Crosstown Baseball Academy unites former professional players and coaches from the White Sox, Cubs, and beyond to partner with local communities and organizations, helping young athletes grow into complete ballplayers through fun, engaging, and character-driven instruction.
Schedule a CallBaseball Coaching Services
Sign up for a Clinic
Crosstown Baseball Academy partners with local communities to run clinics for players from 1st grade through high school, combining skill development, competition, and professional feedback to build ability and love for the game.
Get STarted Now
Quick Video
Analysis
Send your pitching/hitting practice or game footage, and our team will deliver a detailed breakdown with voiceover analysis and illustrations to provide actionable steps to improve your game
Get Started Now
1:1 and Group Private Instruction
Get started working with our team of professionals. Schedule a call in just two clicks through our online booking system.
Get Started Now
Professional Speaking Engagement
Book one of our former professionals for Coaches Clinics, Team Banquets, Fundraisers, Corporate Events etc.
Contact Us Today
Hi, I’m Charlie.
Sports have shaped my life, teaching me lessons far beyond the field.
I played for the Cardinals, White Sox, Pirates, and Phillies over 11 seasons, maintaining a .288 career batting average. Playing in the big leagues was a dream come true, but the path wasn’t without challenges — from slumps to injuries to setbacks. Along the way, I leaned on former teammates and coaches who helped me understand that true success comes from perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to continual growth.
Together with many of those same teammates and coaches, I founded Crosstown Baseball Academy — a program built to partner with local communities and organizations to enhance the youth baseball experience at its roots. Our mission is to make professional-level training and insights accessible to young players, helping them develop their skills, character, and love for the game.
Learn MoreAs Seen In
Crosstown Philosophy
Rule 1: Have Fun
We build passion by emphasizing engagement, creating a positive, competitive environment where every player is active and involved. When athletes feel connected and enjoy the process, they build confidence, consistency, and a lifelong love for the game.
Rule 2: Learn with Purpose
Development starts with understanding. We keep instruction simple, focused, and connected to real game situations. By linking each drill to the “why” behind it, players learn how to think the game, make adjustments, and play with intent.
Rule 3: Lead as a Teammate
Crosstown players compete hard and lead with character. We teach communication, effort, and respect, values that define great teammates and great leaders. The goal is not just to develop better players, but better people on and off the field.
Testimonials
Shawn Goosenberg
Chicago White Sox
Northwestern University
Charlie made me a more complete and confident hitter in just the few months I got to spend learning from him while at Northwestern. He has an impressive feel for hitting and is able to unlock the small fixes that turn hitters into their best versions of themselves. He understands hitting beyond just swinging and brings invaluable insight passed down to him throughout his major league career. Also, he’s a great guy in general.
Spencer Allen
Director of Player Development
Milwaukee Brewers
Northwestern University Head Coach
Working with Charlie Tilson was an invaluable experience. He possesses a unique ability to build genuine rapport with each athlete, fostering an environment of trust and open communication. This foundation allows him to tailor his coaching approach to individual needs and strengths, maximizing player potential. Charlie’s extensive experience in the big leagues gives him unique insights, but he never imposes a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, he recognizes the qualities of each player and adapts his guidance accordingly. Charlie is a true difference-maker, a coach who deeply understands the ‘Player’ in ‘Player Development.
Anthony Calarco
Northwestern University
Ole Miss University
Texas Rangers
I am someone who has had the unique experience of taking lessons from Charlie Tilson from the time I was 10 years old to when I became a professional, and to state it simply Charlie’s impact on my career has been profound. Charlie has the unique combination of having played the game at the highest level and having the passion and communication skills to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of ball players. He is someone I consider to be a mentor to me due to his great perspective on life and baseball. I 100% recommend anyone to work with Charlie!!
Video Training Demo
Join our email list for baseball tips, schedule updates and our swing analysis demonstration with Alex Bregman.
