The Everett Boys & Girls Club hosted a Baseball Camp and Pro Day on Monday, January 19 at the Club’s Gaffney Field. 180 kids from Snohomish County participated, drawing from many of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County’s (BGCSC) 19 Clubs, as well as youth from the Seattle Tides and Stilly Valley Little League. During the camp, participants had the opportunity to run through a series of nine stations that included hitting, pitching, speed/agility and defense.

Each station was led by professional baseball players and volunteers; the adults mentored the youth on Healthy Life Choices, including the importance of getting good grades, believing in oneself, being confident and good sportsmanship. At the conclusion of the event, participants left with giveaways including MLBPA trading cards, signed bats and balls from the local pro players.

Local Boys & Girls Club alum and pro ball player Travis Snider coordinated the event and recruited fellow players to volunteer. This is the first major BGCSC event to take place at Gaffney Field since the groundbreaking for the updated field took place on October 2, 2014. The field now includes astroturf, a new scoreboard, fencing, dugouts, and seating. The renovations were made through partnership with Everett Community College, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Snohomish County Parks and Recreation. The Everett Community College women's softball team uses the Club field.

“What an amazing gift these guys are giving to these kids,” commented Mike McGinnis, Everett Club Director. “Many of these pro ball players helping today were Club members themselves and it is inspiring to see them giving back in this way.”

Professional baseball players and other key people who volunteered at the camp include:
Travis Snider (Pittsburgh Pirates MLB–OF, Jackson High School); Brent Lilibridge (7 Year MLB veteran–INF/OF, Jackson High School [Free Agent]); Steven Souza (Tampa Bay Rays MLB–OF, Cascade High School); James Robbins (Detroit Tigers MILB–1B, Shorecrest High School); Geoff Brown (LA Dodgers MILB–LHP, Jackson High School); Pierce Rankin (Toronto Blue Jays MILB–C, Shorecrest High School); Kawika Emsley-Pai (Pittsburgh Pirates MILB–C, Jackson High School); Mitch Canham (8 Year MILB Veteran–C, Lake Stevens High School [Free Agent]); Josh Kimborowicz (Tampa Bay Rays MILB–RHP, Jackson/Mt. Si High School); Blake Snell (Tampa Bay Rays MILB–RHP, Shorewood High School); Connor Oliver (Atlanta Braves MILB–OF, Lives locally and trains at Northcore); Kirk Nieuwenhuis (New York Mets MLB–OF, Lives locally and trains at Northcore); Dylan Davis (San Francisco Giants–OF/DH, Redmond High School); Matt Boyd (Cincinnati Reds–P, Mercer Island); Jeff Millet (Northcore Performance Training, Strength and Conditioning Coach for Professional and High School Athletes, Personal Trainer); Kirk Nicholson (Jackson High School Head Baseball Coach); Denne Snider (Father of Travis Snider and former Everett Boys & Girls Club Coach and Mill Creek Little League President); Curt Nelson (EVCC Assistant Baseball Coach).