Play Ball: The St. James Launches Baseball, Softball Program Led By Accomplished Player, Coach Jake Moon

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. James, the most exciting new brand in sports, wellness and active entertainment, announced today the launch of its baseball and softball program, offering comprehensive and specialized coaching, training and leagues for players of all ages and skill levels. The programs will be led by experienced player and standout coach Jake Moon.

"Jake brings everything you'd want in a baseball and softball coach to the table: a passion for his sport, a love for helping players develop, a coherent coaching approach and deep local roots," said Craig Dixon, co-founder and co-CEO of The St. James. "His experience combined with the world-class facilities of The St. James will give athletes the most advanced resources in the region for perfecting their game and achieving their goals on the field."

Moon's outstanding high school playing career led him to a successful season at Virginia Commonwealth University where his team topped the CAA Conference in 1998. He went on to play the following season for Cypress College where he was a 2^nd-team All American and was drafted by Major League Baseball's St. Louis Cardinals franchise. He earned a full scholarship to play for national powerhouse California State -Fullerton, where he completed his college career before returning to the Washington region and beginning his coaching career.

Moon most recently served as an educator for Fairfax County Public Schools while also leading various youth baseball and softball programs throughout the region. As a coach and clinician, he has harnessed critical sports tech and cutting-edge training techniques, including the ProView Mirror Video System, Dynamic Strength and Agility Training and Jaegar Long-Toss/Arm Care Program. In addition to coaching the varsity baseball team at Edison High School and a 14U travel softball team, he created and managed out-of-season training and playing teams for several area high schools, including Mount Vernon, Edison and West Springfield. Moon created the Virginia Cardinals baseball program to develop youth players and placed more than half of his players in Division I, Division II and Division III college programs, including current Detroit Tiger Billy Leischer. Moon also worked as a head coach for Canes Mid-Atlantic and was instrumental in developing pitcher injury prediction and investor platforms for sports analytics firm Big League Advance.

"I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity," said Moon. "The St. James takes the right approach to sports: a holistic-yet-individualized method that sees each player as unique. I can imagine no better place to coach, and I'm confident that every player who walks through our doors, no matter their skill level, will come out more capable, more confident and more prepared to excel."

The St. James baseball and softball programs will offer players of all ages and skill levels access to a wide variety of introductory, intermediate and advanced skill development training programs. Visitors to The St. James will also have the opportunity to enjoy the Hitting House, an 8,000-square-foot space, featuring six tunnels for hitting and pitching practice and Hack Attack pitching machines. Moon will lead a team of top-notch coaches to help athletes develop their skills. Highlights of the program include:

• Year-round team performance trainings for baseball and softball teams. Winter team programs will enjoy the use of The St. James Field House, an indoor, FIFA-regulation turf field that can accommodate live games
• Defensive Tools Development programs for baseball and softball, which will guide players through the basics of infield and outfield play
• Base-Running and Speed/Agility Training program for baseball and softball players, focusing on technique and also training for speed in The St. James High Performance Training Center
• Basic FUNdamentals program for baseball and softball to introduce the games to young players
• Overall Skills Development for baseball that will cover every aspect of a player's game and maximize their potential
• Fungoman® Defensive Skills program that utilizes this automated practice machine to prepare players to react to any type of hit
• Prep/Developmental Leagues that will give players the opportunity to both drill new skills and experience live play in The St. James Field House
• Overhead Dynamic Throwing program for baseball, designed to maximize player throwing skill while minimizing the possibility of injury
• Synergistic Hitting programs for baseball and softball to teach players how to fully integrate their entire body into their swing
• Advanced Pitching programs for baseball and softball, designed to teach players how to find their best release point and refine their pitching skills

Families and athletes interested in this programming can request more information by emailing [email protected] or calling (703) 239-6870.

About The St. James

The St. James, the premier sports, wellness and active entertainment destination brand in the country, with a mission to maximize human potential by designing, developing and operating sports, wellness and active entertainment destinations, programs and events that engage, inspire and empower people to pursue their passions and be their best at play, at work and in life.  The St. James aims to serve as the center of the universe in every community where it is located, featuring best-in-class facilities, programming, instruction, training and active fun in an environment that will engage, inspire and delight everyone who comes through our doors.  The complexes offer the most comprehensive combination of sports and wellness venues and programming, lifestyle amenities and family centered active entertainment in the country.  For more information, please visit thestjames.co.

SOURCE The St. James

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