Austin Prep Fall Baseball IQ League
Developing Players’ Skills and Baseball Knowledge
Today’s youth baseball landscape has become increasingly focused on playing more games and spending less time developing the skills and baseball IQ that lead to long-term success. The Austin Prep Fall Baseball IQ League combines meaningful instruction with live game competition to help players develop both.
Led by the Austin Prep Varsity Baseball coaching staff, this eight-week developmental league gives players in grades 5 and 6 the opportunity to build their skills through on-field practices and competitive baseball games. Throughout the season, from September 8 through October 29, 2026, players will receive high-level instruction in fundamental skills, situational execution, and baseball knowledge, then apply those concepts during weekly games.
League Information
Who: Players entering Grades 5 and 6
Where: Austin Preparatory School, Reading, MA
Season: September 8 through October 29, 2026
Cost: $350 per player, including a hat and two T-shirts
Enrollment is strictly limited to 26 players. Each week, players will be divided into two teams of 13, ensuring more individualized instruction, additional repetitions, focused coaching, and meaningful game opportunities for every participant.
League Schedule
- Practices: Mondays and Tuesdays, 4:30–6:00 PM
- Attendance at one practice each week is required to be eligible to play in that week’s game.
- Games: Saturdays at 10:00 AM
Meet the Head Coach
Jonathan “JP” Pollard ’97 is the Associate Head of School and Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Massachusetts. An Austin Prep alumnus, he has built a highly successful baseball program, won a state championship, and served in multiple coaching roles with USA Baseball.
Where Learning Meets Competition
Player Development Focus
Each week, players will learn:
- One offensive skill
- One defensive skill
- One baserunning skill
- One pitching skill
What Makes This League Different?
- Learn from the Austin Prep Varsity Baseball coaching staff.
- Develop baseball IQ and situational execution, not just game experience.
- Prioritize meaningful practice over simply playing more games.
- Understand what to do, when to do it, and why it matters.
- Reinforce key concepts through in-game coaching and instruction.
- Apply newly developed skills to spring and summer teams.
These concepts are then incorporated directly into that week’s game. Rather than scoring traditional runs, players earn points for successfully executing the specific skills they practiced. This unique scoring system reinforces learning, rewards proper execution, and helps players understand not only how to perform each skill, but also why it matters.
Learn the Game. Process the Game. Execute the Game.
Register today and reserve your spot—only 26 players will be accepted!