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Camps The Difference For Jones, Kelley

Auburn head baseball coach John Pawlowski says summer camps are important to his program and to prospects.

Senior outfielder Ben Jones has come into his own in 2009 as one of Auburn's most consistent performers. Sophomore pitcher Ty Kelley has also been consistent as a reliever for the Tigers. Both of those players earned scholarships to Auburn after outstanding performances at one of the Auburn Baseball Academy camps.

A player at Decatur High School, Jones had been coming to Auburn's camps for several years, but really stood out prior to his senior year. Showing that he was capable of playing on the next level while taking part in a camp at Plainsman Park, Jones earned a scholarship offer from the Tigers.

He says for him the biggest jump-start to his career took place at one of Auburn's summer camps.

"It really helped me out a lot because I always dreamed of coming to Auburn and playing," Jones says. "I have been rooting for Auburn and have family ties to Auburn. That was my goal, to come here and play baseball. I wasn't being recruited or anything, but I came to the Christmas Camp my senior year and did pretty well. I talked to some of the coaches and everything ended up falling into place for me.

"Without a doubt I wouldn't be here on the baseball team if it wasn't for the baseball camp," he adds. "I really believe that. It's something I prayed about and God really helped me out. It definitely would not have happened if it had not come here for the camp that Christmas."

"It really helped me," Kelley says. "The summer before my senior year the coaches watched me throw at a camp. Just being able to pitch in front of them really helped. I got to get some confidence pitching in a big stadium. It was great."

Pawlowski says he and his staff are looking forward to not only seeing players who have an interest in Auburn up close and personal, but are also ready to help them improve their games heading into the next year of playing.

"It provides a great opportunity for kids not only to learn, but to learn fundamentals of baseball and have a great experience here," Pawlowski says. "From our end, a coach's standpoint, it provides us an opportunity to see kids that maybe we wouldn't have a chance to watch play. It gives us a chance to get to know kids. You spend time with kids and get to see what their make up is and actually have a chance to work with them.

"There are a lot of kids across the country who show up at programs because they went to their camps. It's a great opportunity and if they want to be a part of Auburn I encourage them to come to our camps because we can't get out to see everybody."

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