All-Pro Academy grooms tomorrow's diamond stars
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON - While the high school baseball and softball seasons have come to a close, there is still plenty of baseball to be seen and played this summer.

In addition to the area Little League and American Legion teams worth catching in action, the opening of the All-Pro Academy in North Edison should keep players busy during the dog days of summer.

Co-owned by Metuchen High School baseball coach Sean Economou, the All-Pro Academy will open its doors this summer and offer a variety of camps and clinics for baseball and softball players looking to learn the fundamentals of the sport and develop skills in all areas of the game.

The facility, located on Inman Road in North Edison, will run both softball and baseball camps this summer with a concentration on players aged 7-12.

"We have an indoor facility with a 90-foot infield, which allows us to run a lot of different things at once," Economou said. "We can adjust the infield to 60 feet for the Little Leaguers and run pitching, hitting and fielding clinics simultaneously. The layout of the facility allows us to accomplish so much work in a controlled environment."

Economou and his staff plan to give younger players a taste of every position to touch upon the basics and fundamentals. As players get older, the emphasis is on specialized position skills.

"We start every day with throwing fundamentals to teach players the proper way of doing things, and how to take care of their arms," Economou said. "The idea is that kids will learn how to avoid injuries down the road."

Working alongside Economou at the All-Pro Academy is Plainfield High School head baseball coach Scott Gleichenhaus and Christian Brothers Academy assistant coach Joe LaRocca

"We have a lot of experienced coaches and players helping out at the facility," Economou said. "Coaches from Red Bank Catholic and Marlboro High School as well as minor league players from the area will help out from time to time."

One-time New York Mets pitcher Bobby Jones is also a clinician willing to lend his experience and expertise to All-Pro Academy players.

For softball players, former Metuchen standout Tara Minnich-Novak and J.P. Stevens alumnus Lauren Belowich will lead the camps. Minnich-Novak coached for Lafayette for two seasons where Belowich played her college ball.

"We give players different options," Economou said. "We have both a half-day and full-day program for softball and baseball players in order to accommodate different schedules."

The first softball clinic of the summer is slated for June 26-June 29 from 1-5 p.m. Interested players can still sign up and should visit www.allproacademy.com or call Coach Economou at (908) 222-1511.

"This camp is for players of all skills aged 7-12," Economou said. "Baseball players from 11-15 years of age can still enroll for the advanced skills camp, beginning July 2."