2026 SEASON PREVIEW

ARE YOU READY TO EXPERIENCE
THE DIAMOND DAWG DIFFERENCE?


The 2026 Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgs will field teams in the 8u-18u age groups. Teams will be selected from returning players from the 2025 season and new players added through tryouts beginning in July. The Dawgs will field multiple teams in each age group.
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*2026 Team Tryout schedule/registration link*
​https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgOZfk1VgAeSktLQ5MTSnIVg3CGsA1xIxBQl1mSk-2OmqxgA/viewform



The 2026 season will consist of three parts.

1: Fall Practice (Sept-Oct)
2. Winter Practice (Dec-March)
3. Spring practice/Tournaments

Plus Strength and development training
(Dawg Strong)


PRACTICE
(Player Development)

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*FALL PRACTICE
Fall outdoor practices will begin in early September and run weekly through the end of October. All practices take place at the five-field Meyer Middleton (CIT Baseball) Complex in Crafton.

The focus during fall is on teaching and reinforcing the fundamentals—the Dawgs Way. This developmental period lays the foundation for future growth, emphasizing core skills, game awareness, and proper mechanics.

Fall workouts conclude with our signature event: the Dawgs Black and Gold World Series. During this exciting weekend, players are placed on teams and compete in Dawg vs. Dawg games and skills competitions—a fun and competitive way to wrap up the fall
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*WINTER PRACTICE
Winter indoor practices begin in early December and are held weekly at The Dawg Pound. These sessions continue through the winter months until the weather breaks in early spring and we can transition back to outdoor practices.

The focus during winter is on fundamental repetition—hitting, pitching, fielding, throwing, and base running. These core skills are reinforced through structured drills and high-rep training, ensuring players build consistency, confidence, and muscle memory heading into the spring season.

Tentative practice days:
Ages 8-13 (Sunday)
Age 14 (Saturday)
Ages 15-18 (Thursday)


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*Spring Practice/Tournaments:
Spring practice will move back outdoors whenever the weather allows in March. Once tournament weekends begin in April practice will continue on Wednesday evenings until the end of the season




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*DAWG STRONG
Dawg Strong is our exclusive, comprehensive strength and speed program, led by certified Dawgs strength coach Chip Hunter. This high-level training incorporates a variety of advanced methods including:


• Weight training
• Speed and explosive power training
• Medicine ball work
• Sled pushes/pulls
• Plyometrics and more

The program runs from October through the end of February, with sessions held twice a week. It is designed to build strength, speed, and athletic performance tailored specifically for baseball.

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*YOUTH DAWG STRONG
Youth Dawg Strong is our age-appropriate version of the Dawg Strong program, built for players ages 8–13.

Sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom, with players participating in a weekly 45-minute group workout led by Coach Chip. Each session includes:

•A bodyweight-based workout
•One baseball fundamental (hitting, throwing, footwork, etc.)

Youth Dawg Strong helps young athletes develop foundational strength, mobility, and proper technique—all from the comfort of home.


Dawg Strong is included in the 2026 player fees

*Dawg Strong page*
https://www.pghdawgs.com/workouts.html

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*Dawg Strong video*
https://youtube.com/shorts/XAj5g5l57Vg?si=ngQj5qyC8R4FwqVv


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TEAMS

Youth Teams
Dawgs teams in the 8u-13u age groups will play in 5 tournaments beginning in April and finishing up in late May. Youth teams will participate in a combination of tournaments in Western Pa and events within a 2 hour radius of Pittsburgh. Travel is not extensive and players are encouraged to participate in their local rec leagues as well as playing for the Dawgs.


High school teams
Players in the 14-18 age groups will play in 6-7 tournaments beginning in late May (after the HS season ends) and continuing through July. Teams will compete in a variety of tournaments locally, state wide and out of state.


Showcase Teams:
Top players in the 15-17 age groups will play on one of the Dawgs Showcase teams. These teams compete in the top tournaments against the best teams in the East, South and Midwest. Travel is extensive and the competition is excellent. The goal of the Showcase teams is exposure to college coaches. The Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgs have an excellent reputation with college coaches at all levels and our teams are very heavily scouted. Our Showcase teams attract some of the best players in the region and are very competitive. Dawgs teams played have played in front of dozens of college coaches and multiple players received college scholarship offers.



*Team Selection/Roster placement

The Diamond Dawgs field multiple teams within each age group. Individual team rosters are not finalized until early April, following the conclusion of our fall, winter, and early spring practice sessions.

This extended evaluation period allows our entire coaching staff the opportunity to observe each player on a consistent basis, assess their development, and determine their current skill level. Players are then placed on teams with others of similar ability to promote both individual growth and team success.
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No player is guaranteed a spot on any particular roster prior to April. Every athlete—whether a returning Dawg or a first-year player—starts each season on equal footing. Past experience with the program does not secure future placement.
With the Diamond Dawgs, roster spots are earned, not given. Players must come in and compete every week in practice to earn their team assignment.


*COACHES
clink link for list of 2025/26 Dawgs coaches
https://www.pghdawgs.com/coaching.html

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What You Can Expect from Diamond Dawgs Baseball

Program Highlights

  • Full-time ownership & leadership
  • Year-round training across fall, winter, and spring seasons
  • Unlimited access to the Dawg Pound indoor facility at no extra cost
  • Professional instruction and coaching staff
  • Organized, skill-specific practices
  • Indoor and outdoor training environments
  • Multiple coaches at every practice for focused development
  • Highly competitive environment and team culture
  • Players earn roster spots through weekly performance
  • Unified coaching philosophy across all age groups
  • No-nonsense approach focused on discipline, effort, and team-first mentality
  • Competitive tournament schedules designed to challenge and develop
  • College exposure and recruiting support for high school players
  • Unmatched commitment from the entire Dawgs staff
  • All-inclusive programming — Fall, Winter, and Spring practices and Dawg Strong


Also Included with Your Player Fee

Official game hat​
2 game Jerseys
Dawgs practice shirt
Team insurance coverage
All tournament entry fees
Discounted pricing on private lessons, camps, and clinics


Are you ready to experience the Diamond Dawgs difference?


2026 Team Tryout link
https://www.pghdawgs.com/2026-season-team-tryouts.html


ARE YOU NEXT?