NIKE Softball Camp The Ballpark Arlington Heights, Illinois
NIKE Softball Camps will be offering six weeks of camp operated by the staff from the Ballpark in Illinois. Each session is open for softball players ages 9-14 of all abilities and takes place at Melas Park.. NIKE Baseball Camps will also offer six weeks of camp at the Ballpark this summer!
The Ballpark's vision is to provide high quality instruction along with a professional baseball and softball academy for every player! Their mission is to provide the BEST learning environment where professional teachers prepare all players to succeed both on and off the field! They believe student athletes become stronger when engaged in the learning process.
Highlights Include
- Coaching from professional directors and staff
- 10:1 camper/staff ratio
- Multi-level ability grouping
- Discussion topics: preparing for college softball and personal goal setting
- Nike Camp T-shirt, Lanyard and Nike Prizes
Campers train daily at one of the finest facilities in Chicago lands, Melas Park in Arlington Heights. The beautiful four field complex equiped with synthetic turf is ideal for this summer's NIKE Softball Camps.
Camp Director
Ron Cacini
Ron Cacini Jr., majority owner of The Ballpark in Mt. Prospect brings a wealth of experience and knowledge playing, teaching and coaching baseball and softball. Ron is a native of Mt. Prospect where he graduated from Prospect High School in 1988. After a successful two years playing at Triton Jr. College, he was offered a full scholarship to play at North Carolina State, but elected to sign a professional contract with the Houston Astros. After playing three years professionally, Ron went on to complete his degree at DePaul University and became the Assistant Women's Softball Coach for the nationally ranked team under Eugene Lenti. He helped develop the first two All-American infielders, Missy Nowak and Yvette Healey (current Wisconsin Head Softball Coach) and helped the team build one of the top programs in the country. Ron made a brief comeback playing professional baseball again with the Schaumburg Flyers in 1999. In 2000, he began giving lessons in his backyard and after developing over 200 clients in a short 2 year time frame, he decided to open an indoor baseball and softball training center, Play Ball USA, which he created and opened in Des Plaines in 2002. Play Ball USA set a standard in instructional facilities, and Ron served over 10,000 private lessons and produced some of the best student-athletes in the northwest suburbs before selling it in 2008 to spend more time with family. Ron has also been featured on WGN, CLTV, 190 North Show, and has been published in numerous softball and baseball publications. Having a passion to teach, Ron also earned his Master’s Degree and has been teaching physical education in District 64-Park Ridge for over 16 years and is the current 8th Grade Head Basketball Coach. Ron is excited to have the opportunity to train young players of all ages and ability once again at his new state-of-the-art facility – The Ballpark in Mt. Prospect!
Coach
Becky Iaccino
Becky Iaccino was a collegiate softball player at Indiana State University where she earned her degree in athletic training/sports medicine. As captain, she lead the team in runs scored, 3rd in batting average, and second in stolen base % in ’98. She moved on tp play professionally for the Italian Softball League in ’03 and with the Italian National Team from ’05-’07. She continued to play professionally until '11. She achieved great honors which included a Golden Glove in '11 and an All-Star selection.
Becky was the Head Softball Coach at Marian College and was awarded Lake Michigan Conference Softball Coach of the Year 2002. Her coaching experience also includes Indiana State University Coach and Elmhurst College assistant coach. Becky’s knowledge and experience throughout her softball career drives her to help develop each individual athlete into being a great player on and off the field.
Coach
Kiley Lythberg
Kiley Lythberg grew up in Mt. Prospect, IL where she attended Prospect High School. An all-conference, all-area softball player, Kiley holds the record for single season strikeouts, career strikeouts, and most wins in a season. She moved on to play college softball at Central College in Iowa. Over her four year career she achieved great honors which included First-team DIII All-American in 2011, NFCA Division III Player of the Week, Iowa Conference Pitcher of the Week, First team All-Region in 2009 and 2011, Louisville Slugger/NFCA first-team all-Midwest Region, and NCAA Division III Regional all-tournament team selection. Kiley has over 10 years of coaching experience in private pitching instruction and she continues to share her knowledge to help develop softball players of all ages.
Coach
Nicole Pauly
Nicole Pauly, a former standout player at Palatine High School, Northwestern University and retired member of the Akron Racers of National Professional Fastpitch, has spent the last three seasons as a assistant softball coach at Loyola University Chicago. One of the most accomplished players in Northwestern history, Pauly concluded her collegiate career with 53 home runs, 168 RBI, 149 runs scored and a .604 slugging percentage, while starting all 215 games Northwestern played during her four years in Evanston. Nicole helped turn a Loyola team that was picked sixth in the Horizon League Preseason Poll into a championship-caliber outfit. Under her tutelage, a crop of Ramblers have established career-best offensive numbers and a talented cast of freshmen matured into key contributors that will form the core of the program in coming seasons.
Coach
Ryan Curry
Ryan Curry grew up in Downers Grove, IL where he attended Downers Grove South High School. He was an All-State shortstop at DGS and received an athletic scholarship from Bradley University. Ryan played under legendary coach Dewey Kalmer between 2003-2007 at Bradley. Ryan was an All-Conference infielder and senior year was an Academic All American pick at Bradley. Ryan currently holds the all-time hits record at Bradley University. In 2007 Ryan was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 21st round and played in the organization for 5 seasons. In 2010 he was named the best 2nd Basemen in Double A, The Southern League. Ryan has been training baseball players since 2006 and wants to use his knowledge of the game to help every player become the best player and person they can be, both on and off the field.
Coach
Chad Rebecca
Chad Rebecca brings more than fifteen years of playing and coaching expertise to The Ballpark/Nike Camp. A product of Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect Illinois, Chad received an athletic scholarship to Stony Brook University where he was an All-Conference/Rawlings Gold Glove selection. Chad helped lead the Stony Brook Seawolves to a ’08 America East Conference Championship and a bid to the Division I NCAA Regional Tournament at Arizona State University. Chad signed to play professionally with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League in 2010 and with the Lake County Fielders of the North American League in 2011. His vast knowledge of baseball skill development for all age groups provides an invaluable asset to your aspiring athlete.
US Sports Camps combines with Nike and USA/ASA Softball to offer the Nike Softball Camps sponsored by USA Softball.USA Softball is the brand created, operated and owned by the ASA that links the USA Men's, Women's, Junior Boys' and Junior Girls' National Team programs together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping and promoting these four National Teams to compete in international and domestic competitions.
Whichever program you do decide on, each Nike Softball Camp staff member is ready to work with you and provide the best possible softball experience while you train and strive to be a better softball player.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 12:45 p.m. Campers Check In
- 1:00 p.m. Chalk Talk/Campers Stretch
- 1:15 p.m. Throwing Program (stress the importance of a throwing program)
- 1:30 p.m. Break up groups: Infield, Outfield, Hitting, Base running (30 minutes per station)
- 3:20 p.m. Game Situations – base runners, full infield and outfield
- 4:00 p.m. Campers Depart
Monday-Thursday 1PM-4 PM
Registration Packet
A detailed camper registration packet containing check in location, health/release forms, emergency contact numbers, and a checklist of things to bring will be emailed to all registered campers in the Spring. The US Sports Camps health and release forms do not require a doctor's signature and they will be collected on the first day of camp.
Ron Cacini taught me a lot about the game and hitting
"My parents inspired me, but Ron Cacini taught me a lot about the game and hitting!"
The NIKE Camp was amazing!
"The NIKE softball camp was AMAZING! The camp far exceeded our expectations and I will recommend several of the conditioning drills to my Varsity coach so my High School team can benefit from them as well. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING EXPERIENCE!"
Thanks for a great experience
"The director and her staff were very positive and seemed to make all the girls love to play. This is our second time doing the camp and I would do it again. Thanks for another great experience and great memories."
Honest assessment of my skills
"I've been playing competitive travel softball for five years now yet I felt the coaches at this camp helped me improve my game in many ways. They showed me where I needed improvement and were very honest in their assessments of my skills. They recommended coaches to help me continue to improve after the camp - and I really appreciate that."
Nicole Pauly-Palatine HS, Northwestern Grad, Chicago Bandit Professional Player, Akron Racer Professional Player, Loyola Grad Assistant Coach:
Ron is the catalyst that developed me into a feared hitter
"Ron is the catalyst that developed me into a feared hitter throughout my high school, college, and now professional career. His hard work, dedication, and hitting philosophy laid the foundation of my swing that has allowed me to accomplish many of my dreams I've had since I was a young girl."