SPRINGFIELD – Hamlin Sports Complex, home of the Drifters, is usually filled with hotdogs, sunscreen, and cheers from the stands. Instead, on an idle Tuesday afternoon, the stands were empty and the home field, which usually features West Coast League players, was bursting with energetic children aged 6-14 in Drifters gear.
“We have a promising program that should gain a lot of popularity, especially with the Eugene Emeralds moving out of town,” said Matthew Hubbs, one of the Springfield Drifters’ assistant coaches. “But we’re just trying to give an opportunity for kids to play more baseball around Lane County.”
These were the sights and sounds of the Drifters’ annual Youth Kids Baseball Camp, staged Aug. 6-7 this year. Its baseball camp is a hands-on, interactive learning event that teaches children the basics of baseball such as hitting, pitching, fielding, and base running through various drills and games.
It also fosters skill development, teamwork and a fun environment. It’s led by experienced Drifters coaches Hubbs, Rocco Ferarri, Leo Rivera, and Sam Olsson.
The campers are divided into age groups rather than skill levels. So whether a child is a complete rookie, a seasoned veteran, or just an engaged spectator at baseball games, the camp ensures an inclusive experience. The main goal: fostering a child’s love of America’s favorite pastime through a supportive environment.
“We primarily focus on making sure they’re having fun,” Hubbs said. “It’s usually fundamentals for the first half and then the second half, you just let them have fun. Today, we focused on defensive drills and stations and then put on a fun game. And for tomorrow we’ll be more offensive-focused, but then have another game afterward.”
This year’s camp was particularly unique due to the Drifters maintaining sole organization and facilitation of the camp. Previously, the Drifters have partnered with Eugene Baseball Academy. Hubbs said this new level of autonomy has been beneficial for the camp and aligns with their future goals of extending the camp.
“It’s nice to be able to do what we want and structure how we want,” he said. “We’ve done three-day camps … And this year’s a two-day. But we’re thinking about one year extending it to a week-long camp.”
The camp is part of the Drifters’ larger commitment to “giving back” to the community. After campers pay the initial $40-$70 fee, their families get in the next two games for free. “Each day that they have camp, they can come to the night game and bring their families and they also get a free meal as well for the camper,” Hubbs said.
He said that as “a local” who has migrated around the Lane County baseball scene, this program is important to give back to the community as well. “I think it’s huge,” he said. “I mean, I was born and raised in Eugene. So it’s important for me to give back to the community and it’s my whole goal – to help these kids,” said Hubbs, who has coached at Thurston High School for five years and is now at Bushnell University.
