ABK Baseball/Softball

Whether your son or daughter is new to baseball/softball or as high as college ball, The Baseball and Softball Academy can make a difference. Students range in age from five to ninety-five. Some train three times a week, while others visit us once a month. We will help each student learn the fundamental skills required to participate in the exciting game of baseball or softball. Because of the high level of skill for this sport, we require each student to be at least the age of five. Our main goal will be to develop each student’s athleticism and eye-hand coordination. These are essential in the game of baseball. The skills in baseball need to be repeated as often as possible. It is a “Muscle Memory” sport. Our biggest goal will be to promote the sport of baseball or softball in a fun environment so your young athlete will enjoy learning while reaching full potential.

Normal Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday 3:30pm - 7:30pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm

Additional Hours Available Upon Request:

Monday - Friday 9am-3:30pm and after 7:30pm

Saturday before 10am and after 1pm

Sunday times also available upon request!

**Baseball Clinics are held on the first three Saturdays of the month from 11am-12:30pm.

Batting cages may be unavailable during clinics.

Clinics

The Athletic Edge Baseball/Softball Academy offers indoor comprehensive clinics throughout the year for players ages 6-17. These clinics emphasize fundamental improvement for young players and advance training for older players. All clinics are designed to enhance their skills and to gain a competitive advantage.

Value

Athletics have been proven to help students increase grades, happiness, and healthiness. Our mission at the Athletic Edge Baseball/Softball Academy is to help students become happy, healthy, confident,

responsible individual sin a safe, fun, positive, nurturing environment. Sportsmanship will be

developed as well, helping students remember that they will always be a winner if they gave it their all.

Skills:

The ability of a baseball or softball player to rise above more talented athletes is not only attributed to his desire, but also to the coaching he has received. Repetition of a skill is essential for a player to become proficient in that skill. Repeating that skill improperly also ingrains a skill, unfortunately an incorrect one. Quality repetition is the key to developing a consistent baseball or softball player.

Concentration and focus enhancement

Relaxation and mental clarity

In-game mental tools for peak performance

Primary modality testing

Pitch recognition and tracking

Dynamic acuity and binocular vision

Visual adjustments for hitters

Biomechanical and kinetic applications of throwing and hitting

Specific body movement and physical skills needed for fielding, running, throwing and hitting

Sport-specific strength training and injury prevention for baseball and softball available in our Athletic Edge Sports Performance program - Click here for more information

Fitness:

Baseball/Softball for children is a great way for them to stay healthy and fit. Our goal for each student is to help them in their LTAD (Long Term Athletic Development). Incorporating a lot of hitting,

pitching, and other skills, baseball/softball is a great way for children to get a fun workout. Along with our certified fitness specialists and nutritional analysis and consultation, student are sure to enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Meet your baseball coach: Jeff Barry

BASEBALL BACKGROUND: I grew up in Medford and played Little League at Medford National Little League. I then played Babe Ruth in Medford until I started Freshman ball at the Old Medford Mid High. I was a Junior the last year Medford was one high school. We lost in the State Championship game that year. Next year I attended South Medford and graduated as a Panther. I received a Full Scholarship to go play at San Diego State University. At San Diego, I was a Freshman All-American and a second team All-American my Sophomore and Junior years. We lost to Stanford my Junior year in the Regional Final to go to the College World Series. That summer (1990) I was drafted in the 4th round by the Montreal Expos. I played two years in the minors with them until I got traded to the Mets in 1992. 92-94 were played in the Florida State League and Eastern League for the Mets Minor League system. Finally in 1995 I achieved my dream of becoming a Big Leaguer. The Mets called me up for a couple months that summer and it ended up being my last as a Met as I was traded to the San Diego Padres that winter. 1996 was split between AAA and AA for the Padres. I signed a free agent contract with Colorado Rockies in 1997. I played in AA and AAA that year and had the most home runs in a season (18) that I had ever had. The next two year were spent in the Big Leagues with the Colorado Rockies. That propelled me to a nice contract in Japan in 2000. After only one year in Japan, I came back and played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Florida Marlins. I retired in 2002 and have been coaching my 13 year old son in baseball ever since.

WORKING WITH YOUTH: I love to work with kids so I can give back to this valley for what my mentors gave me when I was younger. I love to watch the improvement in kids abilities and the smiles on their faces when they realize they are making progress.