By Tamas Mondovics
Armed with some of the best local coaches to assist each player, Ostingers Baseball Academy (OBA) has become a community staple and for many students and young players who love the sport, a major stepping stone in their athletic career.
Located just east of Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and Highway 39, OBA was founded by former MLB pitcher, Jim Osting, in 2008 to provide world-class baseball instruction in the Central Florida area.
As a baseball instructor, Osting sports 10 years of professional baseball playing experience and two years of Major League Experience (Padres and Brewers).
“Our fully-equipped facility with both indoor and outdoor cages, an outdoor infield, and pitching mounds for bullpen work has everything a young ball player between the ages of 7-18 might possibly need to practice and improve his game,” Osting said.
Osting emphasized that the facility offers lessons in an environment that focuses on the sport with the young athlete’s future in mind when he said, “Our instructors individualize each lesson to each player’s unique strengths and weaknesses.”
Considering its success and strong community presence, the academy’s highly-anticipated annual summer camp is always coupled with high expectations; something that Osting’s camp staff is ready to tackle with the utmost confidence.
During three Monday-Friday camp sessions at the FishHawk Sports Complex from June 10-14, July 22-26 and August 5- 9, for players ages 7–15, the objective is simple as it promises to focus on giving each child a better understanding of the game of baseball through instruction, drills, and games.
Each day from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the cost of $165 per child per week, campers will be under Osting’s watchful eyes, with staff of instructors 14-year Major League player Mike Heath, along with Patrick Ryan, who brings eight years of professional pitching experience to the diamond, as well as Bloomingdale High School baseball program head coach Kris Wilken.
Games at the end of the week to evaluate progress are also scheduled.
For more information call 737-3000 or visit www.OstingBaseball.com.
