Most errors start with the feet, not the glove. Baseball Fielding Training in Crest Hill, IL with Coach Cinz focuses on getting into the right position early, so the catch and throw become the easy part.
Coach Cinz was a hitting, fielding and pitching instructor with the Chicago White Sox organization for the five years before the pandemic, and he has over 25 years in baseball as a player or coach. Our fielding and infield training page explains the full approach.
What are the 6 F’s of a great infielder?
The Fielding Clinic ($204, 1.5 hours) is built around six fundamentals:
- Feet: a ready stance and first step.
- Field: getting the glove out front.
- Funnel: bringing the ball into the body.
- Footwork: moving the feet to throw.
- Fire: a strong, accurate throw.
- Follow: finishing toward the target.
After drills, players take live action off the bat and then work through situational plays, so they learn where to go with the ball, not just how to catch it.
Each F builds on the one before it. A player who gets the feet set early has more time to field cleanly, funnel the ball in and make an accurate throw. That is why the work starts with footwork before any live balls are hit.
Getting from Crest Hill to Naperville
Crest Hill is in Will County, about 17.5 miles south of The Play & Thrive Club Naperville. The mileage is modest, but the trip usually takes about 35 minutes, so plan around traffic. The facility is used for lessons, camps and clinics in the off-season and on rainy days.
For 1-on-1 work, Crest Hill families can also book a Private Lesson ($65, 30 minutes) at a location of their choice within the Chicagoland area. That makes it easy to practice on a real infield once the weather turns.
Many Crest Hill players split the year: clinics and lessons at the indoor facility through the off-season, then 1-on-1 work outdoors once spring arrives. Fielding depends on reading real hops, so time on a real infield is valuable, and the same 6 F’s language carries across both settings.
Why Crest Hill parents choose Baseball Fielding Training in Crest Hill, IL with Coach Cinz
Coach Cinz explains the “why” behind each adjustment, a theme parents mention often in his 4.9-star Google reviews. His teaching covers movements, mechanics and timing, and he also works on the mental side: staying confident after an error and wanting the next ball.
Membership saves $20 per lesson, with no limit, which helps players who want steady weekly reps.
To start, complete the free Benchmark goals form. Coach Cinz replies within 48 hours with times to measure the player’s current metrics. Families from Joliet and Lockport train with us too. For drills and program details, visit our infield training hub.
Crest Hill families ask
How long is the trip from Crest Hill to the Fielding Clinic?
Crest Hill is about 17.5 miles from The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, and the drive usually takes about 35 minutes. Private fielding lessons can also be held at a location you choose within the Chicagoland area, which can shorten the trip for 1-on-1 work.
Does the Fielding Clinic include live ground balls?
Yes. After drills on the 6 F's (Feet, Field, Funnel, Footwork, Fire, Follow), Crest Hill players take live action off the bat and then work through situational plays. The clinic runs 1.5 hours and costs $204, with a group option at three times the price.
