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SPORTS
There's never an offseason at Tri-State Baseball Academy
Tanner “Boomer” Sweeney, 10, of Barboursville, takes a little hitting instruction from Tri-State Baseball Academy co-owner Tyler Christian on Wednesday during an afternoon session at the indoor facility.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- The winter chill might have led to a collective tarp being laid over thoughts of baseball and softball, but there is one place in the Tri-State that has turned into an indoor Field of Dreams.
Tri-State Baseball Academy was founded by Tom Smith and Tyler Christian to provide guided instruction to players of all skill levels in an interactive manner.
"We are about teaching, not telling," Christian said. "Other places players go, they tell them what to do and expect them to just do it. It doesn't work like that. We break everything down. We want our students to learn why not to do something."
Christian, who played baseball at Marshall University after his days at Cabell Midland High School, emphasizes muscle memory by focusing on skills one at a time. Christian also teaches hitters how to be ready before the ball is released, simplifying the hitting process.
He takes students through the mechanics of the performed skill so it becomes a natural movement. The result is improved technique and fewer bad habits.
"In a game situation, you only have the time to react," Christian said. "In a split second, you have to judge fastball, curveball, changeup, slider, high or low, and whether to swing or not swing. That's a lot to go through in a short period of time."
The 10,000-square foot facility has plenty of room for multiple players to take part in instruction simultaneously. Smith said several teams have rented out the facility on weekends after the coaches have come in to see what there is to offer.
The facility boasts of three full-size batting cages in one room while another room has space to instruct for base running and fielding along with an indoor dirt pitching mound.
Smith, Cabell Midland's pitching coach, said the indoor mound is the biggest draw to players looking for instruction.
"Most people don't even notice it when they walk in, and they can't believe it when they walk in and see the dirt mound," Smith said.
The dirt mound allows for players to wear cleats and get a natural feel for what the actual mound will feel like on the diamond. This plays a vital role in muscle memory and the transition to a game situation after instruction.
The Tri-State area's rich baseball tradition has lent itself to some great players who have moved on to the next level. Christian and Smith are trying to help get today's players to that next level, whether it be All-Stars, high school or college.
To do so, they have tapped back into that tradition with those same great players giving back to their community by offering on-site instruction.
On the pitching side, Cabell Midland's Zach Baldwin teaches baseball while Susan Runyon also goes through softball pitching mechanics.
Caleb Stewart, a former Boyd County star currently in the New York Mets system, and Tyler Courts, a former Cabell Midland player that went on to star at West Virginia State headline the hitting instruction.
Christian and Smith also said Leigh Ann Ellis, a former Cabell Midland great that went on to play for Team USA in softball, will also conduct a Dec. 29-30 clinic.
Tri-State Baseball Academy is located at 1501 Madison Ave., placing it within 20 minutes of Milton, Ashland, Ironton and all the in-between. It is also located right off the Interstate, making it convenient for all involved.
"There are 145 kids a week right now getting better at baseball or softball," Christian said. "Our motto is 'We know what it takes.' We have been there and we know what it takes to get to that next level."
