Former Arkansas Razorback Kevin Kopps, now a pitcher for the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball team, will conduct a free pitching camp for kids on Saturday, January 22, at Hot Springs’ new Majestic Park baseball complex. There is no cost to participate and no need to pre-register. The camp will be held on Babe Ruth Field, sponsored by Hot Springs’ Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.
“Kids age nine and older can come and get once-in-a-lifetime coaching on their pitching techniques,” said Majestic Park Manager, Derek Phillips. “Kids just need to show up with their gloves and get to interact with Kevin from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on January 22. The teaching session will be followed by autographs for camp participants.”
Phillips said that no metal-spiked shoes are allowed on the new baseball fields and that the concession stand at Babe Ruth Field will be open. He also reminded fans that youths age 5 to 15 can start signing up on January 10 for the return of youth-league recreational baseball at the new five-field Majestic Park baseball complex.
Kopps, now a pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization, played college baseball for the Arkansas Razorbacks, competing in the Southeastern Conference. After his record-setting year at Arkansas, Kopps was drafted by the Padres in the 2021 and finished the year in Double-A. Kopps is a native of Houston, and spends his off-seasons in Fayetteville with his dog, Bowie.
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