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LUTCHER — Approximately 90 boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 16 picked up valuable skills during the Damian Ursin’s fourth annual Trust D Process Fundamental Baseball and Softball Camp.

The two-day camp, held July 30-31 in Lutcher, proved successful at encouraging children with instruction from former players who have experienced all levels of competition. Focal points included increasing comfort and confidence levels, gaining a mental edge against others on the field, developing a better understanding of the game, and honing in on essential baseball and softball skills.

Former Lutcher High School standout Katie Cashio Deslattes and East St. John Athletic Director Brandon Brown, also a former Southeast Louisiana high school athlete, were present to share their knowledge with the campers. Organizer Damian Ursin also relayed his experience in the sport, which began at the Little League level.

After playing baseball at Lutcher High School from 1996 to 2000, Ursin earned a full scholarship to Southern University, where he played from 2000 to spring 2003. Immediately following his junior season, Ursin fulfilled a childhood dream when he was drafted to the Cincinnati Reds. He also played a year of independent ball in 2007 with the River City Rascals in Missouri.

“It was always a dream of mine once I finished playing professional ball to give back to the kids in the community with a camp. Every year it has been growing and growing, and you meet new faces,” Ursin said. “When I grew up playing Little League, we didn’t have anybody at home doing baseball camps. I feel like it’s an honor for me, with the knowledge I have from different avenues in softball and baseball, to give back to the kids and show them the steps it takes to get to the higher level in high school and college. Some might be fortunate enough like I was to get drafted.”

The camp featured different stations set up for infield and outfield instruction. Batting cages were utilized for hitting drills and fundamentals, while a separate field was set up to resemble a college showcase.

“A lot of things colleges are looking for aren’t getting communicated to the kids. It’s more than just natural ability. They are looking for arm strength, base running, speed in the 60-yard dash, etc.,” Ursin said. “It’s a good tool that everyone should take advantage of. They should go to every camp possible, especially if it is teaching fundamentals. If me and my friends had these opportunities when we played, there’s no telling where we would be right now.”

While Ursin plans to make the fifth annual camp bigger and better than ever, baseball and softball instruction continues to be a year-round commitment for him. From January through December, he mentors dozens of young athletes and local teams.

If kids in the 10^th through 12^th grade plan on playing at the next level, Ursin also assists in coordinating evaluations with college coaches.

For more information, contact Ursin at ursin16@yahoo.com or at 225-806-0976.