Softball camp is a success

RUSSELLVILLE — The Tharptown Wildcats softball program hosted a successful youth camp on Nov. 6-7, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of young athletes and setting a strong tone for the upcoming season.

Head Coach Jonathan Jones expressed his gratitude for the turnout.

“We had a great number of kids from third to sixth grade attend. We are grateful for all the kids who attended and the parents who supported our camp.”

The camp was designed to give young players a strong foundation in the core skills of the game. Key areas of focus included footwork, throwing and fielding, hitting mechanics, and base running.

Because their main field was temporarily unavailable because of the installation of turf, the camp used the football/soccer practice field. The Wildcats coaching staff adapted seamlessly to the temporary venue, ensuring the instruction remained top-notch.

Jones emphasized the critical role of the youth program in the school’s athletic success.

“Our youth programs are the lifeblood to our school programs, and we would like to thank all the people who have helped us with our youth programs the last few years,” he said.

The camp serves as a vital tool for engaging the community and cultivating talent.

“We hope to keep growing our camp and gaining campers every year,” Jones added, viewing the strong attendance as a positive sign for the future of Tharptown softball.

The Wildcats are coming off a successful run last season that culminated in a spot in the regional tournament. They hope to build off that momentum as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.

The team will kick off its season with a highly anticipated event — the Umpires Tournament on Feb. 14, fittingly on Valentine’s Day.