Former Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter and his wife, former Oregon standout Lauren Burke, recently opened a youth baseball and softball camp at Saginaw Valley State University, inviting young athletes from across Michigan to learn the fundamentals of the game.
A Dual Legacy in Michigan Youth Sports
Carpenter, who has been limited by a bout of plantar fasciitis in his left foot that began as a bruised heel from new cleats, still brings personal insight from his own youth camp experiences, using the injury as a teaching moment about resilience and proper preparation.
Lauren Burke’s softball pedigree is impressive; she earned three‑time NFCA High School All‑American honors, was twice named Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year, and later posted a .421 batting average in the NCAA Tournament before transferring to the University of Texas, where she was recognized as a preseason All‑American.
The camp is run in partnership with the Tigers organization and Brandon Inge, a former Tigers third baseman who opened the Inge Performance Lab in Brighton, Michigan, a facility that offers elite‑level training for young players.
Together, the trio emphasizes core skills, mental toughness, and the joy of sport, aiming to build a pipeline of talent that reflects the region’s rich baseball and softball heritage.