By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

Baseball season doesn’t start until February, but players who are looking to get a jump on the season can start in early January.

Selma University is hosting a U.S. Baseball Academy six-week camp from Jan. 9 to Feb. 13. The camp will be operated by Selma University baseball coach Adrian Holloway, who said he answered the many pleas of people around the community to host a baseball camp.

“So many people were asking us when are we going to do a baseball camp, so I decided to try to put one on for the community,” Holloway said.

The camp is open for baseball players from grades one to 12 and includes instruction for as low as $99.

Holloway said the camp will offer hitting instruction, pitching instruction and fielding instruction.

Registrants can sign up for one type of instruction or all three areas of instruction.

Holloway said the specialized instruction can give high school players a chance to enhance their specific skills to give them a greater chance at continuing to play after high school.

“For kids in high school, it definitely prepares you for the next level like college baseball or professional baseball,” Holloway said.

The camp offers a player-coach ratio of 6-to-1, giving the players even more individual attention than they may receive playing little league.

The coaches are also some of the best in the area.

“You’re going to get six weeks of world-class instruction,” Holloway said. “The U.S. Baseball Academy is the No. 1 training academy in America right now, so you’re going to get professional training.”

Holloway said there has already been 75 to 100 players signed up, and he hopes to at least double that total before the camp starts.

The camp will take place Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30, and Feb. 6 and 13.

Holloway said the camp will benefit young players, older experienced players and the community.

“You will learn a high level of baseball, and build confidence and self-esteem in young kids and also just something to bring the community out and support your local university,” Holloway said.

For registration forms and for a complete description of the program, visit www.usbaseballacademy.com.