*$5/PLAYER FOR ACADEMY TEAM PLAYERS (NOTE: YOU ARE AN ACADEMY TEAM PLAYER ONLY IF YOU ARE ON ONE OF OUR TRAVELING TEAMS)*

TUTORING SERVICES- The Hit Dawg Academy is excited to announce that we will be offering tutoring services. Learning Edge Tutoring is owned by Matt & Jennifer Paulsen. Matt is one of our main instructors at the Hit Dawg Academy and helps Shawn run our traveling team program. You may find information on the Learning Edge at www.learnwithsuccess.com. Shawn and the staff at Hit Dawg know know important education is. This is a wonderful opportunity for players to keep up with their school work, and get the grades needed to maintain eligibility for sports and maximize their opportunities at the collegiate level. Please email or call to schedule a time!

*Ask about the 2012/2013 Hit Dawg Academy Fall/Winter Traveling Teams for players 7 to 18 years old!

*Check out our Discounted Summer Lesson Pricing on our Lessons Page!

*Check out our 2012 Summer Skills Clinics Information- Camps and Clinics.

*Hit Dawg Academy Gift Certificates Now Available!!

Our 12U & 14U Teams played in a 2-day tournament in Rockford, IL March 31st-April 1st. It was a competitive and fun experience for our teams!

Our 7-18U Players traveled to Phoenix, AZ for a 4 day weekend full of exceptional instruction and touranament games. Our teams were in AZ from 2/2-2/5 and worked with our Hit Dawg coaches along with some of the best professional instructors (from Major League Teams) there are in the game. It was great to have the opportunity to meet and listen to former AZ State Head Coach, and current Padres's Coach, Pat Murphy talk about college recruiting and playing at a higher level. Our teams also participated in a one day tournament in Mesa, AZ and played against some tough AZ competition. Our players went and competed. It was a great opportunity for our players and a fun experience for all!

Our 12-18U Teams traveled to Florida December 28th-31st for a tournament in Kissimmee, FL. It was a fun time with some very tough competition. Our players went and competed and got a great deal of experience in doing so!

Our 18U Team traveled to Benedictine College in Atchison, KS for a competitive Showcase Event October 22nd-23rd. There were several colleges in attendance. Our team traveled to this event last year and one of our Seniors was recuited after the event!

Our 15-16U Teams travelled to Rockford, IL for the Monster Bash Tournament October 22nd-23rd. This was a competive and fun event for our players!

Our 15U-18U Teams traveled to East Cobb, GA September 23-25th. It was a very fun and exciting weekend of baseball! The 16U team went 3 and 2 and won the Consolation Championship. The 18U team played against some very good competition, but did not come away with a win. They played very hard, and played one of the best games of the year that ended in a tie after 12 innings. The players got the opportunity to play at some beautiful ballparks and play against some of the best competition that Georgia has to offer. They definitely came away with a very good baseball experience!

Our 12-18U Teams traveled to Lee Summit, MO for a tournament September 17-18th. The coaches used this tournament for player evaluation, and were very impressed with what they saw from the players. Most of our players played up an age level or two in this tournament and did awesome. The level of play was very good. The players came to compete and did great. Our 16U team took 2nd place in the tournament! Unfortunately, the bracket play that was scheduled for Sunday was cancelled due to the weather. It was an exciting weekend of baseball!

Our 18U Team went down to Kansas July 7-10th for the 6th Annual Great Plains Shootout at Kansas State University. This 32-team wood-bat tournament is an "invite only" event. It was be a great opportunity for our players, as this tourney was represented by numerous college and pro scouts and was promoted to the fullest. Our team went and competed in this tournament. Our players had some great at-bats using the wood bats, and had some solid pitching preformances. Our team had over 50 hits in 5 games. We had one pitcher pitch a complete game shut out. The team went 2 and 3, but very easily could've gone 4 and 1 because 2 of the losses were walk-offs by the other team in the 8th and 7th innings, respectively. Overall, it was a fun experience for all!

Congratulations to the 14U Hit Dawgs Team who played in the Rockford USSSA Early Bird Bash Tournament April 2nd-3rd. This tournament was a World Series pre-qualifier. The team went undefeated winning the Championship game. The entire team played very well and a fun time was had by all!

Shawn, a current minor league manager for the Padres, set up this special trip for the Academy teams. Our trip down to the Padre's training facility in Peoria, AZ over February 4-6th was a fun experience for all. This was a special experience for our teams as we will practiced and played games at the San Diego Padres Spring Training facility in Peoria, AZ. This was truly a "Big League" experience for our players! Some of our teams also got the opportunity to play in a one-day tournament against some good competition in Mesa, AZ. Our 14U team played in the Championship game, while the 15U and 16U teams played in a wood bat tournament. All three teams played against some good competition, and played well. Our 18U team played well and came to compete against the 2010 AZ 4A High School State Champions.  Our daily practices were run much like a professional baseball instructional camp in that we practiced and received instruction in the mornings with the help of Padres coaches and instructors. These coaches and instructors were there helping Shawn and the Hit Dawg Academy coaches run practices and provide instruction to the teams. This was a great learning experience for our players- we had a great time!

Shawn and the Hit Dawg Academy Team coaches and teams had a fun trip down to Orlando, FL over New Years for the 2010 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Classic Baseball Tournament. We had 3 special guest speakers come and talk to our teams. They included: current Major League Baseball player, DAVID ECKSTEIN, current MLB coach, RICK ECKSTEIN, and professional scout, JAMIE BANE. They all spoke to our teams when we were in Florida, and delivered a very important message about what it takes to be sucessful in the game.We will had a great time on this trip, and continued to develop and advance our players' baseball skills.

Welcome to the 2011/2012 Hit Dawg Winter Clinics!

WEEK 1: It was great to meet the players this week- thanks to all who signed up! First, we did our stretching/ warm up routine, which consisted of and is based on baseball movements. We will continue to use this routine to start each session as it is important to properlly warm up to get loose and prevent injuries. We then moved to catching drills making sure our feet were pointed toward our partner. Afterwards, we moved to playing long toss. Next, we worked on proper techniques for baserunning using the left- right- shuffle- shuffle drill. We then split into 2 stations with each player running through each station 3 times. In station 1 we worked on fly balls and "saying Hi" to the ball. In station 2 we worked on the correct way to field a ground ball. Finally, we moved to hitting where each player worked out in 3 different stations- Front toss Station, Flat bat drill Station, and Working off the Curve Ball machine. It was a great start to our Winter Clinics. See you next week!

WEEK 2: We began this week's clinic sessions with our moving stretching/ warm up routine. We then moved on to playing catch with our partners. First, we played catch with a drill- Feet Toward Partner- working on our form. Next, we worked on base running skills working on the Left/Right shuffle, and then practiced rounding First Base. We then started our Defense work in 2 stations. We took fly balls in one station coming in to catch the ball vs. waiting for the ball to come to you. In Station 2 we took regular ground balls, and also worked on taking ground balls backhanded.  Finally, we moved to hitting. In station one, we did the Front Toss drill. In Station 2, we did a drill with our feet toward instructor, which helps players work on staying inside the ball.

WEEK 3:  We began this week's clinic sessions with our moving stretching/ warm up routine. We then moved on to playing catch with our partners with long toss. First, we played catch with a drill- Feet Toward Partner- working on our form and release point. Next, we worked on base running skills working on the Left/Right shuffle, and then practiced rounding First Base, and then learning how to slide into 2nd. We then started our Defense work in 2 stations. We took fly balls in one station coming in to catch the ball vs. waiting for the ball to come to you. In Station 2 we took regular ground balls, and also worked on slow rollers.  Finally, we moved to hitting. In station one, we did the Front Toss drill working on your swing. In Station 2, we did the "Reggie Jackson" drill with our back knee on the groud. If there were enough players in the clinic session for a 3rd station, we worked off of the curve ball machine.

WEEK 4: We started this week again with our moving warm- up. The warm up is very important to the start of each productive workout. After our warm up, we moved onto playing catch- playing long toss with our feet toward our partner. We then played regular catch. Next, we played a game, which helped us work on our feet work, relaying the ball, and getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Next, we worked in 2 stations. In the 1st station, we worked on fly ball drills off the pitching machine. We also worked on getting around a ground ball by taking groudballs off the machine. In the 2nd station, we worked on the proper fielding of a ground ball- the players charged a ground ball hard, crow hopped with a throw at the cut off man. We finished each session with hitting. In station 1 we did front toss drills. In Station 2 we did the flat bat drill off the machine. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine. See you next week! 

WEEK 5: We started this week with our moving warm- up. After our warm up, we moved onto playing catch- playing catch with our feet toward our partner. We then played long toss. We also played regular catch. This week we worked on the same skills as last week as foot work and quickness are both extremely important in this game. Again, we played a game, which helped us work on our feet work, relaying the ball, and getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Next, we worked in 2 stations. In the 1st station, we worked on fly ball drills off the pitching machine. We also worked on getting around a ground ball by taking groudballs off the machine. In the 2nd station, we worked on the proper fielding of a ground ball- the players charged a ground ball hard, crow hopped with a throw at the cut off man. We finished each session with hitting. In station 1 we did front toss drills. In Station 2 we did the flat bat drill off the machine. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine. See you after the New Year!

WEEK 6: We started with our moving warm- up. Afterward, we moved onto playing catch- playing catch using our feet toward our partner drill. We also played long toss and regular catch. We played a game, which helped us work on our feet work, relaying the ball, and getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible to tag the baserunner. Next, we worked in stations. In one station, we worked on running and catching a ball, and sliding and catching a ball. In another station, we worked on tags from the machine at 2nd base. In the next station, we worked on properly fielding a ground ball. We finished each session with hitting. In station 1 we did a front toss drill. In Station 2 we did the flat bat drill off the machine. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine.

WEEK 7: We started with our moving warm- up. Afterward, we moved onto playing catch- playing catch using our feet toward our partner drill. We also played long toss and regular catch. During this week's session, we worked on building upon the skills that we worked on last week. Again, we played a game, which helped us work on our feet work, relaying the ball, and getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible to tag the baserunner. Next, we worked in stations. In one station, we worked on running and catching a ball, and sliding and catching a ball. In another station, we worked on tags from the machine at 2nd base. In the next station, we worked on properly fielding a ground ball. We finished each session with hitting. In station 1 we did a front toss drill. In Station 2 we did the flat bat drill off the machine. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine. In the 4th station, we worked on a direction drill, which helps players keep their direction when hitting.

WEEK 8: We again started with our moving warm- up. Afterward, we moved onto playing catch- playing catch using our feet toward our partner drill. We also played long toss and regular catch. During this week's session, we worked on more defensive plays. All players took ground balls while we played a live situational game where the player had to make a play at home plate after taking the ground ball. Next, we split the outfielders and infielders up into separate groups. The outfielders worked at a defensive station where they would run to make a catch and would continue to run making a diving catch. The infielders worked on taking ground balls and how to properly put a tag down on the base. We then moved onto hitting. In station 1 we did a front toss drill. In Station 2 we did the flat bat drill off the machine. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine. In the 4th station, we worked on a direction drill, which helps players keep their direction when hitting. *During our 2 older group sessions our pitching instructor worked with the players on pitching mechanics. He went over "flat ground" working on proper mechanics.

WEEK 9: Again we started with our moving warm- up. We then moved onto playing catch- playing catch using our feet toward our partner drill. We also played long toss and regular catch. During this week's session, we built on what we did last week on our defensive plays. All players took ground balls while we played a live situational game where the player had to make a play at home plate after taking the ground ball. Next, we split the outfielders and infielders up into separate groups. The outfielders worked at a defensive station where they would run to make a catch and would continue to run making a diving catch. The infielders worked on taking ground balls and how to properly put a tag down on the base. We then worked on base running and the proper way to slide using the left-right-shuffle-shuffle drill. We finished with hitting. In station 1 we did a Front Toss Drill. In Station 2 we did the Flat Bat Drill off the machine, which helps to keep the hands back. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine. In the 4th station, we worked on an Angle Drill and worked on staying inside the ball. *During our 2 older group sessions our pitching instructor worked with the players on more pitching mechanics.

WEEK 10: We started with our moving warm-up. We then moved onto playing catch. We started on one knee, then we moved to playing regular catch. We also played long toss. We worked on base running- left right shuffle shuffle and getting off first base. Next, we split the outfielders and infielders up into separate groups. The outfielders & infielders took their fly balls and ground balls. We introduced diving for a ball with all age groups. The older groups worked on diving and getting up and making a throw. We finished with hitting. In station 1 we did a Front Toss Drill. In Station 2 we did the back foot off the ground at contact to get through the ball better. In station 3 we worked off the curve ball machine. In the 4th station (for the older groups) we did the flat bat drill working on getting our hands back. Again, for the older groups our pitching instructor worked the players on pitching mechanics. See you next week!

WEEK 11: Again, we started with our moving warm-up. We then moved onto playing catch. We started on one knee, then we moved to playing regular catch. For the younger groups, we worked on base running- left right shuffle shuffle then running- we worked on rounding 2nd base, and before hitting 2nd base picking up the base coach to see if player should go or not. Next, we worked on fielding the ball. The players took their fly balls off the machine in station one. In station 2, we took ground balls. In station 3, we worked with the OF and IF players on coming in on the ball.  For the older groups, we separated the players into their main position. In station 1, our pitching instructor worked on pitching mechanics with the pitchers. In station 2, our instructor worked with the outfielders on fielding fly balls. In station 3, our infielders worked on fielding ground balls, tag play off the machine, and how to come in on a slow roller. All age groups then played a game to work on hitting while receiving instruction from our coaches. The players were split into groups. Rules of the game: a line drive off the back net was worth 4 points, off the L-Screen was worth 3 points, line drive off any other net was worth 2 points, and a fly ball off the top netting was minus 2 points. Have a great week!

WEEK 12: We started off with our moving warm-up. We then worked on throwing/playing catch on one knee then regular catch. Next, we worked on taking a lead from 2nd Base- we talked about checking the OF, not getting too deep- base hit to CF and listening to the base coach, and running hard the whole way. The younger groups then played a game with half the players running and half of them fielding. Both the younger and older groups then moved onto defense. The groups were then separated by positions played. Our catching instructor worked with the catchers on receiving with the machine. The infielders worked with instructors on bare handing a ground ball, and taking ground balls off the machine, and also the short hop drill. The Outfielders worked on fly balls. The pitchers worked again on mechanics with our pitching instructor. For hitting the younger groups worked in 4 stations. The older groups worked in 5 stations. The stations were as follows: Curve Ball Machine, Fast Ball Machine, Orange Stick Drill (striding and getting your back foot off the ground), One Arm Drill with the player's top hand facing away, and finally for the older groups the High Tee Drill.

WEEK 13: We started with our moving warm-up. First, we learned how to properly slide. We then worked on throwing/playing catch on one knee then regular catch. Next, we worked on taking a lead from 2nd Base- we talked about checking the OF, not getting too deep- base hit to CF and listening to the base coach, and running hard the whole way. The younger groups then played a game with half the players running and half of them fielding. Both the younger and older groups then moved onto defense. The groups were then separated by positions played. Our catching instructor worked with the catchers on blocking using the machine. The infielders worked with instructors on short hop ground ball, and taking regular ground balls. The Outfielders worked on fly balls and attacking ground balls. The pitchers worked again on mechanics with our pitching instructor. For hitting the younger groups worked in 4 stations. The older groups worked in 5 stations. The stations were as follows: Curve Ball Machine, Fast Ball Machine, Orange Stick Drill (striding and getting your back foot off the ground), One Arm Drill with the player's top hand facing away, and finally for the older groups the High Tee Drill.

WEEK 14: We started with our moving warm-up. First, we worked on baserunning. We worked on using Left/Right Shuffle Shuffle- on advancing from 1B to 3B when there is a single hit to RF- keeping their head up the entire time. We then worked on throwing/playing catch. The younger groups split into stations- Ground Balls, Fly Balls, throwing to a base with another player catching the ball (Covering the bag,) and Catching . With the younger group, we then played a hitting game- earning points for line drives. The older groups were separated into groups based on their position played. Each group (Catchers, Pitchers, Infielders, Outfielders, and one station working on covering the bag) worked on defense. For hitting, both the younger and older groups worked in 4 stations- Curve ball machine, Fast ball machine, Babe Ruth Drill (Feet together and stride out,) and soft toss. See you next week!

WEEK 15: We started with our moving warm-up. First, we played regular catch. We then worked using the Left/Right Shuffle Shuffle drill. We again worked on advancing from 1B to 3B when there is a single hit to RF making sure to our head up the entire time. The younger groups played a game, which helped work on proper running and fielding skills. The older groups were separated into groups based on their position played- Catchers, Pitchers, Infielders (worked on the short hop ground balls,) Outfielders (coming in on the ball,) and one station working on covering the bag. For hitting, the younger groups worked in 4 stations- Curve ball machine, Fast ball machine, Soft toss, and the Orange Stick Drill- striding and getting your back foot off the ground. The older groups worked in 3 stations for hitting- Curve ball machine, Cage with Soft Toss & Babe Ruth Drill- making sure the players do not rotate, and the Orange Stick Drill- working on striding and getting your back foot off the ground. Have a great week!

WEEK 16: Again, we started with our very important moving warm-up. We then moved on to playing regular catch. We then worked using the Left/Right Shuffle Shuffle drill. We again worked on advancing from 1B to 3B when there is a single hit to RF making sure to our head up the entire time. Then, like last week, the younger groups worked on proper running and fielding skills by playing a game. The older groups were separated into groups based on their position played- Catchers, Pitchers, Infielders (worked on the short hop ground balls,) Outfielders (coming in on the ball,) and one station working on covering the bag. For hitting we used the same stations as we did last week. The younger groups worked in 4 stations- Curve ball machine, Fast ball machine, Soft toss, and the Orange Stick Drill- striding and getting your back foot off the ground. The older groups worked in 3 stations for hitting- Curve ball machine, Cage with Soft Toss & Babe Ruth Drill- making sure the players do not rotate, and the Orange Stick Drill- working on striding and getting your back foot off the ground.

WEEK 17: All groups started with the moving warm-up and then worked on throwing. The youngest group then moved to defensive work by working on sliding, and then taking ground balls and fly balls. They finished up with a hitting game. The next group split into groups and worked on infield, outfield, and pitching. For hitting they also split into groups and worked in the following stations: curveball machine, fast ball machine, flat bat drill, and front toss. The third group split into groups based on positions with one group working on pitching doing the towel drill and bull pen work. The outfielders worked on the crow hop, throwing, drop steps, and route adjustment. The infielders took live fungoes, and worked on covering the base. For hitting, we worked in three stations- curveball machine, flat bat drill, and front toss. The final and oldest group first worked on their running game- trying to make plays on defense and get outs. For hitting, we worked in 4 stations- fastball, curveball, flat bat drill, and front toss. See you next week for our final week of Winter Clinics!

WEEK 18: For our final week of clinics we went over the skills we have covered over the past several months. The players all worked hard and had a great time. Thanks to all who participated in our clinics and best of luck to you all during your seasons!