July 18, 2020

By Fred Liggett
[email protected]

While Major League Baseball gets set to begin a delayed 2020 season next week, the dreams of reaching the major league level remains a goal every day for area youth baseball players at the Inside Edge Baseball Academy. The indoor baseball facility works with youth age 8 to 18 to make their dreams come true.

The evidence just in the year 2020 alone shows what they are doing at Inside Edge is working as 11 players went on to play in college. Todd Clausen, Inside Edge Baseball owner, says the academy has “A great bunch of good kids. They have worked hard, really happy on their success.”

Clausen enjoys seeing former Inside Edge team members at the next level. “Been able to go watch college games they participate in. Fun to see them compete against each other at area high school games.” Inside Edge baseball looks for multi-sport athletes, then helps speed up development. Players come from not only Lee’s Summit but from all over. Inside Edge continues to grow and has 23 teams this season.

Recent success stories out of Inside Edge include first baseman Cam Careswell from LS West who has committed to Mizzou. Another 2021 graduate committing to Mizzou is centerfielder Isiah Frost from Blue Springs South. Another IE Baseball graduate is catcher Zach Dillman from LS West who is headed to Missouri State this fall.

Former Mizzou great, USA Olympian and a Major League Baseball player for seven seasons Dave Silvestri, coaches the top-tier team for Inside Edge. Silvestri shares his passion for the game of baseball with area youth he coaches. Silvestri finds the success at Inside Edge “Is really exciting. Great to show the players there is an opportunity to play past high school.” Coach adds he likes to “Keep the dream alive.” After the players are done playing at Inside Edge Silvestri states it’s “Fun to follow their path.”

Soon Inside Edge will be looking for new players to make up the next year’s teams. Parents who are thinking of bringing their sons to Inside Edge to tryout Silvestri feels they will like the “Family feel at IE where they get to know every kid.” Silvestri says “There are a lot of options out there” for area youth to play ball but at Inside Edge “They put a lot of effort into making you a better baseball player.”

Want to be the next success story from Inside Edge baseball? Go to their website at http://www.iebaseball.com. There will be tryouts for all ages from Monday, July 20 through July 22. Teams are being formed for those age 8 through 18. To learn more stop by the facility at 1190 B SE Century Drive or visit the Inside Edge Facebook page.