The second annual ‘Foundations Baseball’ will begin later this month and run for four consecutive weeks at the Chambers I-470 Complex.

The camp, which will begin on Thursday, Aug. 29, is open to area youths ages 6-12.

“We think last year was a big success and we’re hopeful to grow that from last year,” director and founder Doug Costain said.

Costain has assembled a quality coaching staff that includes West Liberty University head coach Eric Burkle, Hilltopper players and coaches as well as Mike Bittinger, an area travel baseball coach and other high school and collegiate players.

Whereas last year’s event focused on fundamentals, which will once again be a key premise in the event, Costain has told his staff that he’d like to see the camp branch out somewhat, too.

“We would like to focus more on in-game situations,” Costain revealed.

Costain, who organizes and directs the annual Pinto Challenge that just wrapped up last month, spent a lot of time watching youth baseball this summer. Quite simply, he was trying to get an idea of where kids may need the most work.

“I was trying to get ideas and areas where there might be opportunities to teach the game,” Costain said.

The cost of the camp is $75 until Aug. 26 and it increases to $100. The first 75 registered participants will receive a Foundations Baseball shirt and hat, a Pittsburgh Pirates cap, tickets to a Pirates game where they’ll get to watch batting practice.

Along with the aforementioned staff that’s working the camp, former Pittsburgh Pirate and Colorado Rockies catcher Michael McKenry, who is now a television analyst on AT&T Sports for Pirates games, is scheduled to make an appearance during one of the sessions.

Sponsors for the event are Ohio-West Virginia Excavating, Bordas & Bordas, Shirts N’ More and WVU Medicine.

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