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Vinnie Pasquantino trades day off for day with kids at youth baseball camp

Vinnie Pasquantino trades day off for day with kids at youth baseball camp
Vinnie Pasquantino
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GRANDVIEW, Mo. — Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino gave up his typical off-day routine of relaxing at home to spend time with more than 100 young athletes Tuesday at a youth baseball camp at Grandview High School.

“Camps were always some of the most fun I had over the summer,” Pasquantino said. “So being able to host my own is super cool. I know how much they meant to me.”

Vinnie Pasquantino trades day off for day with kids at youth baseball camp

Pasquantino, who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, said he never met a professional baseball player while growing up — nor did he expect to become one.

“I wasn’t the biggest or best at anything in high school,” he said. “I told some parents that when I was in middle school, I played Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit" because I was short.”

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Though he was there to teach fundamentals, the Royals slugger said he learned a few things himself, including from a camper who impressed him during batting drills.

“One kid, when I was throwing side toss, was just crushing balls,” Pasquantino said. “So I asked him for tips.”

Pasquantino also took a turn throwing batting practice. That's something he admitted doesn’t come naturally.

“It’s scary,” he said. “I haven’t done it in so long. Even with a Wiffle Ball, I was just trying to give them something good to hit.”

The experience gave him a new appreciation for his own batting practice pitcher.

“I get upset with our BP pitcher sometimes, now I know how hard it is,” he said. “I owe him an apology.”

As the Royals prepare to host the New York Mets in a three-game series beginning Friday, Pasquantino said his main goal at camp was to remind kids why they play the game.

“Have fun. Be a good teammate. Just enjoy it,” he said.

Following the weekend series, Kansas City heads into the All-Star break, and Pasquantino will finally get a real day off.