IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Dozens of young baseball players from across eastern Idaho gathered for the Idaho Falls Bandits Youth Camp, where campers had the opportunity to sharpen their skills alongside members of the Bandits summer baseball team.
The camp featured a variety of drills and stations focused on hitting, fielding, baserunning and other baseball fundamentals. But for the Bandits players leading those activities, the day was about much more than teaching the game.
“I love how they get to come here and we get to teach them all about the stuff that we’ve learned,” Bandits player Cole Croft said. “Coach Ryan Alexander has taught us a lot over the last couple of months, and it’s amazing being able to pass along what we’ve learned to the younger kids.”
Bandits head coach Ryan Alexander said the camp also benefits his own players by reinforcing the lessons they work on throughout the season.
“It’s fun to watch our guys teach the things that we’re teaching,” Alexander said. “Sometimes they have a hard time putting those concepts into their own game, so being able to teach the youngsters helps reinforce those ideas. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”
Throughout the day, campers rotated through stations run by Bandits players, who offered instruction, encouragement and plenty of answers to baseball-related questions. Among the most popular topics: favorite Major League Baseball players.
Names like Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Corbin Carroll and Cal Raleigh quickly came up among the young athletes.
For many campers, however, the biggest highlight wasn’t talking baseball stars—it was getting the chance to play the game themselves.
Some campers practiced sliding techniques, while others worked on fielding and baserunning drills. Many simply enjoyed spending a day on the same field where the Bandits play their games each summer.
While the campers arrived hoping to improve their baseball skills, Alexander said the organization’s goal extends beyond wins and losses.
“We hope baseball prepares them for anything life is going to throw at them,” Alexander said.
For one day, the focus wasn’t on the scoreboard. Instead, it was about passing down lessons, building confidence and helping the next generation develop a love for the game.
