ABOUT US
The Reds organization was founded in 2005 with a clear vision: to provide year-round baseball instruction and a high level of competitive play during the season. From the beginning, the focus has been on player development, fundamentals, and creating opportunities for athletes to grow both on and off the field.
In the summer of 2020, Bobby Kuntzendorf became President and owner of the Northern Illinois Reds. A former NIU pitcher and pitching coach, Bobby has been coaching since the conclusion of his collegiate career. He brings firsthand experience at the collegiate level and a deep understanding of what it takes to compete in high-level baseball. His mission is simple and focused—to develop committed athletes and create as many opportunities as possible for players to continue their careers beyond high school.
Also in the summer of 2020, Joe Grimaldi also joined the organization as owner and Vice President. A current high school coach and former Reds coach, Joe shares the same passion for development and competitive excellence. His goal is to build polished, competitive players who are prepared for both the physical and mental demands of the game, and life.
The Reds Baseball and Softball Academy is committed not only to developing strong athletes, but also to fostering a positive and healthy culture for players and families throughout the organization. This new leadership marked the beginning of a new chapter. In 2020, the Northern Illinois Reds became known as Reds Baseball Academy and in 2025 we became the Reds Baseball and Softball Academy.
In December of 2026, the construction of the Reds Baseball and Softball Academy’s new 21,000 sf indoor training facility was completed. Located at 801 Prairie Pointe Dr. in Yorkville, Illinois, this facility serves as the home of the Academy and stands as a reflection of the organization's commitment to year-round development and long-term growth for every athlete in our program.
What do the REDS offer that other local teams don't?
The Reds strive to keep our prices affordable as compared to other organizations. It is a priority for the Reds family to make competitive baseball training and play, affordable and accessible to as many athletes and families as possible. We offer the serious player a home to develop and grow at a pace suitable for the athlete and their family.
Our coaching staff is experienced and well trained, the Reds place a premium on player development and baseball fundamentals, we also focus equally on character development both on and off the field. We recognize a healthy dugout and strong player culture is vital to our success and the quality experience we desire for our athletes.
We match our youth teams against competition that will challenge them as players, and provide feedback on the areas of the game our athletes need to work on so they can continue their growth as they approach high school age. The Reds attempt to place our high school teams in the most competitive events possible. We seek to both challenge our athletes with great competition and exposure to college coaches to assist in their efforts to compete for the opportunity to play college baseball.
The Reds bottom line is that we want to provide our athletes and families with a quality baseball experience that not only provides great memories, but the guidance and tools to make every effort to realize their dreams of playing college baseball.