Wednesday at the University of Houston baseball program's Specialty Camp was a fairly typical day, save three hours of inside instruction at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center because of heavy thunderstorms.

About 120 campers from ages 11 to 17 were present - including none other than Alex Rodriguez.

No, not the Yankees shortstop who also owns a Mercedes-Benz dealership in League City, but a pitcher from Mercedes, Texas, a Rio Grande Valley town about five miles from the Mexican border.

He was one of a wide variety of participants from such schools as Strake Jesuit, Memorial and Seven Lakes who spent much of the afternoon focusing on mechanics and taking part in a bullpen session.

"We're mostly going over the mechanical aspects of hitting, pitching and catching this week," Cougars assistant coach Abe Arguello said. "This year the numbers (for the camp) are pretty high. We usually owe the turnout to how successful we are during the season. If we're better, than we're usually going to get more kids involved."

Houston finished 42-24 in 2008. The Cougars advanced to the championship game of the College Station Regional, losing 13-5 to host Texas A&M on June 2.

Catchers went through most of their drills Wednesday morning, concentrating on receiving, packing and speed.

"This is my second day here and I'm trying to learn new things," said Ryan Williams, 11, of Seabrook, who usually is a catcher but also plays first base and outfield for his select baseball team. "I'm learning how to scoop with both hands and throw quicker. Hitting, they're teaching us to turn our heel towards the sky.

"I've learned a lot of stuff. I'd like to play college baseball someday."

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