FAQs

Q. Whats the difference between level 1 and level 2 lessons?
A.All ASBA Lesson Instructors have 4 years professional or collegiate playing experience and have passed a written test regarding the fundamentals and coaching of baseball. Our Level 2 instructors have completed over 1500 lessons with ASBA, 750 Program and Team Practice hours, and usually also have additional job duties within the company beyond giving instruction.

Q. How can I split up my lesson package?
A. Once you purchase a lesson package they are valid for all children in your immediate family. Lesson packages can be used for multiple aspects of training and only needs to be determined at the time of booking so we can give you the appropriate instructor and space for the required skill.

Q. How long do I have to use my lessons?
A. Each lesson package has an expiration which is dependent on how many lessons are purchased. We have an expiration date to ensure that you are seeing the most value out of your lessons by coming in consistently and maximizing repetitions during your instruction. Expiration lengths are: 1-3 lessons (1 Month), 4-15 lessons (3 Months), 16-31 lessons (6 Months), 32-49 (10 Months), and 50+ (12 Months). All lessons must be completed prior to the expiration date or the remaining lessons will be forfeited.

Q. Should I do a 30 or 60 minute lesson?
A. All ASBA lessons are sold in 30 minute increments but are usually combined for a 60 minute lesson. During a 60 minute lesson we will usually focus on 1 skill set for players 13+ while players 7-12 often use this to focus on multiple skill sets. It is important for players to be well rounded and succeed both offensively and defensively on the field. The 60 minute lesson allows us to do drill work while also increasing player repetitions and focusing on the mental component to the game. Simply put, we wouldn’t take our own child out to practice for only 30 minutes, we would make sure to get an hour’s worth of work in each time.

Q. How often should we come in for a lesson?
A. Just like anything in life, the more you practice the better you will get. At a minimum players should train both in and out of season once a week. Only you can be the judge of how frequently you can make it but players who do not practice on their own at home will need to make sure they are finding a way to get additional reps between lessons so they can continue to progress. This may mean that additional lessons are necessary to meet your desired goals.

Q. How do you pick the right instructor?
A. Our qualified staff will help you choose the right instructor based on your child’s skill set, personality and learning style. Some determining factors will be based on the skill set you want to focus on for instruction as well as your availability and instructor schedules. Once you do pick an instructor we would suggest using the same coach consistently for that specific skill set so you can have continuity and build a relationship. In order to ensure this is an option we suggest that you schedule in advance to make sure we can work with your schedule and the coach’s availability.

Q. When can I schedule my lessons?
A. We usually are able to schedule lessons out at least 3 months in advance. In order to maintain a consistent coach and have flexibility with your schedule we suggest you take advantage of this. Lessons can be scheduled in person or over the phone. Keep in mind we have a 24 hour cancellation policy so pre booked lessons can easily be adjusted if needed.

Q. Do we have to pay for the lessons up front?
A. In order to schedule lessons in our system you must have paid for your package in advance. This is done to make sure that we can best accommodate all lesson clients throughout the course of the year. All lessons packages should be paid for in full up front. Please contact the facility manager if you have any specific questions pertaining to lesson payments.

Q. How do you pick the right lesson package?
A. In our 15 years of experience we have seen that many ASBA clients end up purchasing multiple lesson packages. This being said, the right lesson package is based on your goals and commitment to getting better. We would suggest that you focus on setting goals, deciding how often you can commit to coming for lessons, and then picking the right package for your family based on the above answers and your current financial situation.

Q. When should we arrive on event day?
A. Please arrive 15-25 minutes prior to your scheduled tryout time to check in at the front desk. After checking in all players and parents should congregate in the lobby.

Q. Should my son warm up and be ready to go before we get to tryouts?
A. We encourage that all players should be ready to play and do drills when they show up to tryouts. However, coaches will warm players up and begin the tryout process while a staff member talks to all parents in the lobby.

Q. What’s next after once the player has completed their portion of the workout?
A. Once a player has completed his portion of the workout they will be able to leave. Pitchers and Catchers should be prepared to stay the longest.

Q. When we will know if players make the team, and what are the steps once they do?
A. Please keep in mind that no decisions for the team will be made until the final tryout date has been completed. We ask that no phone calls are made to ask for updates during the first 14 days. All players must respond back to offers within 24 hours of receiving notice in order to expedite the process of contacting all players. Regardless of ASBA’s decision we will contact everyone who attended a tryout with feedback and a plan of action moving forward. Team commitments require a non-refundable deposit at time of commitment.

Q. How much does a season typically cost?
A. The cost of ASBA teams ranges from $800 – $3,100 per season based on the schedule and training components, usually broken down into a payment plan. In general, the cost gradually increases as players get older due to increased tournament fees and the level of training included in the program.

Q. What does playing on an ASBA team include per season? / What additional expenses?
A. A season includes organized practices, tournament play, and professional coaching. The only required additional cost is for the uniform (jersey and hat). Players will frequently be offered other purchase options at a discounted price as a benefit to being in the program (i.e. private lessons).

Q. Would you recommend taking lessons as well as playing on a team?
A. Yes, we suggest that all players take private lessons. While our teams provide a great deal of training, there are certain physical and mental skills that are most effectively taught in an individual setting.

Q. What sets ASBA teams apart?

A. We aim to inspire and mentor our athletes, both on and off the field. We are about playing the game the right way and creating memorable learning experiences for all players and families. The teams are built on the foundation of developing fundamentals, creating opportunities for players to succeed, teaching accountability, and making lifelong memories.

Q. Will my child get playing time?
A. We feel it is very important that all players get ample playing time in order to develop them and create great experiences for the families. While we cannot guarantee that playing time will be equal for all players, we are committed to ensuring all team members get plenty of opportunity to play during the season.

Q. Are there different levels of play?
A. We are committed to providing the best development and coaching experiences regardless of the team skill level. However, since team skill levels vary, we build the tournament schedule to balance competition and confidence building. In the event that a facility has multiple teams in one age group, we generally try to balance the talent level between each team instead of creating “A” and “B” teams.

Q. For what ages and seasons do you run teams?
A. We run travel teams for players ages 9-18 throughout the year, which typically includes four different seasons. We feel strongly that our team schedules should complement the traditional age-related baseball opportunities:

Spring Season: January – April for players ages 9-12. Our goal is to train during the winter months and play early tournaments before allowing these players to participate in a traditional Little League season.

Summer Season: Late May – July (will often also include winter workouts) for players ages 13-17. During this time, teams play summer ball after the Middle and High School seasons are complete.

Short Summer Season: Month of August for players ages 9-12 looking for additional baseball after the Little League season ends. These teams usually cost $500 and include four weeks of practice and two tournaments.

Fall Season: September – October for players ages 9-18. Many of these team players are not involved in fall sports, however, there are also opportunities for those athletes who are trying to balance multiple sports in the fall season.

Q. Where do your teams typically play?
A. Teams typically practice indoors at their local ASBA facility or outdoors on local fields where we have partnerships. The majority of teams will play their tournaments within a 90-minute driving distance from their ASBA facility, however, there are occasional trips that may require further travel. In most cases, tournaments are not overnight commitments (unless a family chooses to). For teams looking for a travel experience, we will occasionally take a trip to Florida in February or a trip to Virginia/South Carolina/North Carolina.

Q. How do we get on an ASBA team?
A. Please give us a call, send us an email, stop by the facility, or submit an online inquiry. We are always looking for more families that we can inspire and mentor! We hold season group tryouts for teams that anyone is invited to attend, however, if you miss or are unable to make the tryouts we also set up individual workouts year-round and will help create a personalized development plan for your player.

Q. Do we need to live locally to play for ASBA?
A. In order to get the full experience, it is important that you are able to attend practices and games for your team. Most families live within a 45-minute commute from the facility, however, we have had players participate who live much farther away since they were able to make the commute work. If you are concerned about this, please feel free to contact us and also check for any other ASBA locations that may be closer to you.

Q. Can we turn our existing team into an ASBA team?
A. We are open to transitioning existing teams to ASBA teams. This would allow players and families to stay together while benefitting from our great training facilities and knowledgeable coaches, as well as alleviating the administrative burden. Please contact your local facility for more details and to discuss further.

Q. What is the difference between a Facilities Team and a Futures Team?
A. Our Facilities Teams are focused on player development and competitive tournaments – typically for players ages 15 and younger or High School players that are not interested in pursuing playing collegiately. Our Futures Program is for High School players who are looking to be recruited, and therefore need to maximize their exposure. Many families have participated in our Facility Teams for years before ultimately transferring into our Future Program when becoming of age.

Q. How do I know what age team my child should be on?
A. Players are grouped together by their League Age, which is a standard cutoff across tournament venues. Players will participate in the same age group from September through August before moving up again the following September. You can find your child’s League Age using this chart. It is important to note that for travel baseball there are three different field dimensions with varying rules:

9s & 10s: 46/60 – This refers to the pitching distance and base length (similar to Little League Baseball)

11s & 12s: 50/70 – This refers to the pitching distance and base length (begins to incorporate Leads, Steals, and Pickoffs)

13s+: 60/90 – This refers to the pitching distance and base length (will provide your traditional baseball rules and dimensions you see in the Major Leagues)

Q. Where do the Senior Futures teams compete?
A. The All Star Baseball Academy Futures Program Teams compete in travel tournaments selectively chosen to provide high level competition and exposure opportunities for our players. Many of the tournament providers include Diamond Nation, Starz Tournaments, Elite Championship Tournament Baseball, Virginia Sports Complex, Impact Baseball, Dynamic Baseball, Super 6 Tournaments, and Perfect Game USA WWBA and BCS National Championships.

Q. What are the goals for the Futures program?
A. The goals of our Futures Program are rooted around overall player development – both on and off the field. We want to prepare our players to play at the highest level of their athletic capabilities as well as individually prepare them for effective navigation of the college recruiting process. Our coaches focus on the development of individual skills in a teamwork setting while our program advisors work directly with each family to help identify that player’s right fit.

Q. What is ASBA’s recognition with as a company?
A. Our program is nationally recognized as one of the top travel programs by college coaches and by premiere tournament providers. This tradition of quality allows for ASBA to receive more bids to coveted tournaments that can enhance exposure opportunities for our players.

Q. What is the goal for each player in the Senior Program?
A. Ultimately we seek to provide each player in our program with the opportunity to gain exposure to college coaches and pro scouts. Over the past decade the ASBA Futures Program teams have helped over 500 players in reaching their goals of playing collegiate and professional baseball. Please reference our Alumni List of former players with their collegiate commitments and professional signings.

Q. What do kids do at your summer camps?
A. Our camps typically will start with a group warm up and team building activity and then players will be broken into smaller groups for instructional training. Each day we will focus on teaching the fundamentals in the morning. Players will then have lunch and we will play instructional games and have fun competitions during the afternoon. On the last day of camp we typically play more games and do less drill work in the morning.

Q. What happens if it rains?
A. We do our best to monitor the weather and plan accordingly. If we see a day with lots of rain in the forecast we will usually bring camp inside of our closest facility. We do also have the option of moving a day of camp to Friday if we feel that is a better solution for the week given multiple rainy days. As far as summer rain storms that pass through we will typically take a break in the dugouts or other covered areas depending on the camp site and adjust lunch or play baseball trivia games until the rain passes.

Q. Do kids have to bring their own lunch?
A. For all camps kids should bring their own bagged lunch unless otherwise noted. Some college coaches camps will offer a lunch purchase option depending on the location and facilities. All players should bring plenty of liquids to camp and All-Star will make sure there is an option to refill water bottles as needed.

Q. Who are the coaches at your summer camps?
A. Our summer camps are kept to a maximum 7:1 player to coach ratio. Coaches are comprised of our ASBA instructors along with some local High School Baseball players who have trained in our program and are looking to teach players in their community.

Q. What do kids wear to camp?
A. Kids can wear shorts and T-Shirts to our camps. We do suggest hats as players will be out in the sun for several hours. Many players like to bring a pair of baseball pants in their bag to put on for the game in the afternoon so they can slide more comfortably. If you are attending an Indoor camp we would ask that you wear sneakers and not cleats.

Q. What equipment does my child need to bring?
A. Players should bring their baseball equipment and make sure that all items have their name or initials on them. We will have extra bats and helmets available for those players who do not have their own. There is no need to bring catching equipment to camp for any player.

Q. How does drop off and pickup work?
A. Parents can drop players off 15 minutes before camp and should check in with a coach upon arrival. We would ask that all players are picked up within 15 minutes of the end of camp. For anyone carpooling we will need a written note with permission sent to the building or dropped off at camp by check in time each morning.

1. When should we arrive on event day?
   A. Please arrive 15-25 minutes prior to your scheduled tryout time to check in at the front desk. After checking in all players and parents should congregate in the lobby.
2. Should my daughter warm up and be ready to go before we get to tryouts?
   A.We encourage that all players should be ready to play and do drills when they show up to tryouts. However, coaches will warm players up and begin the tryout process while a staff member talks to all parents in the lobby.
3. What’s next after the player has completed their portion of the workout?
   A. Once a player has completed her portion of the workout she will be able to leave. Pitchers and Catchers should be prepared to stay the longest.
4. When will we know if players make the team, and what are the steps once they do?
   A. Please keep in mind that no decisions for the team will be made until the final tryout date has been completed. We ask that no phone calls are made to ask for updates during the first 14 days. All players must respond back to offers within 24 hours of receiving notice in order to expedite the process of contacting all players. Regardless of ASSA’s decision we will contact everyone who attended a tryout with feedback and a plan of action moving forward. Team commitments require a non-refundable deposit at time of commitment.

1. Which organizations sponsor the tournaments ASSA Junior Teams attend?
   A. The All-Star Softball Academy Junior Teams compete in travel tournaments sponsored by USA Softball, USSSA, Pony, and Premier Girls Fastpitch.
2. Other than tournaments how do the Junior Teams stay ahead of the curve?
   A. The ASSA Junior Teams typically play a fall and spring season. The fall season runs from September through October, and the spring season begins with winter workouts in December and runs through April. Players are invited to attend tryouts at their local ASBA location; click here for a full list of tryout dates.
3. How can we register to be part of a Junior Team?
   A. If interested, click here to fill out our registration form. Please refer to the League Age Chart to confirm your daughter’s league age. If you have any questions or would like to get more information, please contact your local ASBA today!

Q. Why does my child need to lift weights for sports?
A. Training reduces the risk of injury and improves athletic performance. Training can increase the amount of force your body can tolerate and generate. This can help you run faster, jump higher and throw harder. Strength training improves mobility, body awareness, body composition, overall health, and confidence.

Q. At what age is it safe to start lifting weights?
A. Kids can begin training at very early ages. Training is not limited to lifting weights. As soon as kids begin playing sports, or even recreational games, they can begin to train. At earlier ages, training includes movement literacy and quality as we help them understand how to move their bodies properly and expose them to different stimuli. Proper training should always be safer than sports themselves because training includes a gradual and progressive exposure to what they will experience in sports.

Q. How does lifting weights help with baseball/softball?
A. Our training includes much more than lifting weights. We incorporate speed and power training into just about every session. Baseball and softball consist of repeated bouts of exerting maximum force as quickly as possible. Through sprints, jumps, and medicine ball throws, we can increase the rate at which athletes can produce force. By strength training, we increase the number of force athletes can produce. And adding muscle mass increases an athlete’s potential for strength and force production.

Q. Will lifting weights prevent injuries?
A. Training reduces the risk of injury by exposing the body to similar forces it will experience in sport and increases the amount of stress the body can tolerate. You cannot completely prevent injuries, but strength training can decrease the likelihood of injury. Training not only increases strength in muscles, but tendons, ligaments, and bones as well. Proper training also reduces imbalances and asymmetries in the body that can lead to injury over time.

Q. Will nutrition and recovery be addressed?
A. Recovery is more important than the training itself. There is a lot that goes into recovery, but nutrition, hydration, and sleep are the biggest components of it. These are topics that our coaches will address and educate our athletes on daily. Our coaches will inform and encourage athletes to eat properly to recover from training sessions and come back better and stronger.

Q. Do you work on speed too?
A. We will work on speed in some capacity during every session. Whether we sprint on the turf, perform plyometrics, or execute strength movements in the weight room that translate to speed, we will always focus on movements that improve athleticism.

Q. Is this training sport-specific?
A. We train our athletes to be well-rounded and robust. They are coming to us to get better at their sport, not better at lifting. We prioritize laying a strong foundation of quality movement and relative strength. The athlete’s sport is always considered and addressed. While many movements may be similar regardless of the athlete’s sport, the sport will influence the progression of their training, energy system development, and injury reduction exercises. Every movement included in a program serves a purpose. That purpose is to improve their ability to excel at their sport. Exercises may not mimic sports movement exactly, but they are intended to develop qualities specific to the athletes’ sport.

Q. How many days a week should younger athletes train?
A. We focus on quality over quantity when it comes to training. Consistency is the most important factor if you want to improve. Ideally, we believe athletes should train 2-3 times a week for 30-60 minutes. However, progress can certainly be made even on 1-2 sessions a week. Each of our sessions addresses multiple athletic qualities and training the body as a whole. We preach intent and intensity throughout every session, therefore consistently performing 2-3 sessions a week will help athletes reach their goals.

Q. Can you lift the day before or the day of a game?
A. The purpose of this training is not to leave you sore and tired all the time. The goal is to improve your performance. Of course, there are days you might be more sore than others, but you will become more proficient at training, and soreness will dimmish as you adapt to this style of training. If it is done correctly, training can be done the day before a game, after a game, or even prior to playing a game. Correctly and carefully prescribed training can serve as a great warmup and stimulate your central nervous system for increased performance following a training session. This practice is frequently used at the college level.

Q. What results can I expect from this training?
A. In training, you only get out what you put in. If you train with intent, attention to detail, consistency, and prioritize recovery, you will improve overall athleticism. This training will create more resilient athletes, improve speed, power, strength, and muscle mass. Our training will also prepare you for the style of training you may see playing at the next level.

Q. Who runs the strength training/designs the workouts?
A. The coaches conducting the strength and conditioning sessions are here solely for that training. They are not sports coaches running strength training on the side. These coaches have the sole priority of strength and conditioning that compliments your sports practice and training. Our coaches have certifications, experience, and education unique to strength and conditioning. Our coaches have worked at every level and coached athletes from youth development programs up to Division 1 athletes.

Q. Should you still train if you have a minor injury?
A. Anytime you have an injury, you should be sure to get it examined by an athletic trainer or doctor and receive approval to continue activity. Training should always work to improve your overall health and performance and should never hinder performance or make your condition worse. If you have an injury, we can always help you find ways to train around it and continue to make progress where you can. For example, if you have a limb injury, you should continue to train the other parts of your body, as well as the opposing limb in a pain-free manner. There is even research to support that training unaffected areas provides slight improvements to the injured side even if it is not being used.