About

About the Illinois Baseball Edge, Ltd., Algonquin, IL

The Illinois Baseball Edge, Ltd. (IBE) brings age specific hyper-personalized training to overhead throwing athletes to improve their performance, reduce injury risk, and educate families and coaches in how to train and prepare the mind and body for competition. Our training is focused upon long-term development and performance enhancement, with measurable results. By partnering with experts in the fields of performance training and therapy, physical training and therapy, and data analytics (as described below), we offer a unique approach that is based in the most current research available.  We are living in an era when average velocity in throwing athletes is increasing. At the same time there is a correlated increase, a dramatic rise, in the number of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries at all levels of baseball. UCL injuries have risen to a point where some have called the issue an epidemic, and Tommy John Surgery (TJS) is occurring at a rate not seen historically. The question is, “what is the best way to improve performance, while at the same time combating the surge in injuries, to benefit our sport?” Companies such as Driveline Baseball in California, the Texas Baseball Ranch™, and the Florida Baseball ARMory, have created great programs for improving pitching performance, educating players, parents, and coaches, and reducing the chance of injury. Many players and coaches from the central part of the United States have never heard of these programs and do not have the ability or money to travel to remote regional locales. If we are going to help the greatest number of players, we need to be able to locally amplify the knowledge that is available, develop expertise, and educate the baseball community. We will initially lease space but will work toward building a facility, a local hub, where players and coaches can gather to obtain knowledge and train. As CEO of IBE, I feel blessed to have two experts working with us who are personal friends and who also care deeply about helping athletes:

Kathy Ceisel

 Kathy Ceisel is a Champion Sports Performance Specialist and Overhead Throwing Expert who is the CEO of Athletic Edge & Wellness, Ltd. Kathy has been certified by Mike Reinold, former Boston Red Sox head athletic trainer and PT, and who has worked with the American Sports Institute. She has obtained a number of other certifications that make her one of the most accredited people in the industry. 

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James (Jay) Burke

Jay Burke has worked in the computer industry for 20+ years as a data modeler and analyst of the highest caliber.  He obtained his Master of Science degree in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) with a concentration in artificial intelligence expert systems.  His work includes doing large scale simulations at McDonalds plus similar efforts involving military transportation for the United States Army (MTMCTEA) at Argonne National Laboratory. Jay is also a huge baseball and saber metrics fan who has held season tickets with the Chicago White Sox for his entire adult life.

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It is through partnering with experts, sharing information, fine tuning and evolving our approach over time that we will serve the baseball community in a unique and hopefully significant way. Our team feels that if you want to play better or coach better, and give yourself the best chance to avoid injury, this is the best way forward. 

Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith, aka “Smitty”, founded the Illinois Baseball Edge, Ltd. in 2021. His coaching career began long before that in the summer of 1980, and continues to evolve today with over 110 seasons of experience (if one counts Spring, Summer, and Fall separately). His focus upon long term player development and performance enhancement, with measurable results, is an approach not often found in baseball or softball and has led to some significant milestones. In recent years that approach has blended well with the evolution of player centric training methods including hyper personalization.

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Hear what others have to say

Testimonials

Mark Haggerty

"As a "baseball dad" of twins (14U), we've been working with Coach Smith for about 4-years now, and it amazes me how much they still learn at every lesson. His passion and deep knowledge of the game is obvious the moment you meet him. His #1 priority for all his students & players is always development first. Now “development first” is said a lot in baseball circles, but I will tell you Coach Smith is the authentic real deal about this point.

Having said that, my boys both took a season of Coach Smith's pitching program. It's as educational as any course you can take in baseball, highly practical, and very effective. After running through the program for a few months, the boy's velocity really took off from their 12U to 13U year. Their strike rates increased, their command improved, and as a result they were #1 & 2 on their team in strike outs. All of this was done without a single instance of arm pain or injury.  They learned new terminologies, arm care techniques, advanced pitching theory, human anatomy…all of which will place them way ahead of their peers. They are both better prepared mentality for the rigors of being a pitcher, whether it's for the next season or down the road in High School. It was a pure joy to watch their performance and confidence level explode this year. Can't wait for more!"

Kathy Ryan-Ceisel

PT MHS, Astym, FMS, SFMA, FMT, CAFS

“Ernie is an undiscovered baseball expert in our area. He has a wealth of coaching expertise, general baseball knowledge; understanding both the physical and mental aspects of the game. He has helped my son put on 11mph, improve his secondary pitches, and implement a game day strategy.  He helped him to a 1.64 ERA his Sophomore year [in high school], and over the summer had (2) 11K strike out games and one [7-inning] complete game with a 69 pitch effort. Ernie has a keen understanding of mechanics and the athlete’s underlying movement patterns which both influence and impact a pitcher’s delivery. He is passionate about the game and taking the athletes he coaches to the next level.”

Pat Cote

"During sophomore high school tryouts 2022: “Trevor just wanted to thank you again for the work you've done with him. He threw 75% strikes in his bullpen session today. His confidence is coming back quickly and I'll have you know multiple people have tried bringing him back with no luck.”  Trevor was later promoted to #1 varsity catcher on his high school team and his coach said that it was because he was “throwing everyone out.”  During summer travel baseball 2022 his father added, “You really helped with Trevor as his arm kept getting better all summer and he felt like if he had any issues, he could always fall back on a few of your drills to straighten him out.”

Gordie Gillespie

Head Baseball Coach, University of St. Francis

“I know that you are affecting people in a very positive manner and I have always thought you were ‘a cut above the mold’.  Keep up the great work Ernie.  Love to your family and keep being who you are.  Always your friend.”

Tom Dedin

Head Baseball Coach, University of Illinois

“Mr. Ernie Smith worked with me in my baseball program at the University of Illinois for one year as a student-coach.  I created this position for him since he knew he wanted to become a teacher-coach when he graduated from the University of Illinois.  I gave Ernie as much coaching responsibility as I could, and he responded by doing a tremendous job.  Not only did he learn many of the organizational factors in a baseball program and a practice session, but Ernie also did an outstanding job of using them in his work with us.  I was extremely confident in allowing him to work with our Illinois players in the various drills and situations he was assigned to.  He has a great knowledge of baseball and baseball fundamentals.  He knows how to teach them.  When he worked with us, he demonstrated a high level of personal integrity and dedication.  He was not afraid to work often at long hours even though he still had his studies to take care of.  I cannot give Ernie anything but the highest of recommendations.”