Building community through a grounded approach towards youth baseball

DNA Academy Travel Baseball is a cost covering, community-based baseball program offering a multi-dimensional off-season and summer baseball experience targeting Shaker residents. We provide an inclusive and affordable opportunity for competitive baseball that operates in tandem with the goals, philosophies, and best practices of our local schools regarding youth athletics.

DNA Academy Travel Baseball is a 501c3 non-profit organization that operates with complete financial transparency. Our mission is to use youth athletics as a vehicle for unifying diverse populations and binding community members together. Excess funds are funneled back into our community to help grow and support baseball at the recreational and interscholastic levels, as we aim to strengthen and complement our local house leagues and school programs. Our coaches and trainers promote appropriate tactics and fundamentals with a heightened emphasis on developing leadership, discipline, and accountability - all skills that can be applied beyond the athletic fields. While we prepare, plan, and play to win, winning is not our primary purpose.

We recognize that Youth Athletics is a multi-billion dollar industry that is often incongruent with the best interests of athletes, families, and their communities. As a result, DNA Academy Travel Baseball embraces a common-sense approach, promoting arm health and coaching methodologies that are best for kids while keeping commitment and expectations at age appropriate levels.

POTENTIAL 2024 Teams: 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U

Residency

DNA Travel Baseball is designed for Shaker Heights residents only, but we reserve the right to add players from other communities based on need and to maintain competitiveness. Any unique or special circumstances will need to be approved by the DNA board.

Details

Please see below table. Team fee payments will be made to DNA Travel Baseball Inc., the non-profit arm of DNA.

Costs are based on anticipated roster size of 14 players and DNA sponsoring at least 4 teams. Costs may vary if changes are seen in either roster sizes and/or the number of teams sponsored. Costs cover all league fees, umpires, tournament fees, coaching stipends, equipment, uniforms, insurance, and field fees.

Games

Each team will play a total of 25-35 games with a greater emphasis on league games instead of tournaments. Home games will be played in Shaker. Tournament(s) will be local only - there will be NO outside Northeast Ohio travel that will require overnight hotel stays.

Season

Start times will vary, depending on age group. Teams with participants in grades 7-12 will begin their summer season after the conclusion of the school season. The regular season will be done the third weekend in July.

Financial Assistance

DNA Travel Baseball is designed to be inclusive and affordable for all participants. Funds are available to a limited number of families who need financial assistance. Families must commit to at least 15% of the registration cost in order to be eligible for financial assistance. Please contact us if you believe you are eligible for financial assistance.

Process

Register for a tryout (see below for details).
Attend the tryout and try your best.
If you make a team…
- Team Registration: Pay a $125 registration deposit or apply for financial assistance to reserve your spot by Monday, August 12. Payments to DNA Travel Baseball Inc.
- Balance of Costs for Team: Determine your preference for paying the balance of the team costs and notify DNA of your preference below by emailing Andy Pohl.
  Your payment options are:
  - Pay remainder in FULL – cash / check payable to DNA Travel Baseball Inc.
  - Monthly installments by credit card.
- Optional Off-Season Training: DNA will provide multiple opportunities for optional, off-season training. Off-Season training costs are not covered in the team fee. Please email Andy Pohl with questions regarding this.

Tryouts & Evaluations

*Contact Andy Pohl for more information on the 15U-16U tryout invitation

TRYOUT REGISTration

Tryouts

Players who cannot attend tryout can request a personal tryout session.
Players may only tryout for one (1) age group per tryout date but may tryout for two (2) different age groups.
Age cutoff is as of May 1, 2025
- Example: For a player turning 12 before April 30, 2025…that player can play 12U.

Evaluations

Tryout evaluations will be done by DNA-approved evaluators. Uniform evaluation templates and consistent tryout formats will be implemented for all age groups.
DNA will determine the roster size; a minimum of 13 players is required for each team.
All players must complete all tryout activities
DNA will begin contacting players selected for the team within one week of the last tryout date.

Optional Off-Season Training

We want our participants to be active in other sports and activities. As a result, we have created a flexible, off-season calendar giving our athletes the opportunity to engage in multiple activities while providing them the necessary training to successfully compete for their school teams and our summer program. The majority of our off-season workouts will be within our communities, minimizing travel and making it easier on families to participate.

September – November: Group training available
December – February: Off-Season Training Camp: All enrolled DNA Academy participants will prepare for the physical rigors and demands of spring school baseball and the summer season. The duration of the training is dependent on age group. Hitting, Pitching, Defense, and physical training (Speed, Strength, and Agility Training) will be the focus of this off-season Training Academy.