With over 15 years of playing experience each, and 6 years of coaching in Ontario's top league together, Shawn Lynn and Francis Cubos have united to form Mind Over Matter Baseball—an elite athletic program offering private one-on-one baseball instruction.

Both Shawn and Francis have impressive baseball backgrounds, having received full scholarships to colleges in the United States (one of which was a top program), getting drafted and offered a minor league contract, and being selected to play on Canada’s National team.

Mind Over Matter Baseball involves two hard-working and dedicated instructors that have proven to produce quick and lasting results with their players. As instructors, Shawn and Francis get results by their unique style of hands-on teaching. Along with mechanical work, they also emphasize the importance of the mental and physical aspects of the game. All in all, it is Mind Over Matter Baseball’s goal to get players to the best of their abilities and to prepare them for the next level.

Shawn Lynn ( view resume )

Shawn has been coaching for six years in the PBLO—Ontario’s top baseball league. Beginning as a pitching/assistant coach for the Toronto Ravens and Welland Renegades, Shawn quickly made his way up to a head coach position within the PBLO. Alongside C.E.O of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame organization, Tom Valke, and Director of Operations, Scott Crawford, Shawn started a new 18-and-under elite baseball team, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers and remained head coach for two consecutive years. Although facing the struggles of a young organization, Shawn was able to lead his team to two fairly successful seasons, with his greatest success in improving the skills of his players. In fact, since having left the organization several of Shawn’s players have gone on to receive scholarships to colleges across the U.S.

Following his two years with the Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers, Shawn moved on to accept a head coaching position within Ontario’s longest standing organization, the Canadian Thunderbirds. Honoured to work with baseball legend Mel Oswald (founder and C.E.O) and Tex Montgomery (president), Shawn was excited to begin his first season as head coach of the Thunderbirds’ 16-and-under team.

Shawn’s first season with the Thunderbirds was a very successful one. With a strong showing in the PBLO season, the Thunderbirds went on to reach the semi-finals in the Sandlot World Series in Murfreesboro, TN and then to take the junior title in the 12th Annual CanAm International Elite Baseball Tournament in Hamilton, ON. Shawn now enters his second season with the Thunderbirds and will be taking over as head coach of the 18-and-under team.

Shawn has also had the opportunity of coaching some of Ontario’s premiere players as well as working with some of Ontario’s top coaches. In 2006, the PBLO organized its first East-West All-Star game, with Shawn voted in to be a coach for the West Team. Shawn, alongside coaches Tex Montgomery, Jim Conte, and Francis Cubos, led their team to a 5-4 victory. Shawn has also assisted with tryouts for the Ontario youth camp for the past four years, with hopes of becoming a coach for the Ontario Cup Youth team, working with Jason Chee-loi, Dan Thompson, and Derek Rothwell.

In addition to his successes in coaching, Shawn has been accelerating in baseball instruction. In this past year, Shawn has been appointed head pitching instructor for the Thunderbirds, he has worked with ex-major leaguers Rob and Rich Butler, Nigel Wilson, and Paul Spoljeric as a pitching instructor at the Home Run Baseball Academy, and he and Francis Cubos have launched Mind Over Matter Baseball—an elite program offering private one-on-one instruction for players from any position. As an instructor, Shawn’s success in player development has been outstanding.  

Shawn, who grew up in North York, ON, has played baseball for most of his life. Starting out of Bond Park where he was recognized for his outstanding pitching and hitting, Shawn played for the North York Blues for almost 10 years. During those 10 years, Shawn also played with the best players on the top selected teams in Ontario, including the Team Toronto All-Star Team, Team Ontario, Team Canada, and Ontario Blue Jays. At the age of 18, Shawn was offered a full scholarship to attend Seminole State College in OK, one of the top programs in the U.S. In his first season with the Seminole State Trojans, Shawn’s team finished with a 76-5 record, Shawn with an 11-1 pitching record. They also made an appearance at the World Series where Shawn had the opportunity to play in front of 20,000 plus fans—what Shawn describes as one his greatest baseball moments.

Some of Shawn’s proudest moments in baseball were when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres, when he was asked to attend a minor league camp, and when he was offered a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Unfortunately, due to an arm injury, Shawn had to give up the dream of playing professional baseball and he returned to his hometown. After a year of rest, Shawn picked up baseball again, and joined the Hamilton Cardinals, a semi-pro baseball team in the inter-county league.

Shawn continues to play senior baseball, but he now dedicates his time and efforts to passing on his knowledge to players. 

Francis Cubos ( view resume )

Francis is now entering his 7th year as a coach within the PBLO, the top league in Ontario for elite players. He began his coaching career with the Toronto Ravens as a catching/assistant coach six years ago. Then it was off to Welland to be a part of the Renegades program, continuing on as a catching/assistant coach. Francis saw these first three years of coaching as an opportunity to improve his coaching skills as well to learn how to run an elite baseball program.

After his time with the Renegades, Francis was offered a position as assistant coach for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Famers in St.Mary's, ON. Here, he and Shawn Lynn started a new 18-and-under team in an attempt to provide players with another option for playing baseball at the elite level. During his 2 years with the Hall of Famers, Francis was able to overcome some of the difficulties of coaching within a young organization. Successful in improving the skills of his players, Francis made a name for himself as a dedicated, hard-working coach. In his 2nd year with the Hall of Famers, Francis was privileged to be on the coaching staff for the West team at the first ever East vs. West PBLO All-Star game. And Francis helped guide the West team to a 5-4 victory.  

Presently, Francis holds the assistant coach position for the Canadian Thunderbirds’ 16-and-under team, and acts as head catching instructor for the entire organization. He just completed a very successful first year with the Thunderbirds, finishing strong in the PBLO season, and continuing their successes into tournament play. The team made semi-finals in the Sandlot World Series in Murfreesboro, TN, among some of the top 16-and under teams in the U.S., and then took home the championship title at the 12^th Annual CanAm International Elite Baseball Tournament in Hamilton, ON.

Francis now enters his 2nd season with the Thunderbirds, moving up to assistant coach for the 18-and-under squad. He will also maintain his position as head catching instructor.

To increase his involvement with baseball instruction, Francis, alongside Shawn Lynn has started Mind Over Matter Baseball, offering one-on-one instruction for players looking to get to the best of their abilities. And all in all, Francis has produced great results for players from his hard-work and dedication as a both an instructor and coach.

As a player, Francis has been involved with baseball for over 17 years and has had the opportunity to be a part of several teams. Beginning his playing career at 10 years old, Francis was almost immediately invited to play for the all-star team with the North York Blues where he stayed for 5 years. Always looking for new opportunities to improve his skills and open doors for the future, Francis went on to play for different teams based out of Scarborough and North York. But one of the highlights of his young career was being selected to play for Team Toronto, and winning the Canon Cup while on the team.

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Testimonials

IMPRESSIVE, IMPRESSIVE… IMPRESSIVE!

As a parent, father and sometimes coach, I can’t tell you enough at how thrilled I am that my son has had the opportunity to work with Shawn Lynn and Francis Cubos.

Over the course of the last year my son, Daniel, has been drilled to near extinction, worked beyond what I thought possible, and above all, taught the intricacies of pitching. His velocity, accuracy, strength, endurance, skill and just about every other area of the position’s “must have’s” has increased dramatically. Surprisingly, there has been another area that has also increased as result of working with Shawn and Francis, my son’s respect and love for the sport of baseball. He’s being constantly challenged at every level, driven to succeed, and yet he comes home after each and every session wanting more, he’s actually thinking about what he’s learned. Oh, and by the way, Daniel’s marks at school are way up and still rising… Is there no end to the benefits?

I wasn’t asked to write this little note and you can take it as the ranting of yet another over involved parent, but as long as my boy is working with Shawn and Francis… He’s the one that has the advantage!

Shawn Rees, Parent

Shawn Lynn and Francis Cubos have been working with our organization for the past two years. I find them to be extremely knowledgeable in all facets of not only the game on baseball, but also how to coach it. They bring great energy and a positive spirit. Being able to communicate  with players is critical in coaching any sport, and they have attained that attribute, along with their hard work and dedication. Shawn is an excellent pitching instructor, and Francis knows the catching position from experience. Their attention to detail is a great asset, so nothing gets missed.

They have the ability and the will power to make an average ball player a better player, and that is not an easy task. I would definitely recommend "Mind Over Matter" as a worthwhile experience.

Alan 'TEX' Montgomery, President - Canadian Thunderbirds

After only a few workouts at Mind Over Matter Baseball, I immediately saw results. The unique coaching style helped me quickly learn to overcome physical exhaustion and taught me mental strength. Their accurate statistics showed me progressing lesson-by-lesson—a great way to show that the work I was putting in was paying off. Also, their constant encouragement helped me push myself through even the most demanding tasks. Mind Over Matter Baseball is a great place to go if you want to get better!

Brandon Banaschewski, age 16

Since starting one-on-one's with Mind Over Matter Baseball, the coaches have greatly improved my pitching mechanics, making me more accurate and they have added several mph onto my fastball. Also, my running speed and conditioning level have gone up from their drills.

Kyle McKay, age 16

Since training with Mind Over Matter Baseball, Shawn has helped me improve the velocity on my fastball, my overall physical condition and to be a better baseball player in general. Also working with Mind Over Matter, Shawn and Francis treat me like a mature adult, and they listen and take notes on what I say. Overall, I feel that I am able to overcome a lot more because I am now mentally stronger.

Mitch Clarke, age 16

Mind Over Matter Baseball has not only made me a better physical player but also a more mentally strong baseball player. Attending Mind Over Matter has improved my physical strength, my speed and my confidence as a baseball player.  MIND OVER MATTER BASEBALL IS THE BOMB!!!!

John Cesare Pacheco, age 16

Since I have been with Mind Over Matter Baseball, I have learned:

-  Proper conditioning, and what it means for the game

-  Mind over matter, being able to work through the pain

-  Hand speed, focusing on the mechanics before I hit

-  Mental strength, keeping focused throughout the entire game

-  To think about the team’s game just as much as you do your own game

- How to improve my overall game, working both at defense just as much as I do on offence, playing more catch and working on my foot work in the field until I have it down

- The major thing that I have learned and been able to work on because of coach Shawn and coach Francis is being patient and    waiting back on every pitch instead of lunging and getting over anxious

Graeme Carey, age 16

Mind Over Matter is a great baseball program. Coach Shawn and coach Francis improved my endurance and arm strength. They have also worked on my pitching mechanics and have got me pitching the best I ever have. Thanks coach Shawn and coach Francis.

Bobby Boddam, age 16

Since I’ve joined the Mind Over Matter program, Shawn and Francis have made dramatic improvements to my game by increasing my bat speed, increasing my pop time, getting me in better shape and making my arm stronger. Shawn and Francis are always pushing me to give 100%, and if it was not for them, I would not be in the position I am in today.

Ben Tinklin, age 16