Meet Coach Karlan Andrews | Infield Development Academy

ABOUT INFIELD DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY

Focused On Developing Infielders.

Infield Development Academy was created by Coach Karlan Andrews, an Assistant Coach at Fresno Pacific University and former Associate Scout with the Texas Rangers. IDA is the Central Valley's only training facility focused exclusively on developing baseball and softball infielders.

MEET COACH KARLAN

Karlan Andrews

I grew up here in Visalia and graduated from Redwood High School before going on to play baseball at Fresno Pacific University, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Psychology.

After my playing career ended in 2012, I got into coaching and really started to find a passion for working with infielders. I spent one year coaching the varsity infielders at CVC and seven years at Redwood High School, where I was fortunate to be part of two Valley Championship teams and three league championships.

I also spent two years as an Associate Scout with the Texas Rangers. That experience gave me another perspective on the game and a better understanding of what coaches and organizations look for as players move up to higher levels.

Today, I coach the infielders at Fresno Pacific University while also running Infield Development Academy here in Visalia. In 2025, our defense finished as one of the top three defenses in the country, something I'm extremely proud to have been a part of. Being able to coach at the college level while also working with younger athletes at IDA gives me the opportunity to take what I'm learning and seeing at that level and bring it directly into how I develop our players.

I've been coaching for over 15 years now, and one thing I've learned is that you can never stop learning. I'm constantly talking with other coaches, asking questions, watching the game, and learning from people I respect at the high school, college, and professional levels.

OUR MISSION

Developing Infielders For What Comes Next

IDA was started to give baseball and softball players in the Central Valley a place where they can really learn how to play the infield.

We're big on fundamentals, but playing the infield is about a lot more than just fielding ground balls. We teach our athletes how to move, use their feet, play with rhythm and timing, make decisions, and adjust when the game doesn't give them a perfect hop or a perfect situation.

We also want IDA to be a place where kids enjoy coming to work. We have players from different schools, teams, and communities training together. They compete, push each other, learn from each other, and have fun doing it.

For us, development is about the long game. We're not trying to make a 10-year-old look like a finished product. We're trying to give them a strong foundation they can keep building on as they get older.

The field is going to get bigger. The game is going to get faster. The expectations are going to get higher.

We want them ready when that time comes.

THE IDA ADVANTAGE

Infield Is What We Do

IDA is different because we don't try to do everything. We focus on one thing, and that's developing infielders.

There's a lot more that goes into playing the infield than just taking ground balls. How you move, how you use your feet, your glove work, throwing, rhythm and timing, angles, decision-making, and learning how to adjust when a play doesn't happen exactly the way you practiced it.

Those are the details we spend our time on.

We're also always learning. Coach Karlan regularly talks with and learns from other coaches at the high school, college, and professional levels. The game keeps changing, and we believe our coaching should keep growing with it.

IDA was built to give infielders a place where the position gets the time and attention it deserves.

We don't offer a little bit of everything. We develop infielders. That's what we do.

WHAT COACHES & ATHLETES SAY

Proven Results Across the Central Valley

From youth athletes to college players to professional coacheshere's what the baseball and softball community says about training at IDA.

"IDA provided me with many of the infield fundamentals that are important to my game. Coach Karlan is one of those coaches that you always want to be around. He is constantly looking for ways to help you elevate your game, both physically and mentally. No matter how far I had to travel after other practices, homework, or long days, he always greeted my brother and me with a smile and made the pursuit of getting 1% better that much more enjoyable."

Cole Fellows

Clovis North HS, Columbia University

"What Karlan has built with Infield Development Academy is truly special, making it a premier facility for defensive development and growth. His knowledge and experience, matched with the state-of-the-art facility, are groundbreaking in the world of baseball training. Defense wins championships, and Infield Development Academy offers a championship atmosphere where players can improve and gain an edge defensively. 10/10 I would send my son, daughter, or any of my players to Infield Development Academy."

Nate Keavy

Minor League Bench Coach for San Francisco Giants

"Karlan is one of the best infield instructors in the game today. He has a strong background as a professional scout, collegiate coach and player. In addition to his knowledge and expertise in fielding, he understand how to connect with his players on a personal level few can do. You won't find a better place for your athlete to develop."

Lucas Kephart

Former Scout And Hitters Lab CEO

"As a high school head baseball coach over the last 26 years, I have worked with many outstanding coaches, and I can say with confidence that Karlan Andrews is truly one of the best infield instructors I have ever been around. Karlan played a significant role in developing numerous infielders who went on to compete at the college and professional levels. On a personal level, my 14-year-old son has trained at IDA for several years. As both a head coach and a father, I trust Karlan completely with my son's development."

Dan Hydash

Head Coach Redwood High School

"Coach Karlan and IDA are top of the line. From young kids up to college and pro guys, Karlan has the knowledge and skillset to develop any kid into the best version of themselves. Rare these days to find a coach with more passion and experience than Karlan. HIGHLY recommend IDA more to any athlete wanting to put in the work and grow."

Carey Crain

Owner of The Farm Baseball Academy Owner of The Advantage Athletic Recruiting

"Since IDA first opened, the Visalia Wolf Pack has trained with Coach Andrews and seen tremendous growth across all age groups. His passion for the game and commitment to developing both skilled players and strong young men and women truly sets IDA apart."

Chase McElree

Founder of Visalia Wolf Pack Baseball

"Coach Karlan has a genuine passion for the game of baseball. It pours out of him through his intense focus to the details and the fundamentals that make great players. His goal is to make your student athlete better by teaching them the value of hard work and grit. Being great at something requires an obsession to that task and that's exactly what you get when you walk through the gates of IDA."

Coach Brady Johnston

Visalia Wolfpack and Exeter High School Coach

"I have worked with Karlan for over a decade. The energy he pours into his craft is unmatched. The game of baseball is always evolving and Karlan stays in touch with all of the latest information and equipment. His sessions are structured, detailed, and provide an opportunity for players to get a large quantity of game-like repetitions. I highly recommend him to any age ball player. The central valley is lucky to have him."

Matt Fox

Washington Union Head Coach

"I started going to IDA the year it opened, and had the pleasure of watching it grow from a few small groups of boys and one girl to teams upon teams both baseball and softball fighting for a weekly slot to work with Karlan. I had never really been a fan of playing defense but after starting IDA and learning and getting better it became my favorite part of the day and IDA became my favorite part of the week. I took drills Karlan taught me and used them with girls on my college teams and they still use them today. Karlan is an amazing coach that taught me so many things and what he taught me played a big role in my collegiate success."

Sydnee Weber

University of Providence

"Training at IDA was an incredible experience for me. Not only did it greatly improve my skills and mechanics on the field, but it also helped me build confidence in myself as a player. Karlan created an environment where I could learn, grow, and trust both my abilities and my teammates. Along the way, I also build strong friendships that made the experience even more meaningful. I'm truly grateful for everything I've learned here and would recommend this place to any player looking to grow on and off the field."

Taylor Hastin

College Of The Seqouias

READY TO GET STARTED?

Let's Find The Right Group

Send me a short video of your athlete fielding along with their age and a little bit about their playing experience. I'll take a look and get back to you with what I think would be the best fit and what we currently have available.