The Grand Slam North Softball School at Husson College in Bangor last year proved so popular it has been expanded to an all-position camp this summer.

The second annual event will be held Aug. 4-7 and feature two programs (infield/outfield and pitcher/catcher) in three areas of instruction: pitching/catching; hitting/bunting and base running/sliding.

Bo Ruggiero, Norfolk, Mass., has 21 years of experience in softball camps and is best known for the Grand Slam Camp at Roger Williams College in Providence, R.I.

He will serve as director with Husson pitching coach Bob Mercer of Bucksport, curriculum director, and Pete Looney of the University of Connecticut as pitching clinician.

“We were pleasantly surprised at the turnout (at the first camp last year),” Ruggiero said during a telephone interview. “We drew about 120 people. We thought the Grand Slam Camp (which has always attracted a following from Maine) might be affected, but we closed that at 300 and saw the Maine thing has great potential. It had an excellent staff, was very well received, and we had an awful lot of positive comments.”

Coaches will be Charlie McDonald, Cony of Augusta; Rick Menlanson, formerly at the University of New England; Kelly Cookson, Brewer; Tracy Martin, Narraguagus of Harrington; Beth Staples, Searsport; Dana Leach, Skowhegan; Dawn Hester, Lisbon; Mike Corneil, Hampden Academy; Julie Treadwell, Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield; Tom Caffelle, Oxford, Mass.; Rachael Bernier, Monmouth Academy; and NCAA All-American and two-time Big East Player of the Year Janna Benice, UConn.

Counselors will be Stormy Wentworth, Liz Tweedie, and Jen Wardwell, Bucksport; Emily Burrill, Brewer; Wendy Blackwell, St. Joseph’s College; Chris Longtin, Husson; Brett Chanasyck, Bryant College; and Fran MacMichael, Univeristy of Maine-Farmington.

Last year’s camp focused on pitchers and catchers. Ruggiero agreed with staff the area deserved an all-position camp.

“I think that is going to be another plus for us,” Ruggiero said.

Grand Slam North will focus on instruction, not games.

“You can’t sit a kid down and give a lecture for an hour,” he said, “so most of our program is geared to fundamental drill station work.”

In half-hour increments, an infielder, for example, would go from a hitting station to base running to outfield. “The short blast gives them an opportunity to drill on the skill rather than be lectured. They get to work on a new skill or two. That’s the best approach because of the diversity of kids you’re dealing with,” Ruggiero said.

The enrollment is limited, so players (grades 6-12) should get their reservations in early, Ruggiero said.

“Last year at this time we’d just sent brochures out,” he said. “This year we’ve sent two mailings to all high school and junior high coaches and former campers. Already we have 20 registered.”

Ruggiero was so happy with the first effort he made sure to put a little touch of Husson into his second: the brochure is a bright, Husson green.

“The people at Husson couldn’t be nicer,” he said. “It is a great place to be.”

Information on the camp may be made by contacting Ruggieo at 508-528-6248, Mercer at 469-2060, or Husson Athletic Director Pam Hennessey or Husson softball coach Shannon Whiting at 947-1121.