Turtle's Annual Stop in Conroe, Texas!

Diamond Sports Academy Catcher's Camp

“Where Driven, Passionate Athletes Go to Deepen Their Understanding of an Integral Position.”

Dates: Tuesday, May 27th - Thursday, May 29th 

Who Should Attend:

Softball or baseball catchers of all ages (especially beneficial for athletes interested in switching to become a catcher). We will split the athletes into groups based on their sport and level.

Experience the Future of Catching!

The catching position in baseball is evolving rapidly, making it one of the most specialized and sought-after roles in sports. Much like the quarterback in football or the goalie in hockey, catchers have a significant impact on game outcomes due to the technical nature of their position.

Meet Coach Turtle Thomas:

Twice a year, the legendary college and MLB coach Turtle Thomas comes to Conroe to host our catching clinics. Turtle grew up playing nothing but catcher and then went on to coach after his playing career. He spent time at FIU, Arizona State, Miami, Clemson LSU, Georgia Tech, and trained many big league catchers as a Roaming Catching Coordinator for the Texas Rangers. After retiring from organizational coaching/managing, Turtle spends time with his wife at his home in Miami, Florida. When he is not at home, he is in his RV travelling across the country conducting camps for youth, high school, collegiate and professional catchers. He truly is a legend of the game with a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience that you can feel when he is in the room. His passion for teaching is evident in the way he communicates to athletes. Although he has been around the game for a while, Turtle has done a great job staying up to date with the evolution of the catching position through his own analysis and through conversations with his good friends coaching in the MLB. Every catcher remembers the day they met coach Turtle and every catcher will continue to do at least one of his drills for the rest of their career.

From Coach Turtle: 

This year, we will cover,

11 Different Stances

Target Position

Glove Loads

Receiving All Zones In And Out Of Strike Zone

Specialty Plays

-Pitchouts

-Tag Plays 

-Bunts

-etc

30 Plus Throwing Drills

-Footwork

-Arm Action

-Intricate Throwing Mechanics

-Drills With Connector Balls

-Throwing Clubs

-Spin Aid And Striped Balls

-Hockey Pucks

Blocking

-Instruction

-Dry Blocking

-Leadup Blocking

-Live Blocking Drills 

-Machine Blocking

-Coach Throw Air/ DirtPitch Calling

Data & Analytics

Molecule Chart

What to Expect:

Our camp is open to participants of all ages, and we will group them based on their registration information. The content is accessible to anyone eager to excel in the catching position and provides essential knowledge to keep up with modern training techniques. Parents are welcome to stick around and watch/take notes.

Camp Schedule:

Day 1: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Lunch 12:30-1:00)

Day 2: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Lunch 12:30-1:00)

Day 3: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

A Comprehensive Approach:

Coach Turtle's passion for teaching and the dedication of Coach Lance and our coaching staff make this camp exceptional. Each participant will receive an information packet and are encouraged to take notes throughout the clinic. This information isn't just about becoming a better catcher in three days; it's about leaving with a toolkit of techniques, drills, and cues to refine your skills year-round. Catching is all about consistency and routines, and our camp ensures your routines are efficient and up-to-date, turning you into an elite catcher.

Coach-to-Player Ratio:

Maintaining a low coach-to-player ratio is essential for an effective clinic. We plan to maintain a ratio of 1 coach for every 4-6 players.