The Academy
Academy Overview
Weekly Program Overview
The Northwest Nationals Development Academy is designed to provide serious student-athletes with a structured, high-performance environment that integrates academics, baseball development, and athletic performance training. Beginning in September 2026 for the 2026–2027 school year, our Monday–Friday program runs from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Northwest Nationals Training Facility, creating a complete daily routine built for long-term success.
A Complete Athlete Development Model
Each day begins with a Structured Academic Block (8:30–11:00 AM), providing a focused 2.5-hour window for athletes to stay on track academically while building discipline, accountability, and consistency. Academics are a core pillar of the program, and all athletes are held to a minimum 3.5 GPA requirement, which is monitored through weekly check-ins.
Following academics, athletes transition into daily baseball activities (11:00 AM – 3:00 PM), where they develop skills, routines, and game awareness through consistent, high-level instruction.
Academic/Performance Days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Structured Academic Block
Player Routines and Hitting Development
ROKKE Performance Training
Academic/Baseball Focus Days (Tuesday & Thursday)
Structured Academic Block
Player Routines and Comprehensive Baseball Development
This structure allows athletes to train at a high level while maintaining proper recovery and physical progression.
Individual Development: “The Plan”
Every athlete operates under “The Plan”, a personalized academic and player development roadmap tailored to their goals, strengths, and areas for improvement. This ensures each athlete is progressing with purpose and accountability across all aspects of their development.
Weekly Commitment
~30 total hours per week
12.5 hours of structured academics
~12 hours of baseball activities
3 hours of performance training
This is a true full-time development environment designed for athletes who are serious about maximizing their potential and preparing for high school, college, and beyond.
OSAA Rules
In Oregon, under the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) rules, students who attend online school, homeschool, or virtual public charter programs are allowed to participate in high school sports. This is governed primarily by OSAA Rule 8.2 (Home Schooled Students). Under this rule, these students must compete for the public high school located within their residential attendance boundary. In other words, eligibility is based on where the student lives, not which online program they attend.
Residency is a central requirement under OSAA Rule 8.2.1, which states that a homeschooled or online student is eligible only at the school in the attendance area in which they reside. OSAA strictly enforces this rule, meaning students cannot choose a different school for athletic participation unless they qualify under a separate transfer rule.
Overall, OSAA rules—especially Rule 8.2—allow flexibility in educational choice while maintaining fairness in athletic participation. Online and homeschooled students can compete in high school sports, but only through their local public school and in full compliance with OSAA eligibility standards.
Academic Overview
Academic Development & Accountability
At the Northwest Nationals Development Academy, academics are not an afterthought. We believe that elite athletes must first develop the discipline, focus, and consistency required to succeed in the classroom before they can reach their full potential on the field.
Each day begins with a structured 2.5-hour structured academic block (8:30–11:00 AM), providing athletes with uninterrupted time to complete coursework, prepare for exams, and stay ahead of their academic responsibilities. This is not passive time, it is an intentional, focused environment designed to build strong study habits and personal accountability. To maintain this level of focus, cell phones are not permitted during the structured academic block, ensuring athletes remain fully engaged in their work.
Athletes are expected to take ownership of their education while receiving guidance and oversight to ensure they remain on track. The daily routine reinforces time management, organization, and the ability to balance multiple priorities, skills that are essential for success at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
We hold our athletes to a high academic standard, requiring a minimum 3.5 GPA to participate in daily baseball activities. This expectation creates a culture where academic performance is directly tied to athletic opportunity, reinforcing the importance of excellence in all areas.
By prioritizing academics within a high-performance training environment, the Northwest Nationals Development Academy develops complete student-athletes, individuals who are prepared to compete, lead, and succeed in every aspect of their lives.
Baseball Overview
Baseball Development & Skill Progression
At the Northwest Nationals Development Academy, baseball development is built on a clear philosophy: a systematic, consistent, and intentional approach to training over time produces elite results. Our program is designed to give athletes daily, high-level instruction while building the habits and routines required to compete at the next level.
Each day, athletes transition from academics into a structured baseball development block, where they train in a focused, detail-driven environment. Every session is designed with purpose, developing not just skills, but understanding, consistency, and confidence.
The daily training model emphasizes:
Pitching & Throwing Development – mechanics, command, arm care, and routine building
Hitting Development – swing efficiency, approach, timing, and situational awareness
Defensive Work – position-specific footwork, glove work, and game execution
Catching Development – receiving, blocking, throwing, and game management
Baseball IQ & Routine – understanding the game, preparation habits, and competitive mindset
Mental Performance – developing focus, confidence, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure through structured routines, journaling, and meditation
By committing to a structured, high-repetition training environment, Northwest Nationals athletes develop the tools, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
Performance Training Overview
Performance Training & Athletic Development
At the Northwest Nationals Development Academy, performance training is a critical component of developing complete athletes. Our partnership with ROKKE Performance Therapy provides athletes with a structured, high-level training environment focused on building strength, speed, and durability.
On Performance Days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), athletes transition from classroom and baseball activities to ROKKE, where they complete a dedicated 60-minute training session designed to enhance athletic performance and reduce injury risk.
Each session is built around key areas of development:
Strength Training – building a strong, stable foundation for power and resilience
Speed & Agility – improving acceleration, quickness, and movement efficiency
Mobility & Flexibility – increasing range of motion and preventing breakdown
Injury Prevention – movement quality, and structural balance
Athletic Coordination – developing body control and explosiveness
By combining professional-level strength and conditioning with consistent baseball development, our athletes gain a competitive edge, becoming faster, stronger, and more physically prepared for the demands of the game.
This approach ensures that Northwest Nationals athletes are not only skilled baseball players, but well-rounded, high-performing athletes built for long-term success.
Other Activities Overview
The Northwest Nationals Development Academy goes beyond traditional training by incorporating additional layers of development designed to build well-rounded, high-performing athletes.
Mental Performance Training is a core pillar of the program. Athletes will engage in daily journaling and meditation, building habits that improve focus, confidence, emotional control, and consistency in high-pressure situations. In addition, a dedicated mental performance coach works with athletes each month, providing tools and strategies for mindset development, routine building, and competitive performance.
Recovery & Regeneration is a priority within the program. Athletes utilize structured recovery protocols including Normatec compression, mobility work, and soft tissue tools to promote durability, reduce injury risk, and support consistent performance over time.
Video Analysis & Off-Site Development provide athletes with deeper insight into their game. Through film review and analysis, players learn to better understand their mechanics, tendencies, and decision-making, allowing for more intentional and efficient improvement.
Monthly Performance Testing ensures that each athlete’s development is measurable and trackable. Athletes are evaluated across key areas such as strength, speed, and baseball-specific metrics, allowing coaches to adjust training plans and keep each player progressing with purpose. All data is collected and organized within an individual player profile on the Baseline application, providing access for athletes, parents, and coaches to monitor progress and stay aligned on development goals.
Field Trips & Experiential Learning are incorporated throughout the year to expose athletes to new environments and opportunities. These may include college visits, training facilities, and baseball-related experiences that broaden perspective and reinforce long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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In Oregon, under the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) rules, students who attend online school, homeschool, or virtual public charter programs are allowed to participate in high school sports. This is governed primarily by OSAA Rule 8.2 (Home Schooled Students). Under this rule, these students must compete for the public high school located within their residential attendance boundary. In other words, eligibility is based on where the student lives, not which online program they attend.
Residency is a central requirement under OSAA Rule 8.2.1, which states that a homeschooled or online student is eligible only at the school in the attendance area in which they reside. OSAA strictly enforces this rule, meaning students cannot choose a different school for athletic participation unless they qualify under a separate transfer rule.
Instead of meeting standard academic eligibility through GPA or credits, online and homeschooled students must meet the requirements outlined in OSAA Rule 8.2.2. This includes achieving a minimum score at or above the 23rd percentile on a nationally standardized achievement test. This replaces the typical OSAA scholastic eligibility standards used for traditionally enrolled students.
Even though these students may not attend classes at the school, OSAA Rule 8.2 makes clear that they are held to the same participation expectations as enrolled students. This includes attending practices, following team and school rules, and earning a position through tryouts.
Students must also comply with Oregon state education requirements for their schooling type, and they remain subject to general OSAA eligibility rules such as the eight consecutive semesters rule (OSAA Rule 8.1.1) and age limitations (OSAA Rule 8.1.2).
Overall, OSAA rules, especially Rule 8.2, allow flexibility in educational choice while maintaining fairness in athletic participation. Online and homeschooled students can compete in high school sports, but only through their local public school and in full compliance with OSAA eligibility standards.
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The Structured Academic Block runs Monday–Friday from 8:30–11:00 AM and provides a dedicated, distraction-free environment for athletes to complete schoolwork, study, and stay ahead academically.
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Athletes complete coursework from their NCAA accredited online academic program. The Academy supports a variety of academic paths while ensuring athletes remain accountable and on track.
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Yes. Athletes are monitored and guided to ensure they stay focused, use their time effectively, and maintain progress in all academic responsibilities.
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No. Cell phones are not permitted during the Academic Block to maintain a focused and productive learning environment.
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Athletes must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA to participate in daily baseball activities.
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Academic performance is reviewed regularly. If an athlete falls below a 3.5 GPA, they will be temporarily removed from baseball activities until their GPA returns to the required level.
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Academic progress is monitored through regular check-ins, ensuring athletes stay accountable and continue progressing in their coursework.
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Yes. While athletes are expected to take ownership of their education, guidance and support are provided to help them stay organized, manage time effectively, and address challenges as they arise.
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Yes. Laptops and tablets are allowed for academic purposes only during the Structured Academic Block.
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The academy places a strong emphasis on accountability in the classroom. We regularly monitor academic progress through grade checks and may request report cards or progress updates throughout the season. Communication with parents is an important part of this process, especially if concerns arise. Our goal is to stay proactive and ensure student-athletes are meeting expectations before issues become bigger problems.
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While the academy may not provide full-time tutoring services, we are committed to supporting each athlete’s academic success. We can help connect families with trusted tutoring resources, school support programs, or academic advisors when needed. If a student is struggling, we work with the family to create a plan that prioritizes improvement and accountability.
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We understand that balancing academics and athletics is one of the biggest challenges for student-athletes. Our scheduling is designed with this in mind, keeping training efficient and purposeful so athletes have time to focus on schoolwork. We emphasize time management, organization, and personal responsibility as key life skills. We also encourage open communication with families, if academic demands increase, we expect athletes to prioritize school and adjust training when necessary.
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Aaron Schoolcraft
Founder
Aaron Schoolcraft is the founder and owner of the Northwest Nationals, Northwest Summer League and the Northwest Baseball Association (501c3). He focuses on player development, providing year-round training and summer league competition with exposure to college-level coaching. Under his leadership, many athletes have advanced to collegiate baseball programs.
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Zach Toglia
Athlete Support
Zach Toglia is a 6'4" infielder from Gig Harbor, Washington, who played baseball for the University of Portland. A former standout at Gig Harbor High and transfer from the University of Utah, he’s known for his power, athleticism, and defensive versatility across the infield. Coming from a baseball family, his brother Michael plays professionally.
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TBD
Athlete Support
TBD
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TBD
Athlete Support
TBD
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