What Our Athletes Say

Hear from those who've trained with D.J. Carey.
If you put in the time this is what can happen!! The sky is limit we are super proud of all the hard work and dedication she has put into excelling in this sport. And she would not have the pitching success if it wasn’t for her pitching coach D.J. that we have been committed to solid for 3 years 2 days a week! Can’t wait to see what the future holds ❤️

For the last 3 years, our daughter has gone to D.J. for hitting, catching and outfield work. Each year we’ve seen significant progress in her game, and increased confidence on the field. D.J. has an intense teaching style that challenges your athlete to grow and develop at each lesson. His tough approach is balanced with being quick to celebrate progress and achievements.  When our daughter experienced a hitting slump, he provided encouragement and worked diligently with her to get through it.  When she turned the corner, she couldn’t wait to tell him.  As a teenager, she’s excited to go to lessons which makes the financial investment an easy decision. If your athlete brings a good attitude, the sky is the limit on what she can achieve. D.J. is a pro!

My daughter was struggling to improve and take the next step with her former pitching instructor. The fundamentals she was taught didn’t make sense to her, and she developed forearm and shoulder pain.

We switched to D.J., and the fundamentals he teaches—along with the strength training he incorporates into each lesson—have made a huge difference. My daughter is now injury-free, and the techniques he teaches truly make sense to her.

I feel very lucky to have him working with my daughter, given his coaching success and achievements. I strongly recommend him as an instructor.

Our daughter, Ilya, has been coming to D.J.'s for a little over a year for pitching and hitting - practice and the results are incredible. He makes Ilya accountable for her actions on and off the field, and his ability to inspire and motivate is unparalleled. D.J.'s straightforward coaching philosophy is much appreciated and is ideal for players of families that are dedicated and serious about improved performance. He uses a multifaceted approach incorporating strength training, skill development, game strategy, and player development with a variety of drills and repetition. His practices are structured, prioritizing the weaknesses to build a positive, confident, and mentally tough player. He is flexible and adapts practice schedules based on our availability. I feel so strongly about D.J.'s expertise and approach that we drive from Manhattan two to three times a week for practice. D.J. has become an influential person in Ilya's life, and we are beyond grateful for his commitment to her success. Ilya is a highly coachable young lady committed to improvement, and we look forward to what her future holds with D.J. as her coach.

Guys - I can’t say it enough... if you’re looking for the best softball/baseball instructor around, D.J. is it.

He has invested so much into his facility, there’s nothing he can’t do. There’s no problem he can’t fix.

Call him! 785-383-9476

If you need a real-life testimonial - look at Kaylea. There was a point in time we didn’t know if she could keep playing. Her batting avg was not good. D.J. was what brought her back to life, not only skill but confidence. She’s so much stronger because of D.J., physically and mentally.

The barn is our happy place. Tell him Kaylea sent you!

My daughter started seeing D.J. in a hitting slump in spring 2023; she was 13 at the start. We had tried another hitting coach previously, with no notable results or connection.

At our initial session, D.J. was patient, listening to our concerns, and was thorough in explaining what changes she needed to make. He offered the “why,” which was important so she could understand the logistics behind her swinging. He started with basic fundamentals, increasing his asks in a timely manner and with understanding. He coached her through every step. He has also taught her strategy that she not only uses in the box but on defense as well—how to read pitches, catchers, and bunts. All are invaluable for her age group.

Adding in D.J.’s weights and resistance training, my daughter is not only a better batter, but she’s stronger physically and mentally. D.J. not only provides support and guidance but also accountability and confidence. He genuinely wants his girls to do their best and cares that they succeed.

My daughter, now 15, is now hitting to the fence. After every at-bat, the first person she wants to make sure knows the outcome is D.J.. Even if she doesn’t get a hit, she instantly knows what adjustment to make and where she made the error. This wouldn’t have been possible without D.J.’s coaching.

Scheduling is also super easy and flexible, with so many time options, no matter the season. D.J. offers plenty of sessions each week and is great at working around busy schedules.

Highly recommend D.J., as we truly believe there is nobody better!

Our daughter started lessons with D.J. 2 months ago, and we have already seen improvement in her mechanics, knowledge of the game, and confidence. I appreciate D.J.'s consistent teaching style and structure; it has contributed to our daughter learning how to hit the ball and be a catcher. We recently signed our youngest up to start taking lessons! We look forward to seeing our girls grow in this sport as they implement D.J.'s teachings.

I had a coach that coached in the Olympics with Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire and also took KU to the College World Series. I had another that has 9 state titles in 20 years. Another is one of the best high school football coaches in Kansas. And I always tell people about D.J.. I'd go to war for that guy.

D.J. has been awesome for my girls. We were doing lessons with other instructors before we found D.J., and our girls were stagnant, not getting any better. My wife and I were growing tired of paying money for no results, and then we found D.J.. His background and knowledge are unparalleled. Within 2 weeks' time, my girls improved vs. the 3 months of lessons they were receiving. He had the opportunities to work for elite coaches, and fundamentally he is the best. My niece went to D.J. years ago, and his coaching allowed her to be fundamentally sound when colleges started recruiting her. He pushes the kids to be the best, and for that we are thankful!

My daughter has been going to D.J. for almost 2 full years pitching! We have seen constant progress with her technique and accuracy as she has learned all 5 of the different pitches at 12 years old! We couldn’t be happier with his dedication and constant support in helping her grow as a pitcher! We highly recommend him if you are looking for someone who loves the sport and has as many years of experience as D.J. does!

My son has improved leaps and bounds with his pitching and hitting with D.J.. My son went from being cut from his team to making a competitive team in KC. His coaches appreciate the fundamentals taught by D.J.. D.J. has made my kid mentally tough, and I love it.

My daughter Brooklyn has been going to D.J. Carey for the last 3 years for hitting lessons. His knowledge in softball is a great tool he uses to teach his students. D.J.'s encouragement and instruction gave Brooklyn a more confident approach at the plate, and we have seen remarkable improvements in her hitting.

Throughout my daughter’s teens, I had taken her to several trainers for pitching and hitting lessons and saw no visible growth in her mechanics. I met D.J. Carey in 2000 when my daughter was in high school. I began taking my daughter to D.J. for pitching and hitting lessons, and within a short amount of time she became very successful with her hitting and pitching. My daughter had an amazing high school career and even went on to play some college ball.

Several years passed, and my granddaughter turned 9. My daughter asked me who she should take her to for hitting and pitching lessons. I said to take her to D.J.. My daughter started taking her to D.J., and she has now been working with him for 3 years. My granddaughter has been very successful on the mound and swinging the bat. D.J. has the ability to explain fundamentals and mechanics in a way that gets the point across to get the best out of the player.

Our boys have improved tremendously under D.J.’s guidance. We are so grateful for everything he has done for them. Excited to continue to work with D.J. and see their full potential, because he will get it out of them.

I was lucky enough to start learning from D.J. when I was 15 years old. He was my trainer through high school and college. D.J. not only was able to teach me fundamentals that would keep me healthy enough to pitch as many games as I wanted (a lot back to back, 8–10 a weekend), give me hitting confidence so I was able to go up to bat and have fun, but also the mental toughness and stability it took to love the game.

I now have a daughter who I started up with D.J. after my dad reminded me that my best trainer was D.J. My daughter started with D.J. at age 8. She is currently 12! She is loving the sport and growing with her hitting, fielding, and pitching every month.

He has taught her how to adjust and be successful and in command of her skills!

Pitching and Hitting

D.J. worked with my daughter from 10U through college. Besides fundamental skills and development, she learned self-confidence, consistency, and discipline. She grew into a strong power hitter and developed great spin and control over her pitches. D.J. is tough at times, but he definitely wants to see his clients succeed. I would and have recommended him. - Junno G

Players Feedback:

Hitting & Pitching

I worked with D.J. my entire softball career, 9–20 years old. He always pushed me and believed in me. I appreciate his advice and critiques whenever I asked.

Glad I had the opportunity to work with him for so long.

D.J. really boosted my confidence as a player and helped me succeed in being an asset for my team. I consistently got on base and got runners to score. Now things have come full circle, and my son is also taking lessons, where I have watched that same confidence grow while he's learning skills to become a solid baseball player.

My daughter has been going to D.J. for almost 2 full years pitching! We have seen constant progress with her technique and accuracy as she has learned all 5 of the different pitches at 12 years old! We couldn’t be happier with his dedication and constant support in helping her grow as a pitcher! We highly recommend him if you are looking for someone who loves the sport and has as many years of experience as D.J. does!

We’ve been with D.J. for 10 months now, and the progression in both batting and pitching for both my girls has been great. He’s been able to pinpoint troubled areas and help work through them by combining demonstrations and explanations. D.J. is straightforward and tells it how it is, and is dedicated to helping the kids improve. He’s committed, and he expects the kids to be as well.

When I first started with D.J., I was not good at all; I could not throw a strike to save my life. Even though I could not do that, D.J. did not give up on me and pushed me to be better. He helped me learn the physical, mental, and technical components of pitching. Now I throw 5 pitches and hardly give up any walks. I’ve been with D.J. for 8 years, and I could not ask for a better coach.

D.J. not only helped me significantly develop confidence as a player and my skills in pitching and batting, but also taught me more important skills, like how to be a good teammate, work with others, and have a positive and hardworking mindset. I aged out of softball a few years ago, but I still apply the life lessons I learned from D.J. frequently. I have him and his coaching to thank for making me a more resilient and conscientious person.

From Jeff Bruce, father of Landyn Bruce, D-1 pitcher at the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss:

I am writing this to provide my highest recommendation for D.J. as a coach for Landyn, a talented and promising young pitcher. Having had the opportunity to observe D.J.'s coaching skills firsthand, I am confident that he possesses the knowledge, dedication, and passion required to foster significant growth and development in his athletes.

D.J.'s exceptional coaching abilities are reflected in his deep understanding of the technical aspects of pitching, as well as his ability to effectively communicate and apply this knowledge. His expertise extends beyond simply teaching the mechanics of pitching; he emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, discipline, and teamwork, creating a holistic approach to player development.

Throughout his tenure as Landyn's coach, D.J. consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his growth and success. His coaching methods were tailored to Landyn's specific needs and skill level, allowing for personalized instruction and attention. D.J.'s patient and supportive approach enabled Landyn to build confidence in his abilities while continuously pushing him to reach new heights.

What truly sets D.J. apart is his ability to inspire his athletes to strive for excellence. Under his guidance, Landyn has exhibited remarkable progress in terms of both skill and mindset. D.J.'s emphasis on setting realistic goals, coupled with his constructive feedback, has instilled in Landyn a sense of determination and a desire to continually improve. As a result, Landyn's performance on the mound has noticeably improved, and he has become a key asset to his team.

Furthermore, D.J.'s dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive team environment has had a profound impact on Landyn's overall development as a player. Through team-building activities, D.J. encourages camaraderie, sportsmanship, and mutual support among players. His leadership has created an atmosphere in which each team member feels valued, contributing to a cohesive and successful team dynamic.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend D.J. as a coach for Landyn. His expertise, personalized approach, and ability to inspire make him an exceptional coach who is capable of unlocking his athletes' full potential. D.J.'s dedication to both the technical and personal development of his players is truly commendable. I have no doubt that under his continued guidance, Landyn will further excel as a pitcher and continue to grow as an individual.

Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information. I am more than happy to provide additional insights into D.J.'s coaching abilities and his impact on Landyn's growth as a pitcher.

My daughter has been going to D.J. for pitching and hitting lessons for about 2 years and absolutely loves him. He pushes her to work hard and be accountable. Not only does he teach softball skills, he teaches her skills that she also applies to school and life. I highly recommend D.J.!

D.J. is motivated, hardworking, and the best there is, who knows and loves the game of softball. He taught me for many years, and I improved my skills both in pitching and hitting. I became a better player because of him, and I can’t thank him enough. He knows what it takes to make the best players. There is no one better than D.J. Carey.

My son has been going to D.J. for hitting lessons for 7 years. He would have been out of baseball years ago if it were not for what he learned and practiced through D.J.'s lessons.

D.J. has such a great knowledge of softball; it’s unmatched. He not only encourages the kids, he pushes them to do better with an attitude my child responds well to. My daughter has not only become a better pitcher by attending his lessons but has also increased her batting average. I feel that she has grown into a stronger young woman because of the confidence she is experiencing with her pitching and the softball skills she has gained while attending his lessons.

My daughter started pitching when she was 8, so we started lessons that were just once a week. After her first couple of games, we realized she was going to need more lessons than that. That’s when we found D.J. and started doing lessons 3 times a week. We saw improvements in the 1st month. The structured lessons and the consistency at which we were able to do the lessons made all the difference.

We’ve been with D.J. for 8 years now. Throughout the years of our busy schedule, D.J. has been great with being able to have lessons on a consistent basis. Being available 6 days a week makes it easy to reschedule lessons when needed. Putting in all the work with her in the off-season has made my daughter a great pitcher! She not only can throw 6 different pitches on a consistent basis, she rarely gives up walks.

A couple of years ago, she fell into a hitting slump, so we started doing hitting lessons too. They have really improved her swing and her batting average.

Overall, D.J. is a great hitting & pitching coach! We have and will always recommend him to anyone that’s looking to improve their softball or baseball game!

-Shannon Adams-Millard

Over the years, my son has benefitted from many lessons from D.J., from batting to pitching to fielding. D.J. has helped him immensely to advance his skill level. D.J. does a great job of communicating and relating to the kids, which helps them to focus and remain engaged. I would highly recommend D.J. for lessons.

My daughter took both pitching and hitting lessons from D.J. for 6 years. Over this time, he used his knowledge of the game to develop her technique and improve her skill set. D.J. has an innate gift of being able to bring out the best in each athlete. He takes their strengths and uses them to expand their skill set. He also uses their areas of weakness and designs activities to help them grow. He challenges his athletes during every lesson. If you want to send your child to a coach that will develop them to their full potential, D.J. is the coach for you!

Our daughter has gone to D.J. for pitching since January 2020. There were times where it looked like she wasn't going to get it as a pitcher, but D.J. told us to be patient. She never gave up and kept at it. It's hard to believe where she was when she started to where she is now. We are firm believers in D.J. and strongly recommend him to anyone wanting to get into pitching.

D.J. is an excellent hitting and pitching instructor. My son and daughter have been going to D.J.'s for lessons for several years. He intentionally teaches the correct fundamentals and techniques to help avoid player injuries in the long run.

My 13-year-old son is doing very well on the mound and at the plate in baseball. My daughter has had several recruiters contact her to play at the college level.

I took my daughter to D.J. for lessons several years ago and was really pleased with the results. He runs a very professional and efficient program. I am now coaching a 9-year-old softball team, and he is teaching several of my players, and I have seen steady and tremendous improvement since my players started going to him. I would recommend him to anyone in need of a coach.

My daughter has been taking lessons from D.J. for 4 years. She has learned so much and keeps getting better and better. He's affordable and does an amazing job. I highly recommend him!