Nook Logan is bringing the fundamentals of baseball, and much more, to local athletes this week with his “Catch, Throw, Hit and Run” baseball clinic.

The camp began Monday and will end Wednesday with registration ongoing. The camp is from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 12 and under and Duncan Park, and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for high school players at Adams County Christian School.

The Natchez native played baseball for Natchez High School and was drafted to the New York Yankees in 1998, but he decided to hone his skills at Copiah-Lincoln Community College before heading back to the draft, this time with the Detroit Tigers.

Logan competed in the MLB from 2000 to 2007 with the Tigers and Washington Nationals. Though he resides in Houston, he comes home to Natchez often to visit family and check out the local talent.

“Whenever I see the (baseball field) lights on when I ride by, I stop because you never know who you can touch,” Logan said. “I’m at the ball parks letting the kids know I made it, and you could make it, too.”

Logan said he is all about helping local players any way he can.

“I want to see them get better,” he said. “I want to see them make it. I don’t want to be the only one (who made it professionally). We want everybody to have a chance and really get to the point where they can see opportunity and when they get it, take advantage of it. All they need is to see it, or have someone see it in them.”

Though the name of his camp puts emphasis on fundamentals, Logan said he tries to teach them much more than the proper way to hold their bat or throw a pitch.

“The drills I do before we get into baseball stuff, is helping them become athletes first because after that, you can teach baseball skills,” Logan said. “I was never the best player, but I was the best athlete. Half the kids can hit a home run, but who can walk to first base and steal second and third?”

Logan pulled out cones at ACCS’ field with counselors Hunter Ogden, who is Trinity Episcopal Day School’s baseball coach, and Britt Henson and put the player’s skills to the test.

The camp featured players such as Natchez High School’s Shavoke Herrington and Cathedral School transfer Quinton Logan.

Quinton, who is Nook Logan’s cousin, said he knows he is joining a Cathedral team that came off a state championship appearance and the expectations are high. Quinton said he wanted to spend extra time this summer working on his game and better preparing for baseball season, even if it’s the little things.

“I learned to take stretching and getting in shape more seriously from (Nook),” Quinton said. “I’m trying to do whatever it takes to succeed in baseball.”

Herrington said he was looking to improve in a different aspect of the game.

“I could still improve on my hitting more than anything,” Herrington said. “(So far,) I learned to stay calm and be patient and be comfortable while you’re throwing.”

The camp continues until Wednesday evening, and Logan said he welcomes any players who are willing to learn the game.