Who we are…

The Dirt Club is where young athletes come to build their game from the ground up. We are a baseball training program dedicated to teaching fundamentals the right way — fielding, hitting, and the habits that lead to long-term success. But we’re more than drills and reps. Our mission is to shape players into disciplined, resilient, and confident athletes who carry lessons from the field into every part of their lives.

We believe greatness starts in the dirt. That means embracing the grind, respecting the work, and developing the kind of character — perseverance, accountability, sportsmanship — that defines true competitors. Our coaches bring both playing experience and a passion for teaching, delivering instruction that is focused, age-appropriate, and deeply rooted in the values that baseball has taught for generations.

The Dirt Club isn’t just a program. It’s a commitment: to do things the right way, to honor the game, and to help young players rise by building the strongest possible foundation.

The Ethos of The Dirt Club

The Dirt Club stands for grit, repetition, and doing the work that others overlook. We believe greatness is not found in shortcuts or flashy moments, but in the small, disciplined habits forged through daily effort. The dirt itself is symbolic — it’s where players fall, sweat, get back up, and learn what it takes to improve. At The Dirt Club, players earn their progress, one rep at a time.

Our Philosophy

  1. Fundamentals First – We teach the core skills of baseball — fielding, hitting, throwing — with precision and repetition. Without strong foundations, nothing lasting can be built.

  2. Discipline Through Repetition – Habits shape athletes. Our training reinforces not only mechanics but also the discipline, focus, and work ethic that lead to success on and off the field.

  3. Character in the Dirt – Baseball is a vehicle for life lessons. Sportsmanship, perseverance, accountability, and resilience are woven into every drill and every session.

  4. Long-Term Growth Over Shortcuts – We’re not here to chase quick results or empty wins. We prepare athletes for the next level by teaching them how to love the grind and respect the game.

Why It Matters

The Dirt Club is more than a training program. It’s a place where kids learn that success is earned, not given — and that the habits they build in the dirt will carry them forward as players and as people.

Joe Simone

Founder | Head of Baseball Operations

Joe Simone brings a lifetime of baseball experience and passion for player development to The Dirt Club. Born and raised in Wayne, N.J., Joe attended Wayne Hills High School before moving on to Rider University, where he was a four-year standout and earned First Team All-MAAC honors as a sophomore.

His career extended into summer ball, where he competed in the Coastal Plains Collegiate League, earning All-Star selections in both 2018 and 2021. After Rider, Joe pursued a fifth year at Webb University in the Big South Conference, further sharpening his skills against top-level competition.

Joe went on to play professionally with the New Jersey Jackals, bringing firsthand experience of what it takes to succeed at the next level. Today, as Founder and Head of Baseball Operations at The Dirt Club, he channels that experience into building programs that not only develop strong fundamentals, but also instill the discipline, resilience, and character young athletes need to thrive both on and off the field.

Jesse Aporta

Co-Founder

Jesse Aporta holds a Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration and a Master’s in Sports Leadership, with nearly 20 years of experience coaching interscholastic teams from middle school baseball to varsity soccer. After coaching competitive club soccer, he founded Black River Athletics, one of the fastest-growing elite soccer academies in the New York Metropolitan region.

As a father and parent of youth athletes, Jesse is passionate about creating programming that inspires young players and promotes environments where the whole athlete is trained. His mission is to use sport not only to sharpen fundamentals and discipline, but also to build character, resilience, and a love for the game that lasts a lifetime.

Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration - Concordia University Irvine

Master’s in Sports Leadership - Concordia University Chicago

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