Arkansas Baseball Players Host Youth Pitcher Camp

Through NIL deal, two Razorback pitchers host 90 kids for weekend camp

Arkansas Razorback pitchers Austin Ledbetter and Will McEntire hosted a pitching camp at Majestic Park over the weekend as part of a NIL deal. 

90 youth pitchers participated in the event, ranging from ages 8 to 18. Kids received pitching instruction, autographs, and pictures with the Arkansas duo. 

"We reached out to a handful of young men and these are the two that said they were available," Majestic Park General Manager Derek Phillips told The Sentinel-Record. "Getting them to coordinate their schedules was difficult for Division I athletes; it is hard. These two were available."

In addition to learning from the Arkansas players, youth players also found out how hard they could throw a fastball, receiving a “speed card” after throwing three pitches.

"The card measured their fastball speed," said Phillips. "They got three shots at it and then the Razorbacks autographed that card. The kids seemed to love that. They all took something away from it. I think it just showed us the need to do more instruction as much as we can here. It is hard because we play so much," he said.

The event was a success, and Phillips said that he has already received more requests for camps. To aid in the camps' attendance, Majestic Park is planning to utilize its scholarship program.

"There are some local kids at universities around the country and Arkansas that might be able to come home and do it," he said. Last year we tried to get some Razorbacks to do it in January. I have reached out to some young men that have said they would be interested."

Meanwhile, the Razorbacks baseball team is looking forward to a promising season as their 2023 recruiting class finished No. 2 in the country. The Hogs are coming off an impressive season posting a 43-18 overall record and winning their fourth SEC championship. 

The 2024 season is set to begin on Feb. 16, where the Hogs will host James Madison in a four game series.