Below is a video snippet for your review. The audio is also available on RealSports’ audio podcast on iTunes (episode #180) You can also hear the audio mp3 here.

You do not have to be injured to experience a marked change in performance. We are seeing significant results working with injury-free athletes aged 13 and up. The keys here are in teaching and providing a nurturing environment where a young (or seasoned) baseball player can see real improvements in their training, performance AND understanding of the game.

“Everybody throws harder and they’re healthier,” Says Tom House, and one look at the season the Trinity Christian Academy pitchers are having in 2012, bears this out. Weighted balls are just the beginning though. Immersing a player in the Complete Athlete training changes him forever.

If you want to put this system to work for your athlete, call us @ 214-704-8017 or register for our Collegiate Prep or Pitchers Prep sessions for Summer 2012.

And, remember to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Here’s the article:

Baseball player of the week (4/09): TCA-Addison’s Reed Bastie

CORBETT SMITH The Dallas Morning News Staff Writer

Published: 08 April 2012 08:50 PM

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What he did: Bastie picked up the loss in TCA’s final game of the 2011 season, a 4-1 defeat to eventual TAPPS 5A champ Houston St. Thomas. He hasn’t lost since. After going 11-0 in the off-season for the McKinney Marshals, Bastie is 9-0 for TCA in his senior season. Last week, he pitched nine scoreless innings, won two games and struck out 11. He also went 8-for-12 at the plate, with three extra-base hits and three runs.

Who he is: A 6-0, 140-pound senior right-handed pitcher, center fielder and shortstop

The stats: As a pitcher, 9-0 with a 0.33 ERA, and an 81-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. As a hitter, he’s batting .425, with 27 runs, 14 steals, and 11 extra-base hits.

He said it: “I saw the ball well last week. We played two day games, and I tend to see the ball better during the day.”

Coach said it: “The difference between him [and others] is that even without his best stuff, he’s still able to get people out.” — Donnie Watson

Did you know? Bastie has signed with Oklahoma State. He was recruited as a pitcher by TCU, Baylor, Duke and several Ivy League schools. Bastie has three pitches, a two-seam fastball in the high 80s, a curve and a splitter.

Donnie,

If I look at it as a parent, of course I want my son to take charge, I want him to be healthy and competitive, and to make better choices in everything from diet to friendships to workouts to playing this game.

But when it comes to baseball, what I really want is for him to have the best shot at playing college ball or turning pro, meaning the talent, the smarts, the training, the contacts and the high-visibility opportunities to turn heads.

As a dad who has spent thousands of dollars on lessons, camps, teams, equipment and nutrition, and has devoted thousands of hours driving to lessons, practices, tryouts, games, camps, tournaments and showcases, my goal was to support him every step of the way and provide every opportunity I could.

And, if I am completely honest with myself, yes I want him to realize his dream, because it’s my dream too. I bought into the possibilities, and to me, seeing him go very far into a big league career would mean success for him, and for me.

So, I have been gulping the kool-aid for years. I have been counseling him, coaching him, coaching his teams, working out with him and feeding him. I take it harder when he’s not treated fairly, and when failure inevitably presents itself on and off the field, and in opportunities missed.

And, the more I learn, the more I realize what I do isn’t enough. There should be a better way, there has to be more that can be done, because I do not feel I have enabled him to grasp every opportunity. I can’t do it all.

I want someone else to believe in him. I want honesty, I want expertise and I want a promise I can believe in. I want him to “get it” and believe in himself and show lots of interested people how tough and smart and competitive and talented he is.

So where can I get that?

Ultimately, there is only one place, and that’s at your side. He has learned more, thrived more and grown more as a player and a young man working with the Complete Athlete and Donnie Watson than in all the earlier years combined. It may have been that he was finally ready and the teacher appeared, but I think it is more.

I think what you teach, and how you empower each boy makes them men with a mission. I see several of his peers taking charge because you have told them who is ultimately responsible for their careers. If they listen they learn. And as they learn they grow more powerful in their bodies and their spirits.

It is a transformation I am happy to have witnessed, and in all our years of select ball and lessons I never saw that happen. I wish I could tell every baseball parent to fire their coach and instructor tomorrow. Parents are wasting their money and their sons’ time, when time is so very precious.

Thank you again for giving yours so freely. You have changed an athlete, and his dad.

So, the timing is crucial, and I’m sending out this note ahead of schedule.

If you want to help your son become “recruitable,” we have the dates, the facilities
and the training manuals ready to go for Collegiate Prep and Pitchers Prep for this
summer. And, since we’ve tightened up the enrollment numbers for this year, I
wanted to give you first dibs.

We’ll do our official announcement in the next 10 days on sports radio, Facebook
and Twitter, and you may even see a brochure at a game or booster club meeting,
so there really is a sense of urgency.

Our Collegiate Prep and Pitchers Prep are performance-science based training camps
that push athletes to their genetic potential, and teach them what it takes to
have the success to be recruitable by college coaches.

As one of our dads said last year, these sessions are “boot camp for baseball.” Our
players emerge stronger, smarter and better prepared than any summer of select play
or lessons could ever deliver. They have seen their potential, and if they’re really
hungry for success, they’ll have the tools to chase it down.

This isn’t off-season income for a coach. It’s not experimental, and it’s not opinion.
It is the science and experience we teach year ’round in a complete program.

There’s no better training available in North Texas.

And you get 1st shot at reserving your spot at any of the three sessions.

Go to our new page, read the info, and make your reservation. It will be full soon
enough and we will not be adding spots or sessions. See the page here:
http://complete-athlete.com/events/collegiate-prep/

Baseball needs this map to success, because the one dimensional wrecking ball of
abuse, overuse, hyper-intense competition and game after game after game isn’t
making your son a better prospect. It’s wearing him out and setting him up for the
injuries and burnout that will steal his potential. You see it every day, and so do we,
and now you have an opportunity to get the tools to arm your son for the trials ahead.

I strongly urge you to act now, and if you have questions call me at 214.704.8017.

Sincerely,

Donnie Watson
Complete Athlete

So, due to Rangers conflicts, select schedule conflicts, weather delays (possibly) and overall delays and distractions, we’re pushing our  Symposium Dinner and Sunday clinics back to our next scheduled weekend, November 11 & 12, 2011.

All registrations will be honored for the November sessions, and given first priority in the 25-attendee cap. We limit participation in these events to make certain each Athlete gets the full attention he deserves.

We will STILL test @ 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 08, at TCA. Come get your baseline stats for your recruiting dossier. Numbers say plenty to college and pro recruiters and scouts, and certified reports carry even more weight. For additional details, visit our Player’s Prep page today.

See you Saturday!

Player’s Prep Taking Off-Season Training to a New Level.

And to expand the reach of the Complete Athlete protocols, Donnie Watson is opening these sessions and testing dates to players from around North Texas.

The multiple sessions follow a logical day-to-day progression of training steps that create the finely-tuned rhythm pitchers and position players must embrace (offensively and defensively) to prepare for championship season play, and to develop a dossier for recruiters.

Player’s Prep develops strength, improves mechanics and mentally prepares the player for the rigors of his most-important season, the spring high school or collegiate season. Athletes undergoing the Player’s Prep regimen actually maintain strength throughout the season, and report to “work” ready to perform.

No other off-season program offered in North Texas has this level of performance science behind it’s every premise. Reason enough for the Rod Dedeaux Research & Baseball Institute (RDRBI) to hand pick the Complete Athlete as a host site testing partner, and reason enough for your player to excel under the area’s finest science-based performance system.

Note: there are different requirements for existing Complete Athlete Players and new Players wanting to excel in the training. For further details, consult the Player’s Prep information page.

To register for this exciting Player’s Prep Program please utilize our secure online form on the Player’s Prep information page. The Player’s Prep program begins September, 2011 (for existing players, October 15 for new players) and finishes January, 2012.

Players wake up leg muscles prior to speed testing.

Pouring through their notebooks and comparing before-and-after scores in functional strength and on-field performance, it became clear to each of the participants, the Summer of 2011 was a benchmark in their growth as players and leaders.

“Our goals centered on helping the young men embrace the template for becoming their absolute best while understanding the minimum standards for collegiate success,” said Donnie Watson. “Each athlete now knows where they stand, how to improve their scores and what it will take to get where they need to be.”

“It’s up to each of them to take ownership of this conditioning and knowledge, if they want to be considered serious recruits by college coaches and want to lead their teams to championships next spring.” he added.

Players worked for six weeks throughout the summer to learn and then apply critical knowledge and skills in CA’s 4-part training. Working in areas of nutrition, functional strength, mechanics and mental-emotional disciplines each athlete developed a deeper understanding of where they fit into college recruitment standards. The camp required substantial work on the field and in the strength center, applying baseball-centric drills and routines.

“Speed and arm strength are key indicators for coaches, but there are so many elements that have to work together to optimize those skills, this program is essential for serious athletes,” said Coach Ski Sullivan. “There’s a huge difference between summer teams that promise to help kids be seen, and a program like this that gives them the tools to make those meetings meaningful. No one is doing what we’ve done here this summer.”

Coaches Clayton Nester and David Pinot rounded out the coaching staff for the camp, developing further the offerings in fielding, hitting and speed skills.

“I think it’s important to note that we delivered on a promise to help these boys learn what it takes to succeed in collegiate baseball and beyond. We have burst the bubbles and debunked the myths and much of what they learned from traditional sources, adds Watson. “If they take this science and really work to realize their genetic potential, you’ll see these faces in uniform for several more years.”

Speed work helps attain minimum standards for college play

Collegiate Prep, the ultimate recruitability instruction program, enters week #4 on July 11.

Weeks 1-3 saw some changes in many of the 50 or so young men participating. Most notable was the undoing of bad habits learned through years of hand-me-down coaching techniques and counsel.

“It’s sad but so true that these athletes have been handed some seriously-flawed information from their select and school coaches, says Director Donnie Watson. “We’ve spent a lot of time clearing their minds so they can adjust and get on a path that will at least allow them to reach their potential.”

And the boys have worked very hard, physically pushing themselves in everything from the Dynamic Warmup, to proper strength and conditioning, through the speed drills necessary for upgrading their on-the-field performance.

While fundamentals are addressed several times each session, getting to a recruitable profile requires each player knowing where they stand in the many criteria evaluated by college recruiters and scouts. Players record their progress throughout the sessions, carrying their CP manual often from station to station.

CA's Dynamic Warmup is essential for injury avoidance

“We have to make sure they understand the benchmarks, and how to get there,” adds Watson. “Speed and arm strength are essential for getting noticed, but if the other components aren’t in place there’s trouble. We’re evaluating and teaching constantly.”

Players wishing to attend weeks 4-6 may do so following discussions with Donnie Watson for evaluation purposes. There will be an element of “catch-up” in knowledge and items already covered, but a dedicated athlete will be able to assimilate the earlier information.

For additional details, please phone Donnie Watson @ 214.704.8017. Registration is on our Collegiate Prep page.

“It is like the blind leading the blind with High School, Select League and Tournament teams trying to promote their organizations and players. In reality, being asked to travel to college showcases, tryout camps and evaluation sessions without having a proven resume – written proof that you, on your own, possess the minimum skill requirements to be considered a college prospect – is NOT money or time well spent.”

Collegiate Prep will feature six weeks of testing, instruction, drills and training throughout the summer to accommodate summer ball, showcases and holidays/vacations. Athletes who complete the entire program will receive a printed Collegiate Prep Dossier to present to potential recruiters, coaches and schools.

According to Watson, no select league, showcase organizer, coach or instructor is delivering this comprehensive a level of results-driven training which is why the Complete Athlete staff was inspired to develop Collegiate Prep for Summer 2011.

“It is a very competitive sport. College coaches want to know what potential and skills they can count on. The less they have to develop on the field and in the classroom the more confidence they will have when filling their needs as a program.” They need skills-ready athletes, so it is our goal to prepare our players for that next-level of success and arm them with the documentation that proves their case,” said Watson.

Complete Athlete is offering early-registration discounts, and program size is limited. Visit the Collegiate Prep registration page online at complete-athlete.com for pricing, dates and details.

About Donnie Watson
Donnie Watson is a successful coach, teacher, recruiter and director of player and program development. During the past 30 years he has coached at both the high school and collegiate levels including 16 years as an assistant and NCAA Division I head baseball coach. Donnie has worked with thousands of aspiring baseball players and is known as a one of the nation’s foremost authorities for teaching science based throwing mechanics and functional strength regimens for success. He has a long line of testimonials to attest to his unique ability to instruct, inform and inspire players, parents and coaches to move past the personal constraints of outdated teaching that exist in today’s playing environment. He can be reached @ 214.704.8017.

Getting in game shape, competing for a rotation (or even a roster) spot, mastering pitches and your mental approach is ALL hard work. Mix in a flurry of practices, scrimmages, bullpens, workouts and plenty of coach-parent-instructor-teammate advice, and it is easy to get off track in the early going.

It is a long season, so not being “in tune” or confident of your path at the outset may not be catastrophic, but it can derail some big plans.

I have been asked repeatedly in the last few weeks about chances for lessons, sessions, bullpens, and tune-ups before and during the season. Honestly, it is normally a time when we shut down Complete Athlete activities and prepare for the Coaches Certification and summerand off-season programs.

This spring will be different.

I am going to oversee a Sunday training/tune-up series for elite pitchers in North Texas called CA Select.

CA Select will be hosted in two distinct afternoon sessions* over the course of several weeks in the spring. Pitchers may register for single or multiple sessions (pricing varies) and will receive individual attention in a small group setting. We are limiting the number of pitchers in each session to eight. Our experience shows this to be the optimal learning environment as there is never a lost moment or chance of boredom. Everyone learns, teaches and benefits exponentially more than a single lesson could ever deliver.

In our Symposiums and Pitcher’s Prep trainings we work like crazy to make each player their own best coach. It’s the only way they’ll succeed. We also know that taking ownership is a timing issue. Some athletes take it on sooner than others. And why not, we’ve taught them to respect coaches, listen to instructors and do what they’re told. Taking charge is a different mindset.

These sessions, may just set the mold for future success. So, if your son is making this spring a priority, enroll now, and take advantage of the best pitching environment he can employ for his game plan in 2011.