Half Way Point

Three weeks down, three weeks to go. Bradenton, FL and the IMG Baseball Academy has in sorts, become a home away from home for me. My time here has been special, and the staff I work with-excellent. And that's not even mentioning the facilities and the players I've had a chance to work with since June 30th.

My first two weeks at the Academy were spent working camps, players from all over the country, even from across the globe come to spend 1-2 weeks here in an attempt to gain knowledge of the game and improve their all around skills. This includes four training sessions per week with IMG's Performance Institute, which houses a staff who is at the tier of their respected profession-training not only high school aged kids but Olympians and Professional Athletes as well.

I now find myself in the thick of the 14 & under Wood Bat League (WBL), playing four games a week filtered in with numerous Defensive Days (D-Days), offensive team workouts, and team practices. The WBL is an interesting beast, the players compete fiercely both on the field and off of it, as all six 14&U teams compete for a WBL Championship. 

As fast as these past three weeks have flown by, I'm sure I'll be packing my things and making the trek back to the Buckeye State in no time. Of course at which time, I'll be immediately settling in on campus at Defiance College. Needless to say, I am immensely enjoying my time here but I know it will be short lived. 

I am also keeping a watchful eye on the horizon, as I count down the days to arriving in Defiance and beginning my journey with the DC Baseball Program. The Hive awaits, and the Sting will undoubtedly be fierce!

Go Jackets, Go!

A Picture Set in Motion

This past week, Defiance Head Coach Derek Woodley put together a little video montage of the DC Baseball program. Being that I'm kind of a social media junkie, I loved it! And there is undoubtedly more things like this on the horizon, once I settle in permanently on campus. Keep an eye out for more videos to come, on the DC Baseball YouTube page. And also stay up to speed with my Twitter Feed as I update the status of my stay in Bradenton, FL and also any updates per the Defiance College Baseball program!

Bradenton Bound

This past Friday (4/27) I was offered and in turn accepted a position to go down to the IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, FL and instruct for the summer. It's a six week position that runs from June 30th-August 11th. I will be working with IMG's 14&U League and will manage one of the six 14&U teams. Meanwhile, on Defensive Days (D-Days), I will work with all the 14&U pitchers in the Academy. 

I owe a huge thank you to both NDCL Head Coach Jim Clark and Varsity Assistant Ken Bolek for helping me to get my foot in the door at IMG and making a few reference calls for me. It's an opportunity I'm truly excited about, and can't wait to further my ever expanding knowledge of the game!

For more information on the IMG Baseball Academy, visit there website here!