The concept begun by former Cubs catcher Randy Hundley returns in a new incarnation.
For more than three decades, former Cubs catcher Randy Hundley ran fantasy camps for folks who wanted to live out their baseball dreams. Hundley, many of his former teammates and other past Cubs served as coaches, and games were held at HoHoKam Park and later, at Sloan Park. Many teams now have these camps, but Hundley’s was the original.
While Hundley no longer runs a camp in Arizona, Karl Marquardt has begun what is now called Northside Baseball Fantasy Camp, run by his company Waveland Events. It will be held in Tucson, Arizona this coming January.
Here’s what Karl sent me about the camp.
Northside Baseball Fantasy Camp offers Cubs Fans the opportunity to live their dream of being a Chicago Cub for a week. At Northside Campers play 10-game ”seasons” on teams coached by a staff of 19 former Cubs, including Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Shawon Dunston, Miguel Montero, Jody Davis, Bob Dernier, Bull Durham, Michael Barrett, Ron Cey, and Jose Cardenal.
Northside Camp runs January 26 to February 2, 2025 in Tucson, Arizona, at the former spring training facility of the White Sox and Diamondbacks. The Camper experience includes a locker filled with Cubs gear including personalized authentic on-field Cubs home and alternate jerseys, uniform pants, belt, socks and fitted cap. Camper registration includes a seven-night stay at the Hilton Tucson East, transportation to and from the ballpark, pro swag, breakfasts, lunches, and three evening events. At the ballpark, Campers will have access to pro trainers, a fitness/weight room, and a massage therapist to help keep you in the lineup.
Northside Camp was developed by longtime veterans of Randy Hundley’s Cubs Fantasy Camps and is dedicated to continuing Randy’s enduring legacy and adding some updated enhancements along the way. There really is no way to accurately describe the “wow” you’ll experience the first time you walk into the Clubhouse as you find your personalized locker filled with your uniforms and gear. Then you notice that the next locker, and maybe the one across from you belong to some of your favorite Cubs legends! Now you’re in the batting cages or on the practice mounds getting pro-tips from those same Cubs legends! Suddenly you’re batting and you lace a single to right field – only to be congratulated by a Cubs legend coaching first base, the same legend whose batting tip you just used to perfection!
While at Camp, you’ll realize that the experience is about much more than baseball, it’s the relationships and bonds you form with the Cubs legends, your teammates, and the other Campers.
If you’re interested you can find more info at this link.