-
One-on-one hitting, fielding, pitching, or catching instruction tailored to each player. Training focuses on targeted coaching and drills to build proper mechanics, muscle memory, and game-ready skills. (Baseball & Softball Players Welcome!)
-
The Hitting & Fielding Class is a fun, fast-paced 60-minute session designed to help athletes build strong fundamentals and develop the tools needed to succeed on the field. Athletes will spend 30 minutes on hitting development and 30 minutes on fielding instruction, with a focus on proper mechanics, purposeful drills, and quality repetitions. Each class is limited to a maximum of four players to ensure individualized coaching and a high level of instruction.
-
Nation Performance is a sports performance program for athletes in grades 5–12. Our coach-led, 60-minute sessions develop strength, speed, agility, power, coordination, conditioning, and confidence to help athletes perform at their best in any sport. Programming is designed for both in-season and offseason athletes, with a focus on improving movement, athleticism, and overall performance while reducing injury risk.
-
Save on player development with our multi-session packages, offering discounted bulk rates for hitting, fielding, and strength & conditioning programs.
Nation Baseball offers flexible training packs & membership options designed to provide athletes with consistent training, quality instruction, and more opportunities to develop.
-
Nation Baseball offers clinics and camps designed to provide athletes with focused instruction, quality repetitions, and a fun, competitive training environment.
Programs feature college and professional coaches who complement our regular training schedule and provide athletes with additional opportunities to learn, develop, and improve.
Owner, Tom “Wally” Walraven
Tom Walraven is originally from Pine Bush, New York. He was a standout at the University of New Haven and ranks at or near the top of several offensive and defensive career categories. He also holds the school’s single-season record for assists.
After college, he played five years of professional baseball with the Gary SouthShore RailCats, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and New York Boulders. He later coached at the University of New Haven and North Haven High School.
Tom is currently in his fourth year as a Business Education teacher at East Haven High School. Having grown up around the game, he brings a teacher’s mindset, a pro’s experience, and a lifelong passion for developing players on and off the field.
Hitting & Fielding Instructor, DJ Caron
A Branford native and Branford High School graduate, DJ Caron brings an accomplished collegiate playing background back to his hometown. DJ played six seasons of college baseball at Nichols College and Post University, primarily as an outfielder and infielder. At Nichols, he earned First Team All-CCC, Third Team All-CCC, Second Team All-New England, and ABCA/Rawlings Third Team All-New England honors. He finished his Nichols career among the program leaders in several offensive categories, including home runs, slugging percentage, doubles, runs and hits.
DJ continued his career at Post University, earning First Team All-CACC honors in 2023 after leading the conference in hits and setting a Post regular-season record for hits. DJ capped off his collegiate career by being selected to the 2024 NEIBA All-Star Game at Dunkin' Park, finishing his two seasons at Post with a .348 batting average across 101 games.
Catching Instructor, Nick Ramos
Nick is a former collegiate catcher at Albertus Magnus College in Connecticut, where he earned DIII All-District Team honors in both 2024 and 2025. Prior to his college career, Nick was recognized as a Newsday Top 100 High School Baseball Player in 2021.
In addition to his playing experience, Nick has extensive experience working with young athletes of all ages. He previously served as a Head Coach and Trainer at Batting Baseball and Softball Academy on Long Island, as well as a Catching Instructor, helping players improve their fundamentals, confidence, and overall understanding of the game.
Nick Ramos is a Social Studies Teacher in West Haven Public Schools and brings a strong playing, coaching, and training background to Nation Baseball Academy.
Pitching Instructor, Tim Kennedy
Tim Kennedy was a standout pitcher at the University of New Haven. In 2017, he went undefeated at 7–0 with 82 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA, which ranked sixth in the nation among pitchers that season. His ERA also stands among the 10 lowest single season marks in New Haven program history.
Tim earned All-East Region and All-NE10 honors in 2017, followed by another All-NE10 selection in 2018. He finished his college career with an 18–1 record. Now a pitching instructor at Nation Baseball Academy, Tim brings that experience to helping young pitchers develop their skills and confidence on the mound.
Pitching Instructor, Nick Guarino
Nick Guarino is a New Haven native who spent two standout seasons as Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Connecticut State University, where his staffs ranked among the best in the country and produced multiple All-Conference and All-Region arms.
A former East Haven High School captain and All-State pitcher, Guarino went on to star at Clark University and Southern Connecticut State, earn All-Region honors, and help lead the Nashua Silver Knights to a Futures Collegiate Baseball League championship. He holds an M.B.A. in Healthcare Administration and currently manages the Nashua Silver Knights.