YOUTH TWO-WAY PROGRAM
Master the Fundamentals
Sharpen your skills while building a love for the game
Designed by former professional baseball players, a program made to help youth baseball players master the fundamentals of the game using coaching and equipment trusted by the pros.
Pitching
Develop protective arm care routines. Creating athletic throwers. Teaching players to throw harder and more accurate. fun and challenging environment.
Hitting
Develop foundational movement patters. Training hand eye and bat to ball skills. training to make more consistent, and better qaulity contact.
When and where?
This program starts the week of December 2, 2024, and ends the week of March 20, 2025.
Times and Days:
Monday and Wednesday 5-6pm or Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-6pm
Once you sign up for the program, you will receive an email regarding what day and time you would like.
Program Overview
You will experience an approach to building a strong foundation leading into your more competitive years. We believe at the youth level it’s important to practice all facets of the game before picking a position to specialize in.
Evaluation Process
Your mechanics, strengths, and weaknesses will be taken into account as an individual to decide what drills and exercises best suit you.
Bat Speed Training
You will have access to overload/ underload bats and Blast Motion swing sensors to track and increase your bat speed.
Mindset
When stepping into the box or toeing the rubber, it’s important to have the right mentality. Learn from former professionals what mindset helped them play at their best.
Ramp Up Management
A 16 week throwing program that lines up perfectly with the start of the spring season to ensure you go into this year feeling fresh.
Mike Montville
- Current hitting coach for baltimore orioles AAA team, the Norfolk Tides
- 3 year hitting coach of Boston Red Sox AAA team, the Worcester Red Sox
- Coached some of baseball’s top prospects in the Arizona fall league
- Hitting coach for the Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League where he helped the team win the championship and joined the league as Team Puerto Rico in the 2024 Caribbean Series under Manager and future hall of fame catcher, Yadier Molina.
- Played 3 years of Minor League Baseball for the Rockland Boulders
Xavier Nunez
- Batted .456 and at Northern Essex CC and led the team to a national championship run in 2016
- Attended New England College after his time at Northern Essex where he earned honors such as All conference, All Region, and the Conference Player of the year.
- Senior captain at NEC
- 5 year assistant at Northern Essex CC
Alex Powers
10 years of professional baseball experience with the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and Detroit Tigers.
2019 Minor League Reliever of the Year
Double A All-Star
Chicago White Sox draft choice
Member of the first SNHU World Series team
10+ years coaching experience
WINTER YOUTH TWO-WAY PROGRAM
Tuition: $1,200 (paid in 4 monthly installments of $300)
FAQ
Hitting
How do I develop better Bat Speed and hit balls harder/farther?
Building strength and power is key to maximizing bat speed, but it’s not just about pure strength. The ability to create rotational speed and move efficiently is what truly elevates bat speed potential. A consistent training program with a coach who understands swing mechanics is essential.
Our approach includes speed training using Overload/Underload bats: heavier bats for building strength with proper form, and lighter bats to increase swing speed. For consistent results, this training is integrated into a balanced swing framework.
We also focus on movement preparation before hitting, incorporating med ball exercises, balance, and bracing work to ensure clean energy buildup and transfer.
How much should I be hitting? Off Season and in Season?
College and pro players hit six days a week on average, with practice reps far exceeding game reps. While younger players may have limitations, we recommend at least 3-4 hitting sessions per week during the offseason, in addition to the typical 1-2 weekly practice sessions.
In-season, practice and pre-game reps are limited, so supplementing with 2-3 additional hitting sessions weekly helps maintain progress. Continuing weightlifting and bat speed programs is also crucial for ongoing development.
Quality practice is key. Players should establish a consistent routine with effective drills that challenge them by simulating game-like conditions, rather than relying solely on basic tee work or flips.
How do I translate the skills I learn in the cage to the field?
Players need proper preparation to handle game demands, but many in the north lack this. In-season challenges require adaptable solutions, with variation training—exposing hitters to different shapes, speeds, and angles—being essential for preparation.
Effective hitters can adjust to what’s thrown at them, aided by strong visual processing skills. Training should focus on balanced movements, reading and tracking the ball’s speed and spin, and gaining live at-bat experience. Good mechanics, tempo, rhythm, and flow are crucial for positioning and seeing the ball clearly.
Mentally, hitters must maintain confidence and conviction. Developing timing skills, recognizing release points, and adjusting in practice are vital for success.
I want to play in college – Should I focus only on baseball? What showcases should I do?
The answer depends on individual priorities and willingness to make sacrifices. Most players aren’t physically or mentally ready for college-level play or showcasing, where metrics and perception matter. Passing the “eye test” and showing strong outputs are key for getting noticed.
Many players spend too much time on games rather than training their skills, body, and mind. While being a multi-sport athlete can help with athleticism and hand-eye coordination, playing multiple high school sports may hinder baseball-specific development if the goal is to play at the next level.
Better results come from strength training, sprints, and skill-specific practice. Balancing multiple sports with effective training requires discipline, time management, and workload planning. Prioritizing goals and committing to a focused plan is essential.
Why Does Strength Training Matters for Hitters? Where in my body should I be strong?
Strength training is crucial for hitters, with a consistent program tailored to hitting demands essential for development. Identifying deficiencies and prioritizing focus areas benefits both short- and long-term progress.
Key body parts and their roles include:
- Rear Leg: Generates potential energy and maintains balance during loading.
- Lead Leg: Braces and brakes the body for effective energy transfer.
- Core & Pelvis: Provides stability and facilitates bat movement through rotation.
- Lead Arm & Shoulder: Protects the posterior shoulder and aids in bat control.
- Rear Arm & Shoulder: Supplies top-hand force for acceleration and bat entry.
- Chest: Enhances acceleration for swinging and throwing, improving connection.
- Forearms: Ensures bat control by transferring energy from the body.
- Mobility: Flexibility in the ankle, hip, and thoracic spine is critical for balance, performance, and injury prevention.
- Assessments & Body Type: Understanding individual movement capabilities allows for efficient training tailored to each player’s strengths.
Pitching
What is different about this pitching program?
Attention to detail- Every player receives an assessment from myself. Every program is written by Alex Powers and built for each player and their individual needs.
What is the coaching style?
No set it and forget it programming- I am with every pitcher in the program. The goal is to provide the guard rails to allow for each pitcher to find the cues and solutions that work for them while being guided in the right direction.
Challenging players to become more in tuned with their body and how they move. My goal is to help as much as I can with the end objective being each player learns to become the best version of their own pitching coach.
What do the players receive?
Detailed programming from warmup – movement prep – plyo throwing routhine – throwing – pitching
16 week program runs in 4 phases – Ramp up – Velo phase – blend phase (velo into mound) – mound phase (bullpens and lives)
Arm care tracking via the Armcare app (focus on health and injury prevention)
Pitch tracking via Trackman
Youth Athletes
Why should a youth athlete lift?
Body awareness and coordination are key to a player’s success, and the weight room provides a controlled environment to develop these skills. Sports put stress on the body, often leading to breakdowns, but training in the gym helps strengthen muscles to meet the demands of the game and repair damage. This not only boosts performance but also helps athletes feel better on the field, increasing their chances for success.
Why should my player do two-way youth and not just hit or pitch?
At a young age, players don’t need a set position; focusing on all aspects of the game helps them develop versatility, opening up more opportunities as they grow. While players will eventually take on specific roles, allowing their skills to develop naturally lays a strong foundation for the future.
What is more important for my athlete to focus on? The skills side of the game or the weight room?
Ideally, players should focus on both skill development and strength training. Building motor control, hand-eye coordination, and understanding game demands helps young athletes progress. Strength training can accelerate motor development, reduce overuse injuries, and improve posture. While overuse injuries often come from playing too many games in a short time, the key for younger athletes is to make training fun and rewarding. Striking a balance between play and structured training is essential for long-term development.