Home About Programs Teams Recruiting Camps Partners Contact ABOUT THE ABA In 1995, Mike Foote, co-owner of the Albuquerque Baseball Academy, envisioned a program that would help more Albuquerque/New Mexico athletes realize their dream of playing college and/or professional baseball. Foote played at the University of New Mexico (1977-1980) and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. While playing in the pros, Foote noted that there were players from New Mexico who were never drafted, but were better players than many of the professionals around him. It was at this time that Foote began to wonder why more NM players did not get the opportunities that he had. Fast forward to 1995. Foote, who at this time owned and operated the Albuquerque Sportsplex, had a 10 year old son, Matt, who loved playing baseball and expressed the dream of playing college baseball. As a result, Foote started a "club" baseball program and talked to college coaches about the type of players they were looking to recruit. The beginning premise was; Take a good athlete, teach and stress baseball fundamentals, provide a highly competitive schedule, and showcase players at the "right" events and more athletes would live their dream of playing college baseball. From those talks with college coaches about recruiting New Mexico kids, Foote learned that NM players needed to prove themselves against better competition. "Scouts wanted to see our kids compete against the best competition, and see how they would respond to adversity." As a result, Foote set out to find the best tournaments and showcases, with the best competition. In 2011, the ABA was accepted in the highly regarded Premier Baseball organization, based in Texas, our players are able to compete against some of the most highly recruited players in the country. "At first, we got knocked around. But we kept playing and the kids got better, and it wasn't long before the kids realized that they were as good as kids on other teams, and could compete against anybody. From that first team, (2003) every player had an opportunity to play college baseball. A couple players decided to pursue academics and turned down the opportunity to play. Foote noted that while the original premise was successful, there was a need to provide players and their families with help in the whole recruiting process. In 2004, Ryan Brewer (former pitching coach/recruiting coordinator at Texas Tech and UNM) joined the ABA to help fill the important recruiting void and help educate our families about the recruiting process. In 2009, Foote was named West Texas/New Mexico state coordinator for USA Baseball's Jr. Olympic program. USA Baseball events have been instrumental in getting our players national exposure. Blake Swihart (Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks & Texas Rangers), Jordan Pacheco (Colorado Rockies), and Alex Bregman (Houston Astros) all played with the National team and helped the USA win multiple gold medals in International competition. Since 2003, and utilizing the same proven formula, the Albuquerque Baseball Academy has assisted in placing over 500 (98% success rate) New Mexico and West Texas players into college or professional baseball. ABA provides baseball/softball pitching, hitting, & fielding instruction from some of the most sought after and highly experienced instructors in the Southwest. Also, the ABA maintains a club team program offering club teams for players 9U-14U (Sluggers), 15U-18U (HS Summer Select) and High School Fall Showcase teams. Mike Foote Owner Played at the University of New Mexico Signed by the Cincinnati Reds Played in the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals Organizations Coached at the University of New Mexico Bobby Bunch Pitching Played at Bacone University Played at San Francisco Junior College ABA 15U High School Select Team Coach ABA COACHING STAFF The Coaching Staff at the Albuquerque Baseball Academy consists of the most highly touted teachers in the Southwest. The instructors on average are combining to do close to 200 individual lessons per week. The staff has over 100 combined years of coaching athletes as young as 6 years old to the top college players in the country. The Hitting, Catching, Pitching and Infield instructors carry a highly qualified resume, all of our instructors either played college or professional baseball. Ryan Brewer Pitching Pitched at Texas Tech University Signed by the Kansas City Royals Pitching coach at Texas Tech University & UNM ABA Pitching Coordinator Matt Foote Hitting Played at the University of New Mexico Mountain West Conference All time leader in stolen bases ABA Outfield and Base Running Coordinator 15U ABA High School Select Team Coach Al Foster Fielding Signed by the Montreal Expos Former Head Coach at Sandia High School ABA Infield Coordinator 12U SLUGGER COACH ABA SLUGGER COORDINATOR Jim Briggs Hitting & Pitching Played at NM Highland and New Mexico State Former (Retired) Head Coach at Manzano High School ABA Elite 14U Coach Hitting/Fielding Instructor TRAINING Hitting Fundamentals Players will be instructed on the proper load, hand placement, bat path, when hips engage and how to hit to all fields. At ABA we use the latest technology, including HITTRAX, Blast Motion, Rapsodo, K-Vest and TrackMan to help our players get a full picture of what their swing looks like and how to improve it. Infield Fundamentals Infielders will learn proper footwork, how to develop soft hands and will learn pre-pitch positioning. Video will be used to make sure infielders are in the proper fielding position and how to "field through" the ball to make accurate throws. "Daily" drills will be taught so infielders can do drills at home. Catching Fundamentals Catchers will work on the 3 stances; no one on base, runners on base, and proper throwing footwork. Catchers will also work on blocking, wild pitch, pitch calling, receiving the ball and positioning for plays at the plate. Pitching Fundamentals Pitchers will be taught proper balance, stride length, explosion point, finish, proper mechanics to reduce the chances of arm injury, and how to develop a second pitch. Video, enhanced with Right View Pro (extra charge) will help pitchers see their mechanics and how to improve. ABA Video Analysis This video analysis is designed for players that are not able to make it to Albuquerque on a weekly basis. We can analyze Pitching, Fielding, Hitting, and Catching mechanics. You will receive a written evaluation (through email) and we will schedule a phone conference to talk you through you mechanical issues. You will need to call to discuss the proper angels for video. For more information call or email: Ryan Brewer abacademy@qwestoffice.net, (505) 730-6979 or Al Foster: alfoster9@gmail.com, (505) 803-2260. CONTACT US ADDRESS 4101 Paseo Del Norte Albuquerque, 87113 PHONE 505-856-BALL (2255) EMAIL info@ababaseball.com Join Our Email List Join WORKING HOURS Monday: 10am - 8pm Tuesday: 10am - 8pm Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday: 10am-8pm Friday: 10am - 7pm Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 12pm - 5pm FOLLOW US © 2021 by the Albuquerque Baseball academy. 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