Mission: Increase the knowledge of youth baseball and fast pitch softball coaches to more effectively and efficiently teach the game, resulting in greater participation and retention of players and coaches. This is achieved through programs that, while involving the kids, are characterized by an open and inviting environment for adult participation and learning. Greater knowledge and teaching skills in the hands of those working with the kids on a daily basis is the key to making the youth baseball and fast pitch softball experience more fulfilling, FUN and memorable for all.
All Baseball Positive programs welcome, invite and encourage any and all interested adults (coaches, prospective coaches, parents, etc.) to attend, observe, ask questions and/or participate. The goal of Baseball Positive is that through this adult participation effective teaching techniques and sound baseball knowledge is passed along to as many children as possible.
Private Instruction is provided on location for individuals, groups, teams and leagues - Baseball Positive comes to you. Indoor instruction is provided at the North Seattle Baseball Association Facility in North Seattle - www.nsbabaseball.org
Team Practice Assistance - On-site…Baseball Positive comes to you
a. Preliminary phone consultation with coach
b. Practice plans prepared in advance
c. Post-practice review
d. Program content hand-outs for coaches, parents and anyone else who desires a copy
e. Development of assistant coaches to increase their effectiveness
f. Phone and email consultation after the completion of the program
Group, Team and League Programs are offered through the indoor facilities and on-site. Testimonials from League Presidents, Board members and Coaches are available. Many of these leaders will accept phone calls to share their experiences with Baseball Positive. Email contact@baseballpositive.com or call 206-714-5276 for more information.
Instruction Rates
All on location services are $90/hour. Go to www.nsbabaseball.org for info and pricing on indoor programs.
About the Director of Baseball Positive
As an amateur, Mark played under coaches Jay Boitano (Roosevelt HS), Bob Albo & Jim Johnson (Bellevue CC) and Scott McQuilkin (Whitworth University). An All-Conference Shortstop at each stop, he was selected in MLB’s amateur draft three times (Kansas City; Chi-Cubs 2x) ultimately signing with the Cubs and playing in their farm system where he learned from former Major League All-Stars Richie Zisk and Jimmy Piersall.
As a coach he was fortunate to work with a couple of the most successful Head Coaches in NCAA D-I history. Mark assisted at Wichita State University under Gene Stephenson. Coach Stephenson has won over 1,650 games over an illustrious 32-year career at WSU. His success includes seven appearances in the College World Series and winning the NCAA D-I National Championship in 1989.
Linden also served under June Raines at the University of South Carolina. Coach Raines, now retired, stands as the winningest coach in USC history. He guided his clubs to four College World Series appearances and one appearance in the title game.
At the age of 28, Mark became the youngest NCAA Division-I Head Coach in the country when he was hired at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA. He later returned to his Northwest roots and became the Head Coach at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon. In his third year at the helm he guided the Cardinals to their first post-season appearance in 50 years.
Most recently Linden could be found working in the broadcast booth. In the summer of 2007 he was the Color Commentator on radio broadcasts for the Oakland Athletics’ single-A affiliate, the Vancouver (BC) Canadians.
Coach Mark now dedicates his efforts full time to developing coaches and players in youth baseball. The objective of this work is for the practice environment to be as efficient, productive and fun as possible while maximizing learning. The goal of Baseball Positive is that each child in youth baseball gains a better understanding of how the game is played, that the overall quality of game play rises and the playing experience is positively memorable. The intended result of these efforts is that youth baseball increases its participation and retention numbers.
Linden is a member of the Whitworth University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Mark, Eli, Aaron & Alison Linden
