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Former Trinity Episcopal pitcher Jake Winston waits to drop a ball for Jennings McCurley, 7, during a youth baseball camp Saturday in the Adams County Christian School multipurpose building. (Emmalee Molay | The Natchez Democrat)

Former Centreville Academy pitcher Randy Bell instructs players during the camp. (Emmalee Molay | The Natchez Democrat)

Caysom Mackenzie, left, 9, and Wesley Idom, 9, listen in during a batting drill. (Emmalee Molay | The Natchez Democrat)

Ryland Scott, 10, works on his pitching form Saturday. (Emmalee Molay | The Natchez Democrat)

Caysom Mackenzie watches a ball during a batting drill. (Emmalee Molay | The Natchez Democrat)

Trey Rodgers, 10, blows a bubble with a piece of gum Saturday. (Emmalee Molay | The Natchez Democrat)

Rain may have pushed the 2018 Miss-Lou MLB Kids Camp indoors Saturday afternoon, but it hardly dampened the mood of approximately 35 young baseball hopefuls.

Former Trinity Episcopal pitcher Jake Winston and former Centreville Academy pitcher Randy Bell led the youth baseball camp for ages 6 to 16 inside the Adams County Christian School multipurpose building, making the most out of the wet weather.

“With the weather how it’s been so far this winter, it’s crazy,” Winston said. “You have to pick a time no matter the weather, so we are just doing the best we can with what we have. We are having fun, especially the kids. There are a lot of smiles out here.”

Winston — who has now spent the past two years pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization — began the youth camp last year and said it’s always good to be home.

“I love seeing some familiar faces I haven’t seen in a long time,” he said. “We even have some kids who are from out of town, so that’s great.”

As a friend in the area, Bell jumped on board this year after being drafted by the Seattle Mariners this past June and following a stellar senior season pitching for the University of South Alabama.

“It’s so cool to have Randy here,” Winston said. “It’s his first camp, and it sure looks like he’s having fun.”

Bell added seeing such young, dedicated athletes is inspiring.

“It’s good to see young kids who want to play baseball,” he said. “They want to be around the sport despite video games and everything else. It’s good to see a good turnout.”

Bell will be on his way to spring training on Friday, while Winston is scheduled to leave on March 4.

“People coming out and wanting their kids to get better, it really makes me happy that I can do this,” Winston said.

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