Although youth baseball has essentially wrapped up for the year, the games continued this week as children and teenagers gathered at Riverview Park to get some special training from a former major leaguer who played with the Atlanta Braves.

Friday marked the last day of Brian Jordan’s baseball camp at the baseball fields behind the levee, where he hoped that the players who came out for the three days of instruction would be able to not only grasp the fundamentals, but take with them a sense of optimism and accomplishment.

“I want them to leave here with hopes and dreams,” Jordan said.

“That’s where it started for me, when I was young. I started dreaming big and by working hard in the classroom and by working hard on the athletic fields I was able to achieve my goals and my dreams.”

Jordan was a two-sport pro athlete, playing two years for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL before switching to baseball and putting together a career that lasted from 1992-2006.

Jordan’s camp put the young players through workouts in batting, catching and fielding.

“I really stress with the young kids the fundamentals of baseball and how to get started,” said Jordan.

“What you should focus on for your future — not just baseball but education. I’ll sit the kids down and talk about … how education was important in my life and give them a little insight on who Brian Jordan is. And hopefully I can inspire and motivate them to do their best.”

Jordan started his career in the National Football League after he was drafted in 1989 by the Falcons, where he stayed until 1991.

He then played baseball for the Cardinals from 1992-1998, the Braves from 1999-2001, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Texas Rangers before he ended his career with the Braves from 2005 to 2006.

Among his baseball memories, he said getting to go to the World Series was probably his favorite, even though he didn’t win a ring.

“You set your dreams to one day (be in) the World Series,” he said. “The fact that you were that close, that you got there, you experienced it — that’s what it’s all about. Hard work pays off.”

Jordan is now a broadcaster, appearing on the Braves pregame and postgame shows on Fox Sports South. He is also a commentator for the Gwinnett Braves.

“I really enjoy it. It’s a learning process for me. I didn’t ever think in my wildest dreams that I would be talking about baseball players in the booth, but that just goes to show that you never know what God has for you.”