FIBA offers elite level training

SARASOTA — Nicolas Torres adjusts his position, eyes the ball and launches a shot into the batting cage’s backstop. 

The senior middle infielder will continue to repeat the process for the next couple of hours, turning to player development director Oscar Despada and pitching coach Michael Rivera for feedback and additional guidance in between each at bat. 

It’s been three months since Torres started training at Extra Innings in Sarasota, and last month, Torres became one of seven local players, along with two international players, to enroll in the Florida International Baseball Academy. 

The Florida International Baseball Academy, or FIBA, founded by Despada and Extra Innings founder Jeff Howard, provides players the opportunity to spend three hours a day training with professional coaches and players to further enhance their development with the goal of advancing to the next level. 

“I was really looking for someone to guide me in the right direction,” Torres says. “The  guidance and training I’ve received has been great so far, and eventually I think this will be the best training organization to come out of Florida. They do a very good job.” 

Torres trains five to six days a week for roughly three-and-a-half to four hours, focusing on every aspect of the game from hitting to fielding to strength training. In addition to fundamental training, Torres also has received guidance on how to mentally approach certain in-game situations, which has only added to his confidence. 

“I came here thinking I was well-developed, but they’ve shown me that I have even more potential,” Torres says. “I just have to be willing to obtain it. The amount of progress that I’ve made has been astounding. I feel like a whole new player.”

FIBA, which is open to players ages 13 to 20, will be based out of The Elevation Preparatory Academy, 583 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, in the former Jewish Community Center. Elevation is an international accredited prep school with more than 110 students spread across more than 15 academies, including Impact Basketball. 

Through the academy, players will receive individual and position specific training, which will be written and monitored by current and former Major League Baseball players and coaches, including Detroit Tigers catching coordinator Joe Depastino, Cincinnati Reds hitting coordinator Ryan Jackson and Tampa Bay Rays head strength and conditioning coordinator Kevin Barr, among others. 

“It’s about helping kids create their own opportunity, really,” Despada says. “It’s not about kids playing professional ball. It’s about getting into college, and if you eventually go on to be a professional then that’s great. We’re creating an opportunity for them and using their baseball tools to help facilitate the process.” 

Howard agrees. 

"It really isn't about baseball," says Howard, who founded Extra Innings in 2010. "It's about molding good kids." 

After completing their coursework, players will be transported to Extra Innings for three hours a day to train, which will eventually be turned into physical education credits. Training will be position specific, allowing each player to focus on his needs. The exercises focus on speed training, defense and hitting, among other aspects. 

Prior to their first training session, all players will go through a professional style evaluation process, which will allow coaches to establish a plan for each individual player.

“We don’t want any players left out,” Despada says. “Our expectations are pretty high. We want to reach as many guys as possible and help them get better and be able to use their baseball tools to get to college.

“We are very fortunate to have the type of experience on board that we have,” Despada says. “The players will receive a lot of knowledge and experience from different coaches. It’s not just one guy.” 

During the season, FIBA players will play an independent schedule, similar to IMG Academy, allowing the team to gain exposure playing at different levels from high school to junior college. 

Local players also have the option of training with the Florida International Baseball Academy while continuing to play for their respective high school teams in the spring. 

“The local high school coaches have been very receptive to the idea, and we are very appreciative of that,” Despada says. 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].