Diamond For Excellence Program

Baseball and Softball Development

Oak bay indoor training is the most important part of our programs skill development. This indoor turf gym gives us the space to efficiently play and the track to enable the fitness aspect. Here is where skills are broken down into to basics and are built back up with proper instruction from our staff. Both defensive and offensive skills are worked on at Oak Bay. Being divided into two sections makes training more specialized and allows coach’s to work with students on specific areas.

During offensive training students create a stronger swing and a better understanding of the mechanics. There are screens, machines, tees and hitting mats used; this makes a wider variety of tools to individually critique each problem area.  Each student has an area which they need more work or specific help in; this is where those problems are pin-pointed and fixed.  This area of the game is considered to be the slowest process of them all, needing the most dedication and time to succeed at any level.

One of the most unique features we have is our video analysis technology. In Oak Bay we video tape each of the swings and load them onto a computer program called “Right View Pro”. This is a professional program that breaks down swings and allows you to compare and contrast against others. This program was created by Mike Candrea from the University of Arizona and Don Slaught, a former major leaguer, they have come together to create something so inspiring to up and coming athletes that the Academy decided to purchase it. It is the number one hitting instructional tool for all the top level teams in softball and baseball. Being able to visualize your approach to hitting is important but actually seeing your swing broken down and slow motion can be on of the best tools to help you understand holes you may have.

Along with the power of hitting “small ball” is a big part of both baseball and softball. We practice bunting off machines, this helps with seeing the ball better. Proper form is taught, along with the different kinds of bunting such as, Sac bunts, bunt for hit, and slap bunts with the situations where they are needed. Bunting is an essential part of the game, and is used by every batter. 

            Defense is a wide area to cover, so in order to accommodate all of the students we have different drills and activities.  From covering groundball technique and foot work, fly ball technique and footwork, bat catching drills, throw downs and throwing. Focusing on all defensive parts of the game creates a better rounded player. Understanding and training for all positions makes the students more versatile on the field and an all around better athlete. This part of defense training is more specific and based on fundamentals and slowly working through bad habits and creating good ones.

Game Strategy

The game of Softball and Baseball both involve strategy. At the academy we explore strategy in the classroom as well as on the field. Understanding strategy is a huge part of the game. Ranging from bunt defense to base running it is all relevant to each and every player.

             In the classroom we discuss the reasons for different plays for strategy. Open for questions and challenges, the teachers discuss and help the students better understand why and how to use such defense and offence. Base running is an element that all players are part of, therefore; we discuss when and where to run, and when to take chances and when to play safe. On the defensive side, knowing when your opponent will take chances can help you capitalize. Bunting offence and defense is a very big part of both games and is a big part of strategy.

            When we get outdoors after Oak Bay that is when all the strategy we talked about is really put to the test. We play scrimmage games within each part of the academy so that the players can put all that they have learned to the test against each other. This creates an opportunity to see how much of the classroom has been carried over to the field. Practicing using strategy in scrimmage games will directly relate to how students play in a league game and how well they retain and use the information provided.

History of the Sport

            Knowing the history of Baseball and Softball helps with the understanding of why the game is the way it is now. Everything evolves from something more primitive, and seeing early baseball can give students a better appreciation for the game they now play.  Every year the academy puts on the Expo, witch is open to the whole community, it is a display of projects done by the students to show different eras in different ways. The open house display ranges from the history of teams, to the history of the time period teams collapsed and started to building your own old school baseball stadium. Each year the Expo theme changes so that different history is explored, each student doses their own project on something entirely different than the others, so that no information is repeated. Becoming familiar with the roots of the sport you play creates a better understanding of the rules and strategies of the game and how they came to be.

Personal Growth

Within the academy class room and field, a safe and family like environment is created. Being split up in to Softball and Baseball, Junior and Senior (Baseball only), creates tighter and smaller groups, and with being surrounded by the student’s specific group everyday creates close bonds. Our goal is to create and environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and steeping out of their comfort zones. Pushing your comfort zone makes you grow as a person and the more comfortable the students are with their peers the greater the chance of taking risks.

In the classroom, public speaking is explored. This creates a challenge for some; however people defeat their own fears and inspire others to try to do the same. If it is from speaking out to ask a question in class or reading out a monologue, everyone struggles with being comfortable in front of people on different levels. Having confidence that your peers understand and respect your fears can instantly deflate the students fear.

Risk taking on the field is another challenge student’s face. With having a group of students with similar interests as you and are all striving to do better, it makes people who try and fail more of a hero for trying to reach that next level than anything else. Being embarrassed of failure can be a huge barrier for everyone, however; if people around you try and fail but also try and succeed it will push you to strive for that next step as well.

Nutrition and Athletic Performance

          Along with learning game strategy, in the classroom we teach good nutrition and how to enhance athletic performance.  Having the tools to be an outstanding Baseball or Softball player comes with having a body and mind that can execute what you need it to.

            Nutrition directly relates to athletic performance. Through our personal trainer that works with the students once a week, Scott Blewit, we provide the students with training programs and workouts that will better their minds and bodies. Having a professional personal trainer lecture about having a healthy body and healthy food is an extraordinary resource that the academy provides. Scott provides all levels of fitness programs and healthy eating suggestions.