With the White Sox home opener happening in Chicago this afternoon, baseball is back on the minds of many looking to play ball this Spring and Summer. But you don’t have to go to US Cellular Field to get your Fast Ball Fix. Barrington has it’s very own Baseball school and its season is in full swing.
Former Mets pitcher and Barrington High School grad, Dave Trautwein, owns Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois. It’s in a 35,000 square foot facility in Lake Barrington, right by the Field House. They have a full indoor major league infield with professional turf, 30-foot ceilings and “Iron Mike” batting cages. Their 25 instructors all either played professional or college baseball or are current or former coaches. How cool is that!!!
Trautwein says they offer private baseball lessons to kids age six through high-school. Three professional baseball players also practice at the facility during the off-season. For kids with the biggest baseball dreams, Trautwein says the goal is to give them the skills they need to get signed to a collge baseball program and get scholarships. Since he’s been in business, he says there’ve been quite a few players who have accomplished that goal. For other kids, Trautwein says the instructors are there to help them “learn the game and improve at the game so they can build more confidence and have more fun.”
Like many Barrington business owners, Trautwein says the downturn in the economy has taken its toll. Some of the players’ parents are struggling and kids aren’t taking as many lessons as a result. But he’s working harder than ever to build support for the school’s summer camps and traveling teams. Trautwein, who has three young kids of his own, says he loves what he does because he loves the game and enjoys sharing his passion with the Barrington community.
Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois is located at 20839 NorthPointe Parkway. From Route 14/Northwest Highway go North on Kelsey Road, take a right on Pepper and keep going until you get to NorthPointe Parkway. For more information about their batting cages, private lessons, summer camps and traveling teams, you can call them at 847-842-0003 or check out their website at PBIIllinois.com.
