How do online baseball lessons work?
Online baseball lessons with Coach Cinz follow the same process as his in-person training: understand the athlete first, then coach. Every athlete starts with the free Benchmark Process.
- Step 1: goals. The athlete answers a short set of goal questions online. Make a team? Add power? Throw more strikes? Move up a level?
- Step 2: current metrics. The coach measures where the athlete is today, so progress can be tracked instead of guessed.
- The plan. Coach Cinz builds a plan around the athlete's goals and picks the right mix of Zoom Lessons, video reviews and, when it makes sense, in-person work.
A Zoom Lesson starts with a consultation, so the coach knows what the athlete is working on before the camera turns on. During the session, the athlete props up a phone or laptop where the coach can see the full movement, takes swings or throws, and gets live cues and drills. Between sessions, short video reviews keep the feedback coming.
Every athlete who books training also gets a Play 2 Earn Sports player profile to track stats, goals and progress.
Can you really learn hitting and pitching online?
Yes, when the coaching is built around what a camera does well. Most swing and delivery problems are visible on video: a late load, a stride that drifts, a hand path that gets long, an arm that drags behind the body. Coach Cinz has spent over 25 years in baseball as a player or coach, including the five years before the pandemic as a hitting, fielding and pitching instructor with the Chicago White Sox organization, working mainly with pre-draft players. His approach is the same on a screen as on a field: movements, mechanics and, most importantly, timing.
Online hitting lessons usually focus on load, stride, sequencing and timing, the pieces that decide whether a hitter is on time for the fastball. Online pitching lessons look at balance, stride direction, arm action and follow-through, and how the whole delivery syncs up. Fielders can work on footwork and glove work in a driveway or backyard.
He also coaches the mental game: confidence, mindset and consistency. Those conversations translate well to a video call.
What online coaching cannot do is stand behind the athlete and feel a movement. That is why many families mix formats. For an honest look at the strengths and limits, read do online baseball lessons work.
How does baseball swing analysis by video work?
Video Analysis is the fastest way to get expert eyes on a swing. The athlete submits a video of one skill, Coach Cinz reviews it, and he sends back drills that target what he sees. It costs $35 and works for hitting, pitching, fielding or catching.
The quality of the feedback depends on the quality of the video. Film from the side and from the front or behind, keep the whole body in frame, and shoot in good light. Our guide on how to film your baseball swing for analysis covers camera angles and phone setup step by step. Pitchers can use the same idea; see how to get feedback on your pitching mechanics remotely.
Coach Cinz does more than list faults. Parents in his Google reviews often mention that he explains the "why" behind each adjustment, so the athlete understands the fix and can repeat it on their own. Families also describe him as patient with kids who learn differently, which matters when feedback arrives through a screen.
What does a full baseball player evaluation include?
When an athlete wants the complete picture, the Full Scouting Analysis is the deepest option. It is a three-hour, in-depth evaluation of hitting, pitching, fielding and base running, with a detailed report at the end.
The report gives the family a clear starting point: strengths to build on, the gaps that matter most, and where to focus training next. It pairs well with online follow-up, because once the priorities are written down, Zoom Lessons and Video Analysis can target them directly. Learn more in what a baseball player evaluation includes.
For a shorter first look, the Personal Assessment gives an athlete a personal opinion on where they stand, one-on-one with the coach.
How much do online baseball lessons cost?
- Video Analysis: $35. Submit a video of a skill and get drills back.
- Zoom Lesson: $65 for 30 minutes, one-on-one online, with a consultation first.
- Personal Assessment: $195. Know where you stand and get a personal opinion.
- Full Scouting Analysis: $390 for a three-hour evaluation with a detailed report.
Every program except the Private Lesson and the Personal Assessment has a group option at three times the price, which is handy for teammates or siblings. A membership saves $20 per lesson, with no limit. The free Benchmark Process is the recommended first step before booking any of these, so you spend money on the right thing. See every option on the Programs page.
Can I combine online and in-person baseball lessons near Naperville?
Yes. Coach Cinz holds lessons, camps and clinics at The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, 808 Rte 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60564, in the off-season and on rainy days. Private lessons can also happen at a location of your choice within the Chicagoland area. He serves most areas from Chicago to Aurora, including Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville, Oswego, Downers Grove and the western Chicago suburbs.
Local families often use online baseball lessons to stay on track between in-person sessions, during a busy travel season, or when weather cancels practice. Athletes outside the area can train with Zoom Lessons and Video Analysis. Want hands-on work too? See private baseball lessons or baseball lessons in Naperville.
Ready to start? Complete Benchmark Step 1, text 312-493-3067, or email [email protected] with questions.
