Tryouts | Wheatland Ducks in Naperville IL

DUCKS BASEBALL

BASEBALL PROGRAM & TRAINING

The Wheatland Ducks Baseball Club is one of the premier travel baseball programs in the state of Illinois. Teams range in age from 8-18.

The club offers a year-round training program, and a 50-75 game spring/summer schedule, which begins in early April and concludes in mid to late July. A significant part of the schedule may include regional, state, and national tournament play. The Ducks have represented the state of Illinois in Cooperstown, NY; Omaha, NE; Orlando, FL and at numerous World Series and National Championship events.

Through the game of baseball, we try to instill in our young players a positive attitude, a sense of self responsibility, discipline and respect, and a strong work ethic. These principles are central as we strive to develop skills, teach solid baseball fundamentals, and prepare our athletes to be the very best they can be – both mentally and physically.

We emphasize having fun on the field, and stress class and sportsmanship in victory and defeat. We seek out quality players and opponents and strive to become the best by competing with the best.

Volunteer Program Director – Rich Janor

Wheatland Athletic Association

The Wheatland Athletic Association, Inc. (WAA) is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation established in 1977 to provide youth athletic programs in the Aurora/Naperville IL area.

WAA has over 12,000 participants in numerous programs for youth aged 18 months to 18 years old, as well as adult programs. Our board of directors is staffed with volunteers from the community.

The Wheatland Athletic Association owns and operates the WAA Sports Center, a 30,000 square foot indoor sports facility, with a basketball court and a sand infill, synthetic turf soccer field. In addition, adjacent to the WAA Sports Center, WAA operates the WAA Baseball/Softball Training Center. The WAA Training Center is a 5,000 square foot hitting facility with 4 batting cages and training area.

Join the Ducks!

Ducks tryouts take place in July! Registration opens in May!

8U-11U Ducks

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12U-14U Ducks

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HS Ducks

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program include

Ducks coaching

The Ducks program is led by a dedicated team of experienced coaches committed to player development at every level. Our youth teams feature passionate volunteer parent coaches focused on teaching fundamentals, teamwork, and a love for the game. As players advance through the program, instruction becomes more specialized, with paid coaches at the high school level providing advanced skill development, game strategy, and preparation for the demands of competitive baseball. Across all ages, the Ducks coaching staff emphasizes growth, discipline, and character both on and off the field.
Winter Team Training

Ducks teams train throughout the winter at The Naperville Yard, Waubonsie Valley High School, and the WAA Training Center. The winter program includes 12 defensive sessions and 12 hitting sessions. Younger teams focus on building strong defensive fundamentals and sound swing mechanics, while older athletes refine advanced techniques and prepare for the upcoming season. This training structure ensures every player enters spring ready to compete with confidence and consistency.
TOURNAMENTS

Tournament competition is a key part of the Ducks experience, giving players the chance to test their skills against strong opponents from around the region. 8U–11U teams participate in 4–6 tournaments each season, while 12U teams follow a similar schedule and have the special opportunity to travel to Cooperstown for a once-in-a-lifetime tournament experience. 13U–High School teams compete in
5–7 tournaments.
LEAGUE PLAY

Ducks teams participate in competitive league play designed to promote development through regular, structured competition. 8U–14U teams compete in KCBL or WSBL leagues, playing 10–16 regular-season games followed by a post-season tournament. League play allows athletes to apply what they’ve learned in training, develop game awareness, and grow together as a team throughout the season.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Ducks players benefit from specialized training opportunities that support development year-round. D1 Training, the official strength and conditioning partner of the Ducks, helps athletes build speed, strength, and agility — included as part of the 12U program and available to all players. Each player also receives five private instruction lessons, offering personalized coaching to target specific skills and maximize individual improvement.
FACILITIES

The Ducks are proud to offer top level training facilities to their athletes. Beginning in the Fall of 2025, the Ducks are excited to announce the opening of a brand new training center that offers 8 full sized cages as well as additional training space that will be available for team training, individual training and private instruction. The Ducks also enjoy ample space at Waubonsie Valley High School fieldhouse and the Naperville Yard. The Ducks are committed to offering quality space for training opportunities for Ducks participants and teams.

SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING

Private Lessons

Ducks players can receive weekly indoor hitting sessions at the WAA Training Center by one of our experienced and dedicated instructors.

Team Winter Training

Ducks teams have weekly hitting sessions at the WAA Training Center beginning in November along with free individual usage October-March.

D1 Training

D1 Training Sessions include 54-minute group workouts designed to improve strength, power, speed, agility & mobility resulting in improved performance.