Baseball Capital Newsletter
- brandonhighbasebal
- Mar 7
- 9 min read
Welcome to the Baseball Capital Newsletter, your weekly source for all things baseball and softball in Ortonville, in Michigan, and beyond! We're excited to bring you the latest news and upcoming events from the world of diamonds and dirt.
💙What’s Popping at the Cap this week⚾
Baseball Capital Announces Pitching Instructors for Softball
On Friday, 2/28/2025, Baseball Capital announced the addition of three new softball pitching instructors to its staff for their March 15th Softball Pitching Clinic, Dale Billingsley, Haley Zemmer, and Amy Elmore. "We are excited to welcome Dale, Haley, and Amy to our team," said Baseball Capital Director of Softball Operations, Erin Taylor. "Their experience and expertise will be a great asset to our softball pitcher’s community and help them reach their goals."
The pitching clinic at Baseball Capital, Ortonville's new 16,000 sq ft training center, will be led by 3 softball pitching instructors. The $50 cost per pitcher also includes lunch.
Dale Billingsley: A 3-time Michigan High School State Championship head coach, Dale has over 20 years of coaching experience and is known for developing pitchers of all ages and skill levels. His previous roles include pitching coach at SVSU and head coach at Delta College.
Haley Zemmer: A standout pitcher from Oakland University, Haley was named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year in 2021 and was a First Team All-League selection.
Amy Elmore: Amy is a college softball coach with over 10 years of experience. She has a proven track record of developing successful pitchers and helping them reach their full potential.
SOFTBALL PITCHING CLINIC March 15, 2025
🥎💙10AM - 1PM *LUNCH INCLUDED
Pitchers, Parents, and Pitching Coaches are Welcome!
Why should you do the clinic?
Elevate Your Pitching Prowess and Conquer the Softball Field!
Are you a softball enthusiast eager to refine your pitching skills and dominate the diamond? Look no further! Our exclusive Softball Pitching Clinic is designed to empower aspiring pitchers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans.Uncover the Secrets to Unstoppable Pitching:
Master the Fundamentals: Our expert instructors will guide you through the essential mechanics of pitching, including grip, stance, delivery, and follow-through.
Develop Unrivaled Accuracy and Velocity: Learn advanced techniques to enhance your accuracy, control, and velocity, ensuring your pitches consistently find the strike zone.
Unleash Your Movement and Deception: Discover the art of creating movement on your pitches, keeping batters off balance and guessing.
Build Unbreakable Confidence: Gain the mental fortitude and self-assurance to perform under pressure and dominate any opponent.
Benefits That Will Transform Your Game:
Enhanced Pitching Mechanics: Refine your technique and maximize your potential.
Increased Accuracy and Velocity: Develop pinpoint control and overpowering speed.
Unleashed Movement and Deception: Keep batters guessing and off balance.
Unwavering Confidence: Perform with poise and dominate the competition.
Registration for the clinic is open to all coaches & players looking to improve their pitching knowledge.
Baseball Capital Representative, Kenny Ayers, said in a statement while wiping tarter sauce from his face, “Our Softball Pitching Clinic is your gateway to becoming an unstoppable force on the softball field. Join us and experience the thrill of mastering your craft, dominating the competition, and achieving your pitching goals.
Text or Email Coach Kenny 989-928-0028 or kenny@baseball-capital.com
💡The term "star-studded" originated in the mid-1600s as an English compound of the words "star" and "studded". It is used to describe something that is full of stars or bright, or that has many famous people. “The Baseball Capital has a star studded lineup for it’s pitching clinic.”
The Starting 9 of Why Players Sign Up for Private Lessons With Coach Kenny and a couple pictures of Coach Kenny.
⚾Leading off - Be ready for this season! - Baseball and Softball players gain their confidence from preparation. We all know how difficult it is to play our wonderful sport and it’s easy to lose confidence sometimes but with Coach Kenny’s positive coaching approach and ‘yes we can’ mindset players definitely will feel confident and comfortable heading into their respective seasons. Coach Kenny will help your player be better prepared to pitch, hit, and field this season.
⚾Up Second - High Def Video Training! - Imagine having every swing you took, or every pitch and throw recorded in high definition to be able to instantly review and provide feedback to the player. Or imagine receiving an email with a voiceover telestration of your players practice performance with drills to work on that are directly associated with the video review.
⚾Batting Thirrrrrrd - HitTrax! - Baseball Capital is home to the most state of the art training software and technology. Even Major Leaguers are taking advantage of the hitting, pitching and catcher’s program software. Whether you're looking to improve on an all star performance or make drastic improvements to become an all star, with Coach Kenny, utilizing the HitTrax machines will provide instant measurable feedback to see if the new technique is paying off.
⚾Hittin Clean-up - Objective Data and Analysis: HitTrax eliminates guesswork by providing concrete data that players and coaches can use to make informed decisions about training and development.
⚾In The 5 Spot - Targeted Training: By understanding their strengths and weaknesses based on the data, players can focus on specific areas for improvement. Coach Kenny will help players be aware of and then turn their vulnerabilities at the plate or on the mound into their superpowers.
⚾Batting 6th - Increased Engagement and Motivation: The instant feedback and data tracking features of HitTrax make training more engaging and motivating for players.
⚾Sluggin 7th - Play At The Next Level - College and professional scouts are looking for baseball players not just baseball practitioners. With Coach Kenny’s years of playing and coaching experience he helps players understand the why of certain movements to match the strategy of the game. Players will head into their tryouts and showcases with extreme confidence and know exactly what the scouts are looking for in a player.
⚾Striking Eighth - Peace of Mind - Coach Kenny’s unique approach will have players feeling good about themselves on and off the field. Our game isn’t a life and death situation, and many coaches teach that way. Not all players can be coached equally with the same exact approach. By utilizing empathy and awareness, Coach Kenny will teach players how to have an approach and a presence as a player, utilize breathing techniques, and learn to let go of the previous play whether it was good or bad.
⚾Ninth Batter - It’s Fun! - Baseball and Softball are games meant to be played. Players, young and old, always have a good time training and always leave wanting to come back for more. Coach Kenny still likes to play and will make your college player or 4 year old feel right at home with the perfect mix of working hard and playing hard!
Here are a couple pictures of Coach Kenny growing up, if you’d like to schedule lessons with Coach Kenny, email kenny@baseball-capital.com
Beyond the Scoreboard: Why Team Bonding is Crucial for Sports Success (and Fun!)
We all know that physical skill and strategic planning are essential for a successful sports team. But what about the invisible glue that holds a team together? That's where team bonding comes in. It's the secret ingredient that transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-performing unit. In this blog, we'll explore why team bonding is so vital and share some fun and engaging excursion ideas to strengthen your team's connection.
Why Team Bonding Matters:
Improved Communication: When teammates know and trust each other, communication flows more naturally. This leads to better on-field (or court, ice, etc.) coordination and reduces misunderstandings.
Increased Trust and Support: Team bonding fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Players are more likely to have each other's backs, both during wins and losses.
Enhanced Team Morale and Motivation: A strong team bond creates a positive and encouraging environment. This boosts morale, motivates players to push their limits, and makes the sport more enjoyable.
Stronger Team Cohesion: Cohesion is the "we" factor. It's the feeling of unity and shared purpose that drives teams to work together seamlessly.
Better Conflict Resolution: When conflicts arise (and they inevitably will), a strong team bond makes it easier to address and resolve issues constructively.
Increased Enjoyment of the Sport: Ultimately, sports should be fun! Team bonding enhances the social aspect of the game, creating lasting memories and friendships.
Fun Team Bonding Excursion Ideas:
Here are some ideas that cater to different budgets and team sizes:
Outdoor Adventures:
Hiking or Nature Walks: Enjoy the fresh air and scenic views while engaging in casual conversation.
Fishing - Boys and Girls love to go fishing.
Disc Golf is Free
Kayaking or Canoeing: A fun and active way to work together and explore nature.
Rock Climbing or Zip-lining: A thrilling experience that encourages trust and support.
Beach Day: Volleyball, frisbee, or simply relaxing by the water can create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Creative and Collaborative Activities:
Cooking Class: Learn to prepare a delicious meal together and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Escape Room: Test your team's problem-solving skills and communication in a fun and challenging environment.
Paintball or Laser Tag: A high-energy activity that promotes teamwork and strategy.
Team Building Games: Many companies specialize in team-building activities that are designed to improve communication and collaboration.
Casual and Relaxed Outings:
Team Dinner or BBQ: A simple and classic way to socialize and enjoy each other's company.
Movie Night or Game Night: A relaxed and entertaining way to unwind and bond.
Bowling or Mini Golf: A fun and competitive activity that's suitable for all skill levels.
Attend a Local Sporting Event: Show your support for another team and enjoy the excitement of live sports.
Volunteer Activities:
Local Food Bank: Working together to help others can create a strong sense of shared purpose.
Community Cleanup: Contributing to your community can foster a sense of pride and unity.
Animal Shelter: Volunteering at an animal shelter can be a rewarding and heartwarming experience.
Tips for Successful Team Bonding:
Involve the Team in Planning: Let players have a say in choosing activities to ensure everyone is engaged.
Mix It Up: Vary the types of activities to cater to different interests and preferences.
Focus on Fun: The goal is to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Encourage Participation: Create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable participating.
Reflect and Discuss: After each activity, take some time to reflect on what you learned and how it can be applied to your sport.
Schedule Regular Events: Team bonding shouldn't be a one-time thing. Make it a regular part of your team's culture.
Conclusion:
Team bonding is an investment that pays off in numerous ways, both on and off the field. By prioritizing team cohesion, you'll create a stronger, more successful, and more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. So, get out there, have some fun, and watch your team thrive!
BASEBALL CAPITAL UNVEILS NEW MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE OFFERINGS
On Monday, Feb 24, 2025 Baseball Capital unveiled their four new membership offerings for the 16,000sf baseball/softball training center located in Ortonville, MI. The membership offerings include the Hall of Fame Individual Package, the All-Star Individual Package, the Family Pack, and the Grand Slam Package. Baseball Capital representative Kenny Ayers, said in a statement from a Ken’s Coney booth, “Each package offers a little bit different value to take advantage of based on your life circumstances, family size, and how much time you’d like to spend training and having a blast at such an amazing facility like the Cap!” The monthly fee Hall of Fame Package includes unlimited HitTrax Tunnel time (for more information on what HitTrax is click here). Baseball Capital rep Kenny, said in a statement, “For the baseball/softball enthusiasts/players in the area that will come and use a HitTrax Tunnel at least once a month, this package is for them. The price for one month's usage in the hitting tunnel is the same as one hour usage.”
The Hall of Fame package also includes a large discount in the retail shop, discount on lessons, discounts on camps and clinics and unlocks all access to the in house basketball hoops, boche ball, table tennis, pickle ball and more.
Kenny Ayers, Baseball Capital water bottle picker upper, said, while scarfing down China Fare chinese food, “The All-Star Package offers huge monthly individual savings to take advantage of as well. The discounts are still very deep in this package and if you plan on being at ‘the Cap’ a couple times a month, this package offers definite value.”
Kenny continued, blabbing on with rice and orange chicken sauce on his chest, “The Family Pack is where most value lies. If you have more than one person in your household that enjoys coming to Baseball Capital, the Family Package saves you hundreds of dollars per year. Families will have more money to get their car washed so it looks nice sitting in the Baseball Capital parking lot.” Said Kenny.
Baseball Capital Representative Kenny also said, “Memberships at a place like the Cap are important because it allows peace of mind for ownership and also allows for continuous improvement on the facility via up to date training equipment, state of the art technology, and entices more subject matter experts to teach their craft at Baseball Capital.
The Grand Slam Lifetime Membership is being offered until 4/1/25. Baseball Capital Turf Straightener, Kenny Ayers, said in a statement, “This package offers 24/7 access to Baseball Capital, you get your own key. Spread the word, this package is for your entire household to come take advantage of. This package is for the diehards and the ones driven to play at the next level.” The Grand Slam Package includes everything the Hall of Fame package and Family Package includes and is valid for as long as Baseball Capital remains at 1695 S Ortonville Rd.
Youth Baseball Registration Links For The Area
Stay up to date with the latest sign up deadlines, area leagues, area clinics, back yard games, wiffle ball leagues.
GOODRICH REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 7TH
HOLLY DEADLINE HAS PAST BUT CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER TO COACH Holly Volunteer To Coach Link
OXFORD REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 7TH
BRANDON TWP REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS UNKNOWN
LAKE ORION REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS 3/7
INDEPENDENCE TWP HAS THE BEST CATALOG
DAVISON PARKS DEADLINE IS COMING UP
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