Attitude
All athletes need to come to MGBA with their best attitude and a “never quit” mindset that is contagious to others. When a positive attitude permeates throughout a program everyone involved improves.
Mind Game Baseball Academy
Development First.
Mind Game Baseball Academy was founded to close the development gap in CSRA youth baseball — and bring professional standards to every player, at every level, from the very beginning.
The
Development
Gap.
Development
Gap.
Kenny Flermoen
Founder & Academy Director
344 Copeland Cir, North Augusta, GA 29860
Why MGBA exists
Kenny founded Mind Game Baseball Academy because of the gap that exists today in youth sports — the Development Gap. Many youth baseball kids are not being taught the fundamentals of baseball from an early age. MGBA hopes to bring a solution to this issue in the CSRA and across the nation.
Kenny grew up playing baseball from age 5 to 30. He brings 21+ years of coaching experience — from tee-ball all the way to Division I athletes. He also holds a Master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine.
He is excited to bring his knowledge and passion for baseball to the CSRA. As the Director of MGBA, he plans to give lessons, run camps, create travel teams, and bring the CSRA its first-of-its-kind community fall league in 2027. He has a lot of work to do — but looks forward to meeting great kids and families along the way.
Most of all, though — it's Development First. From top to bottom.
We are the professional baseball people— Kenny Flermoen, Academy Director
before they become
professional baseball people.
MGBA Philosophy
Development First. What does this mean?
Development First means we develop the whole player — not just the baseball player. We believe that character, teamwork, and fundamentals are inseparable. Every player who comes through MGBA will leave with more than just better mechanics. They will leave with the qualities that make a great athlete — and a great person.
Two Qualities Every MGBA Player Must Have
Effort
All athletes need to come to MGBA with their best effort. Giving your best effort requires no skill but a work ethic that is sustained even when it is not your best day.
Character Development
The eight qualities we build in every MGBA player
Confidence
All athletes need to have a quiet confidence about themselves. Confidence comes from being prepared and having a strong work ethic. Individuals who display this kind of confidence are aggressively relaxed.
Teachable
Athletes that are willing to learn new things, improve, and take good feedback. Athletes see correction as a way to get better and understand it is not criticism.
Pride
Athletes that have pride in the program are unselfish and accountable. They believe in their teammates, coaches, and program. An athlete that wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves is special.
Integrity
Athletes with integrity are people who choose to act with character in word and work. They choose honesty over selfishness, trust over cheating.
Discipline
An athlete sees discipline as a positive attribute. Discipline is attentiveness, enthusiasm, sportsmanship, respect, and responsibility.
Perseverance
An athlete's response to an unfair world. Nothing is perfect. Overcoming setbacks creates improvement. Athletes that bring perseverance to the table are mentally tough and look forward to tough competition.
Accountability
An athlete's ability to be responsible for their actions. Athletes that are problem solvers and decision makers are trustworthy and dependable.
Team First
The athlete's choice to put others before themselves. Athletes that operate this way understand that every teammate has a role and is valuable. Athletes that put the team first know that their teammates allow them to achieve extraordinary results.
Qualities of Great Teams
What we build in every MGBA team
Leadership
All great teams have strong leadership. Team leaders are loyal and serve their teammates. Great team leaders have bought into the vision and constantly help the team move towards it.
Communication
Teams that are great have open and honest communication with each other and the coaches. This quality should be perpetuated by the coaches so that the athletes know they are cared for.
Motivated
Great teams have the ability to be self-motivated. The athletes use clear goals and vision to focus the team on success collectively. Motivated teams have a desire to succeed at all times — and do it in a positive manner.
Persistence
Experiencing adversity within a program will develop persistence. Great teams display persistence with the understanding that difficult times will come. Failure in athletics is common — it is important for teams to deal with it properly.
Positive Attitude
Teams that are successful constantly have a positive attitude. These types of teams have a strong faith in one another, maintain a right perspective, and bring a positive sense of humor.
Fundamentals of Baseball
What every MGBA player learns
Fielding & Defense
- ·Throwing
- ·Catching
- ·Pitching
- ·Positioning
- ·Team Defense
Pitching
- ·Delivery Mechanics
- ·Types of Pitches
- ·Pitcher / Catcher Communication
- ·Controlling the Run Game
- ·Arm Care
Hitting
- ·Swing Mechanics
- ·Situational Hitting
- ·Strike Zone Awareness
Baserunning
- ·Lead-offs
- ·Stealing
- ·Base Path
- ·Sliding
Professional Coaching Standard
Every MGBA coach is held to a professional standard — in how they organize, how they coach, and how they care for the people in the program.
Organization
Building great players and teams requires a high attention to details. As the great John Wooden said,
“Develop a love of details, they usually accompany success.”— John Wooden
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Communication — A coach with MGBA will be able to communicate well with athletes and parents because it is paramount to success. Coaches who communicate well can help athletes understand new skills and convey progress to parents in a timely manner. Communicating well keeps everyone informed of what is coming next.
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Scheduling — A coach with MGBA will stay on top of the schedule. Whether that is planning a practice, the next game, or tournament — they need the details because so do the athletes and parents.
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Respect — A coach with MGBA will respect all people involved. Respecting people keeps everything in perspective. People are more important than any outcome.
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Responsibility — A coach with MGBA will take their responsibilities seriously. They will do everything within their ability to help improve athletes and create good teams.
Practice & Lessons
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Skill Development — A coach with MGBA will prioritize the fundamentals whether coaching a team or giving lessons. Fundamentals are usually refreshers for athletes — however, a coach cannot assume what they don't know.
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Practice Plan — A coach with MGBA will create quality practice and lesson plans. Setting a focus for practice sets the tone for athletes. Organizing practice creates concise teaching, minimal downtime, and room to be flexible.
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Strength & Conditioning — A coach with MGBA will understand age-appropriate ways to warm up, stretch, cool down, and help build quickness, agility, and flexibility. A coach should be able to give age-appropriate strength training recommendations for in-season and out-of-season training.
Coaching Staff
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Staff Development — A coach with MGBA will be given resources to improve their coaching ability. In turn, coaches will invest in others — like assistant coaches, players, and future coaches.
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Coaching Ability — A coach with MGBA will believe in their coaching ability. They are confident in the skills they are teaching. Coaches will use this to communicate and build strong rapport with athletes.
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Care for Others — A coach with MGBA will care for others. A real difference maker must show that they are willing to care for the people in and around the program. That care goes beyond the field so that athletes know that you value them as people more than their on-field performance.
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Positive Attitude — A coach with MGBA will have a positive demeanor. Being naturally positive is important because it will determine how a coach interacts with others. A positive coach willing to give positive encouragement will more likely see the athlete giving their best effort.
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Goal-Oriented — A coach with MGBA will care about the direction of their athlete or team. Goals are there to measure progress. Measuring progress allows a coach to see where they need to put their improvement efforts going forward.
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Poised — A coach with MGBA will be poised. We can only control so much and will run into situations that are unfair. When these situations arise, a coach needs to control their emotions.
Frequently asked questions
Development First means MGBA develops the whole player — character, team qualities, and baseball fundamentals equally. The eight character pillars (confidence, integrity, accountability, and others) are taught alongside hitting mechanics and fielding fundamentals. Baseball is the vehicle. Development of the person is the destination.
Kenny Flermoen has 21+ years of coaching experience from tee-ball through Division I athletics. He holds a Master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine and founded MGBA to close the development gap in CSRA youth baseball.
MGBA is an independent academy based in North Augusta — the same city as the Augusta GreenJackets and SRP Park. There is no formal affiliation. MGBA is a community baseball development program, not a GreenJackets partner organization.
Yes. MGBA serves players and coaches across both SC and GA — including Aiken County and Edgefield County in South Carolina, and Richmond County and Columbia County in Georgia. Coaches are matched to players in their own community to keep travel minimal.
Every MGBA program runs with published schedules, vetted and background-checked coaches, written development plans, and transparent fees. These are the standards that exist at every level of baseball above youth — MGBA brings them to the CSRA from the start.
Ready to be part of it?
Lessons, camps, the 2027 league, and the travel team — all built around Development First.