There’s a young man in DeKalb County that has a passion for baseball … a passion that runs deep. If his playing record, and dedication to training and learning the sport he loves, is any indication, someday he just may be a superstar.

Seven-year-old Dallas Kirby, son of Chad and Shelia Kirby of Smithville, is doing great things at his young age. In June, his team, Tennessee Rampage, won the 7-8 year old Rutherford County Tournament Gold Division title. The team went undefeated this season with a 16-0 record. Dallas is the second baseman for his team.

Kirby also attended Tennessee Tech Baseball Camp in June, along with around 150 other kids. He learned skills such as proper batting techniques, hitting skills, and fielding skills, along with daily rag ball games. Dallas was chosen as "Camper of the Week" for his age group. This is a big honor as it demonstrates not only his skills in the game of baseball, but it also shows that he is a team player, keeps a positive attitude, and gave 100% every day that he attended camp.

In July, the week after Vanderbilt’s baseball team won the College World Series, Dallas attended the Vanderbilt Baseball Camp for the second consecutive year. He attended the camp along with 300 other kids. Being a Vanderbilt fan, he looks forward to this camp all year long. The camp is led by the head coach of the team, Tim Corbin. He not only teaches the kids to be great baseball players, he teaches them how to be great young men. He teaches life lessons such as respect on and off the field. With the daily activities such as hitting, fielding, sliding, running, and daily rag ball games, Coach Corbin watches every kid’s attitude and enthusiasm.

Corbin started the camp every morning making the kids tuck their shirts in and pull their baseball caps down to look like "baseball players." He said if you look like a baseball player and act like a baseball player, then you will be a great baseball player one day. As a camper, he accepts nothing less than 100% effort and respect.

On the last day of camp only five awards were handed out. Again, Dallas received the "Camper of the Week" award for his age group. He was thrilled to be given such an honor. Coach Corbin presented him with a game worn jersey and autographed it.