FL Baseball & Softball Academy

FL Baseball & Softball Academy Central Florida | Baseball & Softball Hitting & Defensive Development | Individual + Team Instruction Ken Niles brings a pro-eye to every player he coaches.

From scouting for the Red Sox, Rays, and Padres to leading the #1 ranked Trinity University baseball program, Coach Niles has spent 25+ years at the pinnacle of the sport. With 450+ alumni reaching the college and pro ranks, including current MLB pitcher Ryan Pepiot, Coach Niles brings a major-league network to Umatilla and the surrounding athletes. His goal? Use that expert knowledge to make the game fun and set every player up for their own version of success. Specialties:

Youth Development: Building confidence and fundamentals through fun. MLB-Level Evaluations: Scouting-grade insights for serious prospects. Collegiate Recruiting: Navigating the path to the next level. Advanced Skill Development: Technical mastery for baseball and softball.

This is the season where good becomes great.Timing. Footwork. All the pieces that slipped during the season. This is whe...
09/13/2026

This is the season where good becomes great.

Timing. Footwork. All the pieces that slipped during the season. This is when we put them back where they belong.

Struggling hitter? Kid who won't take coaching from you? Not sure where to even start? That's what fall lessons are for: https://bit.ly/4gTZ3pj

09/10/2026

Every hitter needs one thing to hold onto in the box. Above everything else, this is it.

When a basketball ends up on the hitting tee and it's not a mistake. 🏀⚾This drill forces your player to stay on the ball...
09/08/2026

When a basketball ends up on the hitting tee and it's not a mistake. 🏀⚾

This drill forces your player to stay on the ball longer, and switching back to a baseball after? Feels like cheating. But it's simple, and it works.

09/03/2026

Every parent has seen it: their kid tries the flashy jump-spin throw... and it sails into the dugout. 😅

Before they can make it look cool, they need to make it work. That forward glove press on a forehand-side ball sets up their hips to make a clean, accurate throw. No spin move required.

There will be plenty of time for highlight reels later. Let's lock in the fundamentals first.

Shoes are optional. Work ethic is not. 😄GREAT cage session this past weekend with this young slugger, Aubrey. Keep an ey...
09/01/2026

Shoes are optional. Work ethic is not. 😄

GREAT cage session this past weekend with this young slugger, Aubrey.

Keep an eye on this one 👀.

💪🥎🏴‍☠️

08/30/2026

If your ballplayer is looking to get better before next spring, this is for you.

Fall season = development season. ⚾🥎

Where it starts. 🎾🏈🏀🥎⚾Weight on the balls of your feet. Feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Knees bent, butt out, c...
08/26/2026

Where it starts. 🎾🏈🏀🥎⚾

Weight on the balls of your feet. Feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Knees bent, butt out, chest forward. Hands relaxed and in front. Chin, head, and eyes up.

That's THE athletic position, and it's not just a softball or baseball thing. It's an EVERYTHING thing.

A quarterback waiting for the snap. A linebacker in their ready position. A soccer goalie defending a penalty kick. A basketball player in defensive stance. A tennis player waiting to receive a serve. An infielder preparing to field a ground ball. A hitter in the batter's box.

We had our campers work on nothing but getting into this position, over and over and over. It's the cornerstone of building a ballplayer. The load-bearing wall everything else is built on. Without it, they're building on unstable ground, never knowing when they'll lose what they worked so hard to build.

There's a difference between the season and what comes after it.During the season, the coach's job is mostly to protect ...
08/20/2026

There's a difference between the season and what comes after it.

During the season, the coach's job is mostly to protect what's already working. Small tweaks, staying consistent, not touching the swing when the games count. But once that eases up? That's when the real work starts.

This is where we find out what a player's identity is going to be. Where winning actually happens. Not on the scoreboard, but in development.

Had a lesson this week that reminded me exactly why this stretch is my favorite time of year. Here we go. ⚾🥎

This is a hard game, and we lose too many kids to burnout, cost, or other sports too early.It’s why spending time with t...
08/17/2026

This is a hard game, and we lose too many kids to burnout, cost, or other sports too early.

It’s why spending time with the coaches at Mount Dora Babe Ruth meant so much. We focused on getting the most out of every inch of the field. Showing how shared practice spaces can actually create high-energy, high-rep development sessions that kids love.

Developing players locally keeps the game affordable, fun, and sustainable. Big thanks to Mount Dora for having us out to invest in the future of their league.

P.S. Send this to the league president who is trying to figure out field space for this season. We’d love to help.

“Thank you” doesn’t come close to explaining the gratitude we have for the MDHS softball team members that gave of their...
08/09/2026

“Thank you” doesn’t come close to explaining the gratitude we have for the MDHS softball team members that gave of their time selflessly and left a lasting impression on the young softball players in this community. A special thanks to Coach Colas for allowing all of us to benefit from the presence of these fantastic players and leaders!

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40632 E 9th Avenue
Umatilla, FL
32784

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