Heights Church Baseball Club

This club exists to provide practice space and a solid baseball training program within a fun, faith-based system. Not only will eligible athletes receive baseball training, but they will also be exposed to a Christ-centered, Biblical worldview.

The majority of opportunities for athletes to receive advanced coaching, training, and conditioning in youth baseball almost requires participation in travel ball or memberships to expensive training centers.

Unfortunately, a vast majority of travel ball tournaments take place on the weekends - including Sundays. As you can imagine, this poses a problem for families that do not wish to sacrifice church attendance.

If you ever wished that "there was just something else" to keep your athlete involved with the game, this club hopes to provide an alternative to the normal by being low-cost while protecting Sundays.

As the club grows, we hope to facilitate scrimmages with local travel ball teams.

Leadership

What to expect

eligibility

LEADERSHIP

This club is led by Josh Boring, the COO and Student Ministry Leader of Heights Church.

His competitive baseball journey began when he became the starting second baseman on his Junior Varsity Baseball Team in the 7th grade. It came to an end after being the starting catcher in junior college his freshman year.
From start to finish, he has played every position on the field at a high level. A graduate of Silver Bluff High School in 2003, he was a three year starting shortstop and pitcher earning all-region and all-area honors.

Since then, he married Jordan, his wife of 13 years. He has led the student ministry at Heights Church for the last 14 years, is dad to an 8 and 4 year old, and has five seasons under his belt as a youth baseball coach.

With his combined experience in baseball, student ministry, and being a dad, Josh is uniquely gifted to teach the game of baseball while navigating the unique personalities and attitudes of today's youth in a Christ-Centered and positive environment.

What to Expect

Fun and fast paced practices. We believe in maximizing repetitions through small group rotations and various training stations.

Typical Practice:

5:45 - Baserunning
5:55 - Stretching and Throwing
6:10 - Outfield Stations
6:25 - Infield Stations
6:40 - Hitting Stations
6:55 - Defensive Scenario Training
7:15 - Debrief and Prayer

Pitchers and catchers will have opportunities to train as well. This schedule is only an example.

Arm Care

Living with a mild tear in his rotator cuff for most of his life, Josh is keenly aware of the potential wear and tear on an athlete's arm and ways to mitigate injury. Arm care for the athlete is a high priority for our club. However, the only way to throw harder is to throw hard.

Our program will allow the athlete opportunity to warm up and gradually increase the intensity of their throwing as the practice progresses.

If we are made aware of any arm discomfort, the athlete will be immediately shut down and parents will be notified.

Spiritual Formation

We believe that your athlete is created in the image of God. Therefore, we will value and care for your athlete on that basis. His performance carries absolutely no weight as it relates to the ultimate mission of this club: helping athletes root their identity in Christ.

Because your athlete's true identity is found in Christ, we want your athlete to play the game free from fear. He is free to make a mistake, free to strike out, free to mess up. Therefore, he is free to give his best effort at all times.

Developing a Worship Mindset

Our athletic ability is a gift from God. If we believe that God wants us to play this game at this point in our lives, then we should develop our gifts to the best of our ability.

Baseball is an opportunity for us to express thankfulness to God for healthy bodies that can see, catch, hit, throw, and run. It is also an opportunity to reflect all glory to God, giving Him credit for anything we do on the field.

It is also an opportunity to be Christ-like teammates by loving our neighbors, encouraging them, and remaining positive even in the hard times.

If your athlete develops this mindset, getting better at the game can be an act of worship.

Athlete Eligibility

Age

8-12 Years Old

This club's age group focus is 10 and under.
However, it is open to athletes between the ages of 8 and 12.
The core group that begins the club will most likely be the foundation upon which it grows. Therefore, the eligible age group may very well expand or shift over time.
If your athlete is outside of these age ranges, you are welcome to petition for your athlete's membership.

Desire

Hustle and Effort

This is the primary character trait expected for members of the club.

Athletes must want to be part of the club and they will be expected to give their best effort. We accept mistakes, we're fine with errors, we're okay with striking out - but will not be okay with poor effort and poor sportsmanship.

At the same time, we recognize that they are kids and understand that sometimes kids have bad days. We can distinguish between bad habits and bad days.

Catching and Throwing

With Confidence

This is the only skill level requirement for membership in the club. Your athlete must already possess the ability to catch and throw with confidence.

However, we can offer suggested strategies to help improve your athletes ability in this area. If you are willing to commit time and effort into implementing those strategies at home, we are willing to consider your athlete.

Exposure to Biblical World View

Parent/Guardian Understanding

This club is an extension of the youth outreach of Heights Church. As a parent/guardian, you must understand and accept that your athlete will be exposed to a Biblical and Christ-Centered World View.

This does not mean that you or your athlete must profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, but acknowledges that your athlete will be prayed with, be exposed to biblical principles, and that this club is led by those possessing this world view.

Club Fees

Membership in this club is $25/year.
Members will receive a Heights Church Baseball Club shirt.
Any excess moneys will be invested back into the club.

Release of Liabilty

Playing baseball comes with certain risks. Participation in the club, as well as the use of practice facilities and surrounding areas, will be at your own risk. You will agree to release Heights Church, its employees and volunteers of all liability regarding injury, sickness, or death resulting from participation in Heights Church Baseball Club as well as its extended activities.

Apply for membership

SUPPORT and funding

If you believe in the mission of this club and want to support our efforts, we encourage you to do so!
All donations are tax-deductible and will be used to improve the field, purchase equipment, or enhance the athlete and their families experience while on campus. We are starting with humble beginnings and a big dream to bridge the gap between "rec-ball" and "travel ball" with a Christ-Centered mission.

SUPPORT TODAY!

2025 Schedule:

Tuesday, AUGUST 26 - 5:45-7:15PM
Thursday, AUGUST 28 - 5:45-7:15PM
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 2 - 5:45-7:15PM
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 4 - 5:45-7:15PM
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 9 - 5:45-7:15PM
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 11 - 5:45-7:15PM
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 16 - 5:45-7:15PM
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 18 - 5:45-7:15PM
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 23 - 5:30-7:00PM
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25 - 5:30-7:00PM
Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 30 - 5:30-7:00PM

**Due to earlier sunsets, practices will be moved to Harrison Caver and/or Saturday mornings**

Saturday, OCTOBER 4 - 9:30-11AM
FALL BREAK (NO PRACTICE)
Tuesday, OCTOBER 14 - TBD
Saturday, OCTOBER 18 - 9:30-11:00AM
Tuesday, OCTOBER 21 - TBD
Saturday, OCTOBER 25 - 9:30-11:00AM
Tuesday, OCTOBER 28 - TBD
Saturday, NOVEMBER 1 - 9:30-11:00AM
Tuesday, NOVEMBER 4 - TBD
Saturday, NOVEMBER 8 - 9:30-11:00AM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a club and a team?

While this is not necessarily true for all "teams," the focus is often on winning games. Therefore, coaches are tempted to maximize their chances at winning by placing the best athletes in primary positions at all times to increase the odds of victory. I personally see no problem with this.

However, as a club, we will focus on developing athletes' skills and awareness in all aspects of the game. All athletes will experience all positions on the field in hopes that their experience on the club will translate into greater successes when they are part of a team.

Are you against travel ball teams?

Yes and no.

Travel ball with good coaches can be extremely beneficial for young athletes. Good athletes improve more when they play with and against other good athletes. Getting high level game repetitions is needed and travel ball can be done right.

However, as a Christian, our ultimate responsibility is to be disciples of Jesus and followers of God's Word.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching."

A handful of tournaments a year can be a good thing. However, it is a personal conviction that we will not allow travel baseball to become, or even have the appearance of becoming, a higher priority in our lives than assembling with other believers in a local church setting.

Do you believe an athlete will "fall behind" their peers if they don't play travel ball?

It is entirely possible. Not every athlete has a parent that can spend the time personally or pay for training and educating them about the game. Even then, without a team to practice with, it is difficult to increase what we call "baseball IQ."

The leadership of this club recognizes that there is a need to be filled and that the current state of "rec ball" simply can't meet this need on a large scale. The founding of this club is a result of this awareness and an attempt to provide an alternative.

However, we also believe that God is ultimately in control. We've heard the stories about players such as Dee Gordon, Kenny Rogers, and Lorenzo Cain who didn't even play baseball until they got to high school. At the same time, we want to provide the opportunity.

Why is the ability to "catch and throw with confidence" the only requirement?

Catching and throwing a baseball is the foundation the game is built upon.

Once a kid can catch and throw with confidence, they can participate in the game in a relatively safe way that makes it more enjoyable for all involved. The rest of the game can be taught in a way that does not hinder the improvement of others.

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