DAPHNE — The Bayside Academy Admirals baseball camp took place in Daphne earlier this week with 70 players attending. The summer camp is one of two held each year for first through sixth graders.

Bayside athletic director and head baseball coach Doug Leffard said the turnout was one of the best he's had.

"I've done about 14 of these and this was a great turnout for us. We have kids from all over. We have a few that came over from Mobile, but most are from this side of the Bay in Baldwin County. We have really good numbers at each grade level, too, so that helps. Of course, the main thing is to teach fundamentals but you also have to make it fun for them.

“We focus on the fundamentals: hitting, throwing, defense and base running at each level. And we believe in the kids learning proper mechanics and having a good time while they are learning. So we breakdown each aspect — per age level — into components like swinging, bunting, communication when running the bases, pitching and catching, position play. Touching on the finer points but really concentrating on the fundamentals."

Leffard relies on his coaching staff during the three-day camp including middle-school head coach Scott Johnston and varsity assistant James Twilley.

"They both coach on the varsity and Scott also runs our middle school program so we have good professional oversight the whole time. I also have four of my varsity players out here too (Joe Vincent, Josh Vernor, Scott Johnson and Tanner Johnson) and they have as much fun as the kids do when they come out here and they do a good job, too."

Leffard also offers a preseason winter camp each year.