Nov. 20, 2006

The University of Notre Dame baseball program is offering both private and group lessons – in the areas of hitting, pitching and catching – for all players, ages 7-18. Lessons can begin as early as Nov. 27 and will be available year-round, based on staffing and facility scheduling availablility. All sessions will take place at the on-campus Eck Indoor Hitting/Pitching Facility, located adjacent to Notre Dame’s Frank Eck Baseball Stadium. The indoor facility features four batting cages, a pitching machine and two clay pitching mounds.

This new offering of a baseball academy setting will feature one-on-one instruction for all players, ages 7-15, who have not started high school, with specific teaching in the areas of hitting, pitching and catching. Each lesson will feature 30-40 minutes of individual instruction and will focus on development through instruction, drills and video analysis. Cost of each lesson is $40.00. Players may sign up for four (4) sessions at a cost of $150.00.

High school-aged players will be able to participate in group lessons this winter. Sessions will be grouped by age and position and will be restricted to six players per lesson. Group lessons will be 60 minutes in length. Players will learn the same systems of hitting, pitching and catching that are taught in the Notre Dame varsity baseball program. Lessons will focus on the mechanics of each area and will develop the players skills through instruction, drills and video analysis. The cost of the group lessons is $25.00 per player.

These private and group lessons serve as a prime opportunity to develop individual baseball skills during the winter months, in preparation for the upcoming youth and high school seasons. All instruction will be handled by John Fitzgerald – a member of the Notre Dame baseball coaching staff whose duties include overseeing all of the Notre Dame baseball camp programs, in addition to helping coach multiple positions (outfielders, catchers and pitchers) on the Irish team. Fitzgerald spent the past three seasons as the head baseball coach at Illinois Tech

Private and group instruction is by appointment only. Call (574) 631-6366 or e-mail jfitzge9@nd.edu for appointment.