NATCHEZ — Former San Diego Padres prospect and Natchez native Chris Rayburn has a vision.

It’s not quite like Kevin Costner’s vision to construct a baseball field in the movie “Field of Dreams,” but he’s definitely going for the same result: to get people to come and play baseball.

Rayburn will take part as an instructor in the Eagle Baseball Camp at Liberty Park Monday and Tuesday, but he also hopes his presence will serve as a launching pad for bigger plans down the road.

“I want to have a Natchez city baseball camp in the summer,” Rayburn said.

“When I was growing up about 10 to 15 years ago, we’d always have a camp in the summer. I’d like to get that started again.”

And he’s looking to the Eagles camp as somewhere that he could begin to generate interest.

“I want to get the kids out there now, so that word (about my idea) spreads through the spring, and I’ll have a good turnout in the summer,” Rayburn said.

“I want to try and revive baseball in Natchez. I want to focus on hitting, fielding and pitching, because that’s what kids are most interested in learning about.”

Rayburn, who has spent the last two years coaching at Meridian Community College, plans to move back to Natchez in the summer to begin carrying out his vision. Personal mentorship is something Rayburn wants to make a focal point in what he does, he said.

“Throughout the years, Natchez has always had great baseball players come up, and it seems like that has died down a little bit. I’m not sure what the reason is, but if a kid has passion about baseball, I want to help him.

“I’d be available for individual lessons. It’s all about teaching kids about the game (for me). I’ve been at the college and professional level, so I feel like I have a good amount of knowledge to give them.”

Playing at both levels allowed Rayburn to surround himself with knowledgeable people, from whom he learned a lot about the game, he said.

“I got to work with guys in college that played Division I baseball, so that taught me a lot about the game and what they learned at that level,” Rayburn said.

“When I got to pro ball, I learned from guys that played in the majors, so it helped me to pick their brains and learn about pitching, fielding and hitting.”

Even though the weather is still cold outside, Rayburn said late December is a great time to host a mini-camp.

“To me, this is the time you have to start getting prepared for the spring season. You have to start getting your arm in shape, catching some bullpen sessions, start fielding and stuff like that.

“Baseball is all about repetition. You have to put so much time and repetition into the game. You can’t just go out there and do it (without practicing), or you won’t get any better at this game.”

Registration for the Eagle Baseball Camp is Monday morning at 8:30. The camp is for ages 8 to 18 and costs $50 per player. It takes place at Chester Willis Field at Liberty Park and goes from 9 a.m. to noon each day.