Learn Baseball with Raul
😊90
💰$63 weekly lessons
For over 40 years, I've cultivated a love for baseball, sharing my expertise with aspiring athletes. I'm dedicated to nurturing talent and instilling the values of teamwork, discipline, and a little fun on the field.
Background checked
Levels taught: Beginners, Intermediates, Experts
Teaches:
😊90 Happy student score
🎓40 years playing
🔥5 Lessons
⭐️Former Professional and Collegiate Player: Played professional baseball and competed at the collegiate level, bringing firsthand knowledge of the game’s highest standards to every coaching role.
Coaching Experience: Over 20 years of coaching experience at the youth/high school/college level, with a strong focus on player development, fundamentals, and team success.
Player Development: Successfully developed 23 players who advanced to play college or professional baseball. Emphasizes mechanics, mindset, and preparation.
Leadership & Culture: Builds disciplined, respectful, and competitive team environments. Known for motivating athletes and fostering accountability.
Reviews
Total reviews5
Average rating
5.0
Carlos Ortiz
Level: Intermediate•Lessons taken: 30
"Working with Coach Raul had a major impact on my pitching career. From the start, he identified key areas in my delivery that needed improvement, and through focused drills and constant feedback, I was able to increase my velocity and gain control of my mechanics.
We also spent a lot of time developing my secondary pitches—especially my curveball and changeup—which became sharper, more consistent, and more effective in game situations. Coach taught me how to pitch with purpose and confidence.
His approach goes beyond just technique. He helped me understand the mental side of pitching, how to stay composed under pressure, and how to trust my stuff. Thanks to his training and mentorship, I earned a full-ride scholarship to continue my career at Central Pointe Christian Academy. I’m extremely grateful for everything he’s done for me."
Carlos Ortiz
RHP – Central Pointe Christian Academy
Frayner Chavez
Level: Expert•Lessons taken: 25
"Training with Coach Raul took my game to a whole new level. His hitting instruction helped me clean up my swing, stay more compact through the zone, and make harder, more consistent contact. We worked on approach, pitch recognition, and situational hitting—things that have made a huge difference in my in-game performance.
Defensively, Coach helped sharpen my footwork, glove control, and throwing mechanics. I’ve become more confident and efficient on the infield thanks to his detailed drills and game-like reps. He focuses on every little detail that separates a good player from a great one.
Thanks to Coach’s guidance and support, I earned a scholarship to play at Lubbock Christian University. His coaching gave me the edge I needed to succeed at the college level, and I’m proud to say I wouldn’t be here without him."
Frayner Chávez
INF – Lubbock Christian University
Ricardo Rojas
Level: Expert•Lessons taken: 20
"Training with Coach Raul was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my baseball career. His pitching lessons completely elevated my game. We worked intensely on my mechanics, improving my delivery, and building a stronger, more explosive lower half. As a result, my velocity increased significantly, and my secondary pitches—especially my slider and changeup—became much sharper and more consistent.
Coach didn’t just teach me how to throw harder—he taught me how to pitch smarter. He helped me develop a plan on the mound, improve my pitch sequencing, and build the mental toughness needed to compete at a high level.
Thanks to the work we put in together, I earned a full-ride scholarship to play at New Mexico Junior College. Coach Raul believed in me, pushed me, and gave me the tools to succeed. I’m proud to say he played a major role in getting me to the next level."
Ricardo Rojas
RHP – New Mexico Junior College
Julio Heredia
Level: Expert•Lessons taken: 20
"Training with Coach Ponce has been a game-changer for me. From our very first session, his knowledge, energy, and attention to detail pushed me to a new level. We focused on refining my mechanics, improving my lower-half drive, and adding consistency to my secondary pitches.
Thanks to his personalized drills and feedback, my fastball velocity jumped noticeably, and I gained more confidence throwing my slider and changeup in any count. Coach helped me understand not just how to throw, but why certain adjustments made me more efficient and effective.
His coaching didn’t just improve my performance—it opened doors. Thanks in large part to our work together, I earned a full-ride scholarship to pitch at Cisco College. Coach Ponce helped me believe in myself and develop the tools to compete at the next level."
Julio Heredia
RHP – Cisco College
Jesus Mejias
Level: Expert•Lessons taken: 15
"Working with Coach Ponce completely transformed my approach at the plate. Before our sessions, I was inconsistent with my timing and struggled with pitch recognition. Coach broke down my swing mechanics and helped me understand how to use my lower half more effectively and stay balanced through contact.
We worked on situational hitting, approach adjustments, and how to stay confident in tough counts. My bat speed increased, and I started driving the ball to all fields with more power and consistency.
Coach Ponce doesn’t just teach you how to hit—he teaches you how to think like a hitter. Thanks to his training and support, I earned a full-ride scholarship to play at New Mexico Junior College. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance."
Jesús Mejías
INF/OF – New Mexico Junior College
Locations
These are the locations I've set as being able to provide lessons:9 locations available
Availability
These are the times I've set as being available for lessons.sundays
8 AM - 8 PM
mondays
8 AM - 8 PM
tuesdays
8 AM - 8 PM
wednesdays
8 AM - 8 PM
thursdays
8 AM - 8 PM
fridays
8 AM - 8 PM
saturdays
8 AM - 8 PM
Beginner training plan
Your first lessonThe first lesson with a beginner is all about creating a positive, fun, and encouraging environment. My top priority is to make the player feel comfortable, confident, and excited to learn.
We start with a brief conversation to get to know each other — I ask about their experience, favorite players or teams, and what they hope to achieve. This helps me understand their personality, learning style, and motivation.
Then we move into a light warm-up and simple movement drills to assess coordination, athletic ability, and how they move. From there, I introduce basic fundamentals:
Throwing: Grip, body alignment, and follow-through
Fielding: Ready position and glove basics
Hitting: Stance, balance, and hand-eye coordination (often using a tee).
Lesson 11+⚾ Lesson 11: Consistency & Muscle Memory
Repetition-based drills for hitting, throwing, and fielding
Focus on repeating proper mechanics under light pressure
Introduce hitting zones and pitch selection
⚾ Lesson 12: Live Defense Situations
Simulate game plays with runners
Cut-off basics, force plays, and backing up throws
Emphasize communication and reaction time
⚾ Lesson 13: Hitting Under Pressure
Timed hitting drills, hitting with a count (e.g. 0-2, 3-1)
Focus on pitch recognition and situational hitting (ground ball, fly ball)
Competition-style hitting game
⚾ Lesson 14: Double Plays & Tag Plays
Turn two (with simplified footwork)
How to apply and avoid tags
Introduce force vs. tag play decisions
⚾ Lesson 15: Positional Play Intro
Teach responsibilities of each position (1B, 2B, SS, OF, etc.)
Rotate players through key spots
Communication and cutoff overview
⚾ Lesson 16: Game Strategy Basics
Understanding innings, outs, and scoring
When to run, bunt, steal, or hold
Simulated game plays with live coaching
⚾ Lesson 17: Small Ball & Bunting
Bunting mechanics and purpose
Practice bunting for hits and sacrifices
Base running after bunt situations
⚾ Lesson 18: Catcher Fundamentals (if applicable)
Stance, receiving, blocking basics
Catch-and-throw to 2B drills
Communication with pitcher and infield
⚾ Lesson 19: Review & Competitive Scrimmage Prep
Combine all skills into team-like structure
Review rules, positions, signs, and responsibilities
Short scrimmage with coach feedback
⚾ Lesson 20: Showcase & Celebration
Full scrimmage or controlled game with feedback
Highlight individual progress
Award or recognition for effort, growth, and teamwork
Encourage continued development and love for the game
Lesson 4-10⚾ Lesson 4: Infield Mechanics & Glove Confidence
Fielding ground balls from multiple angles.
Proper footwork and glove-to-throw transition
Hitting: Tee work with balance and contact focus.
⚾ Lesson 5: Hitting Mechanics & Lower Body Engagement
Introduce load, stride, and hip rotation
Tee and soft toss drills for swing timing
Emphasis on balance and direction of contact.
⚾ Lesson 6: Throwing Accuracy & Catching Fundamentals
Arm slot, footwork, and throwing to targets
Intro to catching pop-ups and partner catch
Hitting: Soft toss with stride timing
⚾ Lesson 7: Situational Defense & Reactions
Fielding different types of ground balls
Intro to defensive decisions and throws
Hitting: Inside/outside pitch location
⚾ Lesson 8: Base Running & Game Flow
Sprint technique and rounding bases
When to tag or run in live scenarios
Hitting: Front toss with pitch recognition
⚾ Lesson 9: Game-Like Situations
Simulated plays (defense + base running)
Live-action drills and decision-making
Hitting circuit combining tee, toss, and live toss
⚾ Lesson 10: Evaluation & Confidence Building
Skill circuit: fielding, hitting, throwing, base running
Feedback and progress review
Final scrimmage or fun challenge + next steps
Lesson 2-3⚾ In the second and third lesson, we begin by reinforcing the basics introduced in Lesson 1. Repetition and consistency are key at this stage. I start with a short warm-up and a quick review of grip, stance, throwing motion, and fielding position to check for retention and comfort.
We’ll then introduce more structured drills to begin developing muscle memory and control:
Throwing Progression: Focus on footwork, step-and-throw timing, and target accuracy.
Fielding Drills: Soft ground balls (stationary and rolling), glove angle work, and proper transition to throwing.
Hitting: Revisit stance and balance, then move into tee work and short soft toss, focusing on consistent contact.
By the end of Lessons, I want the player to feel more confident in how their body moves with the ball and start developing rhythm in their mechanics. We’ll wrap with a short review, answer questions, and assign a simple “homework” drill they can practice between lessons.
⚾ Lesson 3 introduces more dynamic movement and a stronger connection between mechanics and the real game.
We begin with a similar warm-up and light review, then:
Throwing on the Move: Field-and-throw drills, hitting a moving target.
Fielding with Footwork: Left-right fielding steps, glove-to-throw transitions, and mini infield reps.
Hitting Progression: Moving from tee to front toss, focusing on tracking the ball and using the lower body for power.
Base Running Basics: Running through first base, making a turn, and understanding when to go.
This lesson also starts to introduce baseball IQ in simple terms — explaining why we do what we do, like where to throw the ball after a grounder or how to respond to a hit.
By now, the player is starting to feel like a real ballplayer. I keep the energy high, celebrate their progress, and give them more ownership over their development.
Youth players
Working with kidsMake it fun: Turn drills into games to keep them engaged and excited.
Keep it simple: Focus on one skill at a time using easy-to-understand language.
Demonstrate visually: Show the movements step-by-step and use visual aids.
Use positive reinforcement: Celebrate effort and progress to build confidence.
Short, active sessions: Rotate drills often to match their attention span.
Build confidence early: Prioritize small wins to help them feel successful.
Communicate clearly: Speak simply and encourage questions.
Involve parents: Share goals and progress to support learning at home.
Working with teenagersRaise the standard: Teen athletes respond well to being challenged. I increase intensity, reps, and expectations.
Get technical when needed: I break down mechanics in more detail and explain the why behind each adjustment.
Personalize the plan: I tailor drills based on position, goals, and skill level (e.g., college prep, velocity, hitting approach).
Build trust through respect: I treat them like young adults—listening, encouraging ownership, and giving honest feedback.
Focus on performance mindset: I incorporate mental training—confidence, routine, and game-time decision-making.
Balance discipline and motivation: I hold them accountable while keeping the energy high and the environment positive.
What you need to bringBaseball equipment like gloves, batting glove, helmet, bats, catcher gear, ect.
What I can bringPocket radar smart coach, baseballs, and baseball net, ect.
Frequently asked questions
Cancellation Policy
We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's
why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you
peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.
And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.
Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!
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