The Next Level Shamrocks Baseball League
Next Level Shamrocks Baseball League plans to innovate a new player development interface within the travel baseball circuit. In order to help our players reach their full potential, our program has created a league that is constructed to favor our player’s progress in a more distilled manner. The Next Level model is devoted to establishing elite athletes in our region, and impacting the way in which player development is viewed in youth baseball.
The Why
The intention of the Next Level Baseball Shamrocks League is to reconstruct the model of travel baseball. The current system in which many players play is marred by overloaded schedules, which very often leads to injuries that can have a long-term effect on players. Player development can be very easily lost as a priority on programs amidst seasons dense with games and traveling. Our league concept is meant to place development as its utmost important feature. We want to set up our players for future success, which means that the construction of healthy habits on the diamond is essential. The increased hands-on approach that our league offers allows us and our players to dive headfirst into the methodical process of building a foundation for future success. We aim to assist our athletes with an enhanced involvement in their maturity process and expect to produce elite baseball players for years to come.
The Concept
The infrastructure of the league is built around the progress of the players that join. Our off-season program as well as our in-season schedule allow players to participate on their school teams while also creating the opportunity for them to attain their own maximum development. We believe this setup provides the most optimal learning environment for players as they will gain access to top-tier instruction from our staff. Extensive on-field practice time between our players, our position-specific coaches, and team head coaches gives us the opportunity to build valuable relationships with our prospects. The increased amount of time spent on-field lets us instill detailed technique to players on the mound, in the field, and in the batter’s box. We want players to learn and experience the game in a controlled setting where their skills and baseball IQ can be developed in real-time with hands-on coaching.
The Mission
The main stroke of our coaching philosophy is to cultivate a player’s passion for the process of getting better. Our coaching staff maintains a deep understanding of the game coming from experience playing and/or coaching as high as the collegiate level. We know that a high level of performance on the field is a result of effort and discipline during team practices and separate individual work. In order for our players to maximize their own potential, our coaches work hard to curate a positive learning environment amongst our teams. We want our players to fall in love with the minute concepts of baseball in fielding, pitching and hitting. Along with a driven focus on results, we are ultimately committed to promoting development. A player’s day-to-day commitment to the elevation of their own skills is ultimately what defines them on the field. An instilled gratitude for the improvement process is what creates headstrong players willing to persevere through the natural ups and downs that arise not only in the sport of baseball but in life. Our coaches have a responsibility to players and their families to promote a constructive attitude during practices and games. We want to encourage our players and empower them to be self-determined in each of their own baseball journeys.
The Differentiators
Our league offers players the unique opportunity to showcase themselves amongst top-tier talent in the area under the consistent mentorship of highly experienced coaches. The league’s two-pronged approach of creating an optimal development environment in an exciting baseball setting is what separates us from our competition. In-game music, walk-up songs, live scoreboards, live social media feeds, post-game interviews and write-ups, and recognition of stats leaders create an atmosphere and excitement that any 13-14 year old would want to play in. Additionally, all games will be filmed and accessible by all of the parents and players in our league so that everyone in the family can relive those Sports Center-esque plays. At the end of the season, an all-star team will be selected and awards will be given out to players, including league MVP, Cy-Young, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove.
The Strategy and Schedule Overview
Our coaching staff is committed to and attentive toward player progression. As instructors of the game, we believe it is our responsibility to instill and reinforce the playing habits needed in order for kids to compete at a high level in high school, college, and beyond. The development process will begin in the fall with on-field practices and will culminate in October with an interleague world series. During these sessions, players will be introduced to the basics of being on the big diamond, as well as the environment they can expect in the Next Level Shamrocks Baseball League. Players will be walked through pre-game hitting, fielding, and throwing routines, all while being given detailed mechanical adjustments from coaches in our position-specific drills in order to optimize their on-field performance. From November through December, we will take a brief hiatus from baseball and allow our players and their families the break they deserve. In January, all players will partake in our weekly hitting program where they will learn the fundamentals of a highly efficient swing, as well as the mental approach to hitting. These sessions will carry us into the spring where we will head back outside for on-field development and controlled scrimmages to prepare the players for a highly competitive season. Once the players are out of school, our schedule shifts to mid-week games and practices, allowing families the opportunity to travel during the weekends. Additionally, our league’s highest performing players will be given the opportunity to compete in outside tournaments during the season.
The Next Level Player Profile
The Next Level Player Profile is our new moniker for the player archetype we look forward to creating at our program. We want driven athletes that are committed to the idea of being challenged on a daily basis in order to improve their play and approach towards the game. Players that have a mind for their body, mechanics, and focus always separate themselves as kids move into their adolescent years. Next Level athletes achieve results by maintaining a consistent work ethic and love for their own method of improvement. Simply put, our program’s instilled sense of competitiveness is meant for our players to become composed performers with a refined passion for the game.