Catcher’s Clinic

Name: Catcher’s Clinic
Start: 2021-06-05T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2021-06-05T23:59:59-04:00

The Performance Academy

1010 Classic Rd, Apex, NC 27539

The Performance Academy

June 5, 2021

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Join us on Saturday, June 5th for a Catcher Clinic – for athletes ages 8-14. Athletes will need their catcher’s gear, water bottle, and tennis sneakers (cleats not required as we are on turf.) Coach Pratt and Coach Blake will help athletes work on pop times, receiving, blocking, footwork, and controlling the running game.

Coach Pratt’s background: Pratt grew up in Franklinton, NC and currently lives in Raleigh, NC. He went to South Granville high school and then NC State. In high school he was a 3rd baseman and pitcher only. When arriving at NC State he was converted to a catcher. He played at NC State from 2009-2011. Started all 3 years and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd round (#103 overall) in 2011. First team All-ACC catcher in 2011. North Carolina Baseball college player of the year in 2011. Played 4 seasons in the minor leagues before leaving the game and returning to NC State to finish his degree. While finishing up his degree he was the Student-Coach at NC State for 2 seasons.

Coach Blake’s Background:
Blake Rudd is currently a Sophomore at NC State (Go Pack!) and is studying Nutrition Science and minoring in Sport Science. Right now he is focusing on competing in powerlifting events, having fun in the weight room. Blake played baseball from age 4 up until his freshman year in college where he played for William Peace University his freshman year. He attended Cary High School and hit .339. He was named first team all-conference his senior year. Throughout his career he was primarily a catcher and power hitter with a little 1st base sprinkled in. After about a year away from the sport he is happy to be back encouraging and coaching the next generation to give back to the greatest game on Earth.

Event Type: Clinics

Event Skills: Intermediate, Advanced

What's included

Limited Capacity

Coaches & Organizers you might meet...

Danny Healey

Director of Baseball Read more Read less

Danny was born in South Florida and currently lives in Apex, NC. Danny graduated from NC State in 2013 with a BS in Political Science. He started 4 games his freshman year, earned his 1st college win against Old Dominion. He was a weekend starter his sophomore season, starting 11 games. His first start was against Elon, working 5 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits and striking out 6. He earned wins against Coastal Carolina at the “Baseball at the Beach” Tournament in Myrtle Beach, pitching 7 innings, giving up 2 runs, 2 hits striking out 6. He pitched 6 1/3 innings against Penn State, giving up 1 run and 3 hits. He earned wins against William & Mary pitching 6 1/3 shutout innings. He played varsity all 4 years in Cooper City, FL. He played catcher, first base, and outfield his freshman and sophomore seasons but concentrated on pitching his junior and senior seasons. He pitched for one of the nation’s top travel teams, the All American Prospects in 2008, struck out 17 in 16 innings with a .87 ERA. He pitched in the East Coast Pro showcase for the Tigers and Red Sox. He was named top pitcher in the Perfect Game USA Undergrad showcase in 2007. He committed to the University of Florida in 2008 as part of the #1 ranked recruiting class in the country. He received medical release from UF in 2008 due to ulnar nerve surgery. He graduated with a 4.29 GPA and received the schools Scholar Athlete Award. Danny currently co hosts the podcast “Controlling the Zone” with Kyle Wilson.

Ryan Girard

Director of Select Baseball Read more Read less

Ryan was born in Montreal, Quebec and currently lives in Holly Springs, NC. Ryan graduated from Saint Leo University in 2019 with a BA in Sport Business. While attending SLU, he was part of the National COSMA(Commission on Sport Management Accreditation) student honor society- Chi Sigma Mu, Summa Cum Laude, and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.8. He was lucky enough to be chosen by the University to attend the MLB Winter Meetings as an intern in 2018, which took place in Las Vegas Nevada.

Ryan grew up in Tampa, FL and attended Wiregrass ranch HS. He earned a scholarship to pitch at Lake Sumter State College in Leesburg, FL. After attending LSSC for 3 years and playing in the Florida League for the Deland Suns, he transferred to Saint Leo University to finish out his collegiate career. Ryan battled through injuries for a majority of his college years that kept him off the mound (TJ freshman year, Labrum/rotator cuff surgery Junior year).

After College baseball, He went back to his HS and served as the pitching coach for a year while also working for the Ted Williams Foundation at Tropicana Field. Ryan moved to NC in 2019 to begin his Internship with TPA and has been here since. He currently is the Director of Tournament Operations for Revolution Sporting Events, and coaches one of the Showcase baseball teams.

Bo McMillan

Owner, Executive Director

Kyle Wilson

Owner

Glen Kalbaugh PPSC NASM USAW-L2

Director of Sports Performance Read more Read less

Born and raised in Raleigh, NC, my first athletic love was football. My career was cut short by injuries after my freshman year of college. I then transferred to East Carolina University where I studied Kinesiology and Physical Education. While in school at ECU I began to train and compete in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting which I continue today. After graduating in 2014 I moved to Akron, OH where I was the head strength and conditioning coach at CSI for 4 years. Since moving back to NC my wife and I have settled in Apex while I have worked in general population personal training for the last 2 years. My true passion lies in helping young people become the best athletes and humans they can be while staying injury free and humble. I am very excited to step into this role and help the athletes of this area reach their full potential through proper strength and speed training.