Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's - General

What Makes KLA Different?

Tiered Development Model

Unlike many organizations, every athlete does not receive the exact same training.

Our athletes participate in a tiered development model that allows each player to receive instruction appropriate for their current skill level while providing opportunities to be pushed to a higher level.
This ensures:
● Maximum individual growth
● Competitive training groups
● Clear developmental pathways
● High expectations with individualized coaching

What is emphasized at KLA? Professional Instruction

Our coaching staff consists of experienced coaches who emphasize:
● Hitting development
● Defensive fundamentals
● Position-specific instruction
● Pitching & catching instruction
● Speed & agility
● Mental performance
● Game IQ
● Leadership

What is included in being a part of KLA?

Depending on team level, players receive:
● Team practices
● Position-specific training
● Skills Sessions
● Strength & speed opportunities
● Recruiting education 14s/15s/16s/18s
● Team camps hosted at KLA
● College exposure opportunities
● Winter indoor training
● Fall season
● Spring/Summer tournament schedule

What are the KLA Expectations?

We expect KLA athletes to:
● Be coachable
● Work hard
● Support teammates
● Communicate
● Represent KLA with class
● Commit to continued development
Parents are expected to support the coaching staff, encourage positive sportsmanship, and help create a great experience for every athlete.

How do we communicate?

Communication is handled through:
● SportYou
● SportsRecruits- Recruiting Platform
● Email
● KLA social media
● GameChanger
● Athletes Go Live
Families should communicate schedule conflicts as early as possible.

What is our Financial Information?

Program fees generally include:
● Indoor training
● Practice facility
● Coaches
● Tournament registration
● Team insurance
● Administrative costs
Additional costs may include:
● Uniform package
● Spirit wear
● Hotel accommodations
● Travel expenses
● Optional recruiting events
● Alliance Registration
Fundraising opportunities may be available throughout the year

Will my daughter play every position?

At younger ages, athletes are encouraged to learn multiple positions. As athletes get older, they begin to specialize while maintaining versatility. The expectation is that we develop the whole athlete. We do not want pitchers to only pitch, we want them to learn to be competitive in all areas. We do not want to wear out catchers, so we keep 2-3 (or more) on the team if possible so we can rotate.

Do teams practice year-round?

All teams participate in fall, winter, spring, and summer training with scheduled breaks throughout the year.

What is the difference between skills, tiered practice and team practice?

Skills: All age groups work together to develop fundamentals of the game. This happens at KLA and sets the standard of our program. Fall consists of the KLA Way- learning our fundamental drills. Winter consists of baserunning, live pitching and hitting and hitting development. Spring/Summer-defensive tactics.

Tiered Practice: 3-4 teams work together for a practice. This allows for maximum effort without draining athletes. Tiered practices are typically 2 3 hours. Sample Practice consists of KLA Warm Up, Hitting, Dailies, Throwing progressions, Pitching/Catching Warm up, Positional Skill Work, Group Skill Work, Rotation of defense, baserunning and live hitting/pitching/bunting. Practicing in a tier allows athletes to train in a fast paced game like speed, often with teams of athletes who are older who can push younger athletes.

Team Practice: We do not typically have your standard “team practice” in the fall/winter/spring. In the summer, teams may opt to have team practice if there is something specific they want to work on, but it is only on as needed basis as 1 team practice does not maximize the growth of athletes.

Can athletes move between tiers?

Yes. We shift tiered practices so the same teams are not the “oldest” or “most skilled” team at the practice. This maximizes growth of the athlete.

Do you support multi-sport athletes?

Absolutely. We value multi-sport participation and work with families whenever possible. Communication is KEY!

How are coaches selected?

KLA coaches are chosen based on their ability to teach, develop athletes, communicate effectively, and represent the values of our organization. We are always looking for former collegiate softball players who can share their experiences with teams.

What is your goal as an organization?

Our goal is to develop confident, fundamentally sound, bad ass females who are prepared to compete at the highest level that matches their goals—whether that is middle school, high school, or college softball.

Is there a payment plan?

Yes: a $300 deposit and then five monthly installments starting September 1st.

FAQ's - Teams

9U/10U/11U

Designed to build strong fundamentals while creating a love for the game.

Approximate Program:
● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Spring/Summer
● 3-4 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 2 Additional)
● 4-6 Spring/Summer tournaments (Mix of A/B/Open Events)
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons

Estimated Cost:
$1,700 – $2,000

12U/13U

Continued emphasis on fundamentals while introducing more advanced concepts.

Approximate Program:

Estimated Cost:
$2,000 – $2,200

14U Open

Designed for athletes seeking competitive local softball with strong player development.

Approximate Program:

● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Summer (Spring is OFF due to OHSAA-unless they are
not on a sanctioned middle/high school team.
● 3-4 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 2-3 Additional)
● 4-5 Late Spring/Summer tournaments (Mix of A/B/Open Events)
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons
● Open Summer Schedule includes Cap City Classic, Midwest Elite, Sheer Madness, Fire in the Sky, Buckeye
Recruitfest, World Series
● Will use the Blast censor and Blast membership data

Estimated Cost:
$2,400

14U Premier

High-level development with increased tournament competition.

Approximate Program:

● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Summer (Spring is OFF due to OHSAA-unless they are
not on a sanctioned middle/high school team.
● 4-5 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 2-3 Additional)
○ Scenic City/Select 64/Stingrays/Lasers
● 4-5 Late Spring/Summer tournaments (A/Open Events)
● 1-2 Winter Tournaments/College Team Camps
● Open Summer Schedule includes Cap City Classic, Midwest Elite, Lasers, Sheer Madness or Outlaws, Fire in
the Sky or Midwest Firecracker, Stingrays, World Series or Alliance Nationals
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons
● Will use the Blast censor and Blast membership data

Estimated Cost:
$2,400

15/16U Open

Competitive softball with an emphasis on development and preparing athletes for upper-level play.

Approximate Program:

● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Summer (Spring is OFF due to OHSAA-unless they are
not on a sanctioned middle/high school team.
● 3-4 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 2-3 Additional)
● 4-5 Late Spring/Summer tournaments (Mix of A/B/Open Events)
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons
● Open Summer Schedule includes Cap City Classic, Midwest Select, Sheer Madness, Midwest Elite, Buckeye
Recruitfest, World Series
● Will use the Blast censor and Blast membership data

Estimated Cost:
$2,400

15/16U Premier

Program mirrors the current 14U Premier schedule.

Approximate Program:

● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Summer (Spring is OFF due to OHSAA-unless they are
not on a sanctioned middle/high school team.
● 4-5 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 2-3 Additional)
○ Scenic City/Select 64/Stingrays/Lasers
● 4-5 Late Spring/Summer tournaments (A/Open Events)
● 1-2 Winter Tournaments/College Team Camps
● Open Summer Schedule includes Cap City Classic, Midwest Elite, Lasers, Sheer Madness or Outlaws,
Midwest Select, Midwest Firecracker, Stingrays, World Series or Alliance Nationals
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons
● Will use the Blast censor and Blast membership data

Estimated Cost:
$2,600

15/16U National

Regional-level competition against top opponents.

Approximate Program:

● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Summer (Spring is OFF due to OHSAA-unless they are
not on a sanctioned middle/high school team.
● 4-5 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 2-3 Additional)
○ Show Me Money/Scenic City/Select 64/Stingrays/Lasers
● 4-5 Late Spring/Summer tournaments (A/Open Events)
● 1-2 Winter Tournaments/College Team Camps
● Summer Schedule includes some variation of these Show me the Money, Midwest Elite, Lasers, Top Gun,
Scenic City, Midwest Firecracker or Sparkler, Stingrays or Atlanta Legacy, Alliance Nationals
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons
● Will use the Blast censor and Blast membership data

Estimated Cost:
$2,800

18U Premier

Program allows athletes to stay competitive in the sport but allowing for the college ready process.

Approximate Program:

● 1 skills session per week (Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer)
● 1 tiered practice per week (Fall/Winter) Bi-Weekly in Summer (Spring is OFF due to OHSAA-unless they are
not on a sanctioned middle/high school team.
● 4-5 Fall Tournaments (2 KLA Friendlies/Tournament + 3-4 Additional)
○ Scenic City/Select 64/Stingrays/Lasers
● 2-3 Late Spring/Summer tournaments (A/Open Events)
● 1-2 Winter Tournaments/College Team Camps
● Summer Schedule includes a possibility of Cap City, Midwest Select Invite, Sheer Madness, Lasers
● Additional opportunities include winter hitting league, summer league, small groups, camps, clinics, and
individual lessons
● Will use the Blast censor and Blast membership data

Estimated Cost:
$2,000