The swing is made in the Off-Season!
"The difference between playing ball and becoming a baseball player"
Puma Academy's staff is made up of ex-professionals and college coaches allowing us to give you the same teaching as the pros. There is no better investment into your athlete’s development than private lessons from an ex-professional baseball player. Professional experience and personal knowledge on what it takes to make it as an elite baseball player. Our staff has over 20 years of experience at every level in baseball and softball. At Puma Academy, our instructors are passionate about developing your child’s potential in baseball and softball. We offer: One-on-One, Semi-Private or Team sessions which will allow us to maximize your athlete’s performance.
Jim Sakas
Advanced Pitching Instructor
(847) 772-0569
Jim Sakas has been coaching baseball for over 40 years. After his playing days at Illinois State
University, he was named the head baseball coach at Niles North H.S. and served 17 years as a
head coach. He retired as the winningest coach in school history which included conference and
regional championship teams. In 2017 he retired after a 33-year teaching career in special
education. This experience makes him an expert in differentiated instruction, this allows him to
identify and communicate with students of various learning styles, and abilities. He believes
coaching is an extension of the classroom environment.
Coach Sakas has been one of the most successful and sought after pitching coaches in the
Chicagoland area for many years. He has coached pitchers as young as age 7 up to the Major
League level. He coached Christian Friedrich, a 2008 1st round draft and former MLB starting
pitcher (Rockies and Padres). Jim and his father Steve also coached 2-time World Series Champion
pitcher George Kontos (Giants). Jim also coached current MLB relief pitcher Ryan
Borucki Mundelein H.S. (Pittsburgh Pirates). He also has two pitchers in the MLB pipeline, Riley
Gowens RHP (Libertyville H.S, University of Illinois) White Sox AA. Colin Fields RHP (Libertyville
H.S. Valparaiso University) Detroit Tigers AA. He has coached over 20 minor league pitchers, 50 D1
pitchers, and hundreds more who have played at various levels of college baseball.
Coach Sakas is a firm believer in teaching his students to pitch with rhythm. This rhythm combined
with solid mechanics allows pitchers to repeat a biomechanically sound motion thus creating efficient
momentum, power, confidence, and command. He also takes the time to train his students to
become pitching coaches themselves. Jim’s greatest strength is his ability to get his pitchers to
understand the biomechanics of pitching. He preaches kinesthetic awareness, ball flight and location
as vehicles for pitchers to troubleshoot and coach themselves. He encourages his older pitchers to
begin training younger pitchers to increase their own understanding of safe and efficient pitching
mechanics.
Call 262-764-1108 or email admin@pumabaseballacademy.com for more informatoin on lessons
