Smoltz coaches young fans at baseball camp

Atlanta Braves

Braves pitcher John Smoltz works with young Atlanta-area players at his 15th annual youth baseball camp at Alpharetta's Wills Park June 25, 2008.

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz offers baseball tips to young players during his 15th annual youth baseball camp at Alpharetta's Wills Park June 25, 2008. Shoulder surgery hasn't kept the Braves legend from maintaining a busy schedule.

Smoltz, who had season-ending shoulder surgery June 10, has already started rehab work in hopes of pitching in the majors again. "There's been no reservations since I had the surgery and there's been no dimming of the desire," the 41-year-old says.

"They anchored down the labrum with six anchors. I guess they're screws," Smoltz says of the procedure. "They shaved a little off the bone. They went in and fixed what they could of the biceps, fixed a little bit of the rotator cuff, and then kind of tightened up the area." He's healing with the help of the padded sling shown here.

Smoltz can begin light throwing in four months but during the June 25 youth camp, he enjoys his role as coach and scout for future Braves talent. Tommy Rankin, 8, appears in fine form under Smoltzie's watchful eye.

Braves jersey no. 29 may be taken already but these future baseballers plan to choose their own MLB numbers one day. Through his annual camp, Smoltz works to help young fans become great players as they grow.

When Smoltzie speaks, kids listen: The longtime Braves ace shares strategies with an attentive bunch of fans focused on learning from someone who knows his stuff. Having recorded 210 wins, 154 saves and 3,011 strikeouts for Atlanta, Smoltz has plenty of advice to offer young players.

One of Smoltz's chief duties in rehab is schooling the Braves' ever-expanding cadre of young pitchers. And there are clearly many eager hopefuls waiting in the wings around town.

Good jog: Jake Witterman, 7, earns a pat on the back from Smoltz for giving it his all on the diamond. Smoltz understands the value of toughing it out (this is his fifth right arm surgery) and plans to return to the bigs if possible. "I realize at some point I'm going to have to say, 'This is it,.'" he says, adding "I don't know when that time would be."

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Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz offers baseball tips to young players during his 15th annual youth baseball camp at Alpharetta's Wills Park June 25, 2008. Shoulder surgery hasn't kept the Braves legend from maintaining a busy schedule.

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