Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Francis.
Hi Eric, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Building Block Baseball was established in 2016 after coach Eric Francis returned home from playing college baseball at California University of Pennsylvania and started coaching for his cousins summer baseball team. Coach E and his staff have been providing hitting, pitching, and fielding instruction to help enhance all the baseball and softball players in the Lawrence County area and neighboring counties. 3B as it is known, also started a non profit baseball club in 2022, called the 3B Barons. They play in local leagues and provides cost effective travel ball for players under 13. Building Block Baseball has be come a staple in the community in helping baseball and softball players get better on and off the field.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, but by choice. I love Robert Frost and Rudyard Kipling. When Frost says, he “took the one less travelled and that made all the difference”, I really admired that mentality. Also, when Kipling says “If you can fill the unforgiving minute. With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it”. We have to go down that path less traveled and survive that unforgiving minute. That I’ve strived to do. Some of those struggles are typical la such as being broke, losing friends, sleep, time but it all pays off and now I see some of the fruits of my labor.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Building Block Baseball / 3B Barons — Brand Overview
Building Block Baseball and the 3B Barons are a player‑development organization built on one core belief: athletes deserve training that is intentional, individualized, and rooted in real skill progression — not just reps for the sake of reps. We operate out of New Castle, PA, serving baseball and softball athletes who want more than a typical practice. They want a system, a standard, and a culture that actually moves them forward.
What We Do
• Player Development Labs — daily and weekly baseball/softball labs focused on hitting, fielding, pitching, catching, and athletic movement. Every session is structured, timed, and progression‑based.
• High‑Level Training Systems — MLB‑style drills, data‑driven skill work, and professional‑grade equipment like Hack Attack machines and specialized ground‑ball legs.
• Nonprofit Community Impact — field restoration projects, youth access programs, and partnerships that bring quality baseball back to local communities.
• Team Culture & Identity — a program built on accountability, loyalty, and development over shortcuts.
What We Specialize In / What We’re Known For
• Structured Training — every lab has a printed agenda with actual time + running time, so athletes know exactly what they’re doing and why.
• Professional‑Grade Presentation — clean MLB‑style branding, greyscale documents, and polished communication that reflects a serious, modern program.
• Individualized Skill Progression — athletes don’t just “attend practice”; they build measurable skills.
• Community Leadership — known locally for restoring fields, creating opportunities, and raising the standard for youth baseball.
What Sets Us Apart
• We run training labs, not practices — intentional, efficient, and professionally structured.
• We operate with nonprofit purpose, meaning development and community impact come first.
• Our branding, communication, and presentation match the level of a professional organization.
• We create print‑ready one‑page documents, evaluation sheets, agendas, and training plans that parents, athletes, and coaches can actually use.
• We build long‑term athletes, not seasonal participants.
What We’re Most Proud of (Brand‑Wise)
• A clear, recognizable identity — the Barons brand stands for discipline, development, and loyalty.
• MLB‑style graphics and clean presentation that elevate everything we produce.
• Community trust — families know exactly what they’re getting: real development, real structure, and real care.
• Field restoration and nonprofit impact — proving that baseball can be a vehicle for community change.
What We Want Readers to Know
Building Block Baseball and the 3B Barons are more than a team or a training program — we are a development system, a community project, and a standard‑raising organization committed to giving athletes the tools, structure, and environment they need to grow.
We train with purpose.
We communicate with professionalism.
We build athletes the right way
How do you define success?
Better than yesterday. Love yourself. Be a beacon of light for those who struggle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buildingblockbaseball.com
- Instagram: @the_3b_barons
- Facebook: The 3B Barons
