Philosophy of The Mark Cresse School of Baseball
The Mark Cresse School of Baseball was created in 1984 by Mark Cresse, coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Jeff Pressman, high school baseball coach, experienced baseball camp executive, and creator of our unique 8 week baseball camp format. The Mark Cresse School of Baseball was founded on the theory that young, impressionable youth baseball players needed a constructive summer activity and a chance to be taught the game's fundamentals by experienced, qualified coaches.
The Mark Cresse School of Baseball is an intensive fundamental training program. We are not a team oriented, competitive (winning!) environment. We teach fundamentals in a fun, disciplined, non-competitive atmosphere. After attending our program, young baseball players are better suited to re-renter the competitive environment of youth high school baseball.
Training Sessions
Fundamental Training
Intensive training is taught on baseball fundamentals. Station training is designed to improve basic skills in throwing, hitting, ground balls, flyballs, baserunning, sliding, form running, run downs, cutoffs and relays; and all baseball fundamentals.
Individualized Instruction
Position training and hitting instruction is taught daily throughout our 8 week summer program. Campers are given small group instruction in the individual positions they desire to play or learn. Daily, there are three, 45 minute sessions where ballplayers have the following individual choices: hitting, pitching, middle infield, corner infield, outfield and catching. Each ballplayer chooses where he desires to train. Ballplayers will work with his position coach and hitting coach on a daily basis, with each day building upon the previous day's instruction.
Team Games
Team games are played in a non-competitive, learning atmosphere. All ballplayers play equal innings and an equal number of innings at the position of their choice. Coaches are always on the field and the games are stopped to make the necessary corrections. We remove the "winning" aspect of team games and focus on teaching game fundamentals. Ballplayers are better prepared to re-enter the competitive atmosphere of youth and high school baseball. Team games are not guaranteed daily as camp number changes sometimes create an odd number of teams. Fundamental training, individual instruction or individual hitting instruction may be offered instead.
Coaches Cards
Unique to the Mark Cresse School of Baseball, all parents fill out a Coaches Card, which are computer generated to every staff member, to better help us with your child's individual needs and concerns. Coaches Cards include past playing experience, positions desired to play or learn, and health or personal information that better helps us create a positive camp experience for your child.
Typical Camp Day
- ..8:00 - 9:00 ...Pre-camp
- ..9:00.............Camp begin
- ..9:00 - 12:00 .Fundamental Training or Team Game
- 12:00 - 1:00..Lunch
- ..1:00 - 3:15 ...Individual Instruction
- ..3:30 ............Camp ends
Ballplayers with little or no baseball experience
There is no better opportunity to learn the fundamentals and begin to develop self confidence than in a non-competitive learning atmosphere. The Mark Cresse School of Baseball removes the competitive "winning" aspect of the game and focuses on teaching fundamentals.
