What are private baseball lessons with Coach Cinz?
A private lesson is a 1-on-1 session where the whole half hour belongs to one athlete. There is no waiting in line and no drill built for the middle of a group. Coach Cinz watches every rep, spots what is holding your player back and fixes it on the spot.
Coach Cinz has spent over 25 years in baseball 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 in the local area. Today he brings that same level of detail to youth, high school and adult athletes.
His approach focuses on three things: movements, mechanics and, most importantly, timing. A swing or throw can look right and still be late. Much of his work is helping athletes feel when things should happen, not just how they should look. He also trains the mental game: confidence, mindset and consistency, so progress in a lesson carries into games.
Lessons cover any skill, including hitting, pitching, infield play and catching. Coach Cinz Baseball is a baseball and softball company, so softball players are welcome too.
How does 1-on-1 training with Coach Cinz work?
Every athlete starts in the same place: with their goals. We call it the Benchmark Process, and it is free.
- Tell us your goals. The athlete answers a short set of goal questions online at Benchmark Step 1.
- Measure where you are. The athlete meets with Coach Cinz and current metrics are measured, so progress can be tracked from a real starting point.
- Get a plan. Coach Cinz builds a plan around the athlete's goals, whether that is making a travel team, earning more innings on the mound or simply enjoying the game more.
- Train. Private lessons follow the plan. Each session has a clear focus, and the athlete leaves knowing what to practice at home.
Parents often tell us what they value most is that Coach Cinz explains the why behind each adjustment. When a player understands why a change works, they can repeat it without a coach standing next to them.
Every athlete who books training also gets a Play 2 Earn Sports player profile to track stats, goals and progress.
How much do private baseball lessons cost?
A private lesson with Coach Cinz is $65 for 30 minutes of 1-on-1 time. Need more time? Book multiple 30-minute blocks back to back.
Members save $20 per lesson, with no limit. That brings each lesson to $45, and the saving applies to every lesson you book, so it adds up quickly for athletes who train weekly.
- Private Lesson: $65 for 30 minutes, in person in Chicagoland or virtual.
- Zoom Lesson: $65 for 30 minutes online, with a consultation first.
- Personal Assessment: $195 for a 1-on-1 evaluation. Know where you stand and get a personal opinion.
- Video Analysis: $35. Submit a video of a skill and get drills back.
For a full breakdown, including how the membership math works over a season, read our full cost breakdown. You can see every option on our Programs page.
Are private baseball lessons worth it?
For most players, and especially kids, yes, as long as the lessons fit the athlete. Private lessons give a kid undivided attention, instant feedback and a pace that matches how they learn. That matters because kids do not all learn the same way. Parents in our reviews often mention that Coach Cinz is patient with kids who need a different explanation or a few more reps.
Our reviews also describe players gaining confidence along with better mechanics, including a 12-year-old who went from freezing at the plate to hitting his first home run. We cannot promise any result, but we can promise a plan built around your player's goals and honest feedback on how it is going.
We cover this question in depth in whether 1-on-1 lessons are worth it for kids. If you are weighing 1-on-1 time against a team setting, see private lessons vs group clinics. Group clinics are great for reps and game situations; private lessons are best for fixing a specific problem.
What should a player work on in a private lesson?
That depends on the goals from the Benchmark Process, but most lessons fall into a few areas:
- Hitting: load, stride, bat path and, above all, timing, so the barrel arrives on time.
- Pitching: balance, stride, arm action and follow-through, with arm care built in. We follow the MLB/USA Baseball Pitch Smart guidelines, and a sore arm always rests.
- Fielding: footwork, glove work and throwing on the move.
- Catching: stance, receiving and blocking.
- Mental game: routines that build confidence and consistency under pressure.
Many families book lessons ahead of tryout season. Our guide on how to prepare for travel baseball tryouts explains what coaches look for and how to use the weeks before tryouts well.
Where can I find private baseball lessons near me?
In the off-season and on rainy days, lessons are held indoors at The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, 808 Rte 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60564.
Private lessons can also take place at a location of your choice within the Chicagoland area, such as your local field. We serve most areas from Chicago to Aurora, including Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville, Oswego, Downers Grove and the western Chicago suburbs.
Outside the area, or short on time? Zoom lessons and video analysis let athletes train with Coach Cinz from anywhere.
The best first step is free. Start the Benchmark Process, or text 312-493-3067 or email [email protected] with any questions. You can also read our reviews or learn more about Coach Cinz.
