Baseball and Softball Academy
The goal of the Baseball and Softball Academy is to allow student athletes to develop in an environment where they are challenged to not only develop their baseball & softball skills, but also maintain their academic studies.
Edmonton Catholic Schools' Baseball Academy was founded in 2005 and is the longest running baseball academy program in Alberta. Since 2005, the St. FX Baseball and Softball Academy has helped develop elite talent in Alberta with seven alumni being part of the Baseball Canada National Team, six players being drafted into Major League Baseball and numerous players having attended various college/universities in Canada and the United States.
The Baseball and Softball Academy Program is currently available at two schools in the Division, please contact one of the below schools for more information.
Junior High School
St. Thomas More Catholic Junior High School (Grades 7-9)
Senior High School
St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School (Grades 10-12)
History
Edmonton Catholic Schools has been offering sport specific programming for students as a program of choice since 1997. The Sport Academy schools offer superior athletic instruction for those students whose educational experience would be enhanced with sport specific training. Academy students benefit from participation in these sports in terms of learning to be responsible, organized, and committed to an education that is both academic and athletic.
Sport Academy schools charge a program fee that varies by school and by sport in order to offset the costs of things like equipment, field/rink rental, staffing of sport-specific coaches and trainers, as well as administration costs.
Application
Begin the application process and become a Knight today!
To register, call (780) 484-2434
About The XA Program
The St. Francis Xavier Baseball Academy was founded in 2005 and is the longest running baseball academy program in Alberta.
Our goal every year is to allow athletes to develop in a student athlete environment where they are challenged to not only develop their baseball & softball skills, but also maintain their academic studies.
Since 2005, the St. FX Baseball & Softball Academy has helped develop elite talent in Alberta with 7 alumni being part of the Baseball Canada National Team, 6 players being drafted into Major League Baseball and numerous players having attended various college/universities in Canada and the United States.
Philosophy
- The academic and Baseball staff is committed to Long Term Development of the student athlete as well as creating a positive environment for learning.
- The Baseball Academy gives individuals the opportunity to enhance baseball skills, develop positive routines while balancing academic studies.
General Fees Breakdown
- Annual Fee - $3,000 ($1,500 deposit and 3 monthly installments of $500)
- Additional Fees may be required to attend competitions/trips. These are optional but encouraged.
Baseball & Softball Academy Features
- Professional Full-time Instructors
- Apparel Package - Approx. $300 value
- Baseball or Softball Specific Fitness Plan
- Facility Rentals
- Transportation to Any Required Facilities
Weekly Structure
- Athletes participate in baseball or softball practice as part of their daily school schedule.
- 3-4 instructional practices per week
- 1 Fitness Centre instruction class with Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Bi-Weekly Class of Physical Education or Sport Performance Class
- Optional Extra Work Available 1-2 Days per Week After School Hours
Monthly Calendar
September/October
- Fall Ball Games
- Practices are mainly in-season work
November/December
- Off-Season Training
- Heavy emphasis on athletic development and training
- Introduction to the weight room (circuits), athletic movements, and range of motion
- Arm maintenance program to reduce future risk of injury
- Driveline program to improve swing efficiency
January to June
- Winter training
- Emphasis on skill development and arm strengthening/long toss program
- Video analysis of swing/pitching mechanics
- Preparation for Club team tryouts and summer season
Facilities
Xavier Sports Centre
A 15,000 sq. foot indoor training facility complete with a drop down batting cage, fitness equipment, and a 200m track above the playing surface.
Xavier Fitness Centre
A full size weight room that athletes have access to for all our strength training needs. There is also a full-time strength and conditioning coach onsite to provide athletes with the necessary workout routines throughout the school year.
5 Tool Fieldhouse
Indoor facility with 4 batting cages
Callingwood Field
Outdoor practice facility located close to the school that provides a full size senior diamond, bullpens and batting cage.
Baseball Academy Fees & Budgets
St. FX Alumni
Baseball Academy Staff
Academy Staff
BRAD WOLANSKY - BASEBALL ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Brad Wolansky, FX Director and Coach, grew up playing minor baseball in St. Albert, AB where he developed with the St. Albert Cardinals.
He moved on to play collegiately at Peru State College in Nebraska for 4 years where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education with a Minor in Coaching.
He spent one year as a student assistant coach at Peru State College before returning back to the Edmonton area.
Brad is currently the head coach of the St. Albert 15U AAA Cardinals and the Men's Senior AAA St. Albert Tigers. Previous to arriving at St. FX, he spent 13 years working at Baseball Alberta as a Program & Communications Coordinator.
He has been a coach at the 15U, 18U and Senior AAA levels and was an assistant coach for the Women's Open Division Team Alberta that won a Baseball Canada National Championship in 2014.
Contact Brad Wolansky at:
Email: bradley.wolansky@ecsd.net
Phone: (780) 218-3659