Built by athletes. built for athletes
The Mound was born out of a simple belief — that every young athlete in the Illinois Valley deserves a place to work, grow, and fall in love with the game.
Lainie Smyk (formerly Schweickert) was a standout pitcher at St. Bede Academy before going on to pitch collegiately at Lewis University. Her impact at St. Bede was so lasting that she was recently inducted into the St. Bede Athletics Hall of Fame — a testament to the kind of competitor and person she is.
Tim Smyk grew up playing baseball in Morris, IL, where he captained the Morris Redskins to a regional championship in 2014. He went on to play collegiately at Illinois Wesleyan University, finishing his career with a .346 batting average. Baseball wasn’t just a sport for Tim — it was the classroom where he learned discipline, competitiveness, and what it means to put in the work when no one is watching.
Together, Tim and Lainie have built The Mound into more than a training facility. It’s a place where Illinois Valley athletes are pushed to be their best, coached by people who have been there, and welcomed like family. Their 2-year-old son Brooks is already a regular — he loves swinging in the cages and running the turf, and honestly he might be the facility’s biggest fan.
When you walk into The Mound, you’re not just getting instruction. You’re getting two people who genuinely love this game and care deeply about the athletes they work with. That’s not something you can manufacture — it’s just who they are.
Meet Tim & Lainie Smyk
Why We Do This
The Illinois Valley has talented athletes. What it needed was a place that takes their development seriously — a facility with real instruction, real accountability, and coaches who actually played the game at a high level.
The Mound was built to be that place. We believe in small groups, individual attention, and an environment where hard work is the expectation — not the exception. We believe in making training fun, because athletes who love what they’re doing get better faster.
Most of all, we believe in the kids. Every athlete who walks through our door has potential. Our job is to help them find it.
Whether you’re looking for private lessons, group training, memberships, or just want to get in some cage time — we’d love to have you.
Come see what we’re building.
our FAcility
Our 3,300sqft. training home in the heart of the Illinois Valley features three dedicated cages built to supply consistent reps, easy online booking, and a clean, focused environment that turns practice into progress. Translation: more swings with less waiting, predictable access instead of hunting for open slots, and a space designed to help athletes improve faster. We keep it simple—clear schedules, convenient location, and room to work—so you get the outcome you want with less effort and time wasted.
