For new Bryan County baseball coach Kyle Farmer it’s all about building relationships and he got off to a rousing start with a baseball camp he, assistant coaches Rick Mitchell and Kyl Hill and several players who volunteered their time put on for 40 youngsters this past Tuesday at Redskins Field.

Bryan County students had the day off Tuesday as it was a Professional Learning Day for teachers and Farmer took advantage of it to introduce his baseball program to 40 students in grades one through eight.

And parents were no doubt grateful as their young charges came home ready for an early bedtime after three hours of non-stop activity which covered everything from pitching to outfield and infield play, base running and hitting.

“It was a great day, a fantastic day,” said Farmer, who came to Bryan County after 12 years as an assistant at Benedictine. “I think this is a great community, one that loves its sports and Bryan County teams.

“These kids were here because they wanted to be here,” Farmer said. “It was a great opportunity for me to meet these young men in our community. I want to build a relationship with these young men, watch them play at Hendrix Park and in middle school.”

And, hopefully see them playing later for his high school teams.

Similar to what girls’ basketball coach Mario Mincey has done over the years Farmer is looking to build his program at the grass roots level:  more than one girls’ basketball player has recounted seeing Mincey come watch them play as grade schoolers at Hendrix Park and in turn wanting to grow up and play for him and the Redskins.

For Farmer it is more than that.

“This was a day about building relationships,” said Farmer, who lives in Richmond Hill. “I think this is a baseball community and I want this community to support this baseball team. When the season starts, we’re going to have rec nights where these kids and their teams are invited to come see us play.

“Hopefully the day was something a little different and new for these kids. The whole point is I want to be a part of this community and we want to see these young kids want to grow up to be Redskins.”