Continuing a decades-long tradition, the Wareham Gatemen are teaching up-and-coming players the basics of the game of baseball.

Each summer, boys and girls with beginner to advanced skills get the opportunity to train with members of the Gatemen team who take time before practice to help the children out with their skills.

The three-hour long clinics are held Monday through Friday on the diamond adjacent to Spilliane Field where the Gatemen play home games.

Clinic supervisor Timothy Mitchell said the philosophy behind the clinic is to teach young players the basics of the game in a fun environment.

“Why we have them here is so they can have fun and learn,” Mitchell said. “The coaches [Gatemen players] enforce structure, but let the kids have fun too.”

Many of the Gatemen go on to become Major League Baseball stars, which is a big draw for the kids, said Cheryl Courtney, grandmother of five-year-old participant Giovanni Lopez.

“He feels like he’s in the major leagues. It’s so much fun for him,” she said. “He comes home and tells grandpa ‘I think I hit a home run today!' It’s so cute. Plus he got an autograph so he thinks that’s pretty cool.”

The kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy the camp. The players get in on the fun too.

“I like working with the kids,” said Gatemen pitcher Joe Flynn, who was teaching at the clinic on July 15. “I get to share my knowledge of baseball.”

Mitchell could not recall just how many summers the Gatemen have hosted the clinic, but estimates it has been more than 25 years.

“It’s been going on as long as I can remember,” Mitchell said. “It’s a tradition.”

Longtime Gatemen president and general manager John Wylde is credited with founding the clinic. The Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Famer was “the heart and soul” of the team for 25 years, said Mitchell.

Wylde took over the Wareham Gatemen franchise in the early 1980s when the team, suffering from financial trouble, was on the verge of collapse. Wylde died in February 2009 after a battle with liver cancer, but the franchise is stronger than ever and the clinic draws dozens each summer.

The clinic wrapped up the second of three two-week sessions on July 15 with the Gatemen signing autographs for the youngsters.

Check out the slideshow below for scenes from the clinic!