The Redlands East Valley Winter Baseball Camp got a couple of high-profile alumni visitors Wednesday, as Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson and Angels pitching prospect Tyler Chatwood dropped by the camp for a question and answer session with the 8-14 year old campers.
Hanson, a 2004 graduate, and Chatwood, who graduated in 2008, answered questions and signed autographs for the 146 campers in attendance — a 50-person upgrade from the year before according to REV baseball coach James Cordes.
“It was a great event and the kids were thrilled to see Tommy and Tyler,” Cordes said. “Any time you can get successful alumni like that to come back and help out its a great thing. I thought it was a big success.”
The day camp, and the celebrity appearances, aren’t over at REV. Today’s installment of the two-day camp will feature former major league player and Angels broadcaster Rex Hudler. Hudler will give a speech to the campers around 11:30 a.m. today.
“The kids don’t know Rex as much for being a player because he played in a different generation, but he’s one of the best speakers out there,” Cordes said. “I’m very interested in hearing what he has to say.”