Young softball players braved the July heat and had fun while learning at the annual Tiny Tigers Softball Camp, held at the Russellville High School Softball Complex July 8.

RHS varsity head coach Kathryn Montgomery, her coaching staff and current Lady Golden Tigers led the campers in drills that included hitting stations, defense, throwing, running the bases and sliding.  Children in grades first through sixth also gained knowledge about how to be successful off the field and how to be good teammates.

Montgomery said about 15 girls signed up for the camp during pre-registration and received free T-shirts, while another 11 campers registered Monday morning before the 8 a.m. start.

“There’s a lot of talent that came today and a lot of little girls that wanted to learn about the game of softball,” Montgomery said. “It was just a lot of fun.”

Campers enjoyed lunch and snacks, and they also had the chance to cool off at the end of the day by hitting water balloons with softball bats and working on their sliding skills by taking a trip down a slip- and-slide tarp covered with cool soapy water.

A large number of girls from Russellville attended the camp, and Montgomery said Tharptown was also represented. Some campers came all the way from West Point to take part in the day of learning and fun.

The game field served as perfect location for drills, and campers also got the opportunity to get out of the heat with some practice time indoors in the batting cages.

“We have some facilities that are just next-level,” Montgomery said. “Our field is wonderful, our outside cages are wonderful, our indoor facility is wonderful, and I think it is really great to get to have the younger girls come and see what all of our older girls get to use and what they can look up to and hopefully get to use one day themselves.”

Montgomery said current RHS players who are entering their senior season were heavily involved in the camp and served as good mentors for players of the future. “All of the seniors were able to come, and they did a great job working with the girls,” Montgomery said.

The camp was one of many being held this summer in various sports on the Russellville High School campus. Some camps have already taken place this year, while basketball and football clinics are still on the schedule for later this month at RHS.