HOUSTON -- Two-time NL All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence, a fan favorite in Houston, hosted the "2011 Hunter Pence All-Star Camp" over a two-day period (Saturday and Sunday) at Baseball USA.
It marked the third straight year in which the event took place.
Campers received an official Reebok Hunter Pence All-Star Camp t-shirt, an official Reebok Hunter Pence All-Star Camp backpack, a 2011 camp program, an EFX balance bracelet, an 8x10 autographed picture of Pence and a personalized, exclusive photo alongside Pence (courtesy of Juan DeLeon Studio).
Also, Pence game-used autographed bats, spikes, hats and batting gloves were given away as specialty items as part of a raffle.
Northwest Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram, Reebok, Baseball USA, Grand Slam for Youth Baseball, Minute Maid, DS Wood Bats, K-Solv, Bull Prints, Chick-fil-A, The Buffalo Grille, Juan DeLeon Studio, W.J. Ford & Associates Inc, Westside Lexus, Kolkhorst Insurance Agency and the Hunter Pence Baseball Academy proudly served as this year's sponsors for the two, one-day camps.
The collective group of sponsors made the event possible.
"It's really amazing the people that come together to help out these great kids," Pence said. "Minute Maid, Grand Slam for Youth Baseball and everyone were so great. DS Wood Bats sponsored the home-run derby. We gave away a bat to all the groups that could answer a trivia question. It made the camp a lot of fun. EFX gave out colored bracelets. Northwest Dodge, K-Solv, The Buffalo Grille, Kolkhorst, Juan DeLeon and the whole group of sponsors made this possible. We're able to make this a fun camp for the kids and have everyone be happy."
The 28-year-old Pence personally taught one of the hitting stations and had a chance to work one-on-one with every participant.
He was joined by a talented group of instructors, including Howie Pence, Sean Danielson, Ryan Patterson, Chris Gay, Mike Griffin, Chris George, Brett Eibner, Daryl Jones, Seth Overbey, Brandon Seltzer, Phillip Allen, Malcolm Purvis and Odis Little.
Similar to the sponsors, the camp wouldn't achieve its overall success without the persistent legwork and assistance of the instructors.
"We have an awesome group," Pence said. "Most of the guys have been here every single year. It is a group of real good ballplayers. Brett Eibner is very talented and doing well. Mike Griffin was an addition this year. He went to Baylor and has been in Triple-A with the Cincinnati Reds. Now, he's going to be a pitcher. Chris George won a gold medal for the U.S. at the 2000 Olympics.
"Howie, Sean and Ryan are always there for me. Chris Gay is one of my all-time inspirations. I grew up in Arlington going to his batting cage. It's a really great group that enjoys working with kids.
"They are all very good people."
The camp was broken up into several fundamental stations, such as hitting, bunting, tee hitting (with Hunter), short toss, strength training, infield/outfield work, pitching, speed agility and whiffle ball.
After a lunch break, campers were treated to the DS Wood Home Run Derby, which featured the instructors competing against each other for the right to challenge Pence in the finals.
Eibner, a University of Arkansas product and native of The Woodlands, Texas, advanced to the finals on both days of the camp.
The 23-year-old Eibner, who rated as the No. 10 prospect in the Royals' farm system by Baseball America last season, fell short of defeating Pence on Saturday, but bounced back with a spectacular 12 home-run performance in Sunday's final to win.
"I want to thank Hunter for bringing me out and giving me a chance to give back," Eibner said. "What Hunter does for the kids is unbelievable. He even has an impact on me. Being in the minor leagues, I still look up to him. He's a major leaguer. I see the way he works. He's an overall great guy. You don't always see a lot of star players come out, host a camp and stay the entire time. He's a role model and someone to look up to."
An autograph session concluded the camp.
"We tried to make sure every kid had a chance to work with Hunter," said Howie Pence, who is Hunter's older brother. "It all ran very well. It's a lot of legwork to get something like this together. It is worth it in the end. The kids have a good time. I remember when I was a kid, if I had the opportunity to meet a major leaguer, it would have put me on cloud nine for a week. I wasn't a big league player, but my brother is. Chris George won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 and has played in the big leagues.
"It's great to see the kids get fired up for this."
Since making his major league debut with the Astros on April 28, 2007, Pence has evolved into one of MLB's most popular players.
His desire, energy and passion to be a winner on and off the field define him as a person, as well as a positive role model, for kids.
After being traded by Houston to the Phillies last July, it didn't take long for Pence to settle in and become a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
He's a significant contributor at the plate and in the field for a playoff contender and may emerge as an NL MVP candidate next season.
No matter what, success won't change the way Pence carries himself, as he makes it a mission to be a productive leader in the community.
His camp is a perfect example.
"He's a great guy," Gay said. "He loves Houston. He misses it, but Hunter had to move forward with his next opportunity. He is happy to be with Philly. Just coming back to Houston and having his camp shows he loves the kids. He's here the whole time teaching the kids. I really respect him as a human being.
"I love him to death."
Pence was proud of the results of his camp and being able to make it a fun experience for the youngsters heading into the holiday season.
"The main thing is to have fun," he said. "We provided a little fun competition. We offered different things like whiffle-ball games and line-drive games. It's all about the kids getting a chance to enjoy the game and the experience. Baseball is a game of practice. The more you play, the better you get. You always give your best."
Although Pence plays with the Phillies, he maintains his home in Houston and will likely continue to host his All-Star camp in the future.
"Hunter really likes doing the camp," Danielson said. "He likes to give kids lessons and teach. He knows people love him. In return, he wants to reach out to them. It makes him feel good. I definitely think the camp will be a recurring thing. We make it as fun as possible. The instructors challenge the kids and tailor it to their needs. I think that's been the most successful part."
Pence appreciates the support of his fans and will always go above and beyond in making a difference and doing the right thing.
"It means a lot that people respect what I do on the field," he said. "I want to be a good teammate and a good person. A lot of it is a reflection on my parents raising me right. My brother is a good role model. To be appreciated by the fans means everything.
"I'm very grateful."
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