If you’re serious about becoming a better baseball player, you need to make sure the training facility you select is the best one to fit your needs. No athlete wants to waste their time (or money) on a facility that doesn’t offer the features, facilities, and access to equipment necessary to help them actually reach their goals.
On the flip side, you need to be willing to put in the time and effort to get the most benefit from a top baseball training facility. Investing your energy and resources wisely in the right facility will pave the way to success—whether that’s improving your speed and agility, honing your batting skills, or mastering pitching.
But finding “the best” baseball training facility can be daunting. With so many factors to consider, it can be hard to know what to even look for. So, here are 11 things to consider when scouting out a facility:
#1: Experienced, Professional Trainers
You want trainers who have been in the game long enough that they know what they’re talking about and can give you real, valuable instruction and advice. And it’s important to find a facility that offers professional instruction, such as hitting coaches, pitching instructors, strength and conditioning experts—top training facilities will even have nutritionists and sports psychologists on staff.
#2: Certified Coaches
Make sure the coaches at the facility have gone through proper certification, as this ensures they are qualified to train athletes of all levels. In baseball, it is vital to have coaches who can provide quality instruction and support for your improvement. So if the training facility doesn’t have a certified coach, look elsewhere.
#3: Expertise
How does expertise differ from experience? Well, when it comes to baseball training, expertise means that the coaches have a deep understanding of the sport and can teach you advanced techniques and strategies. Of course, it’s important that your coaches and trainers understand not only technique, but also how to apply it in different situations and scenarios.
#4: Assessment
The best baseball training facilities will provide comprehensive assessment of your skills and weaknesses, so that you can focus on the areas that need work. This kind of assessment and evaluation will help you identify personal areas to focus on improving, and develop an effective training plan to do so.
#5: The Latest Performance-Tracking Technology
Look for a facility that offers state-of-the-art performance tracking technology such as Trackman, Rapsodo, or PitchAI; these tools allow you to track your player data and progress over time and make adjustments where needed. Through data and player assessment for baseball players, you can keep track of your performance in various aspects of the game (hitting, pitching, throwing) for future reference and insight into areas that need improvement.
#6: Tailored Training
A good program will offer personalized training tailored to your individual needs and goals—the best training facilities will have coaches who can work with you one-on-one to help you reach your full potential. Look for baseball training programs that focus on individual improvement rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Even if you join group training for now, you should look for a facility that can offer individual attention for you down the road, if needed.
#7: Good Athlete to Coach Ratio
Find out what the ratio is between athletes and coaches at any given time; having too many athletes per coach can lead to overcrowding and less individual attention being given during practice sessions. Personalized training and individualized attention from trainers are key components to becoming a better baseball player, so make sure the facility you choose has a good ratio.
#8: The Best Training Facilities & Equipment:
Make sure the facility has top-of-the-line equipment and facilities. Not just a gym, but a place with baseball-specific training equipment, weighted balls for throwing drills, and so on. You should also look for a facility that has video analysis capabilities, so you can review your technique and make necessary adjustments to improve your game.
#9: Convenient Location
It’s pretty simple: if it’s too far away, it’ll be harder to stick with it and commit—so why make things harder on yourself? Look for a facility that is conveniently located; ideally, one close enough to where you live. If you live in the greater Denver area, look for a baseball training facility nearby rather than somewhere out in the boonies where many sports training facilities are located. Choose a location in Denver so it’s easy for you or your child to get there without having to travel too far from home, work, or school.
#10: Good Word Of Mouth
If you’re really into baseball, chances are you’ve heard some other people talking about which training facilities they use and what they think of them. Ask around and do your research to find out which baseball training facility comes highly recommended by other athletes or coaches; word of mouth is often one of the best indicators of a top baseball training facility.
#11: Positive Culture
This one’s more important than you might think—you should look for a training facility that has a positive culture, where coaches and trainers are encouraging and supportive. It’s important to find an environment that fosters hard work and learning, rather than one where athletes feel like they’re just going through the motions. A positive culture will also help foster a sense of belonging, which is key to getting from “good” to “great” as a baseball player. Look for a training facility with positive vibes, where everyone is encouraging each other towards success.
The Bottom Line
Finding a great baseball training facility doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you know what factors are important. From video analysis capabilities and the latest pitching tracking technology, to experienced and certified coaches, to a positive learning environment—there are a lot of things you should look for when choosing the right place to focus on mastering your skills.
In the game of baseball, the details matter, and so does the place you choose to hone those skills. Make sure the facility you pick has all 11 of these qualities, and you can be sure that you (or your youth baseball player) will get the most out of their baseball training experience. Once you’ve found the best place to train, you can take your baseball game to the next level and truly maximize your potential.
No matter what level you’re currently at, the right training facility can make all the difference in your development. As a player, you just have to know what to look for in order to find the perfect baseball training facility—one that will help you improve, reach your goals, and celebrate your wins—rather than just spin your wheels.
Remember—if you don’t put in the work, don’t be surprised by the results. But if you are willing to put in the work, the sky’s the limit.
