Adults Get Game at Sports Fantasy Camps
Basketball With Michael Jordan, Baseball With Bucky Dent, Golf Too
Dec 29, 2008 Grace Lichtenstein
Anyone who loves baseball, basketball or tennis would love the chance to play with or be coached by pros from their favorite teams. For a few thousand dollars (and more) any fan can participate in a fantasy sports camp.
The ultimate: basketball camp with Michael Jordan – or, as it is called, Flight School, his Airness himself apparently does coach, at least in part, and the camp for adults costs around $17,500.
Baseball With Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, Mets
Most major league baseball teams have given their blessings to fantasy baseball camps, which fans over 30, male and female, can play catch, field grounders and take batting practice under the watchful eye of players from the past.
Among the teams holding camps for adults in the winter of 2009 are the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants. Among pros who have participated – Bucky Dent of the Yankees, Felix Millan of the Mets, Rich Gedman of the Red Sox, Tom Herr of the Cardinals and Gaylord Perry of the Giants.
Typically, baseball adult camps take place in spring training facilities in Florida or Arizona. Typical cost: $4,000 to $8,000 for a week. The packages usually require attendees to be over 30, and include accommodations in a deluxe hotel as well as a full uniform.
Hoops - Jordan and Coach K
Basketball at Michael Jordan’s Senior Flight School costs $17,500 and takes place at Le Mirage Casino in Las Vegas in August. Are you a big college hoops fan? Coach Mike Krzyzweski has run a camp for 7 years at Duke University, coaching alongside former players and other coaches. That camp is only $10,000.
Tennis, Golf, Football
Tennis fantasy camps have been conducted starring Pete Sampras, the All Time Grand Slam title holder, in California, while Australian great John Newcombe is the draw at a fantasy camp at his tennis ranch in New Braunfels,Texas, 30 minutes from the San Antonio airport. There is one scheduled for men only in October, and an event for both men and women in March. Cost: $2,000 and up, including accommodations.
Golf? Apparently Tiger Woods does not appear at camps… yet. But the Heritage Isle Golf and Country Club in Tampa features teaching pros Jim Dent and Rick Bradshaw at camps that cost about $5,000. The women’s tour has in the past run a golf camp for women starring such greats as Carol Mann and Kathy Whitworth.
Football? Every January at the University of Southern California. Coach Pete Carroll makes an appearance as do Trojans of the past at the USC adult camp. There are 3 levels, “player, coach, owners’ for $2,500, $3,500 or $5,000. Happily for out of shape adult jocks, it is a NON contact week. For more info, look at www.sports-adventures.com, MLB.com or the website for Grown Up Camps.
Play Baseball at Adult Camp
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