Edwards' youth camp growing in size, support

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. -- Fielding grounders from Xavier Edwards. Borrowing Anthony Bender’s glove. Playing catch with Braxton Garrett.

Local youth baseball players received priceless instruction from the pros at Edwards’ annual XE9 baseball skills camp on Saturday at North Broward Preparatory School.

Edwards, who created the free camp for kids ages 8-17 as a Minor Leaguer during the 2018 offseason, has seen its reach grow from 18 participants to around 220. More sponsors have jumped on board, with The Players Alliance, the Marlins, ADT, PRIME, Wilson, Chinook Seedery, Big League Chew, PS, elite and JSG Baseball among them in 2025. The Players Alliance, in particular, donated baseball gear.

“It's gotten a lot bigger, and hopefully impact has gotten that much bigger,” Edwards said. “I feel like we've gotten more and more donations each year, which we're grateful for. And all the companies that give back allow us to do an event like this and give these kids gifts, bats, gloves, things that they do have -- or maybe don't have -- things that they may want. So just glad to be able to give back at this time of the year.”

This year, like every year, the Marlins’ infielder got plenty of support from present and former teammates, as well as pros from South Florida.

Representing the Marlins were Bender, Garrett, Griffin Conine, Tyler Phillips and mascot Billy the Marlin. Jesús Luzardo (Phillies), Triston McKenzie (Padres), Jake Eder (Nationals), Paul McIntosh (Phillies), Enrique Bradfield Jr. (Orioles) and retired ballplayers Juan Pierre and Lewis Brinson pitched in.

“That's something that's admirable to me, especially to know that I have a teammate behind me that wants to give back, and it's not all just for fame, fortune, whatever it is,” said Phillips, who learned about the camp while attending the Miami Tennis Invitational with Edwards earlier this month. “Any way I can show up to support a teammate of mine and to maybe try to push the love for the game and that same inspiration through some younger kids, that's kind of what gets me wanting to do this.”

After group photos and warm-ups, the kids participated in five stations well into the afternoon, with a lunch break in between. Conine, Pierre and Brinson worked with the outfielders. Bradfield taught bunting. Edwards’ agent, former big leaguer Reggie Jefferson, instructed in the cages. The football field was used for agility drills.

Edwards, who was named a National League Gold Glove finalist at second base in 2025, preached the importance of footwork to the infielders. He emphasized the fundamentals.

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Phillips and Bender manned the throwing station for the younger kids, reminding them of the simple mechanics that the duo learned at an early age. The group also played a game that Bender often did during his Tommy John surgery.

“When they're coming back in, you hit them in the chest, it's one point,” Bender explained. “If you hit them in the head, it's two points. First one to 11 points will win the game. Talk to kids about some throwing stuff, and then hopefully have something stick, so where they can take that home and think about it later, hopefully they'll take a cue and be a little better after they leave here.”

Luzardo (who hosts a South Florida baseball clinic of his own in January), Garrett and McKenzie were in charge of the throwing station for the older kids, which included rundowns. They encouraged the younger ballplayers to remember the little things like every throw should have intent behind it and keep your shoulders square.

“I never had an opportunity when I was growing up to be around several -- several -- Major Leaguers,” said Garrett, who grew up in Alabama. “So I'm very envious of these kids. It's just great that we have guys like X and I know Luzardo, as well. They do awesome kids camps for these guys, and it's a lot of fun.”

While Edwards wanted the kids to soak up a wide range of information about the game, that’s not what was most important.

“Usually the kids are having fun, and that's what we do it for,” Edwards said. “I want camp to be as good as it can be, of course. But, really, I want the impact to be big. I want these kids to want to come back next year. I want them to say, ‘OK, I had a really fun time at camp this year. I learned a lot. I got to meet some players I love watching, and I had a great time.’

“So getting to see these kids smile and enjoy themselves and put some hard work in, as well, is what we do it for.”