| Jesus said " Let all the children come to me" (Matthew 23:23). Our mission is The Great Commission that the disciple Matthew spoke about in Matthew 28:19. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Holy Spirit." In May of 2003, the first Sycamore at The Stadium was held at the softball complex at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Geared towards children of military families, it was our first glimpse of the things God would provide for our ministry and children in and around Savannah, Georgia. 45 children aged 8-12 learned the finer points of the game of baseball and thanks to corporate sponsors also walked away with free bibles. In November of 2003 we held our second camp. This time 68 children attended and it was time to look for a bigger home! A year later, we crossed the lines at historical Grayson Stadium, home of the Savannah SandGnats, where baseball greats such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Mickey Mantle once played. In 2007, due to renovations at Grayson, we were blessed to be able to use one of the finest baseball fields in Chatham County...the field at the Bethesda Home for Boys. In 2008, we again crossed the chalked lines at Bethesda. Grayson Stadium has been our home each year since. |
| Who Are We and Why Baseball? |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Coach Wade Rowdon. Wade played parts of 5 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles. He played for Pete Rose and with Cal Ripken Jr. |
| Wade's testimony: "Hello, my name is Wade Rowdon and I played in the Big leagues for the Reds, Cubs and Orioles as well as two years in Japan. I would like to offer some comments on the Sycamore Church Baseball Camp that takes place in November. It is one of my favorite events to do as I have participated for the last seven years. It is not often that events like this are done out of a sincere heart for the community. Baseball and the gospel of Jesus Christ have always been a fantastic combination. The camps are very instructive and offer children of all backgrounds in the Savannah area a chance to learn the game of baseball for free. More importantly, is the Sycamore Church’s concern for the souls of the children and those who attend. This is where my joy comes from, as I am given the opportunity to share what Jesus Christ has done for my life. My life without Christ would have no meaning! But through these camps I am allowed to utilize the game of baseball to bring honor to my Savior, Jesus Christ. For a great time that is fun, instructional, and life changing through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and baseball be a part of the Sycamore Church Baseball Camp." |
2011 Coaches:
Pitching Coaches:
Hamilton Bennett - NY Mets organization
Jason Cromer - Mercer University
Hitting Coaches:
Daniel Murphy - New York Mets
Scott Leekley - Savannah Sox
J.T. Robinson - Coastal Hurricanes
Tyler Helmly
Catching Coaches:
Bill Fielitz - St. Louis Cardinals organization
Don McConnell - Advanced C4 Solutions
Joe Shinall - Savannah Giants
Base Running:
Daniel Melvin - Savannah Reds
Scott Gladin - # 1 Braves Fan
Teaching Speed:
D1 Sports
James Barnes - Cintas
Infield Coaches:
Drew Grosse - College of Charleston
Sean Reeder - Marshall University
Regina Smith
Caleb Hill - Coastal Hurricanes
Outfield Coaches:
Joshua Hill - Coastal Hurricanes Coach
Ric Smith - Woffard College
Bobby Forester
Master Pastor in the dugout:
Dusty Reynolds - Pastor, The Sycamore Church
Bullpen Catchers:
Joe Berlan - Sycamore camp veteran
Tommy Sidener - Camp veteran
Pitching Coaches:
Hamilton Bennett - NY Mets organization
Jason Cromer - Mercer University
Hitting Coaches:
Daniel Murphy - New York Mets
Scott Leekley - Savannah Sox
J.T. Robinson - Coastal Hurricanes
Tyler Helmly
Catching Coaches:
Bill Fielitz - St. Louis Cardinals organization
Don McConnell - Advanced C4 Solutions
Joe Shinall - Savannah Giants
Base Running:
Daniel Melvin - Savannah Reds
Scott Gladin - # 1 Braves Fan
Teaching Speed:
D1 Sports
James Barnes - Cintas
Infield Coaches:
Drew Grosse - College of Charleston
Sean Reeder - Marshall University
Regina Smith
Caleb Hill - Coastal Hurricanes
Outfield Coaches:
Joshua Hill - Coastal Hurricanes Coach
Ric Smith - Woffard College
Bobby Forester
Master Pastor in the dugout:
Dusty Reynolds - Pastor, The Sycamore Church
Bullpen Catchers:
Joe Berlan - Sycamore camp veteran
Tommy Sidener - Camp veteran
| 2007 Pitching Coach David Koons David had a 10-9 record and a 3.87 career earned run average in 71 career games in the minor leagues until a knee injury put an end to his career in 2008. He played most of 2007 in Savannah with the Sand Gnats posting a 1-6 record to go along with 5 saves. |
| Coach Bill Fielitz Bill has been a part of The Sycamore at The Stadium since our first camp in 2003. Bill played professionally in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Today he still squats behind the plate for the Savannah Reds. |
| Coach Andy Burress Andy was a 6th round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 1995. He played professional baseball for seven years. He is the owner of Burress Baseball in Eastman, Georgia. |
| Pastor Dusty Reynolds Dusty is the founding pastor and Director of the Sycamore Church. He is a native of Savannah, GA. He is married to Audrey and they have three children: Brandon, Megan, and Logan. He has a love for children, the Lord and the great game of baseball. |
Coach Jason Rockwell Jason is the founder of the Sycamore at The Stadium Baseball Camp. He pitched the idea to Dusty in 2003 and the rest is history. |
New York Met Mike
Hessman served as
hitting coach for
camp in 2010.
He has played parts
of five seasons in
the Major Leagues
with the Braves,
Tigers and Mets. He
was also on the USA
Bronze medal
winning team in the
2008 Olympics. He
spent 2011 playing in
Japan.
Hessman served as
hitting coach for
camp in 2010.
He has played parts
of five seasons in
the Major Leagues
with the Braves,
Tigers and Mets. He
was also on the USA
Bronze medal
winning team in the
2008 Olympics. He
spent 2011 playing in
Japan.
New York Met Daniel Murphy will join us as hitting coach for the 2011 free baseball camp. He'll share his testimony with us on Sunday afternoon. |