Southern Miss baseball team striving to keep tradition of excellence alive through kids summer camp

It’s never too early to make a positive impact on someone, especially when it’s a tradition of excellence. WXXV News 25’s Ansley Brent is at Pete Taylor Park to tell us how the Southern Miss baseball team is eager to pour into the next generation while learning from them in the process.

“I’m here at Pete Taylor Park, home of the Southern Miss Baseball Program,” said Sports Reporter Ansley Brent. “The summer and off season is typically a time for changes and renovations, but one thing that is constant is this building behind me in left field that reads “Tradition of Excellence.” When is the time to train that next generation of excellence? Here is what current Southern Miss baseball players had to say.”

“It’s awesome. It’s always an honor and a privilege to come support these kids like they support us every year and try to give back little things to them whenever they come watch us in the Roost or in the stands cheering us on,” said left-handed pitcher Jackson Parker. “It’s always fun to give back and cheer them on as well. We try to teach them a few things so that’s good, but it’s always special to watch these kids come out here and do what they love. They look up to us, and we always look up to them too.”

“It’s really incredible. They look up to us and we know it, but we can learn a lot from these kids too because of how much fun they have. I think we tend to get so caught up in performance when in reality it’s a kid’s game. We can teach these kids and learn from them all in one,” said infield Seth Smith.

“It’s really cool because as a kid this is like a dream to hang around old, cool baseball players and now being that old cool baseball player is fun,” said pitcher and shortstop Ty Long. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and being able to make their day and teach them a little bit but most importantly have fun. It’s just really fun.”

“Unfortunately the 2024 kids camp has come to a close, but just like Southern Miss’s appearances in the NCAA Tournament, I’m confident they will be back next year. Reporting live from where the magic happens in Hattiesburg, I’m Ansley Brent with WXXV News 25.”