Pete Laforest launches B45 Academy
It’s always great to see former professional players give back to their community. They have all been kids playing baseball. And they all had people helping them achieve their dreams. Our friend and former client Pete Laforest is definitely one of them. And that’s why we decided to help him with the creation of his B45 Academy, based in the neighborhood of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
A former catcher, Pete played 68 games in the Big Leagues with Tampa Bay, San Diego and Philadelphia. He ended his playing career back in his home province of Quebec, wearing the Can-Am League’s Quebec Capitales uniform from 2009 to 2012. In 2009, he won the championship along with his teammate and good friend Éric Gagné. The Cy Young Award winner in 2003 is now the Chairman of the Board at B45, so it was a no-brainer for him to help his friend to start this project.
B45 Academy offers individual and group pitching, hitting, catching, and fielding instruction. They also offer speed and agility training, strength and conditioning, and in season training and practice plans. All the instruction and training is led by former professional baseball players. To lead the facility, Pete is joined by former AAA pitcher Travis Wade and former pro pitchers Jason Anderson and Kevin Lewis.
On top of that, they created a youth baseball program, which features a 10U team this season. Last weekend, B45 Academy 10U played their first tournament of the season and they won it! We are very proud to be part of this young but promising program.