My name is GARY HURBA. I was born in 1950. Baseball has been a passion and love of mine since I began playing at 4 years old. I was scouted by Bob Elliot of the New York Mets and by the Chicago White Sox. Multiple knee injuries ended my opportunity to turn professional. My passion for the game continued as I raised my 2 sons. My eldest son, Ryan, had a very successful collegiate baseball career, the highlight being elected as a Division III All-American his senior year. He was inducted into the Oswego State Baseball Hall of Fame. He is currently the Assistant Coach, hitting coordinator and recruiter for a very successful Division I program. My youngest son, Craig, is in his 4th season of professional baseball. Drafted in 2004 by the Texas Rangers, he is a catcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. I would like to believe that my knowledge and ability to teach helped them achieve some of the success that they have enjoyed while playing baseball. Business and life did not afford me the time to properly devote all my energies to the game I love.
I recently got back into coaching after too long an absence from the game. I guided my Clayton Little League Indians to a first place tie with 11 wins and 1 loss. All three Clayton All-Star teams asked me to be their hitting coach. 
My Little League coaching record is 32 wins and 3 losses. I was also assistant coach and hitting instructor for a high school girls softball team that had not won a single game in 3 consecutive seasons. The year I coached them they won 3 games. I have also helped numerous high school players while my sons were growing up.
What I am offering is an affordable opportunity to have your child learn correct baseball fundamentals at an early age. I am doing this because I love baseball. I find teaching to be very rewarding and I want to share my knowledge and passion with others. I specialize in ages 5-12. I am confident in  my ability to communicate and connect with youngsters. I can teach them proper mechanics through numerous drills and learning techniques that I have mastered over the years. I can, with their dedication, retrain them and break them of bad habits. Obviously, some learn quicker than others and some are more dedicated than others. They will have to practice, practice and practice more if they are serious about becoming the best they can be. Unfortunately, some youngsters will see the success they enjoyed while they were 8-12 years old come to an abrupt end once the pitchers begin throwing offspeed  pitches and learn to improve their location. Hitters with bad mechanics will soon be exposed and will not enjoy the success they may have had at a younger age. The most common mechanical flaws are improper balance at the plate, lunging for the ball and the famous horrible habit of the "foot in the bucket". I have modern technology and training aids at my disposal. There is an on premises batting cage that we will use. I will be able to evaluate and show my pupils through photos their flaws.
I can improve their overall game. I will make them better hitters and fielders. I have devised numerous defensive drills that will improve their hand-eye coordination and their fielding mechanics. I can teach catchers proper defensive drills. 
My son Craig will join me when his season is over. He will provide advanced hitting and catching instruction.
Krystal Bourne will be our girls softball instructor. Krystal just graduated from Mount Olive College where she was a star pitcher and first baseman for the Trojans.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION PACKAGE RATES:
$25.00/hour required minimum 6 lessons 
$22.00/hour additional 6 lessons
$20.00/hour any further lessons
Full package payment must be made prior to your first lesson.
I do accept less than 6 lesson packages. Pricing is $30.00/hour for 5 lessons or less.