Looking for a Catching Coach - Northeast Ohio

[sdkahart]

Hi all,

I have a 2003 year born daughter moving up to 14U/13U next season. We are looking for a catching coach to start working with her over the off season. She was approached mid season by her travel team to help her team behind the plate. While she was extremely raw at the start her playing time behind the plate picked up as did her skill and defensive ability. My daughter has clearly expressed that she want to continue to play behind the plate and wants to work with someone to get her to the level she needs to be and and beyond. She is a very agile, fast, has a strong arm, an extremely fast learner and most of all really coach-able kid to work with... On top of catching she is also strong defensively at CF, SS, 3B, LF and RF, all positions she ended up with a ton of time this travel season.

We are located in Northeast Ohio inbetween Cleveland and Akron... Driving doesn't bother us to much at all either.

Please feel free to PM me or email me at sdkahart@gmail.com

Thank you in advance.

 

[Louuuuu]

I don't know if she still does it, but try Kelli Metzger with the Maddog organization in Alliance.

 

[crystlemc]

I second the Maddog recommendation. They work out of the Billy Dome in Alliance.

 

[sdkahart]

I don't know if she still does it, but try Kelli Metzger with the Maddog organization in Alliance.

Thanks!!! I will contact her for sure!

 

[sdkahart]

I second the Maddog recommendation. They work out of the Billy Dome in Alliance.

Thank you as well!

 

[17smom]

Definitely recommend Kelli Metzger and Bill Hileman with the Maddogs in Alliance! My DD has been going to them for 6 seasons.

They start having weekly 2 hour catching clinics on Monday nights - usually start in September or October. However, prior to that they have monthly classes the first Monday of the month and may also do individual lessons. The 2 hours will include conditioning, working on proper throwing mechanics, and catcher specific drills for things such as blocking, framing, bunt coverage, and leadership. There are some drills that are done almost every week and others are done at different times

The girls that go there are very supportive of each other and help each other as well. I will admit that Bill is not for everyone - he can be tough on them at times - but they really know their stuff and are very invested in the girls. I personally wouldn't take my daughter anywhere else. They have completely made her the catcher that she is today.

If you would like to call Kelli for more info, her number is 330-353-1393

I don't think it has been updated since last fall, but here is their website http://www.thebillydome.com/

 

[Louuuuu]

... I will admit that Bill is not for everyone ...

So, 17smom, how much time did you spend making sure you worded that correctly?

 

[17smom]

So, 17smom, how much time did you spend making sure you worded that correctly?

Well Louuuuu, we've been going there for 6 years so I've had time to perfect my response

 

[mike_dyer]

http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/c/Softball/Catching-3163.html

Step 1:

Buy a $40.00 video.

Step 2:

Watch it.

Step 3:

Do it yourself.

 

[Rose]

If you like your kid being put down, tore down like she has never been torn down before, ridiculed, and embarrassed in front of her peers than Bill Hileman is the man for you. Kids don't have to go through what this man does to them to become good catchers. I agree with Mike Dyer here. Take the time to get it done yourself.

 

[mike_dyer]

I took my kid to her hitting coach about 4 months ago, it was the first time she had seen her in about 16 months or so. She watched her hit 8 or 10 balls off of a tee, said "Your swing looks really good right now. You worked hard on the things we worked on the last time you were here, didn't you?"

My kid told her she had.

They went through some things, it took maybe 30 minutes, then she talked to her about getting recruited, what college is going to be like, etc. She told me how much I owed her, I asked her if she was sure that was enough, and then we left. I called her a few weeks ago while I was driving through Kentucky to ask her some questions, she talked to me for 30 minutes or so, was polite, thanked me for calling, said good luck.

If you find the right people it will NEVER be about money.

Never.

 

[CoachB25]

If you are going to go the DVD route, then check out the video contained on this website:

http://www.catchingcamp.com/

Catching Coach Dave Weaver has passed away but his son does an exceptional job. Dave has left us articles in various publications on the various websites and so, just google "Catching Coach Dave Weaver." You can also find some of his stuff on YouTube.