Little Wrigley Baseball Academy

★★★★★Scott Linscott

My grandson Calvin was born into baseball. One of his first presents, delivered to the hospital the day he arrived in the world, was a tiny glove and bat. To be honest, I was nervous that getting coaching at 9 would be too much too soon. (This Grampy is not a fan of the pressures taking over all of youth sports.) Calvin's mom found Little Wriggly Baseball Academy somehow. That was three seasons ago, and they're staying put. A little context: Calvin comes from serious baseball stock. His father played all the way through NCAA ball, collecting state championship rings, a national championship with American Legion baseball, and competing in the NESCAC. The man knows the game, and he coaches Calvin's teams. Which means Calvin's family needed a trusted outside voice to reinforce the same values and fundamentals without the relational friction that even the best baseball dads deal with. (I did it with my son. Now I'm watching him navigate the same dynamics with his.) That's exactly what Coach Dave provides. Dad says it 20 times, Dave reinforces it a new way, and it sticks. Calvin has done camps and clinics along the way; that's how serious baseball families operate. But Little Wriggly has been an important and irreplaceable piece of the puzzle. Coach Dave and his team believe baseball is a vehicle for building people, not the other way around. The coaching is built on fundamentals, real foundational ones that kids now skip in their rush to look impressive. They don't just drill mechanics incredibly well; they teach the game. There's a difference, and it matters enormously. But here's what really sells me. One of Calvin's teams has eight of eleven kids brand new to the sport. He was frustrated about it at his session today. Coach Dave's response? "Did you ever think that maybe God put you there to be a leader and help those guys?" That's it. That's exactly it. There's no tolerance here for bat flipping and look-at-me grandstanding. The emphasis is on humility and making the team stronger. Faith comes first. Baseball is important, but it isn't everything, and the coaches here actually say that out loud and mean it. Calvin is learning to hold the game with open hands, which is a life skill dressed up in a baseball uniform. The thing that matters most to this Grampy is the relationship. Coach Dave sees Calvin, hears him, challenges him, and speaks his language. For a kid steeped in the game from day one, having a coach outside the family who reinforces everything his parents stand for? That's not just good coaching. That's a gift. If you've got a young ballplayer and you want them to come out the other side a better player second AND a better person first, Little Wrigley Baseball Academy deserves a serious look. Five stars. No hesitation.

★★★★★Tanio Sanders

Mr. David is amazing all the way around. We had been going to a training facility down the street for a year and for some reason we never trained with the owner. He personally talks, prays and works with you the first day. He has a great way of breaking the mechanics down and also jokes with the kids. We look forward to coming back training with him.

★★★★★J Droid Dennis

My grandson is coached by coach Dave and practices once a week with him. While visting this past week I went with my grandson to see him practice hitting and Coach Dave told me he prayed every day when I was hospitalized by Covid! How could I not be so grateful and thankful that such a man was coaching my grandson! Blessed that a man is coaching children!

★★★★★Bill King

My son just started baseball at 6 and was behind the curve of the other kids who have played a few season before. After 2-3 sessions working with Dave and Dustin he is now up to speed with the rest of the team. He continues to go each week and I watch his confidence and love for the game expand exponentially. They are great with kids and teaching the fundamentals in a such fun way that keeps little kids exited and enthusiastic for the game.

★★★★★Corey Parker

My little tike absolutely loves Coach Dave! He is all star player with an all star love for God! "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) This is one of my all time favorite verses and Coach Dave loves it too! This is an easy 5 star review for me because our family loves them so much!