Welcome
Dusty Baker
Manager, Cincinnati Reds
1993 -1997 - 2000 National League Manager of the Year
“As a kid my thoughts centered around becoming a professional athlete. My wishes were fulfilled by supportive parents, hard work (still having fun) and a strong belief in God.
When I was 16 years old my parents sent me to the Squaw Valley Warriors Basketball Camp. I had expert instruction from greats such as Rick Barry and Avlin Attles, and to my surprise was voted MVP of the camp. I can't express the self esteem gained from that day forward. At that time I vowed that when I became a professional I would have an Academy of my own so that other kids could experience similar progress and satisfaction. Change as well as hard work plays a very big part in athletics as well as in life.
Gene Frechette
Chief Executive Officer Dusty Baker Academy
Milwaukee Brewers
This is Gene's 52nd Year Associated
with Professional Baseball
"We are in the business to improve baseball skills, but the building of big league citizens is equally important. We will concentrate on developing self-confidence, self-reliance, and self-discipline.
There is no substitution for hard work to become a better baseball player. With this in mind, we have carefully selected our professional staff. They have the ability to identify with and understand young people as well as imparting their knowledge and experience through explanation and demonstration. The skills and knowledge students get here will enhance them greatly in the future, whether it be in high school, college, professional or coach of a little league team. Your son deserves the best."
Johnnie B. Baker, Sr.
Johnnie B. Baker, Sr. was a man who was a strong advocate for parent involvement at any and all levels. This relationship was like most first-born sons and their fathers, a little adversarial and a lot of love. Their relationship began to take on a new dimension in a little league ballpark field in Riverside, California. "Being the coach and father is a tough position," Johnnie once remarked. "I can remember when Dusty, having a 'bad attitude,' was benched. It was a hard decision to make, but nevertheless, I felt that a lesson was in order."
"Parents must be aware of the necessity of involvement. It doesn't matter if you are raising a future athlete or a future carpenter, you are the most important influence in their lives. The greatest reward was when my son said, ‘Thanks for the benching, Dad’ and smiled that famous Baker smile.”
