ABI

1 (888) 545-2129

Feb 4th Free Agent Tryout! Register Now! (18+ not in School)American Baseball Institute Where Passion Meets Potential

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NEWS and Events

Currently accepting new players!Space is limited, Register Now!Early Camp starting January 4th-31st, 2012.Spring Camps Start Feb 1st - April 30th, 2012Free Agents League Aprill 10th- May 10th, 2012*Live and train in a professional baseball environment!

WELCOME to ABI

Scouting and development is the backbone and foundation of baseball. At ABI, we help players hone their skills in our extended spring training environment managed by MLB and professionally qualified instructors. We provide the opportunity for growth and exposure to all professional and amateur baseball organizations. We are committed to helping players reach their highest potential.

ALL PROSPECTS MUST FILL OUT A PLAYER PROFILE BEFORE JOINING THE ABI COMMUNITY OR ATTENDING OPEN TRYOUTS. CLICK HERE TO START THE PROCESS

For more news and updates on our events and scholarships click here!
$Images\Park_Pictures\JACK RUSSELL STADIUM\Jack Russel Stadium_1.jpg$

Jack Russell Stadium: Clearwater, FL.

Former spring training site for the Philadelphia Phillies, Home to ABI.

ABOUT

Who We Are ABI BROCHURE-1(1).jpg

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The Program

THE PROGRAM

For over five years ABI has aided in the development of players from around the US, Europe, the Caribbean Islands, Japan and South America. We have become the premier baseball development institute in the United States. Our accomplishments are a direct result of the continued professional development and training we provide our players.Scouting and development is the backbone and foundation of baseball. At ABI, we help players hone their skills in our extended spring training environment managed by MLB and professionally qualified instructors. We provide the opportunity for growth and exposure to all professional and amateur baseball organizations. ABI is committed to individually helping players reach their highest potential.
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Housing

ABI Players are housed in a gated, luxury, fully furnished apartment complex with washer and dryers in each unit, cable, wireless Internet, and all utilities included. All Apartments have completely equipped kitchens. Players will need to bring standard size twin sheets, light blanket, pillow and bath towels. All of this is available nearby if you choose to purchase rather than pack. There are typically two prospects per room, but singles are available at times.Transportation is provided to and from Tampa International Airport (TPA) and daily to and from our stadium. We provide transportation on a weekly basis for groceries and personal items. Major shopping and restaurants are conveniently located within walking distance of the housing complex. Transportation is available for Tampa Airport at scheduled times. Contact ABI for more information.
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Benefits of ABI

THE BENEFITS OF AMERICAN BASEBALL INSTITUTE

• Each player is individually filmed, analyzed, and evaluated by professional scouts

• Professional training by professional Instructors

• Scouting staff with over 100 years professional experience

• Home for released players who want to hone their skills and have the opportunity

t o continue to play professionally

• Professional baseball environment at newly renovated historic Jack Russell Stadium

• Summer and off season program for college players who want to sharpen their skills

• Schedule that allows for summer college on line course work

• Controlled work loads for pitchers

• Maximized playing time/at bats

• Practical development system through games and daily practice

Our Facilities

THE FACILITIES AND SERVICE

ABI is located at historic Jack Russell stadium in

beautiful Clearwater, FL.

For 49 spring training seasons, The Philadelphia Phillies called Jack Russell Stadium their Grapefruit League home. Their tenure there was one of the longest ever by a team at the same spring training facility. Jack Russell opened in 1955.

Practice turf field

Indoor and outdoor batting cages

Twelve bullpen mounds

Access to professional trainer and rehab facility at discount cost

Locker rooms

Art of strength training program

Yoga

Contract use of a 25,000 square foot, state of the art weight room facility with an Olympic size swimming pool and hot tub, racquetball courts and basketball courts.

Our Values

ABI VALUES

We operate with integrity. We are honest with clients and each other.We follow the Golden Rule in business. We treat people the way we would like to be treated.We believe safety is paramount, that it overrides any other consideration in the field, and is everyones job.We build athletes dreams and develop the skills they need to reach them. We empower athletes to achieve their dreams; they decide how far they can go.We edify each other and the athletes as often as we can with legitimate praise.We use objective measurements whenever possible.We are open-minded and welcome new ideas gratefully, and then we test them to make sure they work.

American Baseball Institute Where Passion Meets Potential

Who We Are

The Program

Housing

Benefits of ABI

Our Facilities

Our Values

SCOUTING/EXPOSURE

The Exposure at ABI is second to none!

For over five years ABI has aided in the development of players from around the US, Europe, the

Caribbean Islands, Japan and South America. We have become the premier baseball development

institute in the United States.

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ABI: Free Agents
Train to Gain an Advantage...The Resources are at ABISo you're a great ball player, with tons of potential, yet nowhere to play, you were not drafted, you were not accepted at the college of your choice, perhaps you were injured, or you just got released? Where do you go from here? ABI can provide that next oportunity.Daily work to enhance Ability and SkillAssessment and Instruction using Video AnalysisMental Skill developmentDevelop professional routines Opportunities for exposure to scoutingStrength and Conditioning to meet the demands of the professional gameDon't let another day or calendar year go by. Everyday you are not progressing, you are actually regressing, becoming one day closer to the end of your playing career. Give us a call to get your career on the right track.

college

ABI: College Players
And College-Bound Athletes...Stepping it UpPlaying baseball at the college level is both an honor and a privilage. There are over 1300 colleges in the United States searching every year for great ball players and students like yourself. ABI is a heaven for college players and college bound players.THE BENEFITS OF AMERICAN BASEBALL INSTITUTESummer and off season programs for college players who want to hone their skills Schedule that allows for summer on line course workControlled work loads for pitchersMaximized playing time/at batsPractical development system through games and daily practiceProfessional training from professional instructors Professional scouting staff with over 100 years professional experiencePlay with the best professional and college talent in the country

highschool

ABI: High School Seniors
So What's Next?This is the question that thousands of ball players ask every year.What college should I go to? Do I have the grades to get into a college? Should I just go straight into pro baseball? Where do I start?At ABI we help prepare the highschool student for college and pro baseball. We are the premier baseball development institute in the United States. Our accomplishments are a direct result of the continued professional development and training we provide our players. We are committed to helping players reach their highest potential.Scouting and development is the backbone and foundation of baseball. Under the direction of Jim Thrift and Aaron Ledesma, ABI has developed a system of evaluation where players receive a full review and professional assessment of their current level of play. ABI provides training and development in a controlled environment where scouts and coaches have a place to view players seeking to be recruited via film or in person.

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college

highschool

PITCHING INTEREST

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UPCOMING EVENTS

CAMPS

EARLY TRAINING CAMP

SPRING CAMP

SUMMER CAMP

SIGN UP NOW

PRO OPEN TRY-OUT FOR FREE AGENTS

FREE AGENTS LEAGUE

SUMMER-PRO & COLLEGE WOOD BAT LEAGUE

ARRIVAL DATES

EVERY TUESDAY

EVERY TUESDAY

EVERY TUESDAY

START DATES

JAN 4 - 31 2012

FEB 1 - APRIL 31 2012

MAY 1 - JULY 31 2012

FEB 4, 2012

APRIL 10, 2012

JUNE 12, 2012

LEAGUES

FREE AGENTS LEAGUE

APRIL 10 TO MAY 10 2012

(Minimum 16 games)

SUMMER PRO & COLLEGE

WOOD BAT LEAGUE

JUNE 12- JULY 31 2012

(24 games)

For more information call ABI

!-888-545-2129

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Max Limonick Baseball Scholarship

www.maxlimonickbaseballscholarship.com

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Training and hard work pay off at ABI!

Over 40 players have recently gone on to play

Pro Baseball after attending ABI.

19 have signed with Major League Organizations.

Check here for more News and Updates from ABI Coming soon

CONTACT US

Contact Us

PLAYER PROFILE

Contact Us

Contact Us
Po Box 181Clearwater, FL 33757Tel: +1 888 545 2129Email: info_abibaseball.com

PLAYER PROFILE

ABI TEAM

Article 1

Aaron Ledesma
Aaron brings over 15 years of professional baseball experience to the table. After being drafted in the 2nd round of the 1990 draft by the New York Mets, he broke into the major leagues in 1995. Over the course of his 11-year playing career, Aaron played 5 seasons in the major leagues with the New York Mets, California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Colorado Rockies. Aaron played all four infield positions and carried a career .296 major league batting average.After managing/coaching 4 years in the New York Yankees system, Aaron and his wife decided that it would be best to settle down and join ABI full time where he can spend the entire year in Clearwater teaching and developing young players who are pursuing their dreams. Aaron enjoys watching his players develop and improve on the field but also has a passion for building up and empowering young men and seeing them mature off the field.

Jim Thrift

Jim Thrift
Like his father before him, Jim Thrift has dedicated his life to major league baseball. Jim attended the University of North Carolina on a full baseball scholarship. Initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was later drafted and signed as an infielder by the Oakland Athletics.Following his years as a player, Jim worked as a manager and instructor for the Pittsburgh Pirates in their minor league system where he developed and implemented hitting, base-running and other techniques used in both professional and amateur programs. From Pittsburgh, Jim moved on to manage the New York Mets minor league system where he compiled a .683 winning percentage while developing top prospects for that club.Over the course of 25+ years in baseball, Jim has been a coveted resource for five major league teams: the Pirates, Mets, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles. Of these, he has spent the most time with and performed the most roles for Cincinnati, the Big Red Machine, the oldest National League franchise in the USA. Jim knows the game of baseball from the ground up, has served with distinction in every capacity from coach to professional scout, and has contacts with virtually every club in both leagues. Jim has many strengths, but perhaps the most prized is his keen ability to recognize and develop talent.Forty years ago Jims father created the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy, filled it with 50 young players that he developed, and ultimately this group led Kansas City to win the World Series. This feat has never been duplicated until now. Jim Thrift has the knowledge from that first academy, the expertise acquired from a quarter-century in baseball, and the leading edge capabilities of ABI to carry that dream to the next level. We are proud to have Jim Thrift as a key member of our winning team.

Article 2

Chris Holt
Chris Holt is a pitching coach who works to develop all aspects of pitching performance to develop complete pitchers. He is proficient in knowledge of pitching mechanics, velocity development, pitch-ability, strength / conditioning and development of the mental game. He works to build focus, mental toughness, discipline and drive in those with whom he works. As a coach, Holt works from the premise that each pitcher is unique and demands differentiated instruction.A 21st Round draft pick by the Pirates in 2002, Chris spent two years pursuing big league ambitions before dedicating his focus to coaching. After his pro career in the Pirates organization Holt spent 2004 in Europe where he played, coached and competed in international tournaments. Upon his return to the U.S. he coached 4 years at the collegiate level at Flagler College, during which 5 of his former pitchers signed professionally. From 2009-2011 Holt continued developing college and pro prospects while serving as the pitching coach at Ponte Vedra High School near Jacksonville, Florida. During that time 5 pitchers on his staffs signed to play at the collegiate level.As an instructor Holt approaches pitchers with a professional mind-set, an organized environment and works to stay on the cutting edge of training and development techniques. Pitchers are assessed using high-speed film and one-on-one consultation to evaluate their development. "As a former Major League pitcher and former teammate of Chris Holt, I highly recommend his knowledge, passion, and discipline of the game. Chris is a true student and scientist of pitching. His unmatched dedication towards simplifying the intricacies of mechanics, thought patterns, and conditioning will certainly help any pitcher at any level achieve pitching mastery. While in the minor leagues, Holty and I often shared our ideas on pitching, which personally helped me take my game to new heights and eventual success at the highest level. In addition to his knowledge and skills of the game, Chris is a great person who thrives on developing pitchers and helping them make significant gains in their game. He understands that every player is different and requires specialized instruction. Whatever your goals, Chris will exhaust every resource to find and implement a solution. I can remember several occasions, while pitching in the Major Leagues, calling him to ask for advice on how to maximize certain aspects of my game. Holty just understands all the facets that encompass pitching dominance."Henry OwensNew York Mets, 2006Florida Marlins, 2007-2008The George Washington University School of Medicine, Current---------------------------------------------------"Working with Chris Holt was one of the key factors in my development as a baseball player. Not only did his skills as a coach help mature my ability as a pitcher, but his knowledge of the game accelerated my mental approach to pitching tremendously. His dedication to teaching the game of baseball is one of the reasons why I am able to pursue my dream as a professional athlete."Tim GriffinRollins College '1029th Rd. SelectionSeattle Mariners2010 MLB DraftChris is a native of Portland, Maine where he attended Cheverus High School, earning varsity captain honors in both '97 and '98. He graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL earning team C0- MVP, 1st Team All-Florida Sun Conference, 1st Team All F.S.C. Tournament team honors in 2002 and in 2010 was named to Flagler's All-Decade Team. He and his wife Shana are proud parents of their daughter, Madison.

Articles

Jack Hubbard

Graduate of The University of Baltimore - B.S. Degree, Marketing, Former Physical Education Teacher and College Baseball Coach

Began career in Major League Baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers as a scouting supervisor for the State of Florida in 1984. Recently retired from the New York Yankees after 19 years in positions that included roving minor league outfield, base running and Bunting Instructor and Triple A Coach; special assignment scout for Mr. Steinbrenner; professional scout, Director of Player Development and Scouting and Major League Spring Training Instructor.

Previous positions in Major League Baseball: state of Florida Scout for the Major League Scouting Bureau; Advance Scout and First Base Coach for Joe Torre with the St. Louis Cardinals, Frist base coach with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Assistant to the Owner and General Manager of the Chicago White Sox. Was a coach for the Netherlands in the First World Baseball Classic in 2006 and a coach for the Netherlands in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Article 3

Steve Kring
The word legacy comes to mind when talking about the baseball career of Steve Kring. During his 15 years as Head Baseball Coach at Central State University, he compiled an astonishing 535 wins against 164 losses and one tie. His career record is 847 victories, 188 losses and one tie for a lifetime winning percentage of 82%! A member of four different Halls of Fame, Steve helped 86 athletes get to the pros during his time coaching at the college level. As a mentor, his record speaks for itself: 20 of Steves protégés became college coaches, 14 became high school coaches, 6 are pro scouts, 3 are MLB hitting instructors, and one is an Assistant GM in the major leagues. In addition to a stellar career as a coach and mentor, Steve has worked as a professional scout for the Philadelphia Phillies and more recently the Cincinnati Reds. In his role with the Reds, Steve was a Scouting Supervisor covering Eastern Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. He not only scouted high school, junior college, and university teams, but supervised associate and part-time scouts as well, signing a number of athletes into the Reds organization.Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Team ABI. He has a keen eye for talent and knows how to develop that talent. He has a proven track record as a winning coach and teacher and he has leveraged those strengths along with his masters degree in Personnel Counseling to help scores of young men step into successful baseball careers. We are extremely proud of Steve Kring, the baseball legacy he has created, and the wide range of skills he brings to ABI.

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Jim Thrift

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Contact ABI: 1 (888) 545-2129 Info_abibaseball.com