About Erik Draxton...

This camp will be under the direction of Erik Draxton, PCHS Graduate 2005. Erik is 6’3 and 200 Lbs. He is a right handed pitcher with a 90-94 MPH Fastball and a 78-82 MPH Curveball.

Erik pitched for PCHS, from 2001 to 2005, under the watchful eyes of coaches Matt Strader, Buster Schwab and Howard Hoyt. He received all region and State All-star honors. He then was recruited by several Junior Colleges in Arizona, including Phoenix College. At Phoenix College, he achieved Academic All-American honors, two years in a row. This season he has been nominated for NJCAA Baseball All-American honors. Several MLB scouts are following Erik’s progress. In 2008, he was a record breaking closer for Phoenix College, with an Arizona leading 14 saves and 3 wins with no losses. The Phoenix team won the Southwest Region title in 2008.

He is pitching for an MLB prep league in Alaska, during the months of June and July. After being recruited by many schools including UNLV, San Diego State and U of New Mexico, he has accepted a full scholarship at Cal State Bakersfield and will report there, in September.

This August, Erik would like to return some of his good fortune to the Park City community that gave him his start in baseball. He will be conducting a camp for several age groups and will also consider private or small group lessons.

Erik’s Philosophy:
As a closer, Erik was often called on to throw in two separate games the same day and, yet, Erik has never had arm injuries. He attributes this to the wise coaching he received in Park City and to an intensive conditioning program that he follows rigorously. During the past two summers he coached pitching for Arizona all-star teams in the 12-14 and 16-17 year old brackets. He shared his pitching mechanics and conditioning with these young players and they greatly reduced their incidence of arm problems.

In addition to a focus on proper conditioning and arm care, Erik will coach the younger players in solid throwing mechanics and the older players in pitching mechanics. At the level at which he is playing baseball, he has become very aware of the mental aspects of the game, especially a positive mental attitude and concentration. Erik will share this with your young player, also. He does not believe in young players throwing curve balls, until they are at least 16 years old. For the young player, proper throwing mechanics are the most important focus for a safe and successful baseball career. (click here to register for this clinic)