Catching is the busiest job on a baseball field, yet it rarely gets its own time at team practice. Baseball Catching Lessons in West Chicago, IL with Coach Cinz give young catchers focused 1-on-1 work on what happens behind the plate: receiving, blocking, throwing and helping the pitcher through an inning.
Coach Cinz (Kyle) has been in baseball for over 25 years as a player or coach. For the five years before the pandemic he was a hitting, fielding and pitching instructor with the Chicago White Sox organization, working mainly with pre-draft players. You can see how he builds a catcher’s plan on our baseball catching lessons page.
What do catching lessons actually work on?
Sessions follow the athlete’s goals, not a fixed script. Common focus areas include:
- Stance: a relaxed setup with the bases empty and an athletic one when runners are on.
- Receiving: quiet hands and a steady glove so pitches are caught cleanly.
- Blocking: getting down fast and keeping the ball in front.
- Throwing: footwork, a clean transfer and an accurate throw to the bases.
- Leadership: talking with the pitcher and staying calm after a tough inning.
His approach centres on movements, mechanics and, above all, timing. For a catcher, timing shows up in the transfer and the feet on a steal attempt. He also coaches the mental side: confidence, mindset and consistency. Parents in his Google reviews often mention that he explains the “why” behind each change, which helps a young catcher keep the change in games.
Baseball Catching Lessons in West Chicago, IL: where they happen
West Chicago is about 10.1 miles north of The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, which works out to about 20 minutes in the car. That short trip makes a regular weekly slot realistic for most West Chicago families. The facility is used in the off-season and on rainy days. Private lessons can also be held at a location of your choice within the Chicagoland area.
A Private Lesson is $65 for 30 minutes, and catchers who want more time can book two or more blocks back to back. A membership saves $20 per lesson, with no limit. Coach Cinz also works with softball catchers.
How do we get started?
The recommended first step is the free Benchmark. Answer a few goal questions in Benchmark Step 1, and Coach Cinz replies within 48 hours with times to measure your catcher’s current metrics. From there you get a plan built around those goals. If you want a deeper first look, the Personal Assessment ($195, 1-on-1) gives you an honest opinion of where your athlete stands.
West Chicago catchers who play both baseball and another position can split a longer session, for example one 30-minute block behind the plate and one on hitting.
Other families in the area train with us too, such as pitching lessons for families in nearby Winfield and hitting lessons in nearby Carol Stream. Every athlete who books also gets a Play 2 Earn Sports player profile to track stats and goals.
For drills, pricing and what a full catching plan looks like, read more about catching lessons with Coach Cinz, or text 312-493-3067 with questions.
West Chicago families ask
How long is the drive from West Chicago to Coach Cinz's facility?
The Play & Thrive Club Naperville is about 10.1 miles south of West Chicago, roughly an 20-minute drive. Most families find that short enough for a weekly lesson. Private lessons can also be held at another location of your choice within Chicagoland.
Is my West Chicago catcher too young for position-specific lessons?
Coach Cinz starts from the athlete's goals, so a younger catcher usually works on basics like stance, receiving and safe blocking before throwing mechanics. The free Benchmark is a good way to see what level your child is at and what the first lessons should cover.
