Cannons 2024-2025 Winter Workout Program at Bobby Valentine's Sports Academy
7-week training and individual development program for players in grades 6-9 planning to tryout for a 2025 Cannons team in January.
Winter workouts are designed to help players preparing for Cannons 13u and 14u teams, as well as their HS freshman seasons, to get a head start on the spring/summer season. Get in front of the Cannons' coaching staff while getting a jump on the competition.
Prepare yourself properly for tryouts! Work on all aspects of the game and have fun doing it!
Program to be run by Senior Cannons coach Mike Abate - along with other instructors and coaches on the Cannons staff.
- Two days per week on Bobby Valentine's indoor field and cages
- Individual batting
- Pitching mechanics
- Catcher-specific drills and training
- Footwork drills for all positions
- Speed and agility drills
- Video evaluations
- Metrics and analytics measurements
- Off season training lessons to execute on your own
Workouts schedule as follows leading up to the Cannons 2025 tryouts on Friday, January 17 and Saturday, January 18.
December 2024:
Tuesday: 6:30-8:00pm
December 3, 10, 17
Saturday: 8:30-10:00am
December 7, 14, 21
January 2025:
Saturday: 8:30-10:00am
January 4, 11
Tuesday: 6:30-8:00pm
January 7, 14
No sessions during holiday break - December 24, 28, 31.
Location:
Bobby Valentine's Sports Academy
4 Largo Drive
Stamford, Connecticut
Cost: $639 per player. Credit card payments accepted.
The program is limited in capacity and registration will be closed when the maximum number of players have signed up.
About Your Lead Instructor: Head Coach - Mike Abate
Director of Baseball Instruction – Bobby Valentine’s Baseball Academy
One of the most celebrated athletes to come out of Fairfield County, Mike has had an illustrious baseball career that was cut short only by injury. Along with his valuable professional experience, Mike brings outstanding skills and an even more impressive baseball resume:
- As a four-year starter at Norwalk High School, Mike was named to the All-Conference team three years in a row, while twice earning All-State recognition
- After his career at Norwalk High, Mike was drafted by the California Angels, but he felt it was more important to continue his athletic development
- Mike took his passion for baseball to Norwalk Community College where he quickly amassed a number of honors including included two-time Northeast Player of the Year, two-time First Team All-American, and 1998 Rawlings National Junior College Player of the Year
- After setting a number of school records at NCC, Mike decided to sign with the Seattle Mariners to pursue his professional baseball dream. Mike played in the Mariners organization for three years before his career was cut short by injury.
- After his professional career ended abruptly, Mike enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University where he did what many people would consider impossible. Showing the drive that made him such a phenomenal baseball player, Mike fulfilled his dream to play college football by first earning a position on the SCSU football team and subsequently becoming the starting quarterback
- Not only did Mike make the successful transition to football, but he again demonstrated his significant athletic talents, twice making the All-Northeast 10 team, as well as finishing his two-year stint having shattered a number of school records
- Mike then took his football passion to the next level, signing to play quarterback with the Manchester Wolves of the Arena Football League
