Northern Illinois
Travel Baseball Organization | Yorkville, IL
About the Reds...
What do the REDS offer that other local teams don't?
While the REDS are not the least expensive team in town, they are the most specialized. The REDS believe they offer competitive pricing for a superior product. They offer the serious player an arena to grow and develop at a pace suitable to him and his family.
The REDS offer an indoor training facility with three batting cages and pitchers mounds that every player has access to 365 days a year. Our coaching staff is experienced and well-trained in the areas of player development and baseball fundamentals. Individual lessons and seasonal clinics are also available to members of the REDS organization free of charge from Coach Steve Hanson and Coach Lin Dailey, two of Yorkville's finest youth baseball coaches.
All REDS teams compete in regional, state, and national level competitions because Coach Hanson believes "in order to be the best, you have to beat the best!" REDS teams play a highly competitive schedule, playing some of the most elite level teams in Illinois and across the country. In recent years, REDS teams competed against teams from, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, California, Florida, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico--just to name a few! In the eyes of the coaching staff, the REDS aren't for everyone, but they do offer the area's most complete baseball experience for the serious baseball player.
The REDS were founded in 2005 by Yorkville resident and coach, Steve Hanson. The vision, created by Coach Hanson, was to provide opportunities for year round baseball instruction as well as a high level of competitive play during the regular season. There were only two teams that inaugural year, led by Coach Hanson (12U) and Coach Loren Underhill (10U). That season was quite successful at the 12U level as the team qualified for the CABA World Series in Cincinnati, OH and played their first international competition, opening the tournament against Puerto Rico.
As the REDS began to enjoy success, the number of teams began to grow. In 2012, there were 10 boys’ baseball teams and one girls’ softball team formed as well. Throughout our seven-year history, the REDS have sent teams to some of the most prestigious and competitive tournaments in the country, including trips to Cooperstown, NY; Omaha, NE; East Cobb, GA; Kissimmee, FL, and many other tournaments throughout the Midwest. The REDS philosophy, “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” has most definitely prepared our athletes well not only for high school baseball, but beyond.
The first REDS graduating class, the Class of 2012, has 16 players signed to continue their baseball careers in college. The bar has been set very high for our future classes and coaches. The REDS’ philosophy is to always work to do something to get better everyday, to hone our craft, and thanks to the generosity of Mr. Underhill over the past many years, our players have been afforded opportunities other young players only dream of.
In the fall of 2012, the REDS will take over a portion of the indoor training facility, also known as The Warehouse, and look to continue the tradition of allowing baseball players to work hard at attaining their goals. The travel baseball environment has changed a lot in the seven years we have been competing, but one thing still remains consistent, baseball is a great game!
"You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you, too." ~Roy Campanella
