Offseason and preseason sessions required your daughter to come at the same time and day for ten weeks. She was with the same players: a "team," if you will, encouraging competition and consistency. During the in-season and summer this is not the case. Because game schedules are so hectic, we allow players to come whenever they can based on their personal schedule. 

During the in-season and summer we provide two instructors per class. Players pair up with a similar player, then spend time with each coach in stations, working on what each individual needs most.

Once you sign up, you will be prompted to download our scheduling app. You can browse and sign up for classes through the simple system. If you want a printable version of the schedule, check out our website.

The average attendance of our in-season classes is less than 3 players (with a 6-person cap). We charge you a little more for the in-season because we rent more facility time than we do October-March. This way, players can move around to different times easily.  On the other hand, for the preseason and offseason sessions, we fill every single class with 6 players so each is, by design, booked full.

I would take a look at the calendar before you sign up and compare it to your schedule. We do not allow roll-overs or credits, so if you don't see anything that fits your schedule, it might be a good idea to wait until the next session. Keep in mind you may attend any location.

Registration for each session goes for a week, with a few days of early registration for a discount. Parents choose their top three class time preferences during registration. I arrange classes based on age, ability level, and preferences. The more flexible you are the better classes you get! Then 5 days after registration closes you will get your class assignment.

Please notify us as soon as possible ahead of time for absences. You may attempt to reschedule into another open class at your level, although openings are not guaranteed. If you miss a class and are not able to reschedule, you will not receive a refund or a credit. Usually, it is not a problem except during the last week or two of a session. In order to reschedule yourself, follow these instructions. This is much faster and easier than emailing the scheduling coordinator and waiting for response and going back and forth on dates.

No, none of our instructors do private lessons while pitching school is in session. We believe small-group lessons are the most effective way to make high-level instruction accessible to the most # of players at a reasonable cost to you, all while making Illinois the best softball state in the country! We funnel 100% of our resources to this goal.

Abby Hanrahan, Sarah Dec, Nancy Findeisen, Andrea Starr, and Michelle Knight are all the co-coaches. Abby Hanrahan is the lead instructor in Oak Park and Chicago. Sarah Dec is the lead instructor in Skokie/Evanston.

I would recommend still coming to lessons. If she has an upper body injury we can work on her lower body and vice versa. We are trying to teach young players the importance of overcoming adversity. If this is not possible, you will receive a prorated amount back with a doctor's note.

Yes, for the summer session you may purchase an additional class if you are already participating in the session.

We have overhand throwing classes and catching classes that you can join with the virtual practice club program. I can refer you to hitting and defensive instructors.

There is not much research on windmill style pitching. There are recommendation from experts from “do not pitch at all” to “build up to 700+ pitches per week”, to “rest every other day.” Long story short, I believe parents need to understand the mechanics (ahem, come to lessons with your daughter) and be able to recognize when she either slows down or her motion breaks down, it means she’s tired. It’s time to stop for the day.

Behind every great pitcher is an involved parent. When I asked my friend, Kelly Ostler, a two-time DIII All-American, current coach of UIC, and OBYBS coach, about her practice habits as a young player she said, "My dad and I recently tried to go back and count the hours I probably pitched growing up. Ugh! It was so many!!"  I asked if she practiced by herself and she said, "My dad caught for me. He'd say 'Let's go." and I'd grab my mitt and head out the yard. It wasn't an argument. It was a habit. As a kid I didn't give it much thought I just went." I found the same sentiment with the countless other pitchers who went on to play in college.