Rich Hofman formed Hofball Academy for three reasons. First to promote baseball for young players and for instruction at the highest level. Second, is to provide an opportunity to develop young Sunrise students so that they will be prepared for Piper High School baseball and thirdly, to promote and enhance the caliber of baseball for the city of Sunrise.
Age groups include, skilled players 8 through 14 years.
Frequency is one to three times per week depending on the season.
Applicants should be any seriously minded baseball player who wants to be taught and play at the highest possible level for prep leagues.
Coach Hofman and his professional coaching staff do all of the instruction.
The Spring season runs January through May.
The Summer season includes camps, clinics and small groups that meet on a weekly basis.
The Fall season runs from September until December and has two sessions.
Rich Hofman and Westminster Academy host several tournaments throughout the year. Three National High School Tournaments are held during the high school season usually around the Easter break. Up to 16 teams play in these prestigious tournaments. These tournaments also receive national attention from baseball publications.
The Westminster National Classic is arguably the best high school tournament in the Eastern U.S.A. and possibly the country.
Westminster Academy has constructed one of the premier high school baseball facilities in the nation. It has two large high school dimension fields with a six station covered batting cage and 3 bull pen mounds. It also has three coaches offices and a carpeted club house for the Westminster players.
The baseball complex was named National Field of the Year in 2000. All 14 and under and higher games will be played at this complex. The 11 and under and 12 and under will be played at the softball complex located in the same sports complex as the baseball fields. The softball complex also consists of two fields of high quality. Additional fields in the nearby Ft. Lauderdale area will be used when needed.
Some features of the facility include:
State of the Art Baseball Fields ( lighted)
A six station covered, carpeted batting cage
Three Bull pen mounds
quality covered and enclosed dugouts
Press box for reporters and scouts
PA system for announcing games
Big League scoreboard on the A field
Concession Stand
Carpeted Club House with video equipment for players
Three carpeted offices for coaches
An umpires room for officials
A garage for storage and weight training equipment
HOFBALL PITCHING ACADEMY
For the serious minded pitcher. Emphasis is on pitching velocity. Average velocity increase 7.4 miles per hours in approximately 6 months. We will customize a pitching program especially designed for each individual. This program coincides directly with the players daily or weekly throwing program. In addition, development of pitching mechanics and techniques will be emphasized along with drills and station work. Pick offs and fielding the pitchers position will be included.
Rich Hofman Biography
Hofman grew up in Racine Wisconsin, where he played Little League, Pony League and High School Baseball. He graduated from Washington Park High School where he lettered as a junior and a senior. He graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he lettered his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was the co-captain his junior year and captain his senior year.
Hofman came to Miami, Florida to teach and coach at Westminster Christian High School in 1967. There was not an athletic program at the school at the time. He developed a football, basketball and baseball program by his second year there along with his Athletic Director duties. His baseball coaching career began in the Spring of 1969 when his first team went 2-13-1. It was the only losing season of his 36 year career. He went on to lead Westminster Christian to eight State Championships and two National Championships (1992 & 1996). His two most famous players are Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and Doug Mientkiewicz of the New York Mets.
Hofman left Westminster Christian after the 1998 season and three consecutive state titles to coach at Westminster Academy in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He won state titles his first two years along with two National runner-ups in the following years. The five consecutive championships is a state record.
Rich has amassed 924 victories, which is a state record and ranks 12th all time in the USA. He was named "Coach of the Decade" for the 1990's by Baseball America and his program was recognized as one of the top 10 high school programs in the nation by Baseball America, in their 10 Year Anniversary Issue. He has been named "National Coach of the Year", seven times and is a member of three Hall of Fames. Rich has begun a baseball academy for young players ages 12, 13, and 14. He has also established a travel team of young players 13 & Under to go with the Academy that provides playing time for young players.
Coach Hofman hosts three national high school tournaments during the spring high school season and three travel team tournaments for ages 11 - 18 for the summer season. All tournaments are held at the award winning Westminster Academy Baseball Complex. Camps, group and individual private lessons are also part of his baseball program.
Hofball Academy3701 NW 44 Street
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319
Map954-735-1841
www.Hofball.net
