Stilwell-based travel baseball academy serving players from 8U through high school with year-round training, private facilities, character development and high-school recruiting support.
📍 Primary Training Facility:
19300 Metcalf Ave., Stilwell, KS 66085; outdoor fields at 5671 W. 191st St., Stilwell, KS 66085
💵 Published Cost Information:
Annual team dues are not publicly listed. Fees generally include scheduled facility and field use, tournament or league entry fees, insurance, winter training, BOLD sessions, open-tunnel access and TeamSnap. Uniforms, private lessons, additional classes or camps, player travel and some gate fees cost extra.
Website: Visit Official Website
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 913-730-8273
1.0 based on 1 parent review
Have experience with Advanced Baseball Academy? Share your family’s perspective to help other parents make informed decisions.
Advanced Baseball Academy is a Kansas City-area travel baseball and player-development organization based in Stilwell, Kansas. Founded by Luke and Carla Town in 2011, ABA fields teams from 8U through high school and operates as a year-round academy rather than only a seasonal tournament program.
The organization combines competitive team baseball with private training facilities, winter development, private instruction and specialized programs for pitching, hitting, catching, fielding, strength, throwing development and mental performance. ABA states that team fees include scheduled facility and field use, with teams generally receiving at least 2½ to 3½ hours of scheduled practice time per week.
ABA describes its philosophy as transformational coaching, with an emphasis on physical, mental, emotional and character development rather than winning alone. Its mandatory BOLD winter sessions address leadership, accountability, adversity, decision-making and other off-field topics, while high-school players participate as mentors for younger athletes.
At the high-school level, ABA provides recruiting support through player profiles, metrics tracking, college-list development, recruiting meetings and exposure opportunities such as college days, workouts, showcases and Prep Baseball events. The organization also publishes a history of players advancing to college programs and professional baseball.
Advanced Baseball Academy appears to offer one of the more comprehensive academy-style development programs in the Kansas City area. Its model extends beyond tournament participation by combining travel teams with private facilities, winter training, specialized instruction, strength and throwing programs, character development and recruiting assistance.
ABA’s clearest differentiators are the breadth of its development resources and its stated emphasis on the complete athlete. The organization provides a defined pathway from youth baseball through high school, along with instructors covering multiple positions and areas of performance. Its BOLD curriculum adds a structured character-development component that is not commonly described in this level of detail by other local organizations.
However, access to a strong organization-wide infrastructure does not guarantee that every team will provide the same experience. The individual head coach, roster construction, playing-time philosophy, competitive level and communication practices are still likely to have a major effect on each family’s experience. Families should evaluate the specific team being offered—not only ABA’s overall facilities and programs.
Advanced Baseball Academy may be a strong fit for:
Advanced Baseball Academy operates its own indoor baseball training facility at 19300 Metcalf Avenue in Stilwell, Kansas. The facility provides a year-round location for team practices, winter training, private instruction, specialized development classes and additional player workouts. ABA also maintains outdoor practice fields at 5671 W. 191st Street in Stilwell.
ABA’s official facility information lists multiple long training tunnels, three pitching tunnels, a full-sized infield and four outfield training areas. Teams also have access to baseball-specific equipment such as Hack Attack pitching machines, tees, L-screens, baseballs and other practice tools.
According to ABA, annual player fees include facility and field usage with a minimum of approximately 2½ to 3½ hours of scheduled practice time per week, excluding holidays, spring break and weather-related interruptions. The organization also states that additional indoor facility use may be available at no extra charge, including open-tunnel access with baseballs provided.
The facilities support more than regular team practices. ABA offers private instruction and specialized programs in areas such as pitching, hitting, catching, outfield play, throwing development, strength and conditioning, athletic performance and mental performance. Some programs are offered seasonally and may require separate registration and payment.
Owning both indoor training space and outdoor practice fields is one of ABA’s clearest organizational strengths. It gives the program greater control over practice scheduling and provides athletes with opportunities to continue developing during the winter and when weather makes outdoor training difficult.
ABA also provides more public detail than many organizations about the facility access included with team participation. The stated minimum of 2½ to 3½ scheduled practice hours per week, winter training and open-tunnel access gives families a useful starting point when evaluating the potential value of annual dues.
However, families should still confirm how those benefits apply to their specific team. Scheduled practice time, use of the full infield, access to outdoor fields and opportunities for unscheduled tunnel time may vary based on age group, season, team size and overall facility demand. Parents should also distinguish between training included with team fees and separately priced lessons or IMPACT programs.
✓ Privately operated indoor baseball training facility in Stilwell
✓ Separate ABA outdoor practice fields located nearby
✓ Multiple hitting and pitching tunnels
✓ Three pitching tunnels
✓ Full-sized indoor training infield
✓ Four outfield training areas
✓ Baseball-specific practice equipment provided
✓ Approximately 2½ to 3½ hours of scheduled team practice time per week
✓ Winter team training from November through February included in annual fees
✓ Open-tunnel access and additional facility usage may be available
✓ Private lessons and specialized development programs offered separately
Ask the coach to show you a typical in-season and winter practice calendar before accepting an offer. ABA publicly describes meaningful facility benefits, but the real value will depend on how often your player’s specific team uses the indoor facility, outdoor fields, full infield and open training space.
ABA’s primary indoor facility is located at 19300 Metcalf Avenue in Stilwell, Kansas. It supports team practices, offseason development, private lessons, specialized training programs and individual facility access throughout the year.
ABA’s outdoor practice fields are located at 5671 W. 191st Street in Stilwell. The fields are used for outdoor team practices and certain position-specific programs, including outfield instruction. Families should confirm which field their team uses and how outdoor practice time is scheduled during the season.
Advanced Baseball Academy holds evaluations for players interested in joining its travel baseball teams from 8U through high school. The organization generally conducts its primary tryout period during the summer, although the timing, locations and available age groups may change from year to year.
Tryout announcements and registration instructions are typically shared through ABA’s official website and social-media accounts. Depending on roster needs, the organization may also announce supplemental tryouts, makeup evaluations or openings for individual teams outside the primary tryout period.
Families should confirm current roster availability directly with ABA before attending an evaluation. The number of openings, planned teams, coaching assignments and competitive levels may vary considerably by age group.
ABA offers teams across a wide range of ages, but families should remember that they are evaluating a specific team opportunity, not simply the overall organization.
The head coach, roster size, tournament schedule, expected travel, playing-time approach and development plan may differ from one ABA team to another. Parents should use the tryout process to learn as much about the proposed team as the coaches are learning about their player.
Players who miss the main summer tryout period should not automatically assume that every roster is complete. Team-specific openings can occur because of roster changes, injuries or the formation of additional teams. Contacting ABA directly may help families identify current or upcoming evaluation opportunities.
✓ Tryout opportunities may be available from 8U through high school
✓ Primary evaluations are generally held during the summer
✓ Dates, locations and registration procedures can change each year
✓ Age groups may be evaluated separately
✓ Supplemental or team-specific evaluations may be offered
✓ Roster availability varies by team and age group
✓ Current information should be verified through ABA’s official channels
✓ Families should evaluate the proposed coach and team before accepting an offer
Do not accept a roster position based only on the ABA name or its facilities. Before committing, request details about the specific coach, roster, practice schedule, tournament plan, travel expectations, development approach and total cost associated with the team offering the position.
Visit Advanced Baseball Academy’s official website for current tryout dates, registration information and roster opportunities.
Advanced Baseball Academy describes its approach as transformational coaching, with an emphasis on developing the complete athlete rather than measuring success only by wins and losses.
ABA’s development model includes physical baseball skills, baseball IQ, mental and emotional growth, character, leadership and academic preparation. The organization says coaches should focus on developing the players already on their rosters rather than continually replacing athletes in pursuit of short-term results.
Team coaches have access to ABA’s facilities, equipment, winter training and organization-wide development resources. ABA also offers private instructors specializing in hitting, pitching, catching, infield, outfield, throwing development, strength and conditioning and mental performance.
Private instruction and specialized training programs are available in addition to regular team practices. Families should verify which development services are included in annual team fees and which require separate payment.
ABA’s organization-wide coaching and development structure appears to be one of its strongest features.
The program offers more than regular team practices and tournament games. Players may have access to winter training, position-specific instructors, strength development, throwing programs, mental-performance resources and structured character education.
ABA also provides families with a clearly stated coaching philosophy. Its emphasis on long-term improvement, accountability, handling mistakes constructively and developing the complete athlete gives parents useful standards for evaluating their player’s coach.
However, the day-to-day experience will still depend heavily on the specific head coach and assistants assigned to the team. Coaching style, practice organization, communication, playing-time decisions and individual feedback may vary from one roster to another.
✓ A publicly defined, development-focused coaching philosophy
✓ Teams serving players from 8U through high school
✓ Emphasis on physical skills, baseball IQ and character development
✓ Coaches supported by ABA facilities and training resources
✓ Structured winter skill development
✓ BOLD character-development sessions during winter training
✓ Position-specific private instructors
✓ Strength and athletic-performance training opportunities
✓ Throwing, velocity and arm-care programs
✓ Mental-performance resources
✓ Recruiting guidance for high-school players
✓ Player experience may vary by team and assigned coach
Advanced Baseball Academy provides a development pathway extending from youth baseball through the high-school level.
Younger players are introduced to fundamentals, athletic movement, baseball IQ, teamwork and appropriate practice habits. As athletes progress, ABA offers increasingly specialized instruction in hitting, pitching, catching, defense, throwing development, strength and mental performance.
The organization’s winter program combines baseball instruction with its BOLD character curriculum. Publicly listed topics include leadership, accountability, growth mindset, decision-making, gratitude, responding to adversity and responsible behavior away from the field.
High-school players may also serve as BOLD ambassadors who help mentor younger ABA athletes.
Many specialized lessons, classes and development programs are offered separately from regular team activities. Families should ask which services are included with team participation and whether additional instruction is recommended or expected.
ABA provides recruiting support for high-school players who want to pursue college baseball.
The organization says its recruiting services may include helping players create and maintain recruiting profiles, record performance metrics, identify appropriate colleges, communicate with coaches and understand the recruiting process.
ABA also promotes exposure opportunities such as college days, pro-style workouts, showcases, tournaments and Prep Baseball events.
Recruiting meetings and access to recruiting-profile resources are listed among the services included with high-school participation. Players and families are still expected to remain actively involved by updating information, communicating with schools, maintaining academics and continuing to develop.
Recruiting support can help players identify and pursue opportunities, but it does not guarantee an offer, scholarship or college roster position.
✓ Development pathway from 8U through high school
✓ Transformational-coaching philosophy
✓ Emphasis on long-term player growth
✓ Physical, mental, emotional and character development
✓ Structured winter training
✓ BOLD character-development program
✓ Position-specific instructors
✓ Strength and throwing-development resources
✓ Mental-performance support
✓ Recruiting profiles and guidance for high-school players
✓ Exposure opportunities through college events and showcases
✓ Some lessons and development programs require additional payment
Evaluate the specific coach assigned to your player, not only ABA’s overall philosophy and instructor résumé. Ask how that coach structures practices, communicates with families, provides individual feedback, manages playing time and handles mistakes before accepting a roster offer.
Travel and time commitments at Advanced Baseball Academy vary by age group, team, competitive level and tournament or league schedule. ABA does not publicly describe one organization-wide travel model, so families should request information for the specific roster being offered.
ABA’s year-round program involves more than spring and summer competition. The organization states that team fees include approximately 2½ to 3½ hours of scheduled practice time per week, along with weekend winter training from November through February. Winter sessions are followed by 30-minute BOLD character-development classes. Players may also use open tunnels or participate in additional lessons and development programs outside regular team practices.
For high-school players, the calendar may also include recruiting activities such as ABA Days at Midwest colleges, pro-style workouts, showcases, showcase tournaments and other exposure events. The number, location and required participation in these events may vary by team and graduating class.
ABA appears to require a meaningful year-round commitment because team participation combines practices, competition, winter training and character development rather than operating only during the primary tournament season.
The publicly stated practice access and included winter program may provide substantial development value. However, optional open-facility time, private lessons, strength programs and recruiting events can add considerably to the number of hours a player spends on baseball.
Travel is the largest remaining unknown. ABA includes tournament or league entry fees in annual dues, but it does not publicly list a standard number of tournaments, typical travel radius or expected number of hotel stays. Families should therefore review the complete team calendar before accepting an offer.
✓ Travel expectations vary by age group, team and competitive level
✓ ABA does not publish one organization-wide tournament or travel model
✓ Approximately 2½ to 3½ hours of scheduled team practice time per week
✓ Weekend winter training offered from November through February
✓ 30-minute BOLD sessions follow winter training
✓ Open-tunnel and additional facility access may be available
✓ Tournament or league entry fees are included in annual team fees
✓ Player and family travel expenses are not included
✓ High-school recruiting events may add additional dates and travel
✓ TeamSnap is provided for team schedules and communication
✓ Private lessons, camps and specialized classes can add optional time commitments
Ask to see a complete team calendar from a recent season, not only a proposed tournament list. Include regular practices, fall activities, winter training, BOLD sessions, tournaments, league games, recruiting events and any commonly attended optional programs when evaluating the true time commitment.
ABA’s publicly available information does not establish a standard travel radius or tournament count for every team. Travel expectations should therefore be evaluated at the individual team level rather than assumed from the organization’s overall profile.
Annual fees include tournament or league registration and entry fees, along with gate fees charged to the team in advance. Families remain responsible for player travel costs—including hotels, transportation and meals—as well as gate fees collected directly at tournament venues.
High-school players may have additional travel connected to recruiting and exposure. ABA identifies events at Midwest colleges, showcase tournaments and pro-style workouts as part of its recruiting program, and its website shows examples of events outside the Kansas City area. Families should ask which events are included on their particular team’s calendar and which are optional.
Before committing, request the expected tournament locations, likely hotel stays and any recruiting-related travel for the specific season.
Advanced Baseball Academy does not publicly list current annual team dues or provide a standard price by age group. Costs may vary based on the player’s team, age, competition level, tournament schedule and high-school recruiting needs.
ABA does publish a useful breakdown of what its yearly player fees generally cover. Included items are scheduled facility and field use, team baseballs and training equipment, tournament or league entry fees, insurance, winter training, BOLD character-development sessions, open-tunnel access and a TeamSnap account. High-school fees also include recruiting platforms, recruiting meetings, head-coach compensation and coach travel expenses.
Families should request a written, team-specific fee summary before accepting a roster position. The organization’s published exclusions include uniforms, private lessons, IMPACT classes, additional camps, player travel and gate fees collected individually at tournament venues.
ABA provides more public information about what team dues include than many Kansas City-area organizations, even though it does not disclose actual prices.
Included facility access, winter training, tournament or league entry fees, insurance and high-school recruiting services could represent meaningful value. However, families should compare the total annual cost rather than focusing only on the initial team fee.
Uniforms, hotels, transportation, meals, individual gate fees and optional training can add substantially to the final expense. ABA offers numerous private lessons, classes, camps and development programs, so parents should determine whether those services are truly optional or commonly used by players on the team they are considering.
Because team schedules and travel expectations may differ, two ABA families could have significantly different total expenses even when their base dues are similar.
✓ Actual annual team dues are not publicly listed
✓ Fees may vary by age group, team and competitive level
✓ Scheduled ABA facility and field use is included
✓ Tournament or league registration and entry fees are included
✓ Team and player insurance is included
✓ Winter training and BOLD sessions are included
✓ Open-tunnel access is included
✓ Team baseballs and facility training equipment are provided
✓ High-school fees include recruiting resources and meetings
✓ High-school head-coach compensation and coach travel are included
✓ Uniform packages require separate payment
✓ Private lessons, IMPACT classes and additional camps cost extra
✓ Player and family travel expenses are not included
✓ Gate fees collected at the venue may require separate payment
Not every expense listed above will apply to every ABA player. Families should confirm the requirements for their specific team.
Ask ABA for a written estimate covering the entire season, not just annual team dues. The estimate should account for the uniform package, tournament schedule, gate fees, player travel, hotels, meals, optional instruction, offseason programs and recruiting-related expenses.
Also ask a current parent from the proposed team what the previous season actually cost. Published inclusions provide a helpful starting point, but another family’s real spending may reveal expenses that are easy to overlook before committing.
There is no single “best” travel baseball organization—only the program, coach and team that best match a player’s ability, personality, development needs and long-term goals. Families should evaluate the specific ABA coach, roster, schedule and fee breakdown, not only the organization’s facilities and overall development philosophy.
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Our family chose ABA because of its emphasis on player development and college preparation. While those goals were appealing, our experience did not match those expectations. We felt the organization placed more emphasis on growing the program than on individual player development. In our experience, what many parents commonly refer to as ‘daddyball’ appeared to influence playing time and opportunities. We also found the costs to be higher than many comparable organizations in the area. While every family’s experience may differ, our experience led us to conclude that ABA was not the right fit for our family.
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