'Midwest Umpire Classic' free camp returns

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A free baseball camp for kids in Kindergarten through eighth grade returned to Hess Park.

Organizers Antwane McClelland Sr. and Early West organized the camp, even providing equipment to kids that did not have any, but still wanted to learn how to play baseball.

"We some kids that come out that don't have gloves and stuff, so that shows that they want to play," West said. "They just don't have the equipment to play."

McClelland added, "So many good parents brought extra stuff, so it takes a community. There's great people in this community helping get this camp done."

Kids got a free shirt and lunch at the camp, too, and learned from local high school coaches.

McClelland is always focused on ways to give kids in Decatur another outlet to keep them safe.

"The community is my heart. I grew up in this community. I have grandkids," he said. "Everybody knows the story about the sons I lost, but, I'm not letting that make me stop. It makes me go harder to make our community safer and to show the kids there's a better outlook on life by bringing sports into the community."

McClelland believes sports are a key to keeping kids out of trouble as they grow up.

He and West hope to do more free camps in the future.