A program-saving partnership: Northside softball teams up with Warner Robins Parks and Recreation to host summer camp

Big changes are coming to Northside High School and the Eagles’ softball program this summer.

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Northside head softball coach Travis Spell helped a young camper learn how to bunt on Tuesday. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
Northside assistant softball coach Tristian Barronton explains a drill to the campers on Tuesday. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
Campers got a little wet as they hit water balloons for hitting practice on Tuesday. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
Northside assistant softball coach Scott Traugh goes through swinging motions with campers. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
Northside football helped provide some shade during camp this week. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
A camper makes contact with the ball as assistant coach Scott Traugh looks on. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
The campers had a little fun trying to hit water balloons during hitting drills on Tuesday. (Clay Brown/HHJ)
There were several Northside softball players to help run the camp this week. (Clay Brown/HHJ)

WARNER ROBINS — Big changes are coming to Northside High School and the Eagles’ softball program this summer.

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Northside is the first school in Houston County that will be receiving a turf field for softball; Exciting news for a program trying to find it’s footing amidst a tough region 2-5A.

While the field is under construction, the Eagles are without a nest for the summer. That means nowhere to practice and prepare for the season which is scheduled to start two weeks after the first day of school (July 31).

Coincidentally, that’s when the new field is estimated to be finished, but Northside has found a temporary home close by until then.

Warner Robins Parks and Recreation has allowed the Eagles to use their facilities at no cost, and the Northside coaching staff showed a lot of gratitude during their softball camp on Tuesday.

“Being able to parter with [the] Warner Robins community right here has been absolutely life saving for our program. For them to provide this to us at no cost has been amazing because we provide softball for no cost for our girls,” Assistant softball coach Tristian Barronton said. “For them to also allow us to have this camp here to be able to bring these young girls out and introduce them to the love of softball [is amazing].”

The Eagles held their camp Monday and Tuesday of this week for girls aged six to 14, and 49 campers registered to learn about the game of softball.

The camp was focused on the very basics, especially for the youngest participants.

They went over things like fielding, throwing mechanics and maybe most importantly — protecting your face by getting your glove up.

Tuesday they were working on hitting drills in groups. One station had Northside softball girls tossing water balloons for the campers to hit, another used whiffle balls and another practiced bunting.

The camp ran from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and there were plenty of players and coaches to help guide the drills.

Things are looking up for Northside athletics.

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Author

Clay Brown is the Sports Editor for the Houston Home Journal. His career started as a freelance journalist for the Cairo Messenger in Cairo, Georgia before moving to Valdosta and freelancing for the Valdosta Daily Times. He moved to Warner Robins with his fiance, Miranda, and two cats Olive and Willow in 2023 to become Sports Editor for the HHJ. When not out covering games and events Clay enjoys reading manga, playing video games, watching shows and trying to catch sports games.

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