GRIT Baseball wins second championship of the season

After launching just last summer, GRIT Baseball has quickly become one of the region’s rising youth baseball programs. This spring, the 8U team posted a 15-3 record, bringing home two tournament championships—winning the Mother’s Day Tournament in Broadway, VA, and the Showdown in the Valley this past weekend in Winchester.

Founded by Chris Forsten, head of Divergent Performance at Old Town Athletic Campus, GRIT Baseball was created to offer something different: a high-level baseball experience that prioritizes skill development, character building, and age-appropriate competition.

The coaching staff with their combined expertise, mentorship, and leadership allow the boys to thrive in a supportive and challenging environment.

“Our sole focus as coaches is to develop strong young men,” said Forsten. “But not at the expense of their childhood. These boys are only 8—we compete, we develop, but we also make sure they’re having fun. Sometimes that means a water gun fight after a hard-working practice, and that’s exactly how it should be.”

Rather than forcing families to choose between traditional recreational leagues and high-intensity travel ball, GRIT Baseball offers a third option. With a thoughtfully structured schedule and experienced coaching, young athletes enjoy meaningful competition—without burning out or missing out. They can still play other sports, experience a variety of alternative activities, and most importantly, love the game as they grow. 

Under the leadership of their coaching staff, GRIT Baseball focuses on quality over quantity, making each game, practice, and tournament an intentional step in a young athlete’s development.