Good pitching is a chain: balance, stride, arm action and follow-through all have to happen at the right moment. Baseball Pitching Lessons in Downers Grove, IL with Coach Cinz focus on that chain, with extra attention on timing, the piece most young pitchers are missing.
Coach Cinz spent five years before the pandemic instructing hitting, fielding and pitching with the Chicago White Sox organization, working mainly with pre-draft players. You can read his full approach on our page about baseball pitching lessons and mechanics.
How far is Naperville from Downers Grove for pitching lessons?
The Play & Thrive Club Naperville is about 24 minutes and about 11 miles west of Downers Grove. For a DuPage County family, that is a manageable trip after school. Private lessons can also be held at a location of your choice within Chicagoland, which some pitchers prefer when they want to throw where they usually practice.
What a pitching session covers
Every pitcher is different, so sessions start from the athlete’s goals. Common focus areas include:
- Balance and the “break and dangle” position
- Stride direction and length
- Arm action and a clean follow-through
- Confidence and composure on the mound
The 1.5-hour Pitching Clinic works through these same pieces with partner throws, then time off the mound, and includes a video breakdown of pitching mechanics. Travel teams at the 14U and 17/18U levels have seen their pitching improve with this kind of work, according to parent reviews.
Baseball Pitching Lessons in Downers Grove, IL and arm care
Pitching well includes staying healthy. We recommend that every young pitcher follow the MLB and USA Baseball Pitch Smart guidelines for rest and workload. If an arm is sore, rest it. For pain or an injury, see a doctor or athletic trainer before throwing again.
Downers Grove pitchers usually start with a 30-minute private lesson at $65, or book two back-to-back blocks for a longer session. Members save $20 per lesson with no limit. Pitchers in nearby Westmont and Lisle use the same setup.
Private lesson or clinic: which comes first?
If your pitcher has a specific problem, such as missing high or losing balance at the top of the delivery, a private lesson gives Coach Cinz time to focus on that one issue. If your pitcher wants more throwing volume in a structured setting, the clinic is a strong fit. Many Downers Grove families alternate between the two. Every program except the Private Lesson and Personal Assessment also has a group option at three times the price, which can suit teammates who want to train together.
The easiest first step is free. Fill out the Benchmark Step 1 goals form, and Coach Cinz will reply within 48 hours with times to measure your pitcher’s current metrics. For more on how he builds pitchers, visit our pitching lessons guide.
Downers Grove families ask
Can a Downers Grove pitcher take lessons somewhere other than Naperville?
Yes. Private lessons can be held at a location you choose within the Chicagoland area, or at The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, which is about 24 minutes from Downers Grove. The facility is especially useful in the off-season and on rainy days when outdoor mounds are not practical.
Does Coach Cinz set pitch limits for young Downers Grove pitchers?
He recommends that families follow the MLB and USA Baseball Pitch Smart guidelines for age-appropriate rest and workload. A sore arm should be rested, and any pain or injury should be checked by a doctor or athletic trainer. Lessons focus on sound mechanics and timing, not maximum effort every throw.
