Field of Dreams Practice & Training Academy

Field of Dreams Practice & Training Academy Indoor training facility in Lancaster that WILL improve your skills. NOTE/WE DO NOT SELL UNIFORMS. Welcome to Field of Dreams Practice and Training Academy!
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Field of Dreams is the result of a shared passion for teaching the games of fastpitch softball and baseball by three individuals; Chris Zaker, Allan Anderson & Don Holbrook. We knew that there was tremendous demand and need for an indoor softball and baseball training facility in Lancaster Ohio. These same sentiments have been shared by many other people in this area who have thought about doing s

omething like this for many years. They all say the same thing..."I'm waiting on investors, we can't find the right building, I'm not sure the risk is worth the reward", etc. Pooling our efforts and resources, we decided to stop talking about it, stop Dreaming about it and start doing something about it! We found an excellent location in the center of Lancaster, near General Sherman Jr. High School and began the process. We already had the LLC and Tax ID #. We simply needed to create our partnership agreement, and pool our thoughts on the best way to make this work. We decided that starting small, and possibly working up to an expansion was a better route than taking more of a risk and borrowing $1,000,000 from a bank and building a much larger facility. We knew that we could make this work if we started smaller. Don and Chris bring the softball knowledge, the contacts with other teams and coaches, and the passion to work the business. We both have been actively involved in teaching and coaching the game of fastpitch softball for at least 6 years each. Allan brings the baseball knowledge, the history of running a facility similar to this, and the ever-important part...the hitting cages, machines and the knowledge of how to set up a room. It doesn't hurt that he also brings the experience of a guy who has lived the Dream...as he played in the Major League as a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins for six years! We met for lunch one day at Panera Bread and Field of Dreams started to form. That evening, the three of us met again to look at the equipment that Allen owned, to see how his personal facility was set up and to discuss further how this Dream could become a reality. From that meeting Field of Dreams became a reality. Less than a month later, we have all paperwork signed, the building secured, the bank account opened, the vendor's license approved, and a plan to get this business up and running. The key to our success is to ensure that enough revenue is earned during the winter months to sustain the business during the summer months. We decided that we would reach out to a network of baseball and softball instructors and secure enough lesson time to help us through those tough months. We will also permit the facility to be used for peripheral purposes such as speed & agility training, aerobics training, etc. There may be other potential for the space as well. Those interested in gaining access to the facility for other purposes are encouraged to reach out to us so we can discuss these uses. So, the business has begun. Now it is time to put all of this thought into action, and turn our passion into improvement in the kids in and around Lancaster Ohio. We look forward to serving you, and are welcome to any suggestion as to ways we can improve the services we offer. Our standard services we offer will be (baseball and softball):
Hitting lessons, pitching lessons, defensive technique lessons, catching lessons, hitting leagues, hitting & pitching practice area for rent, entire facility rentals for teams, individual contests for the customers, birthday party facility rentals, and team sleepover facility rentals. We will offer t-shirts for sale as well as healthy snacks and drinks for our customers and spectators. More offerings will be considered in the future. Thank you for visiting our page, for your support of our business, and most importantly for your interest in the development of the young athletes we serve. Chris, Don & Allan
Field of Dreams Management

IT'S HERE!Showcase Thursday Night Live Hitting Registration is LIVE!And I paid $270 to eliminate all the ads to make thi...
09/07/2026

IT'S HERE!

Showcase Thursday Night Live Hitting Registration is LIVE!
And I paid $270 to eliminate all the ads to make this easier for you all!

1st 4 weeks runs from Nov 5-Dec 3.
Two games played each week; 5:30 & 7:30. Both are for high school players. The 7:30 game is for pre-approved* players only. 5:30 game is open to any HS player.

**High level Jr. high players may register for 5:30 game with pre-approval.

This is ONLY for the first 4 weeks session. There will be 2 additional signups posted in future weeks for the 2nd and 3rd sessions.
VERY IMPORTANT....IF YOU SIGN UP AS A PITCHER OR CATCHER DO NOT SIGN UP AS A HITTER. SHE WILL HIT...IT'S BUILT INTO THE PROGRAM.
If you are blocked out, get on the waitlist. Things happen, people get sick. I will also be compiling my “little black book” of pitchers, catchers and hitters so that I can reach out each week should we need additional players. People get sick, injuries happen etc.
Don’t give up...there are openings that happen every week!! I always go from the waitlist first, so get on that.
Let's go!

REMINDER...to sign up for play 7:30 game you must have played in the 7:30 game last year, have received an personal invitation from Chris, or reach out to Chris at 740-243-8850 requesting approval. Include your daughter’s Twitter account details, school and year, and travel team info. If additional info is needed you will be contacted.

***Junior High live hitting will be announced in a couple weeks and we will also offer 10U Live hitting this winter. Stay tuned!

THURSDAY NIGHT HIGH SCHOOL LIVE HITTING IS BACK!!! (PLEASE READ TO THE BOTTOM!) Put your skills to the test Ball out live on our Facebook live stream (with commentary) Our Facebook live stream is just one of the things that makes the live hitting workouts at Field of Dreams the undisputed best in th...

***Showcase Thursday Night high school live hitting is back***The registration link for the first 4 weeks will drop prec...
09/05/2026

***Showcase Thursday Night high school live hitting is back***

The registration link for the first 4 weeks will drop precisely at 9 PM this Sunday night.
1st 4 weeks runs from Nov 5-Dec 3.

Two games played each week; 5:30 & 7:30. Both are for high school players. The 7:30 game is for pre-approved* players only. 5:30 game is open to any HS player. **High level Jr. high players may register for 5:30 game with pre-approval.

To play in the 7:30 game you must have played in the 7:30 game last year, have received an personal invitation from Chris, or reach out to Chris at 740-243-8850 requesting approval. Include your daughter’s Twitter account details, school and year, and travel team info. If additional info is needed you will be contacted.

All requests for approval must received by midnight Saturday night. I’ll be up very late-don’t hesitate to text me at 11:30 PM!

Please do not text me at 8:30 Sunday night to request approval. I have team practice Sunday 1-4, then catching lessons from 4-8:30 and will have time for research!

School and/or travel coaches may be contacted for input as the 7:30 game is reserved for the best players. For many years this event has been the best live hitting event of the fall and winter and that is because we have controlled the level of talent participating. I want the pitchers to be challenged by the best hitters, the hitters to be challenged by the best pitchers, and the pitchers to be throwing to the best catchers.

Please know that not all high school softball players will be approved for the 7:30 game.
You may be asked to sign up for the 5:30 game, which is still high school level softball!
The 7:30 game is like regional championship game every week!
This is nothing personal and I am objective in my decision.

Failure to secure pre-approval before signing up will result in the deletion of the registration(s) and they will not be reinstated after receiving approval. If space is available their name will be added to the waitlist, if applicable.
Available spots:
5:30 game. 6 innings
4 pitchers
4 catchers
8 hitters
(P’s & C’s work 6 innings x 4 batters)
Everyone will hit.

7:30 game 8 innings
8 pitchers
8 catchers
12 hitters
P’s & C’s work 4 innings x 5 batters)
Everyone will hit.
(Waitlist spots provided for all positions in both games)

08/31/2026

Hey there, everybody, Coach Donnie will have to cancel his lessons tonight. He sends his apologies. And a reminder next Monday is the holiday and we will not be having lessons.

So sorry for the late notification!

08/29/2026

Let’s go!!

Some amazing stuff happening at FOD tonight.First wave of athletes learning how to properly sequence their bodies for ma...
08/28/2026

Some amazing stuff happening at FOD tonight.
First wave of athletes learning how to properly sequence their bodies for maximum efficiency and throwing velo, courtesy of Performance Velocity Systems

Matt is amazing at this stuff.

Round 2 coming at 7:30.
(Sold out!)

08/26/2026

PVS Throwing Clinic registrations for this Friday:
Note-FOD has nothing to do with registrations, cancellations, changes etc.
We are posting this here more as an FYI for the athletes than anything else.
If you have questions reach out to Matt at PVS.
Please park on the street or in the lot to the South of FOD.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF KARSHNER’s. They have evening appointments for their customers.
You can also park at Filter Technology, that amazing air filter sales company just North of FOD. 😁

4:30 Group:
Audrey Kilpatrick
Hannah Ecksmith
Ava Riley
Emma Riley
Izzy Schultz
Layla Geiger
Makayla Chapman
Jianna Shaker
Sophia Longshoth
Brooklyn Gamby
Mycah Massey ****
Brie Jennings

7:30 group
Kenison Richard
Maci Stafford
Alanna Myers ***
Reese Hughes
Emilyn Delaney
Iris Crites
Bailee Walter
Joslyn Cable
Layna Howard
Sophia Richardson ***
Quinn Dorr ***
Natalie Brownfield ***

****denotes hasn’t paid

The Ross Family is very dear to one of our instructors, Coach Donny. He has had the pleasure of coaching and giving less...
08/25/2026

The Ross Family is very dear to one of our instructors, Coach Donny. He has had the pleasure of coaching and giving lessons to their daughters. We are also partnering with the Ross family to sponsor a scholarship fund for the event. Keep watch, more details to follow.

08/25/2026

Field of Dreams player spotlight!

Meet Logan HS (Ohio) '28 pitcher Kaelin Thompson.

Kaelin (KK) has been training with FOD pitching instructor Cassidy Zaker and has been really working hard on developing her drop ball.
Tonight...in KK's words..
"It clicked!"

Keep up the hard work, KK!

***Balance is a 2-way street***Have had several parents reach out to me recently to discuss their daughter’s catching st...
08/24/2026

***Balance is a 2-way street***

Have had several parents reach out to me recently to discuss their daughter’s catching stance.  The main question u get is regarding a knee down stance and whether they should learn that or stick with the traditional two-footed approach? 
The 2nd most common stance-related question is whether or not I can help get their daughter be quicker at blocking.
Umm…I thought the question was about her stance…what does that have to do with their blocking quickness?
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!!!!

1.  Should your daughter start to learn a knee down stance and if so, at what age should she start learning that? Regardless of her age, the answer is “right now!!“. I don’t care if she’s nine years old and just started catching one week ago or 20 years old  going into a third year of college softball. Absolutely she should learn a knee down stance and practice her receiving in that stance. Ever since 2021 (when the data was first made available to the general public about the drastic increase in framing effectiveness from a knee-down stance) I have been a huge supporter of this. So yes, you should learn it and get comfortable doing it.

But…in the beginning, only use that method when there was nobody on base. I do have a lot of catchers who use it with runners are on base as well… but before they try that they must learn how to make throw downs, how to block balls to the right left and straight down, how to fire out of the hole to cover a bunt or go get a pop fly… how to shoot up out of the stance to catch a wild pitch that is too high, etc.  It is absolutely possible to use the KD stance with ROB, but they must learn the precise techniques. They must learn exactly how their body should be positioned in the stance to provide maximum balance, athleticism and mobility. Those three keys are absolutely essential in their stance.
Look at this attached photograph… This is Fairfield Union HS Senior & JMU commit Ella Harmon from 2+ years ago.
👀 at that balance front to back.
(Balance is a two-way street… the Catcher must be balanced from right to left, but also front to back!!)

(VERY IMPORTANT!)))
Most catchers have too much of their weight leaning back on their heels. If you look at them from the side it looks like their back is straight up, which puts the majority of their weight towards the rear.
This picture shows incredible balance.
She is balanced, athletic and mobile.
If there is a pitch in the dirt she get to a blocking position in < .18-.20 seconds! (Umm…yeah that can be measured!).

How can you get more weight forward when in a stance??
Teeter totter. Tell the catcher that the line from her tailbone to her neck is a teeter totter. if you want to get the shoulders and head going forward and down, then her butt must come up a little bit!!!
 I will actually post a training video about this within the next week!
Just wanted to show this pic of Ella.

Address

731 Slocum Street
Lancaster, OH
43130

Opening Hours

Monday 5pm - 9pm
Tuesday 5pm - 9pm
Wednesday 5pm - 9pm
Thursday 5pm - 9pm
Friday 5pm - 9pm

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