Coach Keeney and team,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for a great experience this past winter at the Midwest Baseball Academy Camp. I know it was several months ago, but I did not fully realize the impact it had on my sons until this summer.
I had three boys that attended the hitting camp. They are eleven, nine, and seven years old. Though they have had the benefit of being taught and coached by a dad that played college baseball at University of Indianapolis, like most children, they have all developed a tendency to tune him out. I signed them up with the hope that they would gain some useful knowledge from someone other than their Dad, and hoped that they would have a fun time doing it.
All three of them really enjoyed your camp and learned a lot. My seven year old, Ryan, thought it was so cool he tells everyone now he wants to go to college at Butler. As a mom, I really appreciated the fact that your players were so great with the kids. Unfortunately, in today's world there often are not enough athletes that I can encourage my sons to look up to not only for their ability, but also for their character and integrity. The boys interactions with your players led to more than one conversation about how hard work, studying hard, and making good choices will bring you to a good place in your life, like getting the opportunity to play baseball at a good school like Butler. I am very grateful to your players for being so kind and giving my sons someone to look up to.
It wasn't until this summer that I fully realized the impact that your camp would have on their playing. Each one of them has been lucky to enjoy very successful seasons this year. Former coaches of all three of them have commented on separate occasions about how much their swings have changed for the better since last season. The most significant improvement has been seen in Ryan (the future Bulldog). He has become one of the leading hitters on his division-leading team in a seven and eight-year-old league, as a 7 year-old. My oldest, Aaron, has always had the potential to be a good player, but has struggled in some areas. He too is like a new player this year, and is hitting the ball really well. He was just nominated for the first time to a traveling all-star team. The great thing is these successes translate into positive changes and growth in their lives off the field as well. Though winning is nice, is that what sports are all about?
I am sure that some of the improvement in all of them can be attributed to a year more of maturity and confidence. I also don't think it is a coincidence either that there has been such improvement and growth, both on and off the field, in all three of them after attending your camp. Again, I am so grateful to you and your team for being providing them such a great opportunity and for being such a positive influence on my sons. Don't ever under-estimate the significant impact that you can have in the lives of these young players. Best of luck to you and the Bulldogs. We look forward to seeing you next year.
Sincerely,
Susie Brandenburg