Fall Programs | Ephrata Youth Baseball

Mounts Hardball Academy

Focus: Instructional training on hitting, position specific, and in-game situational training. We will eliminate keeping score and stats with no-umpire, non-competitive, learning-focused scrimmages in order to provide specific situational training.

Instruction: Experienced coaches with over 100+ years of coaching will lead the academy sessions. This is also a great time for those interested in coaching and are looking to learn before taking the head coach role.

Details:

Age as of 4/30/2020: 10U (8-10), 12U (11-12), and 14U (13-14)
- Programs for under 8 will resume in the spring.
Uniform:
- Each registered player will receive 2 shirts included with their registration.
- Players can wear any baseball pants/jeans they have. If you want baseball pants, they can be ordered by contacting the Uniform Coordinator on our About Us page.
Cost: $75 per player
Schedule: Beginning September 7th and ending Saturday 10/26.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5:30-7 (Position and Hitting Practice)
- Saturdays 10-12 pm (Situational Games)
Location:
- Dual locations: EBA Facility 300 W. Chestnut Street and baseball fields listed for each age group. The locations will be communicated by the coach.
  - 10U - Ephrata Township Park
  - 12U - Snyder Park (Field 2 or 3)
  - 14U - Snyder Park (Field 1)

Register for Hardball Academy

Registration is open and will close Sept 1st.

Performance Training

Details:

Ages: Grades 5 through 8th. An option for high school grades will be communicated separately.
Cost: $100 per player - download & submit completed form with payment to EBA.
Schedule: Tuesday & Thursdays 4:00 - 5:00 pm - at least 8 weeks starting Tuesday 9/10
Location: EBA Facility 300 W. Chestnut Street
Trainer: Brandt Zimmerman - read full bio below.

Bio: Brandt Zimmerman

Joined the Mounts staff in 2019 as the team’s in-season performance trainer, while also offering his services to players during the off-season. He works with the team on strength, agility, speed training and offers nutritional advice while inspiring players to develop an uncommon work ethic. He is the owner and operator of Ephrata Strength and Conditioning, which was formed in 2018, and currently is contracted with several local sports teams offering group training and personal training every night of the week.
Brandt currently holds certifications in Crossfit Level Two, CrossFit Weightlifting, CrossFit Gymnastics, CrossFit Aerobic Capacity, Crossfit Anatomy, Crossfit Scaling, Crossfit Spot the Flaw and Crossfit Judging. He is also a MWOD Mobility and Movement Specialist.
In 2010, Brandt was certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer and worked at Malibu Fitness in New Holland. During that same time, he finished his Associates Degree at Harrisburg Area Community College for Exercise Science.
In 2012, Brandt pursued a different career, and joined the Reading Police Academy where he served as a Patrol Officer with the Lebanon City Police Department. In 2015, he received his CrossFit Level One Certification and began coaching at CrossFit Ephrata. In 2016, he received his Level Two Crossfit Certification and began coaching full time at CrossFit Ephrata.
From 2009-2011, Brandt served as the Assistant Boys Lacrosse Coach at his alma mater, Garden Spot. He also played two seasons in the American Lacrosse League 2010-2011.

FAQ

Why are we not playing in the LCYBL in the fall? The EBA has a long history of providing superior instruction and game opportunities to players from K-12th grades. The fall program, associated with LCYBL, was a good option to provide players and coaches to for additional game time experience & to build confidence. As we progress for the future, the EBA reviewed what we wanted to accomplish and what we needed to do to achieve our goals. We made the decision to transition to an in-house program which provides all of us more flexibility to capitalize on our K-12 cohesive program and the indoor facility for the benefit of more parent-coach & players. We will be part of the LCYBL and Little League in the spring.
Does my player have to attend all sessions? A: We obviously encourage attendance as much as possible but that is the one of biggest benefits to the program. They can attend when they can. We just ask that the parents keep the instructors/coaches aware of the plans.
Can girls register? A: For sure! The age requirements apply to all registrants.
Is there a multiple child discount? A: Not for the fall season
Is there financial assistance? A: Please submit your request to info@ephratabaseball.org and we'll review each request.

Quick Links

Fall Program Benefits

Positional Training
Additional Hitting Time
No-score Scrimmages
Arm-care focus
Coach Development
Physical & Mental Conditioning

Important: As with all new programs, there will be some bumps in the road (disorganization, misunderstandings, etc) but we thank you in advance for some patience and support for the big picture. A similar program was done last winter with the High School team and the EBA believes in High School Coach Adrian Shelley’s vision that we play too many games and focus too much on “keeping score” in these early years. With this new fall program, one big change for most of us (players, parents, and coaches) will not being able to say “we won” or “keep stats”. Our measurement for success will be about how much they learn, improve, and love the game. We ask for your support in discussions with your player to support the vision and focus on learning the game without keeping score. We also invite parents to get their clearances so they can be on the field, with the coaches to ask questions, and learn as their players are learning.