Future major league hopefuls get their chance at America First Square

SOUTH JORDAN — Can you remember the last time you were so excited you could hardly sleep? That’s how Hudson Wood felt about baseball.

“Ohhh!” he shouted when he saw someone hit a ball over the wall, his face lighting up with pure joy.

He was one of about 150 young players who had the chance to hit, throw and catch at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan on Saturday morning. The Ballpark is home to the Salt Lake Bees. The Kids Clinic was part of major league baseball’s new Homerun Derby X competition.

For Wood, just being on the field was a dream come true. Hudson was so excited, he woke up at 4 a.m. to get ready.

“It was super fun,” he said. “I don’t know, just playing a game I love to play.”

“I hear this scuffle,” recalled his dad, J.D. Wood. “Hudson is up and he’s like, ‘Dad, I’m getting ready. Let’s do this.’ And I’m like, ‘Bud, awesome.’ And he had his jersey all laid out. It was awesome.”

The excitement only grew when former major leaguer and two-time World Series champion Jonny Gomes stepped onto the field to coach the kids.

“Get your hands up. Get ready,” Gomes instructed during a session near the rightfield wall. “Oh, get it, get it, get it. Throw it in, throw it in, throw it in.”

For Gomes, the day was about more than baseball, it was about passing along his passion for the game.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Gomes said. “Just passing our knowledge down and at this age, it’s all about fun.”

He also shared some thoughts about the possibility of Salt Lake City landing a major league baseball team in the future.

“Hey, I’m pulling for you guys, too,” he said with a smile. “I’ve had a great time here in Utah and hopefully you guys do get that big league stadium. But, I mean, this stadium here alone is a big-league stadium. You guys are spoiled to have this.”

And for some of the kids, just playing the game was enough.

“Because I like playing baseball and I like to just play,” said South Jordan resident Finley Winn. “It’s fun.”

After all, it all starts with a dream… even if that dream means a little less sleep.