Training & Development

Approach

We focus on athleticism and baseball IQ - our players learn, understand, respect, & love THE GAME.

We encourage youth players to be athletes first then teach technical skills - hitting, throwing, & defensive fundamentals, as well as strength, agility, & conditioning.

All JIBC training is designed for the athlete who understands that improvement comes from focused effort over time.

We help instill a growth mindset & encourage our players to always be improving & working towards their next level - on and off the field.

3 Rules

FOCUS

be present & dialed in when you cross the line

HUSTLE

do your best, work hard, & leave it all on the field

HAVE FUN

its a game, respect it, love it - PLAY it

Philosophy

Baseball is a simple game; throw, catch, hit, run. Games are meant to be fun.

If children are not having fun playing a game they are most likely to be turned off from the game, possibly for good.

Our job as a youth baseball coaches is to not only teach athleticism, fundamentals, and baseball IQ- but most importantly instill a love for baseball that may last a lifetime.

We as parents and coaches must be careful not to zap the passion and fun from the game for our kids.

Come “Discover” The Game of Baseball and develop with us!

The American Developmental Model is in perfect alignment with our approach, rules, and philosophies and serves as our guide when coaching and training youth players.

We are currently in the Discover Stage with all JIBC training opportunities.

The American Development Model (ADM) forces us to critically scrutinize the changing landscape and examines what needs to be done to better position the sport moving forward. This ADM is influenced by the work of Istvan Balyi, PhD, and is the culmination of extensive research on childhood development. We believe that the integration and implementation of this ADM into the baseball culture across the United States will help to get more youth onto the fields, and also positively impact their overall experience within the sport.

CONSIDER THIS:

  • The need to rethink how we organize, operate and execute baseball activity is more relevant now than ever.

  • The largest base of knowledge, experience and resources are most closely associated with elite level competition.

  • Informing the volunteer and amateur base of coaches in key developmental stages is essential for the long-term health and proliferation of the sport.

  • Better informing the athletes of today lends itself to a more educated coaching generation of tomorrow.

  • A broad developmental pathway has not previously existed in baseball for parents.

  • The current amateur baseball environment fosters a culture of early single sport specialization that is contrary to relevant surveys and research on the subject as it relates to long-term development.

  • Most training and preparation is currently geared towards short-term outcomes associated with winning rather than a long-term process of individual development.

  • By maximizing the experiences learned through baseball, the ADM aims to develop more well-rounded individuals both in sport and in life.

ADM KEY PRINCIPLES

USA Baseball, as the governing body for the sport, draws on these key principles when developing initiatives such as the ADM.

  • Health and Safety – Provide the best practices to keep athletes active and on the field in order to create an opportunity for long-term development and lifelong fitness activity.

  • Education and Development – Deliver resources and best practices that empower players, parents, coaches, and umpires to make the best decisions for their careers.

  • Grow the Game – Create opportunities for people to play ball regardless of ability.

  • Universal Availability – Remove barriers of entry and provide playing opportunities for athletes everywhere.

  • Competition – Highlight the many positive teaching moments and life lessons fostered through domestic competition and represent the United States within the international community.

THE AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL AIMS TO:

  • Offer solutions for the entire baseball community.

  • Enhance all participants’ experience within the sport.

  • Promote age-appropriate physical literacy and psychosocial development.

  • Underscore best practices for player health and safety.

  • Encourage age-appropriate skill development progression.

  • Prolong individual engagement through improved infrastructure.

  • Promote life-long engagement through mentoring and recreational play.

This ADM has been generated by USA Baseball, with support from

Major League Baseball (MLB), to provide a multi-stage developmental

pathway for an individual’s life-long experience within the sport.

The ADM is a culmination of evidence-based information from the

principal contributor group and input from a leadership group

consisting of experts from the medical safety industry, MLB league

and club executives, and an advisory group inclusive of leaders from

across the amateur baseball spectrum.

JIBC is a Fully Compliant

Pitch Smart Organization

PITCH SMART IS A SERIES OF PRACTICAL, AGE-APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES TO HELP PARENTS, PLAYERS, AND COACHES AVOID OVERUSE INJURIES AND FOSTER LONG, HEALTHY CAREERS FOR YOUTH PITCHERS.

Full Compliance Defined:

Follow Pitch Smart guidelines pertaining to pitch counts and rest periods across all competitions

Recommend that players, parents and coaches adhere to all additional Pitch Smart guidelines

General Pitch Smart information is hosted on or linked to from the organizational website

Pitch Smart information is distributed to all coaches

Formal coaches' meeting(s) will include a Pitch Smart informational segment

Pitch Smart information encouraged in team orientation meetings with parents and players

The Pitch Smart Compliance Program has been created to provide the general public with a broad overview of organizations within which the public can reasonably expect the Pitch Smart guidelines to be instituted. Major League Baseball and USA Baseball do not guarantee that these organizations operate within the Pitch Smart guidelines in all cases, and organizations self-identify their compliance with the Pitch Smart guidelines. We encourage coaches, parents and players to seek out the specific pitching rules within their league or competition and to manage their own player's usage within the spirit of the Pitch Smart program.

Ages 9-12 Pitching Guidelines Typically 46-50' Pitching Distance

  • Focus on athleticism, physical fitness, and fun

  • Focus on learning baseball rules, general techniques, and teamwork

  • Do not exceed 80 combined innings pitched in any 12 month period

  • Take at least 4 months off from throwing every year, with at least 2-3 of those months being continuous

  • Make sure to properly warm up before pitching

  • Set and follow pitch-count limits and required rest periods

  • Avoid throwing pitches other than fastballs and change-ups

  • Avoid playing for multiple teams at the same time

  • Avoid playing catcher while not pitching

  • Players should not pitch in multiple games on the same day

  • Play other sports during the course of the year

  • Monitor for other signs of fatigue

  • Pitchers once removed from the mound may not return as pitchers

  • No pitcher shall appear in a game as a pitcher for three consecutive days, regardless of pitch counts

Current Developmental Opportunities

Seasonal Camps & Clinics

JIBC Baseball Camps & Clinics are scheduled throughout year to work on all aspects of the game - hitting, pitching, catching, infield/outfield play and baserunning.

We will focus on being athletic, baseball IQ, and fundamentals while making sure everyone is having fun and we are growing the baseball population.

Wood Bat Scrimmage

Our scrimmages are a great way to end the week and open to all 8-10 year old’s on James Island.

On top of in-game training opportunities to improve baseball IQ, this Friday night game is all about having fun.

We play our scrimmages with wooden bats- #realbaseball

Remember these two things: play hard and have fun.
— Tony Gwynn

Coming Soon

One on One Training

We offer custom training opportunities for hitting, fielding, pitching, catching, & base running. We have coaches & programs for all ages & specialty.

Additionally, athletic training sessions are provided by a local Olympic Athlete & professional trainer - includes speed, agility, strength, & conditioning

If you’re not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he’ll be ready to take your job.
— Brooks Robinson

JIBC Olympics

Weekly sessions with fitness challenges to help young players develop their athletic abilities while having fun.

Training will include Conditioning, Strength, Agility, and Speed Drills - Skills will be put to the test in a fun and competitive environment.