Learning at the ABCA

Happy New Year! On behalf of everyone at MBL, we hope 2025 has started well for you!
A few of us in the office started our year by attending the ABCA Convention in Washington, D.C. For those that don’t know, this is the largest convention of its kind – baseball coaches, trainers, and experts from all over the country get together and share their knowledge. We highly recommend this convention and are glad to talk about it in detail with anyone interested in attending.

Takeaways from the Sessions
By attending clinics, keynote speeches and breakout sessions, a wealth of knowledge was gained, especially about a holistic approach to developing young players. The breadth of topics was amazing, with relevant content for rec league coaches to professionals. Some key issues and topics that were discussed at youth-targeted sessions:

Youth Participation
On a national level, leaders are concerned about participation declining after age 12. A reason they cite for the decline is that coaches at younger levels are focused too much on winning and perhaps the goal of high school or college baseball for their players. Specialization in a single sport was also mentioned. Some recommendations are to encourage coaches to focus more on broad player development, keeping games and practices enjoyable, and to strive for the simple goal of keeping kids playing the following year – especially when they are slated to move to the 90’ diamond.

Arm Care
Leaders are also concerned about youth pitching and general arm care. There is much debate about pitch counts and tournament play. There is much less debate about the importance of pitcher rest days and arm recovery. These topics are being discussed heavily at MBL and MBT.

Coach Education
Finally, coach education continues to be among the most talked about issues in youth baseball across the country. MBL has been focusing on coaching clinics and workshops over the past couple years, and we are encouraged by ongoing efforts by national youth leadership to increase available resources for coaches.

Building Connections with the Baseball Community
The convention was filled with formal sessions, but in many ways, being able to connect with other members of the baseball community was the real highlight. From connecting and learning about ways to solve common issues, to hearing some of their ideas about the way they run their organization, it was great to hear from peers.

Benefits for MBL Communities
The connections we’ve made with vendors and other organizations will allow us to bring new resources and opportunities to our community. Whether it’s upgraded equipment, innovative training aids, or new approaches to fostering team spirit, we’re committed to continually improving every aspect of our program.

Looking Ahead
Attending the ABCA convention was a transformative experience for our organization. It reaffirmed our dedication to the sport and inspired us to strive for excellence in everything we do. As we implement the lessons we’ve learned, we’re confident that the impact will be felt across our community, from the young athletes taking their first swings to the parents and supporters who cheer from the stands.

We’re excited about the future of youth baseball in Minnesota and look forward to seeing the positive changes unfold in the coming seasons. Our commitment to providing the best possible environment for young players remains stronger than ever, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside our athletes and their families.

Stay tuned for updates on how these new initiatives take shape—we can’t wait to share this journey with all of you!