Jim Thome coming to Sox camp in Lisle
Former major league slugger Jim Thome will be a featured guest at the White Sox Silver Slugger Camp in August in Lisle.
Thome, who also will attend a July camp in Winnetka, will spend one day at each camp to teach athletes the fundamental hitting techniques he mastered during his 22-year career, interact with the kids and sign autographs.
The four-day camp in each town includes three instructional days that will teach the athletes the fundamentals of baseball, plus one day at U.S. Cellular Field. Former major leaguers and current academy instructors Dan Pasqua, Michael Huff, and/or Jim Adduci will be present on all three days of instruction to work with campers on the finer points of the game.
On a select day of each camp week, campers and one parent will be invited to a tour of U.S. Cellular Field, which includes a Q&A session with White Sox broadcaster Ed Farmer, as well as a current White Sox player and coach. Registered participants have the opportunity to observe the White Sox batting practice (normally closed to public viewing) and receive two tickets for that evening's ballgame.
The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 12. Each camper will receive a Jim Thome White Sox T-shirt, Bulls/Sox Academy hat and six ticket vouchers for a 2015 home game.
The first session will run July 6-9 at Winnetka Park District Pony Fields on Hibbard Road in Winnetka. The second session will run Aug. 10-13 at Community Park in Lisle. Instructional days will be from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $375.
Thome, who played 22 seasons, is seventh on the all-time home run list with 612. He was a five-time All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner and National League home run champion.
The Bulls/Sox Academy opened in 2001 in Lisle and runs extensive training programs in basketball, baseball, fastpitch softball, and sports conditioning for boys and girls from beginner to professional. There also are Bulls/Sox Academy locations in Glen Ellyn and LaGrange.
For details or to register for the camp, go to www.BullsSoxAcademy.com or call (630) 324-8221.