Welcome
Welcome to the world's largest network of baseball and softball instructional camps. Our 2008 and 2009 programs included close to 30,000 players and 200 locations. Our 2010 program not only brings new drills and new
locations, but also a new name – U.S. Baseball Academy.
The name Midwest Baseball Academy served us well from 1988 until recently, while our camps were concentrated in the north central part of the country. But rapid expansion into states such as New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Nebraska meant the name Midwest Baseball Academy no longer reflected our national reach.
Our new national footprint has allowed us to attract new stars to our Advisory Staff, including Yankees superstar Don Mattingly and Cy Young Award winning pitcher Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks. We are excited that — under the name U.S. Baseball Academy — we will broaden our appeal to top talent and make our camps an even better experience for players of all ages, and their coaches and parents.
As we grow the national franchise, we maintain our original commitment to quality instruction at an affordable price. Each location promises the same proven itinerary of drills, a player-coach ratio of 6 to 1 or better, and a teaching staff of top high school and college coaches from your local area.
At U.S. Baseball Academy Spring Training 2010, players learn from some of the area's top high school and college coaches. Hitting and catching sessions are offered through grade 12, including special sessions for girls fastpitch softball at some locations. Pitching sessions (baseball only) are offered for grades 1 through 8.
This is not a lecture clinic. With a low player-coach ratio, each hitter and pitcher gets individual attention in a small-group atmosphere for one hour per week. An average hitting session includes about 30 players with six or seven experienced and professionally trained coaches. Pitching and catching sessions have smaller numbers and the same player-coach ratio. And with numerous age-specific sessions, instruction is specially tailored for each ability level. Overall, it's the type of intense, professional instruction that young players don't normally have access to. And at $109 (additional sessions only $99) for the whole six-week program, its value is unrivaled.
For six weeks, hitters rotate through a series of supervised stations, including indoor batting cages, each designed to teach a different piece of hitting. Players enjoy participating in hitting games and unique drills used by the nation's top high school and college programs and developed by the U.S. Baseball Academy advisory staff. The program is designed to improve pitch and strike-zone recognition, timing, balance, quickness, power, situational hitting, bunting and other aspects. Young hitters build an invaluable foundation and a thorough understanding of the swing, while experienced players cover advanced topics such as hitting different pitches to different fields, hitting curveballs and changeups, and more.
In our six-week pitching program, pitchers work under the supervision of coaches who can help with all aspects of pitching, from fundamentals and mechanics to more advanced concepts. Drills and repetition will improve a pitcher's speed and control and allow him to begin the year in mid-season form. Please note that each pitcher must bring his own catcher (parent, sibling, friend), allowing for maximum throwing time and for coaches to work hands-on with each pitcher.
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Commonly asked questions
and answers
Q: Midwest Baseball Academy has a long track record, but what is different about U.S. Baseball Academy?
A: There is no difference, other than the name, which more accurately reflects our national reach. Many schools in the East, South and West showed an interest in running our program but thought people in their area might be confused by the name "Midwest." The name U.S. Baseball Academy will also improve our chances of gaining sponsors and equipment partners, which will improve the experience for our customers. The program, coaches and corporate staff are unchanged.
Q: Who does the coaching?
A: U.S. Baseball Academy hires and trains high school and/or college coaches from your local area. That's the biggest advantage of the program. While most local youth and travel team coaches have some knowledge of baseball, this is a chance for young players to get six weeks of instruction by professionally trained and experienced coaches who do this for a living. We maintain quality control by providing each location with our weekly program and the necessary equipment to run it, and training the staff.
Q: The $109 or $99 covers six weeks of sessions, one session per week. How long
is each session, and what do they do?
A: Each session lasts for one hour. Players are in small groups of 5 or 6 with others their age or ability level. During the hour, they work through a concentrated circuit of drills that teach specific areas of hitting, pitching or catching. Each station they go to has an instructor, and most also have an assistant coach to help get them more repetitions. We don't have them sit and listen to someone talk for 15 minutes. They're moving and active the whole time. Sessions are cumulative, so that over the six-week period we cover all aspects of hitting, pitching, and catching.
Q: We want both the hitting and pitching/catching. Can we do that?
A: Yes. Sessions are staggered by age group to allow players to hit and pitch/catch in consecutive hours. They go right from one to the other. The cost for both hitting and pitching/catching is $208, because you are getting six hours of hitting instruction and six hours of pitching or catching instruction.
Q: How do we find times and dates? How do we register, and how do we pay?
A: For a schedule and registration forms for all locations,
click here. Simply submit your information online to reserve your spot
and mail a check within 14 days.
More questions and answers, click here
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Our six-week catcher's camp (grades 4-12) covers all aspects of being behind the plate. Players will get instruction on stance, signs, receiving, framing, blocking, throwing, fielding bunts, tags and the mental aspects of dealing with pitchers. Catchers must bring a mask, shin guards and chest protector.
Parents are welcome to observe, and many youth coaches leave with a valuable list of drills they can incorporate into their own practices. The timing of the program is perfect for preparing young players for the season ahead.
So, forget about the weather. What better way to get a jump on the upcoming season than a six-week Spring Training experience, featuring instruction from some of the area's best coaches in a fantastic indoor facility? Many sessions sell out months before they begin, so don't delay.
Register
About Us
For 22 years, Midwest Baseball Academy brought its straightforward approach -- top-quality instruction at an affordable price -- to more than 70,000 young players in 25 states. This season brings a new name, U.S. Baseball Academy, to more accurately reflect our national expansion that began several years ago.
But don't be confused by the name change. Our corporate staff, advisory staff and coaching staff, as well as the program, remain the same. There has been no change of ownership or direction.
The company is headed by founder Marc Hoffman, a member of numerous state and national coaching associations. After years of successful camps throughout the Midwest, we developed and launched a specialized hitting and pitching Spring Training program aimed at serious players from elementary school to college. The six-week program was so well received by players, parents and coaches that it became the cornerstone of a regional and national expansion effort that began in 2001 under the name Midwest Baseball Academy.
From about 300 players in its Spring Training 2001 pilot program, we have grown to become the world's largest network of baseball instructional camps. Our success has shown us two things: There's a hunger for affordable, excellent baseball instruction. And we've simply outgrown our former name. From now on, we'll be U.S. Baseball Academy.
Many sessions sell out months before they begin. In response to the overwhelming demand and national attention, we are again adding additional sites at top indoor facilities throughout the nation.
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