MADE Curriculum

WHO IS MADE?

MADE Baseball is a leader in quality, private baseball instruction and has been providing private baseball lessons to players of all ages and skill levels for over 10 years.  We are passionate about what we do and we work hard to be the best coaches we can be for our players and families, day in and day out. 

MADE MISSION

"The MADE Mission is to make a positive impact on the world through the game of baseball by providing meaningful mentorship and baseball coaching to players of all ages and skill levels, and helping them cultivate their love for the game by developing both the mental and physical skills necessary to be the best they can be, on and off the field."

We believe that baseball is an amazing game that greatly impacts our world in more ways than we give it credit.  It teaches us about character, resilience, craftsmanship, intelligence, resourcefulness, teamwork, strategy, work ethic, practice, and so much more. Not mention, it is the funnest and most timeless game in the world and it deeply connects so many of us who love it.

One size does NOT fit all in baseball...

While our underlying mission remains the same at the core, we tailor our approach differently to suit the needs of the individual player(s) that we work with based on their age, skill level, passion, and goals.  Our baseball coaches are professionals at understanding what a player needs relative to where they are in their path. Some players are able to move fast, while others take more time, and that is ok.

The outlined curriculums listed below were created based on years of experience, researching, and testing. The pace of the lessons are always determined by the relative abilities of the player. 

In general, our approach as coaches is to always work to challenge our players to work hard and improve their game while keeping lessons fun and motivating. See the way we classify the different levels of player that we work with below to get a better idea of what you/your player will learn when working with MADE Baseball:

• Complete Beginner
• Beginner
• Intermediate/Committed
• Advanced/Committed
• College/Professional
• Adult

Complete Beginner

*A complete beginner is totally new to baseball and has never played a season on a team in their life. They do not know the rules of the game and have never had any real playing experience. 

Generally a complete beginner is the age of 8 and under, but some players do not start playing until up to the age of 12 and sometimes all the way up to adults. If you are a Complete Beginner at any age above 4 years old, we will be happy to work with you.

Our mission for Complete Beginners is to cultivate a love for the game by teaching them the basics and showing them how fun it can be to hit the ball, run the bases, and play the different positions on the field.

Our coaches love the opportunity to guide beginning players and familes down a fun and helpful path to learning the game of baseball.  Below, you will find an overview of the Complete Beginner's curriculum that your player will learn over the first 5-10 lessons in working with a MADE Baseball Coach. 

You can be 100% sure that your player will have a lot of fun playing baseball and gain an extremely solid foundation of the game that will serve them for years to come, we guarantee it(link to /guarantee)!

Complete Beginner's Curriculum:

• Mindset: Setting the groundwork and rules
• Rule 1: Always have fun!
• Rule 2: Always try your best!
• Responding with "Yes, Coach; No, Coach"
• Proper gear and uniform Awareness:
• Wearing a baseball hat
• Tucking in your shirt
• Wearing a belt
• Tying your shoes
• Learn the numbers: count(balls and strikes)
• outs
• innings(top and bottom)
• bases
• runs
• hits(single, double, triple, homerun)
• and more
• Learn the positions:
• name of each position
• where each position plays
• Basic calisthenics, motor skills, and footwork:
• agility ladder drills
• high knees
• butt kickers
• shuffles
• cariocas 
• much more
• Basic catching and throwing:
• how to catch safely
• fun catching drills to practice
• much more
• Basic hitting:
• what is the batter's box
• how to hold the bat
• how to swing the bat
• fun games to engage the player
• Integration of the Parent:
• teach parental figure basic fun drills and game to do with player at home
• include parent in drills of lesson when the time is right

Beginner 

*A beginner is still relatively new to baseball but has played at least 1-2 seasons on a team and expressed that they enjoy the game and shown desire to learn more and keep playing. They know the basic rules of the game and where each position plays, but need work on the physical fundamentals as well as understanding deeper aspects of the game like positioning, baserunning, strategy, etc. 

Generally a Beginner falls in the ages of 8-11 but some players do not start playing until up to the age of 12 and sometimes all the way up to adults. If you are a Beginner at any age above 4 years old, we will be happy to work with you. Our mission for Beginners is to help them continue to cultivate a love for the game by teaching them more of the basic fundamentals along with an introduction to some of the deeper aspects and rules of the game. 

Our coaches love the opportunity to help Beginning players and familes get on track to keep going towards the next level of development in a fun and helpful way while starting to give their player tools and teach them the necessity of practicing their game on their own as well. Below, you will find an overview of the Beginner's curriculum that your player will learn over the first 5-10 lessons in working with a MADE Baseball Coach. 

You can be 100% sure that your player will have a fun playing baseball and gain a deeper understanding of the game while learning the proper fundamentals and drills to practice on their own as well, we guarantee it(link to /guarantee)!

Beginner's Curriculum:

*The Beginner's Curriculum will include everything that needs to be touched upon the the Complete Beginner's Curriculum and build upon it with the following:

Mindset:

• Controlling what we can control
• Understanding what it means to be a great teammate
• Hustling on and off the field
• Being accountable for your uniform and gear
• Seeing the positive and learning from your mistakes

Learning the Body:

• Understanding the different major body parts
• Learning the importance of taking care of the body
• Basic human movements and exercises and routines

Footwork and Strength:

• agility ladder drills expanded
• form running
• body weight exercises
• Throwing, Catching, and Hand Eye Coordination Fundamentals:
• Basics of throwing mechanics
• Introduction to Pitching
• Throwing drills
• Catching drills
• Juggling Drills
• Hitting Basics:
• What is the strike zone?
• How to hit more consistently
• How to hit for more power
• Hitting drills to practice at home
• How to get setup for practice on your own

Baserunning:

• Running through the base
• Intro to sliding
• Intro to stealing
• Tagging up

Intermediate

*An Intermediate Player has at least 3-4 years of baseball experience and shows a true passion and commitment for the game and willingness and desire to work hard to achieve their goals. 

Generally an Intermediate Player falls in the ages of 10-15, but some players do not start players may be classified as intermediate as low as the age of 8 depending on their attitude, attention span, desire, and skill set.

They may, or may not, play at the club ball or travel ball level and/or have experience in playing tournaments. They may, or may not, have expressed that they want to play in high school or even beyond.  They have a very solid grasp of all of the rules of the game as well as some of the deeper rules, strategies, situations, and positioning of the game.

Our mission for Intermediate Players is to teach them the deeper intricacies of the game that go beyond the basics including more advanced skill work, an introduction  and/or deeper dive into strength and workout routines, an introduction to understanding baseball philosophy and reasoning, and much more.

Our coaches love the opportunity to help Intermediate Players and families navigate the next steps of the baseball journey including making club ball organization recommendations, deciding what is next in the path, how much training should be taking place, and many more answers to important questions that will come along the way.

Below, you will find an overview of the Intermediate Player's curriculum that your player will learn over the first 5-10 lessons in working with a MADE Baseball Coach.  You can be 100% sure that your player will gain valuable knowledge, skills, and insight from working with our professional MADE Baseball Coaches within just a few lessons, we guarantee it(link to /guarantee)!

Intermediate's Curriculum:

*The Intermediate's Curriculum will include everything that needs to be touched upon the the Beginner's Curriculum and build upon it with the following:

Movement Preparation and Agility:

• Further advanced calisthenics work
• Advanced agility ladder work
• Speed drills
• Movement patterns
• Stretching routines

Pitching:

• Deeper understanding and implementation of pitching mechanics
• Pitching Drills
• Commanding your pitches
• Pitching Philosophy
• How to throw breaking pitches (curveball, slider, etc)
• Arm Care Routines
• Understanding Pick offs and holding baserunners

Hitting:

• Understanding the strike zone
• Deeper understanding and implementation of hitting mechanics
• Hitting drills
• Hitting Philosophy
• Hitting in different situations
• Hitting breaking balls

Fielding:

Baserunning:

Strength Training:

Advanced

*An Advanced Player's has at least 5 years of baseball experience and shows a deep passion and commitment for the game and willingness and desire to work hard to achieve their goals.  They likely play at the club ball or travel ball level and/or tournaments. They likely have expressed that they want to play in high school or even beyond.  They have a very solid grasp of all of the rules of the game as well as some of the deeper rules, strategies, situations, and positioning of the game, Advanced Curriculum:

*The Advanced Player's Curriculum will include everything that needs to be touched upon the the Intermediate Player's Curriculum and build upon it with the following:

College/Professional

*A college or professional level player has experience playing at the highest levels. They are already there and they want help to continue developing and refining their game and doing everything they can to give themselves the best chance to continue climbing the ladder.

Adult Players

To provide the highest quality of baseball instruction we can while helping develop strong character, work ethic, and self-discipline in the players we work with. Our staff of professional baseball coaches are interviewed, background checked, insured, and MADE Certified. 

All private baseball lessons are backed by the MADE Baseball Guarantee.

MADE Baseball Curriculum

1. MENTAL ACUITY

“Get Your Mind Right.”  

What is the strongest muscle in your body? Hint: Think about it. The answer is your brain. The game of baseball and the game of life start in the mind. Your brain is what controls everything that you do and it is a muscle that must be consciously exercised EVEryday. We teach our players from the youngest ages how to strengthen their minds and how to think and respond like champions. We understand that failure is a big part of baseball and life, and the more we fail, the more we will succeed. We start our teaching by laying the Your player will learn the following:  

• Mentality Programming and Practices
• Self-Discipline and Championship Habit Forming
• Sports Psychology and MADE Motivation
• Setting and Achieving Goals
• Baseball Acumen and Awareness
• Self Reliance, Accountability, and Focus
• Confidence, Self-Esteem, and Increased Social Skills
• The Power and Practice of Positive Language
• Sportsmanship
• Teamwork

2. MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENTS

“Master Your Mechanics.”  

A master of his mechanics does not become a master without practicing on their own. We give our players the tools, drills, and homework, in a fun way, to take ownership of their game and work on their craft outside of our sessions. We teach the fundamentals of the game through baseball drills and skills that are necessary to repeat over and over again. Our instructors stress the importance of repetition and we give our players homework to work on after every session. It is up to the desire of the player to create a consistent work ethic outside of our private baseball lessons and to make themselves into champions by putting in the time to practice with the tools they receive from our private baseball coaches.

You and/or your player will learn the following:  

• Pitching/Throwing Mechanics and drills 
• Catching Mechanics and drills
• Fielding Mechanics and Approach
• Baserunning Approach and Fundamentals
• Hand-eye Coordination
• Timing, Drive, Balance, Rhythm and Direction
• Learning the different body parts
• Basic Human Movements and exercises(for all ages)

3. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUTINES

“Live Like a Champion.”

Perfect practice makes perfect. Average practice makes average. Champions do not settle, they refine, and refine, and refine some more. The older and more competitive a player gets, the more vital it is for them to create their own championship routines. We give our players the necessary drills, exercises, tools, and knowledge to create their individual championship routines, from mental exercises to physical exercises, to nutrition habits and daily decision making routines. We absolutely love the words routine and habit and we take pride in helping our players grasp these concept from a young age.

Your player will learn the following:  

• Calistenics Routines
• Speed and Agility Routines
• Strength and Baseball Fitness Routines
• Mobility, Flexibility, and Stability Routines
• Nutrition Habits and Mindfulness

Other areas and details of the game your player will learn over time include:

LEADERSHIP:

• What it means to be a leader
• How to lead yourself
• What is accountability?
• What is resilience?
• What is a habit?
• What is a routine?
• What is consistency?  

BASEBALL POSITIONS:

• How to play first base
• How to play second base
• How to play third base
• How to play shortstop
• How to play outfield
• How to play pitcher
• How to play catcher
• How to catch a fly ball
• How to field a ground ball  

GENERAL SKILLS:

• baseball etiquette and iq
• baseball acumen and awareness
• how to wear your uniform properly
• all 9 positions and where they play
• what each position’s job is
• how to play catch properly
• catching drills
• juggling drills
• how to wear your glove  

THINKING DRILLS:

• how to create mental fortitude
• how to deal with adversity
• how to have thick skin
• how to take your position
• how to talk to your coach
• how to talk to umpires
• how to approach the game
• how to tie your shoes

HITTING:

• hitting drills
• how to hold the bat
• how to hit a baseball
• how to create a proper batting stance
• soft toss drills
• tee drills
• pitch selection
• hitting approach
• How to bunt
• How to sacrifice bunt
• how to drag bunt
• what is a two strike approach?
• how to hit and run
• how to hit a sacrifice fly

PITCHING:

• how to throw a strike
• pitching drills
• develop pitching mechanics
• towel drills
• how to properly come set
• the difference between the stretch and the windup
• pitch grips
• learn fastball command
• develop a change up
• develop a curve ball
• develop a slider
• holding base runners
• pick off moves to all bases
• when to throw what pitch to who
• arm band routines

INFIELD:

• fielding drills
• how to field a ground ball
• short hop drills
• flip drills
• turning two  

OUTFIELD:

• outfield drills
• how to catch a fly ball
• over the shoulder drills
• diving drills
• crow hops
• hat game
• hitting your cut offs