Guardians to open training facility late spring 2026 at Tri-C Western Campus

Cleveland, OH – The Cleveland Guardians, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), and EL1 Sports, the Proud Youth Baseball and Softball Training Partner of Major League Baseball, announced today the launch of the first Guardians Training Center. The year-round facility, located on the Tri-C Western Campus in Parma, OH, will establish the foundation for a new approach to baseball and softball development alongside a broad-based educational and community initiative designed to expand access to baseball, softball, and sports-industry careers across Northeast Ohio. This three-way collaboration will combine next-generation athletic training with classroom-to-career pathways and community-focused programming to benefit students, families, and athletes of all ages.

Guardians Training Center

The Guardians Training Center is set to be a renovated 20,000-plus square foot, state-of-the-art training hub. The facility will feature cutting edge technology and a staff of passionate instructors committed to serving athletes of all ages, skill levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Unlike traditional batting cage rentals, this innovative training model reimagines how facilities are organized and utilized to maximize player development while delivering exceptional value for families and teams.

The facility is scheduled to operate year-round beginning in late spring 2026. Programming will include team trainings, baseball and softball clinics, and specialized lessons for individuals and small groups.

“At the Guardians, player development is at the core of everything we do, and the Guardians Training Center allows us to bring that same professional mindset and environment to the community,” Cleveland Guardians General Manager Mike Chernoff said. “Just like our players train every day with purpose and precision, we believe that same level of preparation should be accessible to every aspiring baseball and softball player across Northeast Ohio.”

Training, Classes, and Lessons

Team Training programs will offer a unique operating system for organizations ranging from elite travel ball to Little League. Current and former professional and collegiate athletes will deliver position- and skill-specific instruction designed to complement each team’s coaching staff. Skills classes will also provide expert, position-specific baseball and softball instruction, as well as small group sessions, ensuring both individual attention and strong value for families.

Recognizing that hitting, pitching, and fielding are among the most challenging skills in sports, the Guardians Training Center will also offer a robust system of 30- and 60-minute lessons tailored to individual athletes. Lessons will be led by instructors who have competed at the highest levels and can integrate as much or as little technology as each player prefers.

“Families are looking for trustworthy coaching, safe facilities, and schedules that actually work, and we’re proud to partner with the Guardians and Tri-C to bring our program to Cleveland,” said President and CEO of EL1 Sports Sean Campbell. “At EL1, we believe in the transformative power of sports, and this Guardians Training Center will provide high-level instruction and modern training tools in a welcoming environment so every athlete can succeed, whether they’re new to the game or preparing for the next level of play.”

Expert Coaching Powered by Advanced Technology

Instructors at the Guardians Training Center will be selected not only for their playing and coaching experience, but also for their leadership, communication skills, and commitment to teaching life skills through sports. A low instructor-to-athlete ratio will ensure personalized feedback and customized curriculum to help players improve every facet of their game.

Additionally, the Guardians Training Center will leverage advanced technology and insights from Cleveland Guardians players, coaches, and scouts to inform training methods and player development. This data-driven approach will align the facility with modern player development standards used at the Major League level.

Connecting Education, Careers, and the Game

Beyond the field, Tri-C and the Cleveland Guardians will collaborate on classroom-based learning, career exposure, and job pathways that connect students directly to the sports and entertainment industry. On-campus education panels and guest lecturers will bring industry professionals into Tri-C classrooms, enriching instruction with real-world perspectives across sports operations, business, and media.

The Cleveland Guardians will participate in career fairs at Tri-C, provide internship, seasonal, part-time, and full-time job opportunities, and engage students in meaningful networking experiences. College students will also have the opportunity to volunteer at a Guardians home game to assist with a 50/50 raffle fundraiser. Based on student participation, the Guardians will make a donation to support Tri-C athletic programs as well.

“This partnership with the Cleveland Guardians and EL1 Sports reflects Tri-C’s commitment to creating real-world learning experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers,” said Tri-C President Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D. “The Guardians Training Center supports player development on the field while also creating pathways off the field — linking education and community impact in ways that benefit students, families, and athletes across Northeast Ohio. There is no better way to lead off the 60th anniversary celebration of the Western Campus than by launching a project that reflects the future of Tri-C.”

A Commitment to Student-Athletes and Community Impact

The Cleveland Guardians will support the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation with a donation that will be allocated directly to the college’s baseball and softball programs as they build on historic 2025 seasons and leverage the enhanced on-campus training facility.

In addition, a portion of the proceeds from the Guardians Training Center will benefit Cleveland Guardians Charities, including the Fields for the Future program, which renovates and builds baseball and softball fields for youth across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, with a focus on city neighborhoods, school districts, and Play Ball! CLE affiliate leagues.

Guardians Nike RBI baseball and softball teams will also benefit from access to these upgraded facilities at no cost, allowing young baseball and softball players to develop in a professional-caliber environment that supports on-field growth and off-field success. This aligns with the organization’s long-standing emphasis on using baseball and softball as vehicles for youth development and community connection.

For the most up-to-date information on the Guardians Training Center please visit CLEGuardians.com/GTC.