Where can I find softball lessons near Naperville?
Coach Cinz Baseball is a baseball and softball company based in the western Chicago suburbs. In the off-season and on rainy days, lessons are held indoors at The Play & Thrive Club Naperville, 808 Illinois Rte 59 #120, Naperville, IL 60564.
Our softball lessons are one-on-one or small-group, so every session is built around the player in front of us. Private lessons can also take place at a location of your choice within the Chicagoland area, such as your team's field or a local park. We serve most areas from Chicago to Aurora, including Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville, Oswego, Downers Grove and the surrounding western suburbs.
If you have been searching for softball hitting lessons near you and want a coach who can meet at a field that suits your schedule, text 312-493-3067 or send us a message and we will find a time that works.
How do I improve my hitting in softball?
To improve your hitting in softball, work on timing first, then balance, bat path and approach, with a coach checking the details. Coach Cinz has over 25 years in baseball as a player or coach, and for the five years before the pandemic he was a hitting, fielding and pitching instructor with the Chicago White Sox organization. His teaching centres on movements, mechanics and, most importantly, timing.
Those principles carry straight into the fastpitch swing. The pitcher is closer, the release point is lower and the ball arrives on a different plane, so timing and a short, direct path to the ball matter even more. A typical hitting session looks at:
- Stance and balance: a setup the hitter can repeat every pitch.
- Load and stride: getting ready early without drifting forward.
- Bat path: hands staying inside the ball and the barrel matching the plane of the pitch.
- Timing: starting the swing at the right moment against real speed.
- Approach: knowing which pitches to swing at and having a plan in each count.
New hitters can start with our softball hitting drills for beginners. If your player grew up playing baseball, our guide to the fastpitch vs baseball swing explains what changes. Older hitters chasing more power should read how to increase exit velocity in softball.
Do softball coaches also work on fielding and the mental game?
Yes. A Private Lesson can be built around any skill, so players often split time between hitting and defence. Fielding work follows the same approach as the swing: good feet first, then clean mechanics, then the timing to be in the right place when the ball arrives. For younger players, our post on softball fielding tips for young players is a good place to begin.
Coach Cinz also works on the mental side of the game: confidence, mindset and consistency. Parents in our reviews often mention that he explains the "why" behind each adjustment and stays patient with kids who learn differently. A player who understands why a change works is far more likely to trust it in a game.
Softball lessons suit a wide range of players: a beginner picking up a bat for the first time, a travel player working to earn more at-bats, or a high school hitter who wants to make harder contact. Because every plan starts with the athlete's goals, the work in each session changes with the player, not the other way round.
How does softball training with Coach Cinz work?
Every athlete starts with the goals, not a generic drill list. The recommended first step is our free Benchmark Process:
- Answer the goal questions. The athlete completes a short set of questions online at Benchmark Step 1.
- Measure where you are. Current metrics are measured with the coach, so progress can be tracked from a real starting point.
- Get a plan. Coach Cinz builds a training plan around the athlete's goals, whether that is making a travel roster, hitting with more authority or simply enjoying the game more.
From there, the plan is carried out through softball lessons, one-on-one or in a small group, with check-ins along the way. Families who want a deeper look before committing can book a Personal Assessment, which gives a personal opinion on where the athlete stands today.
How much do softball lessons cost?
Softball players book the same programs as our baseball players. Current prices are listed on the Programs page:
- Private Lesson: $65 for 30 minutes, one-on-one, in person in Chicagoland or virtual. Book several 30-minute blocks for a longer session.
- Personal Assessment: $195, one-on-one. Know where you stand and get a personal opinion. It is the best first paid step.
- Video Analysis: $35. Send a video of a swing or a fielding rep and get drills back.
- Zoom Lesson: $65 for 30 minutes, one-on-one online, with a consultation first.
Every program except the Private Lesson and the Personal Assessment also has a group option at three times the price, which works well for teammates or siblings. Players who train regularly can join the membership and save $20 per lesson, with no limit on how many lessons they book.
Every athlete who books training also gets a Play 2 Earn Sports player profile to track stats, goals and progress.
Can softball players train online?
Yes. Not every family can get to Naperville every week, and that is fine. A Zoom Lesson gives live, one-on-one coaching from home, and Video Analysis is a low-cost way to get expert eyes on a swing between in-person sessions. Both work best with a phone camera set up to film from the side and from behind the hitter.
Many families mix the two: an in-person lesson to set the plan, then a video check-in between sessions to keep the work on track. Whether you train in person or online, the goal is the same: a plan built around the athlete, clear feedback and steady progress. Start with the free Benchmark Process, or learn more about Coach Cinz.
