Camp can be the week your child falls in love with the game. In Scottsdale and around Phoenix, there are lots of options, and they are not all built the same. Here is what we would look for if it were our own kid.
Choose a Scottsdale youth baseball or softball camp that groups kids by age, gives each player real coaching attention, teaches all the skills, has a clear heat plan, and makes safety obvious. Ask about each of these before you sign up.
Train it: 46/60 Camps →Are kids grouped by age and skill?
A 7-year-old and a 12-year-old should not be doing the same drill side by side. The speed of the ball, the size of the field and the attention span are all different.
Ask how the camp splits groups. Good answers sound like "by age first, then we adjust by skill." You want your child challenged, but not lost or scared.
It also helps to ask how the camp handles a child who is shy or nervous on day one. A good coach pairs them with a buddy, gives them an early win and lets them warm up at their own pace.
- Younger players (7–9) need short stations, lots of movement and soft balls.
- Older players (10–12) can handle longer reps and more game situations.
- A first-year player should feel welcome, not behind.
Will my child get real coaching attention?
The best camps are not big lines. Your child should touch the ball a lot and hear their name a lot.
Ask how many coaches work each group and how many swings or throws a player gets at a station. Then watch for a few minutes at drop-off or pickup if you can. You will learn more from that than from any flyer.
- Coaches are on the field, moving, showing, not standing on the side.
- Feedback is short and clear: one thing at a time.
- Kids are smiling, busy and trying things.
Does the camp teach all the skills, not just hitting?
At 7–12, kids grow best when they play the whole game. Hitting is fun, but so is a clean catch, a good throw and a smart turn around first base.
Look for a camp that covers hitting, throwing, fielding, catching and baserunning. Every skill helps the others. A kid who moves well on defense usually moves better in the box too.
Ask what a normal day looks like. A good answer has a warm-up, several skill stations, a game or competition, and a short wrap-up.
Bonus points if your child goes home with one simple thing to practice. A short drill to try in the backyard keeps the learning going after camp ends.
What is the camp's plan for the Arizona heat and safety?
Here, this is not a small question. Arizona summers are dangerous for young athletes. A good camp has a plan it can explain in one breath.
- Timing: early morning or evening sessions, or indoor space during the hottest part of the day.
- Breaks: scheduled shade and water breaks, and more of them than you would expect.
- Clothing: light, loose clothing, hats and sunscreen encouraged.
- Watching: coaches who know the warning signs: dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, confusion or unusual tiredness.
- Action: a clear rule to stop right away and get help. Confusion, fainting or very hot skin can be heat stroke, and that means calling 911.
If your child has health questions about playing in the heat, talk with your pediatrician before camp.
Safety goes beyond the heat. Here is what you should be able to see on the field:
- Helmets on for every hitter and baserunner, and catchers in full gear.
- Plenty of space between stations, so no one walks into a swing or a throw.
- Softer balls for the youngest players and for new drills.
- A first-aid kit on site and an easy way for coaches to reach you.
- A simple rule: if a player has pain, they stop and an adult checks in.
What should I know about 46/60 camps?
We run in-person all-skills camps for players 7–12: hitting, pitching and throwing, defense, catching and baserunning. Baseball and softball players are both welcome.
We are hometown coaches. Coach Billy Kehoe and Coach Dave Brennan were teammates at Scottsdale Community College. "Loyal to the soil" is how we say it. Dave coached at Chaparral High School and Pinnacle High School and at Paradise Valley Community College. Billy built Athletic Hitting Development here after years of coaching, scouting and private instruction. You can read more on our about page.
We do not post dates, location, ages or cost online, because they change with the season. Just ask about camps and we will reply with the current options. Prefer one-on-one or a small group? Ask about lessons.
One thing to remember
The right camp groups kids by age, coaches every child, teaches the whole game and takes the heat seriously.
What to do this week
Pick two or three camps and ask each the same five questions from this checklist. Write the answers down side by side, and let your child help choose.
Parent questions
What age should my child start baseball or softball camp?
Many kids are ready around 7 if the camp groups by age and keeps it fun. If your child likes to play catch and can follow simple directions, they are usually ready.
Are summer camps in Scottsdale safe in the heat?
They can be when the camp trains early or late, uses shade or indoor space, and takes frequent water breaks. Ask for the camp's heat plan and check with your pediatrician.
Is a hitting-only camp or an all-skills camp better for young kids?
For ages 7–12, an all-skills camp usually helps more. Throwing, catching, fielding and running all support better hitting and more fun.
Sources: National Weather Service — Heat Cramps, Exhaustion, Stroke · CDC — About Heat and Your Health
This article is part of the 46/60 parent guide The Baseball & Softball Parent Guide. Start there for every related article and game.