Youth Baseball Training Business Expands, Moves

In late 2011, Julius Matos opened a baseball training facility in Pasco where youths have the chance to grow their baseball skills.

The clinic itself grew, too, said Matos, coach of the Ridgewood High School baseball team and former major league baseball player.

It eventually became time to move the Julius Matos Baseball Clinic out of building on Kristel Circle in Port Richey, which could fit maybe 25-30 kids at a time. 
“We were growing,” Matos said. “We had too many kids and we couldn’t fit them.”

Matos chose to move the business to another location. And that location brings the clinic closer to New Port Richey.

The Julius Matos Baseball Clinic is now located in the former home of Suncoast Gymnastics 8004 Congress Street in Port Richey, right near the New Port Richey border. Also there is Oppo Sports, an independent pro shop run by New Port Richey native Joe DeGroat.

Matos touts a lengthy resume in baseball to his name was drafted into minor leagues by the Cleveland Indians. He debuted moved into the major leagues to play for the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals. He then went into coaching minor league affiliates of the New York Yankees, a stint that came to an end after a suspension that occurred during his time coaching the Trenton Thunder.

Matos says it “has as always been a dream of mine to teach kids.”

In 2011, Matos became head coach of Ridgewood High’s baseball coach. In December of that year, he opened the doors to the Julius Matos Baseball Clinic on Kristel Circle.  It had just two small cages and a small workout area

Soon, “the need for a bigger facility became apparent,” he said,

The new location  had a soft opening in April and a grand opening June 20. It has two batting cages and a workout area that is larger than the one in his previous location. One night this week, the clinic attracted 80 kids.  Matos is working on a plan to add softball training to the business’s offerings.  The business now employs five coaches.

In addition to training, the clinic offers summer camps.

The move also provided a new opportunity for DeGroat, who has coached for Matos since 2012 and is vice president of the West Pasco Little League. He opened up Oppo Sports in the baseball clinic’s new location, and it’s his entry into owning his own business. The shop is DeGroat’s, not Matos’.

DeGroat said the shop specializes in baseball and softball equipment and “it creates a good environment.” He thinks it can help bring people into the baseball clinic.  

“We would like to see Oppo Sports become the premiere baseball and sporting goods shop in the area,” Matos said.

Want to find out more about the Julius Matos Baseball Clinic? Visit its website for pricing and program information. The business's phone number is 727 534-6822.