“My two teenage sons have been working with the Strike Zone team for over 4 years and have had great experiences. We feel as though we have had the best pitching, hitting and fielding instruction, as well as the chance to spend time with some very positive role models. Each Strike Zone instructor we have worked with has stressed the importance of attitude, persistence, and work ethic to a player’s eventual success. I have also worked with John and his team on a community level and have been impressed with their ability to handle tryouts and clinics for both our players and coaches.”

-Robert Karnes, Glencoe

The Strike Zone is the best place for young players to improve their skills. The instructors are positive and make the game fun. My son has come to the Strike Zone for 8 years. The instructors have helped him improve his game and they care about him as a person. I recommend the Strike Zone to every player at any age, who wants get the most out of his or her abilities.

- Bob Kimble, Glencoe

"If you're looking for top shelf hitting and pitching instruction, The Strike Zone in Glenview, is the place. My son has worked with Phil Apostle since he was seven years old. He's now a freshman at New Trier. The bonding between teacher and student along with the constant fine tuning of the swing has been great to watch. Don't be scared off by the talk that the Strike Zone is only for advanced, older players. If your kid loves the game, start him young and watch him turn into that type of player."

- Dave Thomas, Wilmette

"Baseball on the North Shore is very competitive. Today, it seems that High School Coaches expect their players to be highly self motivated and to be working with quality instructors year-round – on their own.

Our sons have worked with Paul Kosinski for over 5 years and recently have also had the pleasure of working with Phil Apostle. What we love about the Strike Zone - and these fabulous instructors - is that they not only love the game of baseball but they share that passion and love for the game with our sons. These guys find a way to connect with each kid and to bring out each player’s unique talents and abilities. For example, one of our sons enjoys playing baseball but doesn’t intend to play beyond high school. The other son enjoys baseball immensely and is looking to play at the college level. We are confident both boys will be able to achieve their individual goals and desired individual levels of success.

Paul and Phil want to share what they know because they want our sons to succeed. Their intentions and agendas are clear – to help our sons achieve the best they can be and at the level they want to play. At times they are demanding and tough but they always work with each kid’s personality, and respect and demand the absolute best from these boys. They push them, they teach them, they remind them of their successes, and they demand our sons respect the game of baseball.

While we know our sons are good athletes. . . . we also know they would not have become the baseball players they are today (and hopefully will be in the future) if we didn’t work with Paul and Phil and the guys at the Strike Zone. They are awesome guys and great role models for young men . . . we are delighted to have worked in partnership with them over these past many years.

Thank you . . . . for everything you guys do for our sons . . . . "

- Beth and Gary Ruske, Winnetka

"John Fix and his team of experienced instructors is able to communicate and teach the fundamentals of baseball in a positive and fun environment. Working with the The Strike Zone professionals translates into real on the field improvement for anyone who wants to improve their baseball skills and knowledge"

- Tom Errath, Winnetka

" Last season my son told me that he wanted to make the travel baseball team. He was in desperate need of some hitting and pitching lessons and the Strike Zone turned out to be the perfect place for us. Over the course of one winter of taking lessons with 4 time NL batting champ Bill Madlock my son went from an average baseball player to making the travel team and being the only player on his team to hit homeruns over the fence so far this season. As a result of the lessons he took at the Strike Zone not only have his baseball skills improved, but his confidence in himself as a person has also skyrocketed. I would strongly recommend to anyone considering taking lessons at the Strike Zone that they simply book a weekly time and then sit back and watch the benefits of working with positive baseball professionals that love the game. P.S. They also do a great job with birthday parties as well. "

- Steve Gerbel, Winnetka

"My son, Chris, first began lessons at the Strike Zone when he was six. Nearly twelve now, he currently receives pitching instruction from Paul Kosinski who has taught him to approach hitters intelligently; the result has been a measurable increase in strike outs. Bill Madlock has instructed him in the finer points of hitting for the past year. He's taught Chris to play within his abilities and use his skills to become a significantly better hitter. "

- Caren Kraska, Kenilworth

"My son has been taking hitting and pitching lessons at the Strike Zone for the past eight years. The instructors are very skilled in the latest hitting and pitching techniques taught today. As importantly, my son always walks out of the Strike Zone with a smile on his face ! I would recommend the Strike Zone to anyone, regardless of skill level. "

- Lyle Klimesh, Wilmette

"We highly recommend Amanda Carlson for softball training. Amanda brings to the field a wealth of knowledge from her experience as a player and coach in all aspects of the game. She knows how to work with girls of all ages and how to maximize their playing potential in pitching, hitting, catching, ect...Amanda is thoughtful in her approach, knowing when to push and when to tone it down. Our daughter has trained with Amanda since she started at the Strike Zone and attended her summer camps the past two years. Together they have set goals to work towards and spent time simply gaining a better understanding of the physical and mental game. Our daughter has gained both skill and confidence as a player as a result of working with Amanda Carlson on a regular basis. "

- Nina Schroeder, Glencoe

" I'm thankful for the parents of our baseball team who referred us to the Strike Zone. My son, who is in his first year at the Strike Zone, has been working with coach Joe Knudsen in a group clinic. In a short period of time, I've noticed a vast improvement in his swing rotation, bat speed, fielding and throwing techniques. My son eagerly looks forward to every session, building further confidence in his abilities. Baseball is a great game, especially when it's played and taught the right way. Thanks again for being a great resource."

- Billy Mendo, Northbrook

" Our son has been working with the coaches at the Strike Zone for several years now and we've seen continual improvement in his skills every season. Working with Nathan Stillwell and the other excellent coaches at the Strike Zone has enabled him to continue to maximize his talent and grow into a more complete ball player. At the Strike Zone, he's learned that listening to good coaches, combined with great effort, is the best way to have lots of fun at the game he loves. It's great to see our son working with coaches that care about his ability to take what he's learned at the Strike Zone and translate it into success on the field. "

- Chris Johnson, Winnetka

" The North Shore is a competitive environment for young baseball players. One of the reasons that competition is so intense is because of the superior skills of players coming out of the Strike Zone's private coaching programs. Our son has been working with Joe Knudsen for four years. Until he began his weekly sessions with Joe, he was a player with some natural talent, a lot of interest and not to much competitive success. Since he has been working with Joe, he has not only made the competitive travel teams but also excelled in his positions. Joe has done much to improve his actual game and skills, but it goes much deeper than that. I think back fondly on all the useful and small details that Joe feels are necessary to address to make a complete baseball player. It is not every coach who will tell a player exactly how to dress for a try-out. Joe has worked hard to understand our son as a player and a person, and the winning combination of skill enhancement and player development has been invaluable. Private baseball coaching is not an inexpensive undertaking, but it appears to be well worth the investment ."

- Carla and Jeff Lipe, Winnetka

" As a current professional baseball player for the Chicago White Sox, I have been around the game at the highest level. The Strike Zone offers the development of skills and traits that a player must posses in order to reach the next level. The Strike Zone will provide hands on teaching with a full time commitment to success. I recommend the Strike Zone to anyone who wants to upgrade their skills in the game of baseball."

- Matt Sharp, Wilmette, Chicago White Sox