Player Spotlight: JT Smiths Journey at Trosky Academy
Meet JT Smith, a 12-year-old student at the Trosky Baseball Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and a proud member of the 6th Tool Nation. JT’s story exemplifies how dedication, expert coaching, and a focus on leadership can transform young athletes both on and off the field.
Building Leadership Skills and Getting Your Mind Right
"I've become a member of the 6th Tool Nation and grown my leadership skills. My teammates and I attack every training day by getting our minds right."
At Trosky Baseball Academy, leadership isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a daily practice. JT and his teammates are encouraged to adopt a mindset of excellence and tackle every challenge with focus and determination.
Tip of the Week
"Mastering the 2 Inch Hop"
Drill Focus: Short Hops
This week, we’re focusing on the fundamentals of fielding with precision and control by mastering
short hops. This simple yet highly effective drill will develop your hands, footwork, posture, and first-step quickness—essential tools for any elite fielder.
Why Short Hops?
By practicing 2-inch short hops, you train your hands to handle any type of hop—short or long—while avoiding the dreaded in-between hops. The ability to consistently field these challenging plays will give you confidence in your defensive game and allow you to control the speed and direction of the ball.
Step by Step Breakdown of Mastering 2 inch Hop:
Setup and Posture:
Begin in your fielding position:
Hinge at the hips (don’t squat).
Keep your back flat and your chest forward.
Your glove should be centered at the lower chest level, with elbows slightly out.
Maintain a quiet and steady body position—no unnecessary movement!
Throw Yourself Short Hops:
Toss the ball softly to your glove, aiming for a 2-inch hop.
Focus on where your hands are moving—straight to the center of your lower chest.
Hold and Separate:
Once the ball is in your glove, hold it for a moment and separate it at your chest, keeping movements efficient.
Repeat this over and over to reinforce the muscle memory of proper glove and hand placement.
Efficiency Is Key:
Keep your body still.
Only your elbows and fingers should move as you field the hop.
Prioritize smooth, controlled movements to become "quiet on the eyes" and efficient in execution.
Key Teaching Points
Pick Your Hops: Be intentional. Master short and long hops to eliminate indecision.
Posture & Glove Position: Your glove should be in the center of your chest, elbows slightly out.
Efficient Movements: Minimize unnecessary movement—efficiency leads to consistency.
Remember: Master the 2 inch hop, and you’ll master the game!
FILM YOURSELF DOING THIS DRILL WITH THE BALL AND SHARE IT TikTok @troskybaseball247.
One of the Most Serious Challenges Facing Today’s Baseball Player: The Great Separator – "Becoming an Elite Mover"
"Elite Movers" stand out in today’s game. They move lightly, loosely, freely, and with ease – a quality we call "effortless effort." Their movements are rhythmic, sequenced, and perfectly timed. This ability to move weightlessly and effortlessly is rare, but it’s what we recognize as one of the Great Separators in baseball.
Unfortunately, today’s generation of players often sits more than any before, with technology, especially phones, contributing to this issue. This lack of movement has led to an increase in "Stiff Movers" who struggle with flexibility and mobility. These players are often unable to make challenging plays consistently, as their restricted movement limits athleticism and range.
Being an Elite Mover allows players to maximize their athleticism and reach their full potential. Without this quality, players often play out of posture, which disrupts their timing, limits athletic play, and impacts overall performance. When a player lacks fluid movement, inconsistency follows – an issue that college coaches and scouts notice.
In the competitive world of baseball, becoming an Elite Mover isn’t just an advantage; it’s essential.
The Exciting News is now is the time to "Become an Elite Mover"
The Trosky Infield Yoga is a 15 Minute a day Routine that will transform your ability to become and Elite Mover
Trosky Yoga Routine
Jump Rope Routine
Breathing Routine
Daily Mantra
Dynamic Warm-Up
Here's a highlight from last weeks show.
Next Tuesday is your opportunity to engage directly with Coach Trosky during an exclusive live Q&A session. He’ll be answering your questions about The Art of Showcasing—don’t miss this chance to elevate your game!
When: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM PST
Here's last weeks show if you happened to miss it!
Trosky Baseball Surf Adventure - Waco, TX, July 24th-27th, 2025
ONLY 13 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Who: Players Grades 5th - 12th
When: Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Sunday, July 27, 2025
Where: Baseball: Lorena Little League Fields, 2909 Old Bethany Rd, Bruceville, TX 76630
Surfing & Fun: Waco Surf Park, 5347 Old Mexia Road, Waco, TX 76705
The Ultimate Baseball & Surf Experience!
This summer, elevate your game while having the time of your life at the Trosky Elite Infield Camp & Surf Experience in Waco, Texas! Designed for players in grades 5-12, this one-of-a-kind camp offers elite-level infield training combined with exciting water sports for both players and their families.
Over the course of three action-packed days, players will receive advanced infield instruction directly from Coach Nate Trosky and the Trosky Baseball team at the Lorena Little League Fields. This is the perfect opportunity for athletes to sharpen their skills, elevate their baseball IQ, and compete alongside fellow top-tier players.
But that’s not all! After the hard work on the field, players and their families will have exclusive access to Waco Surf Park. Each player and parent will enjoy three private surf sessions, plus access to water park attractions including three water slides, a lazy river, and much more. Surfboards and tube rentals are included, making this the perfect combination of training and entertainment!
What's Included:
Three Days of Elite Trosky Infield Training
Three 1-Hour Private Surf Sessions (for each player and parent)
Unlimited Access to Water Park (Slides, Lazy River, etc.)
Surfboard & Tube Rentals
Lodging & Meals Included
Snacks Provided
2 Dry-fit Hoodie Shirts
2 Trosky Baseball Hats & 2 Trosky Sun Hats
This is more than a baseball camp—it's a full family adventure! Whether you're working on your skills on the diamond or catching waves at the surf park, this experience will be unforgettable.
Spots are limited, so don’t wait! Secure your place in this unique camp and get ready for an incredible blend of baseball, fun, and family time.
Elite Infield Camps Coming to Your Town
MELISSA, TX - DEC 27-28, 2024
Who: Players Ages 11 - 18 (Players are group by age)
Date: Friday, December 27, 2024 - Saturday, December 28, 2024
Time: Friday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm / Saturday 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Z-Plex Texas Sports Village
Cost: $295
*Camp will be held at the Z-Plex in Melissa, which is an outdoor location. This is a turf field, so we ask you bring clean sneakers or turf baseball shoes.
Denton, TX SOFTBALL - DEC 29, 2024
Who: Ages 10 to 18 (players are grouped by age and talent level)
Date: Monday, December 29, 2024
Time: Monday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Location: Lovelace Indoor Practice Facility, 1307 S. Bonnie Brae St, Denton, TX 76207
Cost: $150
*Camp will be held at the Indoor Facility on the campus of North Texas University, which is an indoor location. This is a facility, so we ask you bring clean sneakers or turf baseball shoes.
Spring, TX , December 30th-31st, 2024
Who: Ages 11-18
Date: Monday, December 30th, 2024 - Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Time: Monday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm / Tuesday 8:30 am - 2:30pm
Location: Scorpions Training Facility, 22202 Rothwood Road, Spring, TX 77389
Cost: $295
**Camp will be held at the Outdoor Facility Scorpions Training Facility, which is an outdoor location. This is a facility, so we ask you bring clean sneakers or turf baseball shoes and warm clothing
Fargo, North Dakota Mar 28, 2025 (Youth)
Who: Ages 7-11
Date: Friday, March 28th, 2025 - Sunday, March 30th, 2025
Time: Saturday 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Rustad Recreation Center, 601 26th Ave. E. West Fargo, ND 58078
Cost: $185
**Camp will be held at the Indoor Facility Rustad Recreation Center, which is an indoor location. This is a facility, so we ask you bring clean sneakers or turf baseball shoes.
Fargo, North Dakota Mar 29-30, 2025
Who: Ages 11-18
Date: Saturday, March 29th, 2025
Time: Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Rustad Recreation Center, 601 26th Ave. E. West Fargo, ND 58078
Cost: $185
**Camp will be held at the Indoor Facility Rustad Recreation Center, which is an indoor location. This is a facility, so we ask you bring clean sneakers or turf baseball shoes.
Player Highlight: Travis Bazzana-1st Round, 1st Pick - Cleveland Guardians
Get Access to the Travis Bazzana 3 part series in the Gold Glove Membership:
Listen to Coach Trosky Describe what Separates Travis from the Rest
USE DISCOUNT CODE: TROSKYINSIDER15
15% off all Rebounders
The Power of the Trosky Pro Rebounder
Trosky Pro Rebounders
The Trosky Pro Rebounder has become a go-to tool for infielders working on handling unpredictable hops. As Coach Trosky explains, it’s all about creating real-game situations. With the Pro Rebounder, you can practice different types of bounces—high, medium, and low hops—that each offer unique challenges for footwork and positioning.
One of the standout benefits is the ability to simulate topspin ground balls, a common but tough ball type to handle. Most infield drills don’t replicate that kind of spin, but the rebounder gives infielders the chance to practice against high-spin topspin bounces, which are much closer to game reality than traditional ground balls.
The best part? It’s easy to take anywhere, making it a versatile addition to any player’s training routine. As Coach Trosky says, the more you can work on these in-between hops and challenging spins, the more comfortable and prepared you’ll feel when it counts.
G2 Early Access for Trosky Nation
Hey Trosky Nation,
We have thrilling news just for you! While the G2 BBCOR baseball bat from Stinger Sports officially launches TONIGHT at Midnight Eastern, as a valued member of Trosky Nation, you get exclusive early access right now!
This 2nd Generation Metamorphosis bat retains the power and precision of the beloved Guardian series, featuring a balanced swing weight and a large, forgiving sweet spot—perfect for those who excel at making hard contact. With cutting-edge upgrades like Power-Balance Barrel Technology and Hand Guard Vibration Reduction, the G2 is built to elevate your game. Don’t wait—be among the first to experience this game-changing bat before anyone else. Secure your G2 today!
