Baseball coach · Bloomington, INCoach Declan
Private Baseball CoachCoach Declan
Trains in Bloomington & virtually
Works with Elementary, Middle School, High School
Available: Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun
Pricing
Get to know Declan
A young, passionate baseball coach focused on holistic development of athletes.
Hello everyone! I'm Declan Smith and have spent over half of my life involved in the game of baseball from playing, to coaching, to scouting and more. I have dealt with highs, lows, injuries, and everything in between. No matter what I will put all of my effort into every athlete I work with. You can expect to become a smarter, stronger, and more confident athlete. I will help every athlete develop as baseball players and individuals to help them reach their full potential.
How I can help you improve
I can help many different players work on their skills. The majority of my time has been in the infield and at the plate. However I can still work with and have experience with outfielders, pitchers, and catchers. I can help you improve your skills through:
Fundamental Practice:
- Real time practice and drills to establish areas of improvement and continuing to develop basic skills.
Video:
- Recording videos on the athlete and analyzing it with them so they can see and understand. Also comparing to pro athletes/previous videos for visual learners.
Mental Game:
- Spend time discussing and simulating game scenarios to improve the mental game and work through the athletes mindset/approach.
A typical training session
What to expect during a session:
- Be on time(early) to stretch before the session begins
- Warm-Up
- Practice/Drill Work
- Some sort of game/challenge
- Cool down/stretch and reflect
Career & accomplishments
- Varsity baseball player at high level high school with D2-D3 offers
- Indiana University Club Baseball
- Scouted for Prep Baseball Report Illinois
- Member of the 2026 Chicago Cubs Grounds Crew
Best coach I ever had
The best coach I've ever had was my travel ball coach when I was a sophomore in high school. While this team was very successful that's not the reason this coach was my favorite. This coach also worked as an umpire and had aspirations of being a gym teacher and eventually a high school baseball coach. He really cared about us and developing us as baseball players. And the fact he was an umpire let him share a whole other side of information about the game that helped us beat teams at times.
What athletes & parents should know
That I will further your game in all aspects without losing sight of the fun you're meant to be having, and the necessary personal development. I will get tough when necessary but the overall feel will be a more relaxed environment focused on development. I will also always be early to lessons unless there is something extremely out of my control.
Training locations
25% off your 1st lesson
$81
$61
Then $260/mo for 4 lessons, starting 48 hours after your 1st lesson. Cancel anytime.
Good Fit Guarantee
How it works
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Book Lessons
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Start Training
Meet your coach in-person or virtually, and start chasing down your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact a coach?
If you’re looking to message a coach for the first time, go to their profile and click “Send a Message”. A type box will show, where you can enter and send your message. To follow up with a coach you've already contacted, log into your account and find the 'Inbox' tab. You'll see your message history and be able to send another note.
How do I book lessons?
Once you find a coach that fits your needs, go to their profile, select the package you'd like to purchase, and click 'Book Lessons'. Here, you can reserve your desired number of lessons along with the number of athletes who will be training. After sessions are booked, coordinate the dates/times for each session on your calendar - using the calendar is important since this is how your coach will get paid.
Can I pay my coach via Venmo or cash?
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What if I don't feel comfortable paying online?
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Where will the coach hold their lessons?
Each coach typically has at least one preferred training location. You can see the location(s) by going to your coach's profile and finding the 'Training Locations' section. If a coach doesn't have locations listed here, you can message the coach to see where they train. Some coaches are willing to travel to clients for lessons, or even meet halfway.
When is the coach available to train?
Each coach sets their own schedule for training. You can see a coach's general availability by going to their profile and finding the 'Availability' section - it will list the days and times. If a coach doesn't post their availability, or if your preferred coach doesn't have your desired times available but you want to double check, message them to see if they can work with your schedule.
How do rescheduling, cancellations, and lesson credits work?
Good Fit Guarantee — If your first lesson isn't the right fit, we'll move your lesson credit to a new coach. No hassle.
Easy rescheduling — Cancel or reschedule up to 4 hours before a lesson, no questions asked.
Coach no-shows — You'll be fully credited and we'll help you find a replacement.
Flexible credits — Unused lessons last 12 months and can be used with any coach on the platform.
Questions? Our team is here to help. View our policies.
Do coaches work with both kids & adults?
Our coaches are open to helping athletes of any age and skill level. Please message your desired coach to ensure their skillset fits your needs.
Why should I trust AU and their coaches over other platforms?
AU was created by former college and pro athletes. We understand the benefits of training with a private coach. It develops discipline, boosts confidence, and provides an undeniable advantage - whether you are just learning the game or looking to earn a college scholarship. All AU coaches are required to pass a thorough onboarding process + background check, so you can trust you're training with the best.
At the end of the day, our mission is to provide athletes with better opportunities to succeed through coaching. You won't find a platform, and group of dedicated specialists, more excited to help you achieve your athletic goals!