By TIM GUERCIO

THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

VIDALIA — Three accomplished Miss-Lou baseball players are teaming up with area coaches to offer a free baseball camp to Miss-Lou youth baseball players on Monday.

Brothers Devin and Trey Barnes, originally of Vidalia, are teaming up with Jake Winston, who played baseball at Southern Miss and later in the minor leagues with the Visalia Rawhide in Visalia, California, to offer the free baseball camp.

Devin played ball at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, and Trey played with Louisiana State University in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Devin, 25, who now lives in Alexandria, said he has been friends with Winston since they both were 7 years old.

The two, along with Trey, are hosting the one-day free baseball camp for ages 7-12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the Concordia Sports Complex.

Devin said the kids will workout from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. then break for hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks, then go back on the field from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.

The three former ballplayers, Devin said, want to teach what they have learned through their years playing at high levels in college and in pro ball.

“We will teach them the fundamentals of the game, to ensure that they have a solid foundation as they continue to play the game,” Trey said. “Batting, fielding and hitting is what we will work on.”

Trey said he will be responsible for the batting portion of the day.

“I will be teaching the proper batting stance and how to maintain balance throughout the swing,” Trey said. “I will be responsible for teaching the proper technique of the swing, too.”

High School baseball coaches from the Miss-Lou who will be there teaching, Devin said, will be Vidalia coaches Mike Norris and Nicholas Kennedy, Adams County Christian Academy coach Matthew Freeman, Natchez High coach Dan Smith and Delta Charter coach Mason Ozborn.

“The ground ball approach is what I teach kids,” Devin said. “Wide stance, rear end out, and glove down. Take an angle and charge the ball.”

The pitching will be taught by former minor-leaguer for the Arizona Diamondbacks and ACCS pitching coach Jake Winston.

“We are going to also have a handful of college ball players that will be there to help out,” Devin said. “I want to thank our sponsors. Delta Bank donated the T-shirts, Weeks Furniture provided us the food and drinks and Greg Johnson of Gametime Fitness supplied the baseballs and the bats and other equipment.

For more information call Devin Barnes at 318-447-7990.