Local youth baseball players had an unforgettable experience as a couple dozen of them took to the diamond on Saturday at the Next Level Yankees baseball clinic. Former Mississippi State outfielder Tanner Allen, current Arizona Diamondback Minor League pitcher Logan Clayton, and Jackson Prep grad and 2024 1st round pick Konnor Griffin joined the young players, bringing with them a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience.

Why Giving Back Matters

Clayton emphasized the importance of giving back, stating, "I couldn't think of a better way to spend my expertise than teaching these kids about what the game has given to me. I had coaches growing up doing the same thing for me when I was little, so I feel like it's only right to do it to some kids that I want to make an impact on." Griffin echoed these sentiments, saying, "I remember when I was a little kid, just looking up to the big players around my area. I know that it's important for me to give back because that's just who I am. I enjoy working with the little kids, just having a good time, and making them better."

Fielding and Hitting Instruction

The players focused on various aspects of the game, including fielding in both the infield and outfield as well as hitting. Brentley Gast, a player for the Next Level Yankees, shared his experience, saying, "I really like how they're teaching me how to do outfield, turning my hips around. Turning my hips when I'm in the outfield, making sure I don't look away, and just having fun. It's really helping me improve my game." The young players were eager to learn from the pros and apply these skills on the field.

Interaction and Inspiration

The young players not only learned from the pros but also enjoyed getting to work with them. Gast said, "It's giving me so much happiness to see everybody that's made it to the MLB. It makes me want to push myself even more." Fellow Next Level Yankee Kellum Farmer added, "I love it. They push me to the next level. It's going to encourage me to be big and play my heart out." The interaction between the young and old players was truly inspiring.

Making a Difference

For the pros, giving back was a rewarding experience. Clayton said, "It's awesome because I know I would have been the same way when I was young. If I saw somebody that played professional baseball, I would have thought it was the coolest thing in the world, so it's cool to be able to make these kids days a little bit better." Griffin echoed these sentiments, saying, "No matter who it is, I pour my heart into 'em, just help 'em get better at the game. That's why we're all out here; we've got a lot of great players around us trying to help up the kids around here."