Bristol Names Joel Camp First Head Coach Ahead of 2027 Blue Ridge League Debut

The Blue Ridge League is excited to introduce Joel Camp as the first head coach of its new Bristol club for the 2027 season.

A native of Gaffney, South Carolina, Camp is currently a member of the coaching staff at Bluefield State University. He began his college playing career at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, North Carolina, and later played at WVU Tech in Beckley, West Virginia, before finishing his career as a graduate student and left-handed pitcher at Bluefield State.

Camp was part of a Bluefield State program that made a major jump in 2026, improving from a 5-35 record in 2025 to 21-21 this past spring.

He also brings strong summer collegiate baseball experience on both sides of the game. During his playing career, Camp spent time in the Valley Baseball League and also suited up for the Uwharrie Wampus Cats, now a member of the Blue Ridge League. Last summer, he continued building his coaching résumé with a summer collegiate team in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

This summer, Camp will take the next step in his coaching career by leading the Blue Ridge League’s newest club at Boyce Cox Field in Bristol, Virginia, the former home of the Bristol Pirates.

“We’re excited to have Joel leading the way as we bring Blue Ridge League baseball to Bristol,” said BRL Chairman Greg Sullivan. “He’s young, hungry and already has experience both playing and coaching at this level. We think he’ll do a great job building the program and connecting with the Bristol community.”

The new Bristol club will begin play in summer 2027, with its official team name and identity set to be unveiled later this fall.