The Shuckyard Baseball and Softball Training Academy

06/02/2026

I can not stress this enough! Eye contact with your coach/teacher says so many things, without saying a thing!
Many, many, many times I will take off my sunglasses(if I’m wearing them) so my players can see my eyes. I want that connection with players and showing them the same mutual respect! If they are younger players, I will even get on a knee to get to their level. I don’t want to show a taller, dominating viewpoint. I want to be on “their level”.

Teach your players eye contact, it will help them for the rest of their lifetime in many facets of life!

05/02/2026

Happy Derby Day!

In celebration of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, we are going to give away a FREE entry to one of our summer camps!

Select 1 horse you believe will win the Derby. If we have multiple guesses of the same horse, we will use a tiebreaker of how many lengths the winning horse won by. So you will need to guess the winning horse and winning lengths.
1 guess only! You must be a follower of the Shuckyard page and share this contest post.

Winner receives a free 2 or 3 day camp for this summer. Other guesses that select the winning horse, but lose in the tiebreaker, will receive 50% off a camp entry.

Deadline is the start of the race! Good luck!

03/27/2026

🔥 HOW TO BEAT ELITE VELOCITY 🔥

When a hitter faces elite velocity for the first time, panic sets in.
They think they have to swing earlier or swing harder.
They tense up their muscles, jump at the ball, and end up swinging completely out of control.

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To hit fast pitching, you actually have to do the opposite.
You have to relax!

Tension is the enemy of bat speed. Tight muscles move slowly.
If you grip the bat hard, your hands will be slow in delivering the barrel to the ball.

Loose muscles whip through the zone.

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The adjustment isn't swinging harder. The adjustment is starting your load earlier.

You have to get your body into a powerful launch position sooner so that you aren't rushed when it's time to pull the trigger.
Start early. Stay loose. Trust your hands.
That is how we teach hitters to handle the heat.

03/24/2026

It’s that time of year when we have to get our field ready for play! We mowed the outfield yesterday for the first time of the year and today we are nail dragging the infield. Later this week we will roll the outfield to smooth out the winter heaving that takes place, followed by some spot seeding next week. Bring on the spring warmer temps!

03/20/2026

It’s that time of year that parents start panicking because their player isn’t ready for season, blowing up my phone asking if they can get some lessons in ASAP.
Greatness comes from practicing over and over again over and over extended period of time, not by craming in 6 lessons within 2 weeks. Can we help them, sure, but you need to have a realistic mindset of where your player is at AND what can be done in a short period of time.

Plan, prepare, practice, persistence!

03/13/2026

Friday Fundamentals ⚾️🥎

Season is upon us and we are here to give various tips to help you manage your season on and off the field.

Today let’s talk about nasty, sweaty, stinky hats and visors.

Let’s easily clean them without ruining them and extending their lifespan.

Using your dishwasher, place the hats on the top rack and run your dishwasher as normal with dishes and all, in with the hats.
If the hats have grungy sweat stains and nastiness, spray the hat with some power wash prior. When the dishwasher is done, put away your clean dishes and hang the hats on a hook or place outside to finish drying.

*Make sure to put them on the top rack only*

Have a great Friday and don’t forget to thank a coach this weekend

02/28/2026

Baylen puts in a lot of hard work at The Shuckyard. It’s exciting to see one of our own go compete on the largest stage of youth baseball at the Houston 1000! Go ball out Bay, you’ve got a great support team behind you!

Wishing one of our own, Baylen the best of luck as he competes in the Houston 1000! 1,017 teams, 48 states represented, 151 ball fields, 350 umpires, with all teams vying to be called Champion! We are proud of the work he’s done in preparation and excited to see him represent for Shucker Nation.
Let’s go ! 💙⚾️

02/15/2026

🔥 BAT DEMO DAY – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 🔥

We’re excited to welcome Chris Colella, the Victus/Marucci bat representative, all the way from Philadelphia to Lebanon!

This event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC — Little League players, travel teams, middle school, and high school athletes are all welcome!

Chris will have bats available in:
⚾ USA Baseball
⚾ USSSA
⚾ BBCOR

No matter your league or level, you’ll be able to demo what’s legal and right for your game.

💥 Demo Day Specials💥
• 25% OFF bats
• Exclusive bat exchange offer

This is a great opportunity for players to:
✔️ Swing multiple bat models
✔️ Test different lengths and weights
✔️ Get professionally sized
✔️ Make sure they’re using the proper certification for their league

Chris will be on site throughout the demo to answer questions, provide recommendations, and ensure each player is swinging the bat that best fits their size, strength, and swing style.

🚨 Pre-registration is required to participate.

Tag your teammates, Little League families, high school players, and travel teams — let’s get everyone properly fitted and ready to rake this season! 💪⚾

BoCo Shuckers

01/28/2026

Heres some simple but very effective drills your player can do at home, to help them get ready for their upcoming baseball/softball season.

We are using smush balls, or you can use tennis balls as well.

Notice we want to be in an athletic position as we do these. Feet spread apart with bent athletic knees.

Do 3-5 sets of these, Catching 10 balls with each hand during each segment.

Watch how quickly your players hand-eye improves and their confidence soars.

Get Better Every Day!

01/26/2026

Is it April yet?!?
We are closed again today due to temps and unsafe driving conditions.