include:

• Phil Landry, a graduate of the University of Mississippi and Pemi Head Coach for years. Phil will be returning in 2001.
• Jon Bernthal was a three-year varsity catcher at Skidmore, and
• Josh Clapper played for the varsity for three seasons at Dickinson.