1st to Home

All-Around Track w/ Coach Greg Raho, Coach Joe Ruback, and Coach Casey McGowan

The first step in getting to home is our new On Deck w/ Mom or Dad program.  In this class, Moms or Dads are an integral part of working with their 12-24 Month old infants and toddlers.  We'll have lots of fun interaction designed to stimulate the minds and bodies of our youngest guests.  The bond you share with your child will be even further strengthened through music, activities, and other age-appropriate activities.

Getting to 1st Base (Single-A Stars: Tykes & Toddlers) has never been so much fun.Children as young as 2 1/2 will learn about body-control, balance, listening, and teamwork.  This nurturing stage of 1st to Home ® is overseen by Coach Greg Raho and uses various sports to help maintain focus.  By keeping class sizes small, your children will receive the attention they deserve as they make their way to 1st Base.

By age four (4) they are rounding 1st Base and on their way to 2nd Base.  Building upon what they've already learned, 2nd Base (Double-A Stars) takes their enhanced motor skills to the next level.  In this program, overseen by Coach Raho, children will learn the fundamentals of throwing, hitting, and fielding in a fun and stimulating environment.This is a critical stage in a youngster's development as lessons learned here become the basis for their sports futures.

As the children mature, they're ready to round 2nd Base and head for 3rd Base.  At age seven (7), we begin to focus on different aspects of baseball & softball.  3rd Base (Triple-A Stars) takes everything they've learned and concentrates on hitting and fielding.  You may have heard things like 'Keep the bat up', 'Bend your knees' and other helpful hints, but 3rd Base takes hitting instruction a step further.  Innovative and proven techniques are used to help students understand the art of hitting.In addition, proper fielding mechanics are emphasized for both infielders and outfielders.

Now that they've made it all the way to 3rd Base it's time to make the turn and head to Home Plate (The Bigs).  At about eleven (11), their minds really start to catch up with their bodies and they are ready to do even more at the plate.Home Plate builds on all of the previous programs and teaches hitters the subtleties of hitting.  And since defense becomes more important at this age, Home Plate works advanced fielding techniques such as the crow-hops, double-plays, and proper glove work.

You often hear the pro commentators talking about 'hitting the other way', or 'going with the pitch', now learn how to make it happen.The Home Plate clinic works with hitters to develop and fine tune your child's skills.  One of the things you still hear about many MLB ® players is that they don't know how to bunt.  While a bunt may not be as glamorous as a home run, bunting is a skill that can ultimately make the difference.  Whether it's hitting for average or power, Home Plate will help you meet your goals and objectives.


All-Around Track-Softball w/ Coach Casey McGowan

If softball is your thing, check out The Circle-All Around Skills clinic to learn the nuances of the game.  This clinic covers hitting, fielding, leading, and stealing and is 100% softball and is run by Coach Casey McGowan.  This clinic is appropriate for a wide age range as a result of the unique structure of the clinic.


Pitching Track

As early as six (6), kids can learn how to pitch…why you ask?It's simple; pitchers throw the ball, and learning the proper way to throw a baseball is one of the basic principles of baseball…and pitching.  In the first stage, Down the Middle, kids will learn how to consistently throw a baseball both on and off the mound.  The emphasis at this level is to throw from the mound using a motion that can be easily repeated.  Strikes are important, but at the beginning, they are less important than developing a consistent technique that is easy on the arm.

By age nine (9) they can take their enhanced motor skills to the next level.  Building upon a consistent motion, kids will learn to throw strikes on a more regular basis.  With Changing Speeds, the kids will learn about the different grips on the ball and how they can be used to vary the speed of the pitch.  Most high-level pitchers agree that a good change of speed can be as, if not more effective than a curve, so learning how to use speed changes is an integral part of a pitcher's development.

At about eleven (11), their minds really start to catch up with their bodies and they are ready to do even more on the mound.  Paint the Corners builds on all of the previous programs and teaches kids the subtleties of pitching.And since defense becomes more important at this age, Paint the Corners works on hitting particular spots in the strike zone.  And with the advent of travel baseball, kids at this age often play on a 50/70 field where there is leading and stealing.  As such, this clinic will begin teaching the art of the pickoff and holding on runners.

Now, it's time for the 'Big Field' and The Show.  With age thirteen (13) approaching, all players, including pitchers must make an adjustment to 60 ft. 6 in for modified / high school ball.  Many coaches differ on the appropriate age to being throwing curveballs and other wrist snapping pitches.In general, the longer a pitcher can wait for their bodies to mature, the better.  We will, however, teach those kids whose parents have made a conscious and informed decision that their child is ready.  This clinic focuses on various hitting spots, changing the batters eye-level, varying speeds, arm angles, and the slide-step.


Pitching Track-Softball w/ Coach Casey McGowan

Are you a Jenny Finch in training?  Check out The Circle-Windmill Pitching clinic where Coach Casey McGowan will teach  you about all aspects of windmill pitching, include various pitches and strategies to help make you a succes in The Circle.  This clinic is appropriate for a wide age range as a result of the unique structure of the clinic.