Next Level Baseball

09/09/2026

Build your brand.
Players
Bring attention to yourself.
Stand out.
Be noticed.
How?
Keep your mouth shut.
Play like a fierce competitor.
Play with energy.
Play with toughness.
Wear the uniform right.
Do not show boat when you do something good.
Do not hang your head when something doesn't go your way.
Be a great teammate.
Play with class.
Respect your opponents.
While others act like fools you act like a real player that has been raised right and respects the game.

09/07/2026

Physicality fuels genuine confidence.
How many players have I scouted or recruited and thought, they'd be a prospect, but they're too strong?
Or
They would have been a prospect, but they're now too big?
Or
They would have been a prospect, but they're not flexible enough because they got too big or too strong?
None, it never happened.
How many times have I heard someone say a kid was too big, too strong or not flexible enough because they were too big and strong, during a scouting or draft meeting?
Never, it never happened.
How players during the steroid era had their productivity diminished because they got too big, too strong or became not flexible enough.
None.
Your body is your billboard.
What does it say about you?

09/07/2026

Genuine Confidence is the most difficult thing to earn in competitive athletics.
Players
Genuine confidence doesn't fall off trees, and it can't be bought.
Your mama and daddy can't buy it for you.
It must be earned with countless hours of preparation and intentional sacrifice.
You have to pay the price to earn it.
No shortcuts.
How far are you willing to go?
How much are you willing to sacrifice?
How relentless are you willing to be?
How much does success mean to you?
Are you willing to run through the wall?
There is no easy way.
It takes what it takes to earn it.
Are you willing to do what others are not?

09/06/2026

Competitive Innings Development Guide.
Some don't throw enough competitive innings to develop pitchability, moxie and feel.
Competitive innings are incredibly important to a pitcher's development.
A good calendar year guide for high school and college age pitchers.
High School
Freshman-70
Sophomore-80
Junior-90
Senior-100
College
Freshman-100
Sophomore-110
Junior-120
Senior-130
Includes fall, high school season and summer.
Zoo lions trade competitive innings for training.
Jungle lions train and log competitive innings.
It is really popular to tell pitchers to limit innings with no rhyme or reason.
Are you throwing enough competitive innings?

09/05/2026

NLB roster construction has started for fall 2026 and summer 2027.
Are you a proven high school or travel ball player that has dominated the competition.
Are you looking for a travel program for the fall and summer?
Are you addicted to the weight room and competing?
Are you addicted to the game of baseball?
Are you outworking the competition?
Are you sacrificing right now for what you want in the future?
Are you good enough to perform vs good competition?
Are you a great teammate?
Are you looking for a program that can guide you through recruiting?
Do you have parents that understand the team concept?
Do you want to be a college or professional player?
If you answered yes to all of those questions.
NLB may be the place for you.
Email [email protected] and we will schedule a call with you and your parents.

09/05/2026

Congratulations Jesse Cassard.

“Looking back on my 23 years of coaching, there were many wins and losses I remember, but the thing I’ll remember the most are the relationships with the

09/04/2026

The Front Royal Cardinals are proud to announce a new partnership that will strengthen player development and recruitment for the upcoming 2027 season. Head Coach Mike Smith will be joined by Ryan Robinson of Next Level Baseball to identify and recruit top collegiate talent across the region.

This collaboration brings together respected figures in the baseball community, each with a proven track record of success.

One exciting collaboration came with Tyler Thornburg, a former standout pitcher, played under Coach Smith during his college summer season before being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, where he began his professional career. His journey from summer ball to the major leagues exemplifies the Cardinals’ commitment to developing players who can compete at the highest level. Ryan would sign Tyler in 2010. The Milwaukee Brewers would go on to select Tyler in the 3rd round of the MLB draft out of Charleston Southern University.

Ryan Robinson, representing Next Level Baseball, has built a reputation for identifying and mentoring college athletes who go on to be drafted into professional baseball. His experience and network will play a key role in expanding the Cardinals’ recruiting reach and ensuring that the 2027 roster features elite talent ready to perform.

Coach Smith expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:
“Having Ryan join our recruiting efforts is a tremendous boost. Their experience and passion for player development align perfectly with our mission to prepare athletes for the next level.”

The Front Royal Cardinals look forward to an exciting 2027 season filled with opportunity, growth, and championship-level competition.

For recruiting inquiries:
Coach Mike Smith: [email protected] 540-931-8939 or
Ryan Robinson [email protected] 850-228-1594

Valley Baseball League

09/03/2026

Hitters
What is a productive at bat?
I'll give you a hint.
It either produces a base runner (you) without an out.
or
It moves a runner.
or
It scores a runner.
or
It drives pitch counts.
Yes, you can have a selfish so called quality at bat by definition and it can be non productive.
Productive at bats win games.
Check your ego at the door and be productive for your team.
Mature hitters win games.

09/02/2026

The Niceville Traveling Eagles and NLB have joined forces.
NLB is honored to align with Dan Buis, his coaches, administrators and alumni.
The Eagles were established in 1999. They have an incredible track record of development, class, integrity and doing it the right way for the right reasons.
Players now have an incredible opportunity to launch their travel ball career with the Eagles at 8u and transition to NLB for 15u-18u high school aged travel ball.
Your future deserves our track records.

For Traveling Eagles information or tryouts contact.
[email protected]
[email protected]
806-340-8660

09/02/2026