Baseball

In 2018, Spruce Grove Minor Ball and Stony Plain Amateur Minor Ball, both in operation for over 30 years, united to form the Parkland Minor Ball Association (PMBA), one of the largest baseball associations in Alberta. The mission of PMBA is to provide athletes with a safe environment to have fun, make new friends and develop their baseball skills.

PMBA strives to create experiences that result in a desire to continue with the game of baseball by giving these young athletes a sense of high self-worth that can be gained through organized sport. PMBA operates Rec & Rep teams from Rally Cap to Midget age for players in Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Parkland County.

The Parkland Twins Baseball Academy is a High Performance Program. The Parkland Twins operate under the banner of PMBA, and are the competitive stream for baseball players looking to develop their skills to the highest level possible. The Parkland Twins Baseball Academy will work with those SADA students who are dedicated baseball players: students who want to develop their skills to play at the next level and perform at their peak in the classroom.

Our program is an intense and fun way to train and develop all aspects of the game. We focus on elite skill development, with the intention of helping athletes achieve their maximum potential while fostering their passion and understanding for the game. Whether it be hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching, or base running, the skills each player in this program will acquire will help them to get to the next level.

Student athletes who are accepted into the program will typically be playing in the higher levels of their respective age groups. Parkland Twins Baseball Academy athletes have a passion for their sport, a high motivation to set and achieve goals, and develop leadership qualities within the sport and community. The skill and training programs offered through the Parkland Twins Baseball Academy will provide the student athletes every opportunity to discover themselves, their strengths and their current limitations, and then put a plan in place to overcome these limitations and become the best student, athlete and citizen they can be.

Basic Information

Cost: $275-$320 per month. Exact cost information coming soon. This includes all programming costs, midday transportation to facilities and apparel.

School Locations:

Grade 6-9: École Broxton Park School (505 McLeod Avenue, Spruce Grove)
Grade 10-12: Memorial Composite High School (50 Westerra Centre, Stony Plain) OR Spruce Grove Composite High School (1000 Calahoo Road, Spruce Grove)

Outdoor Baseball Location: Henry Singer Ball Park (South Avenue, Spruce Grove)

Indoor Baseball Location: TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre (221 Jennifer Heil Way, Spruce Grove)

Transportation: Students will be bused midday to the facilities for their baseball programming, where they can be picked up at the end of the day.

High School Baseball Academy: Grade 10-12 students interested in the Parkland Twins Baseball Academy should contact Chris James for details. Some details provided on this page are only applicable to Grades 6-9.

Athlete Development Research: Baseball Canada Long Term Athlete Development

Baseball Schedules

Middle School Schedule

The Middle School baseball schedule runs on a six-day rotation. Below is a sample three-week schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Baseball Development	Research & Development	Baseball Development	Dryland Training	Flex Day
Day 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Baseball Development	Baseball Development	Research & Development	Baseball Development	Dryland Training
Day 5	Day 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Flex Day	Baseball Development	Baseball Development	Research & Development	Baseball Development

For more information, please see the How We Learn: Middle School page.

High School Schedule

The High School baseball schedule runs on a five-day rotation. Below is a sample three-week schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Baseball Development	Baseball Development	Flex Day	Dryland Training	Baseball Development
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Baseball Development	Baseball Development	Research & Development	Dryland Training	Baseball Development
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Baseball Development	Baseball Development	Flex Day	Dryland Training	Baseball Development

For more information, please see the How We Learn: High School page.

Baseball Development Program

Parkland Twins Baseball Academy offers a comprehensive program focused on developing elite baseball players while continuing to foster a love for the game. Coaches with extensive experience work closely with student athletes on their athletic development and progress.

Athlete development is focused on the six tools of the game:

Throwing (arm strength and accuracy)
Hitting for power
Hitting for average
Fielding (infield/outfield defensive skills)
Speed
Mental game

In each of these areas, the program takes a data driven, evidence based approach of Test, Train, Retest in order to track individual athlete’s progress and maximize individual skill development. Coaches and athletes use this information to set goals and design precise and individual programming to optimize development and help athletes achieve their goals.

Testing and program design for each of the six tools of a baseball player includes:

Throwing

Max velocity
Average velocity
Accuracy
Pitch design
(age and athlete dependent)

Hitting for Power

Exit velocity
Launch Angle

Hitting for Average

Contact %
Barrel %

Fielding

Fielding %

Speed

Sprinting (60 yard dash)
Agility test
Reaction test

Mental Game

Measured performance in live competition

First Season of Play (September-January)

	Week 1-5	Week 6-10	Week 11-15	Week 16-20
General	Introduction to philosophy, routines, expectations & culture Individual evaluation & assessment Skill and physical testing Introduction to foundational concepts Introduction to individual goal setting	Introduction to team building Continued emphasis on culture Introduction targeted and individualized plans for athlete development aligned with athlete goals Introduction to video analysis	Continued emphasis on team building and culture Mid-point individual evaluation & assessment Mid-point skill and physical testing Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development Video analysis Introduction to creating recruiting video	Continued emphasis on team building and culture Final individual evaluation & assessment Final skill and physical testing Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development Live competition video analysis Creation of recruiting videos Showcase days (introduction to scout days)
Throwing	Introduction to arm care (plyocare, J-bands, pre- and post-recovery) Off-season build up (stacking the base, long toss) Introduction to Kinetic Chain Introduction to movement patterns	Arm care Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs) Developing kinetic chain and movement patterns On-ramping for mound work Introduction to pitch design	Arm care Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs) Development of kinetic chain and movement patterns Integration for mound work Introduction to pitching program Pitch design Introduction to live competition at bat	Arm care & maintenance Maintenance of throwing program Improvement of kinetic chain and movement patterns Pitching program Live competition at bat
Hitting	Introduction to developing bat speed (overload & onderload training) Introduction to Kinetic Chain Introduction to elite swing mechanics & movement patterns	Developing bat speed (overload & underload training) Introduction to quality of contact hitting program Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns Introduction to swing adjustibility (location and timing)	Introduction to developing bat speed (overload & underload training) Introduction to kinetic chain Introduction to elite swing mechanics & movement patterns	Maintaining & improving bat speed (overload & underload training) Maintaining & improving quality of contact Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns Adjustability of swing (location and timing) Live competition at bat
Fielding	Introduction to foundations of infielding Introduction to foundations of outfielding	Development of foundations of infielding Development of foundations of outfielding Introduction to position-specific skills	Development of foundations of infielding Development of foundations of outfielding Development of position specific skills Introduction of individual positions-targeted focus Introduction of team defense concepts Introduction of competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)	Development of foundations of infielding Development of foundations of outfielding Development of position-specific skills Development of individual positions-targeted focus Development of team defense concepts Competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)
Speed	Introduction to strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Introductory & assessment phase Introduction to nutrition	Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Growth phase Development of a nutrition plan	Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Growth phase	Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Maintenance phase
Mental Game	Growth mindset Thinking habits	Identifying individual mental approach Work ethic Process & preparation	Development of individual mental approach Focus on confidence: becoming a fearless competitor Focus on attitude: making plays	Application of individual mental approach Focus on overcoming failure & adversity Learning how the situation dictates approach

Second Season of Play (February-June)

	Week 1-5	Week 6-10	Week 11-15	Week 16-20
General	Introduction to philosophy, routines, expectations & culture Individual evaluation & assessment Skill and physical testing Introduction to foundational concepts Introduction to individual goal setting Introduction to try-out preparation	Introduction to team building Continued emphasis on culture Introduction to targeted and individualized plans for athlete development aligned with athlete goals Introduction to video analysis Try-out preparation	Continued emphasis on team building and culture Mid-point Individual evaluation & assessment Mid-point Skill and physical testing Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development Video analysis Introduction to creating recruiting video	Continued emphasis on team building and culture Final individual evaluation & assessment Final skill and physical testing Review & adjustment of individual athlete goals Review & adjustment of targeted, individualized plans for athlete development Live competition video analysis Creation of recruiting videos Showcase days (introduction to scout days)
Throwing	Rest, Restore, Recover (for athletes in SOP 1) Continuation of arm care (plyocare, J-bands, pre and post recovery) Off-season build up (stacking the base, long toss) Introduction to kinetic chain Introduction to movement patterns	Arm care Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs) Development of kinetic chain and movement patterns On-ramping for mound work Introduction to pitch design	Arm care Off-season build up (velocity building, long toss, pull-downs) Transition to in-season maintenance Development of kinetic chain and movement patterns Mound work integration Introduction to pitching program Focus on pitch design Introduction to live competition at bat	Arm care & maintenance In-season maintenance Refinement kinetic chain and movement patterns Continuation of pitching program Live competition at bat
Hitting	Introduction to bat speed development (overload & underload training) Introduction to kinetic chain Introduction to elite swing mechanics & movement patterns	Bat speed development (overload & underload training) Introduction to quality-of-contact hitting program Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns Introduction to swing adjustibility (location and timing)	Maintenance & improvement of bat speed (overload & underload training) Quality of contact hitting program Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns Adjustability of swing (location and timing) Introduction to live competition at bat	Maintenance & improvement of bat speed (overload & underload training) Maintenance & improvement of contact quality Development of elite swing mechanics & movement patterns Introduction to swing adjustiblity (location and timing) Live competition at bat
Fielding	Introduction to foundations of infielding Introduction foundations of outfielding Continuation of SOP 1 athlete development	Development of foundations of infielding Development of foundations of outfielding Introduction of position-specific skills	Development of foundations of infielding Development of foundations of outfielding Development of position-specific skills Introduction to individual positions-targeted focus Introduction to team defense concepts Introduction to competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)	Development of foundations of infielding Development of foundations of outfielding Development of position-specific skills Development of individual positions-targeted focus Development of team defense concepts Continuation of competitive fielding (reaction & decision making)
Speed	Introduction of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Introductory & assessment phase Introduction to nutrition	Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Growth phase Development of a nutrition plan	Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Growth phase	Integration of strength, power, speed, & agility conditioning Maintenance phase
Mental Game	Growth mindset Thinking habits	Identifying individual mental approach Work ethic Process & preparation	Development of individual mental approach Focus on confidence: becoming a fearless competitor Focus on attitude: making plays	Application of individual mental approach Focus on overcoming failure & adversity Learning how the situation dictates approach

Dryland Training Program

Information coming soon.

Lead Coaches & Instructors

Program Director - Chris James

Chris has been involved in baseball in the Parkland area since 1998, and has been actively working in the area to bring the game to a new level, including leading the charge to merge Spruce Grove Minor Ball and Stony Plain Amateur Minor Ball. He believes “it only makes sense to take the best of both programs to create a better program for the kids.”

Chris' coaching career began in little league, where he coached from 1990-1994 while he was studying at college. Once his schooling was complete, he and his wife moved into the local area, and in 1996 Chris became involved at Spruce Grove Minor Ball, coaching teams in the Parkland area on and off since 1999.

Chris is currently under contract with Baseball Alberta as the Female Technical Director for the province. He has been to National championships and Western Championships as a coach 17 times. Most recently, Chris was the head coach of the 2019 14U Girls’ Provincial team that won silver medal at the Peewee National Invitational. In addition, Chris was a member of the 2017 Canada Summer Games 17U male team that won a bronze medal in Winnipeg. In 2006, Chris became the first head coach of an Albertan team (male or female) to win a gold medal at a National Championship. Chris continues to develop athletes and has a great love for teaching the game.

I am most proud of the number of players I have been able to work with that have gone on to play a level of rep ball. I am extremely blessed to have been a part of the White Sox, Royals and Twins programs. What makes me the proudest is in 2019 Parkland Twins operated the most amount of rep teams in the Province’s history!”

Qualifications and Distinctions:

NCCP Master Learning Facilitator with Baseball Canada since 2004
NCCP Evaluator with Baseball Canada since 2007
Current Comp Development Certified since 2001 (Old level 3)
Currently working on Level 4 modules through the NCCP
Baseball Canada 2012 Grass Roots Coach of the Year

Head Coach / Technical Director - Shane Dawson

Shane Dawson was born in Fort McMurray, where he grew up playing minor ball until moving to Drayton Valley and eventually playing in the Parkland area. After winning the Western Canadian championships with the Spruce Grove White Sox, Shane advanced to the collegiate level, playing for the Prairie Baseball Academy out of Lethbridge, and eventually winning the CCBC championship, after which he was selected to join the all-conference team.

Shane's achievements caught the eye of the Toronto Blue Jays, and he was drafted to the team in the 17th round (535th overall), where he became the 29th best Blue Jays prospect in 2015, accumulating a 15-6 record and a 3.03 ERA. That same year, Shane won a gold medal in walk-off fashion with Team Canada at the Pan Am Games. In his last two years with the Blue Jays, Shane pitched 241.1 innings (including some against David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox) and represented Canada at the World Baseball Classic. He finished his Blue Jays organization tenure with a 36-29 record and a 4.04 ERA over 505.2 innings pitched.

Shane has been coaching and operating academies over the past six years, starting as an instructor at ST.FX Baseball Academy during the off-season of his pro career, and most recently as the lead instructor at Strive Baseball Academy in Calgary, where he ran winter programs and coached the summer teams over the past three seasons, and as a member of the T12 Coaching staff. Shane also helped coach the Alberta women's team to a bronze medal at 2019 National Championship.

Shane has very quickly developed into a great instructor, and continues to put a ton of time and research into his development as a coach, forging strong connections with the young baseball players he teaches, keeping close ties with the baseball world and maintaining a work ethnic second to none.

For more information on the PMBA, please contact:

Chris James
Phone: 780-996-8719
Email: chrisjames@baseballalberta.com