Fantasy Camp allows longtime Padres fan to fulfill baseball dreams

SAN DIEGO — A die-hard Padre fan gets his competitive juices flowing at fantasy camp.

At Padres fantasy camp, one of the campers called it “addicting, something that draws you back every year.” Ed Kimzey knows that feeling very well, which is why he has attended every camp.

“When I was a little kid, I either wanted to be a pilot or a baseball player,” Kimzey said. “At age 12, I realized baseball wasn’t going to work out for me, so I committed to flying and that worked out. Camp gives me a chance to do that baseball part that I always wanted to do and I can do as an adult.”

That’s why Kimzey has returned for his fifth Padres Fantasy Camp. The lifelong San Diego resident and test pilot for General Atomics also has another goal:

“I’m competitive, I’m here to win,” Kimzey said. “I’m there to have fun and winning is fun, so we play as hard as 50-something-year-old dudes can play.”

Kimzey says he grew up watching players like Randy Jones, cheered for Trevor Hoffman and Heath Bell, and reminisces about watching Andy Ashby pitch for the Padres in the World Series. He also says he cherishes the opportunity to get to know them all and create new friendships.

“It’s the perfect combination of competition and comradery,” Kimzey said.

And this experience allows him to capture the feeling he yearned for as a 12-year-old.

“When you walk in there the first time, it’s like, I’m on holy ground here. Then when you see your name on the uniform, you’re like ‘Wow, this is really mind-blowing.'”

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