TAMPA, Fla. -- For countless Tampa Bay area youth baseball players, Saturday morning provided a unique opportunity to dazzle like a Major Leaguer.
As part of the Rays' annual Play Ball Day festivities, kids ages 14 and under flocked to the fields of West Tampa Little League for two hours of fun, aimed at promoting and expanding interest in the sport.
With the guidance of several knowledgeable volunteer instructors -- including Eckerd College Hall of Fame coach Bill Mathews -- young players participated in individual drills like learning how to field grounders, hitting the ball and throwing pitches to a catcher in the bullpen.