Practice with the Pros 2018

Baseball Clinics near Denver, CO | 2018 | Every camp instructor has played baseball at the professional level

Registration for Practice with the Pros is currently closed.

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Oakland Athletics Ryan Lavarnway & Texas Rangers Doug Bernier are offering 2 days of pro instruction for catchers, infielders and outfielders ages 9 to 14 years old.

Just the head instructors alone bring a combined 26 years of professional playing experience, and every instructor at the camp has played baseball at the professional level.

Even more importantly...

...they are PASSIONATE about helping your player develop his talents and skills to be the best baseball player - and the best person - he can be.

Our instructors get it... the emotions, the struggles, the passion to compete. We are players too! That means the goal of each Practice with the Pros instructor is to help YOUR player improve - to get the most out of his natural talent, to achieve his goals in baseball, and ultimately, to LOVE PLAYING THE GAME.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

  • When: Saturday and Sunday; Oct 28 & 29, 2017 - UPDATE - SATURDAY IS FULL; STILL A FEW SPOTS ON SUNDAY LEFT
  • Where: Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village
  • What: Your choice of half day, full day clinic or both full days.

*Full day is recommended because the AM and PM sessions will be focused on different things.


Highlights from Practice with the Pros - Fall Baseball Clinic 2016

*You pick: Full day (Both sessions) or half day (1 session)

Morning Sessions: 9 am to 12 pm

By far, the most important thing in baseball is to be consistent with the fundamentals. If you can do that, coaches will trust you and you will get playing time. It's also setting the foundation for the advanced plays in the afternoon sessions.

Optional lunch: 12 pm to 1 pm. Players enrolled in the full day clinic can have lunch provided for an additional $10.

Afternoon Sessions: 1 pm to 4 pm

A unique opportunity to learn game-changing plays from the pros... bare hand plays, throwing on the run, sliding to cut off balls in the gap, playing balls off the wall, diving plays, hitting homers, different types of slides, advanced fly ball fielding tips, backhand double play turns, more advanced catching techniques, and more!

These plays are not normally practiced, but they are so critical because of how big momentum can shift when these plays are made or missed.

Learning proper execution will (1) increase the likelihood of making these plays successfully in games, and (2) decrease the chances of getting injured from doing them improperly.

Not only are these advanced plays fun to practice, but knowing how to do them can change the course of a game or a season!

This very literally might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don't miss out!

"My son has attended all the big name camps but Practice with the Pros is hands down the best!

Being a coach and parent I can truly attest to the all around value of this camp. The expertise and 1 on 1 training these pros provide is phenomenal, coupled with a fun environment that every kid will enjoy no matter what skill level.

My son can't wait until the next camp"

- Coach Berger, Rip City Baseball

Registration for Practice with the Pros is currently closed.

Become a LOCAL VIP for announcements about the next all-pro clinic, exclusive VIP pricing, and more

Become a LOCAL VIP - DENVER

Your Instructor


Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher
Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher

Ryan Lavarnway, Catcher

Ryan Lavarnway is an experienced Major League catcher with 8 seasons in the Major Leagues

  • Ryan Lavarnway has played with the following MLB teams: Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and Miami Marlins
  • Lavarnway attended Yale University where he studied philosophy and played baseball for the Yale Bulldogs.
  • In 2007 he was named a Division 1 All-American after setting multiple single season records, and in 2008 he became the Ivy League's all-time career Home Run record holder.
  • Lavarnway was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 6th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.
  • Two-time Boston Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year
  • Rated by Baseball America best defensive catcher in the International league in 2012.
  • When Lavarnway made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox on August 18, 2011, he became the first player in MLB history to hit two Home Runs and throw out a runner in his first start as a catcher.
  • In 2013, Lavarnway earned a World Series title and ring with the Boston Red Sox.
  • 2019 - Lavarnway became the first player in history to hit 2 home runs in his debut game with the Cincinnati Reds
  • More recently, Lavarnway was a key member of Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic is 2016 and 2017, earning himself MVP of Pool A of the Tournament.

Your Instructor


Doug Bernier
Doug Bernier

Doug Bernier is a veteran utility infielder with Major League experience at every infield position.

  • Major League Debut in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies.
  • He has played professional baseball for 15 years: Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Texas Rangers organizations
  • His career fielding percentage at all levels after 16 years of professional baseball is .976
  • 2013 MN Twins Minor League Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2014 Defensive Payer of the Year for Rochester Redwings
  • Pacific Coast League Player of the Week in 2016
  • 2016 Co-MVP for TX Rangers AAA affiliate Round Rock Express
  • 1st player ever to hit for the cycle in Round Rock Express 17 year franchise history

Bernier is also the founder of Pro Baseball Insider (PBI), which has 100’s of pages of free baseball tips & instruction – exclusively from professional baseball players, coaches, trainers, and scouts.

Baseball Camp Overview

Hitting

Every player wants to increase bat speed and consistency at the plate. From proper mechanics to mental approach, your player will leave with new practical insights, skills, drills and personalized feedback on what he is doing properly and what to work on for continuing improvement.

The best players in the game know that hitting is both an art and a science.

We will have objective evaluations using the Swing Tracker bat sensor to diagnose bat speed, swing path and angles.

We also have experienced coaches who have not only played at the highest level of baseball, but are currently still playing. That means it's not a distant memory, but something we eat, drink, sleep and breathe. Our coaches will relate to players not only what a swing should look like, but how it should feel and what to think... from experience!

Defense

The defensive instruction at this camp will be rigorous. Here are a few of the things we are going to work on:

  • Fielding footwork, increasing range, double play turns, recieving throws, tips for executing advanced plays
  • Improving throwing technique for better accuracy and power
  • Defensive awareness - Possibly one of the most important and under-taught qualities that can significantly improve your results in the field
  • Base running - Taking leads, stealing bases, making turns, proper lead distance, improving first-step jump, player's ability to know if he should steal base

Catching

Catchers will receive top-notch instruction from Major League catcher Ryan Lavarnway:

  • Receiving. Get more strikes called and have influence over every pitch.
  • Blocking. Keeping the ball in front and not letting runners take extra bases.
  • Throwing. Proper footwork and athleticism for strong, accurate throws. Shut down the running game and be a leader on the field.

Frequently Asked Questions


When is it?
This camp only happens once a year. This year is Saturday, Oct 28 and Sunday, Oct 29, 2017. You can attend one or both of these days. Your choice. Both half or full day are availabile. A "half day" is one session. Each session is 3 hours long. Full day includes both the AM and PM sessions, plus the option to have lunch provided.
Where will this baseball clinic be?
Tom McCollum Field at Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village, CO) Address: 9300 E Union Ave, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
What if the weather is bad?
If the weather is bad enough to warrant cancellation, you can choose to participate in the rescheduled event or have your payment refunded in full.
What is the student to instructor ratio?
We will not exceed 8 players per instructor.
Who will the other instructors be?
Our goal is to have all instructors who have played baseball at the professional level (although this cannot be guaranteed). The final names will be released as we get closer to the date of the camp.
What if I need to cancel?
You can cancel and receive a full refund up to 48 hours before the event.
Where do I specify my player's position?
Once you enroll in the camp, you'll have access to the Practice with the Pros Member area. There you can finish the registration form and find lot's of other important information.
Where do I specify which session I want?
Once you enroll in the camp, you'll fill out the registration form and select your sessions.
Are all 4 sessions still available?
Currently all 4 sessions are still available. We'll be sure to post here loud and clear if any sessions fill up and become unavailable.

Kevin Wood, Founder of Youth Baseball Coaching

Youth Baseball Coaching is a community of 28,445 coaches, parents and others who love the game to share helpful information and ask for advice that will help them be better coaches.


"Our son absolutely loved Practice with the Pros Baseball Camp.

Ryan and Doug did a great job with a professionally run camp that not only kept things moving with quality instruction at every stop, but kept it FUN for the boys the whole time!

Really special for the players to get techniques straight from big leaguers. "

- Heather Basile, Mother of 12 yr old player

"My two boys LOVED working with Doug and Ryan.

They’ve been to baseball camps and clinics before, and usually come back with positive reports but they said Doug and Ryan were the best.

Not only did they think the drills and analysis were very helpful (and as an observer I thought clinic time was very well spent), but they also had more fun working with Doug and Ryan than just about any other camp and clinic they’ve been to in the past. I highly recommend PBI and Doug and Ryan.

My kids will be back!"

- Steven M. Weiser, Father of players ages 11 & 13

Registration for Practice with the Pros is currently closed.

Become a LOCAL VIP for announcements about the next all-pro clinic, exclusive VIP pricing, and more

Become a LOCAL VIP - DENVER